D&D 5E Missing Backgrounds

[Andor]

To start with, I love the 5e Background system. I think it adds a lot to the game on multiple levels. It makes character creation significantly more flexible. It encourages roleplaying. It encourages players to think about how their characters fit into the world. It allows differentiation of what might otherwise be similar character concepts. For example if you have two half-orc barbarians and give one the expected Outlander background and the other the Pirate background complete with patched sailcloth trousers, a belaying pin in his belt and a boarding axe over his shoulder no one is going to confuse them.

I was trying to flesh out a character concept the other day and realized that there is at least one generic background missing from the list. A professional Arcanist, the wizards version of the Acolyte background. I might get around that by using the Guild Artisan and calling him a member of the Wizards Guild, but I'm not sure it's ideal. It also leaves the Hedge Wizard role blank.

There are also world specific backgrounds. For example in Eberron I expect to see the Dragonmarked houses implemented using the Background system, particularly since the feat system is no longer an option for any 1st level non-human PCs.

What other generic or world specific backgrounds do you guys see a need for?

 

[Boarstorm]

I think sage was meant to fill that role, though it does so imperfectly.

As for missing backgrounds... I'm with you in that I think campaign-specific backgrounds are really the way to go forward.

 

[the Jester]

I was trying to flesh out a character concept the other day and realized that there is at least one generic background missing from the list. A professional Arcanist, the wizards version of the Acolyte background.

Oooh, good one! Wizard's Apprentice or something.

There are also world specific backgrounds. For example in Eberron I expect to see the Dragonmarked houses implemented using the Background system, particularly since the feat system is no longer an option for any 1st level non-human PCs.

Yeah- for Greyhawk, you could have backgrounds like Frost Barbarian, Rover of the Barrens, Paynim Nomad, etc. For Ravenloft, you could have something like Investigators from Call of Cthulhu as a background (possibly coming with minor madness!). Etc.

What other generic or world specific backgrounds do you guys see a need for?

I've copied the playtest Bounty Hunter over into my document of additional backgrounds, along with a Town Drunk background I found on Reddit that was brilliant. So far, I've added Lothario (one of the bits of starting equipment you get is a collection of love letters from different romantic conquests) and am trying to come up with a good trait for a Miner. I'm sure there are tons more that will come up over time, probably often in response to players' ideas.

 

[GameDoc]

One of the specific areas of focus on the table for the Sage background is wizard's apprentice. However, I think an alternate, complete background that is specifically for a wizard's apprentice would be great too. The nice thing about backgrounds is they seem to be the easiest to homebrew. Pick two skills and any relevant tools and create some narratively driven benefit. As long as they all logically fit, you have a viable background.

One that I noticed was absent was something that included Investigation and would give characters who don't have that option on their class skills a means to access it. I could see that being used by a spy, an inquisitor, or a constable background.

 

[Thaumaturge]

trying to come up with a good trait for a Miner.

Refluff the Outlander trait to be about underground passages? Never getting lost, able to memorize locales, and able to find food and water.

Or he's more skilled at oil useage. Oil, and torches, last 1.5 times as long if a miner is tending them.

Two others:

Coal Lung: Your character dies at 40.

Young: You're a minor. You can't buy booze.

Thaumaturge.

 

[the Jester]

Refluff the Outlander trait to be about underground passages? Never getting lost, able to memorize locales, and able to find food and water.

Good one! I'd been looking at the racial abilities that dwarves and gnomes had in 1e for inspiration already. This is simpler and seems very logical.

Coal Lung: Your character dies at 40.

Young: You're a minor. You can't buy booze.

Thaumaturge.

That's hilarious.

 

[Picablo]

Sorcerer background...

I'm having a hard time fleshing out my half elf sorcerer for this exact reason.

Acolyte has a religious tone that doesn't fit with my character.
Charlatan implies that you're a con man
Entertainer seems like a trained monkey
Hermit is too solitary but i like the medicine skill proficiency
Noble seems too generic
Outlander's skill proficiencies don't work for me
Sage seems like the best of the choices while still kind of missing the mark.

I don't know... maybe I'm just being too picky.

 

[Andor]

I'm having a hard time fleshing out my half elf sorcerer for this exact reason.

Acolyte has a religious tone that doesn't fit with my character.
Charlatan implies that you're a con man
Entertainer seems like a trained monkey
Hermit is too solitary but i like the medicine skill proficiency
Noble seems too generic
Outlander's skill proficiencies don't work for me
Sage seems like the best of the choices while still kind of missing the mark.

I don't know... maybe I'm just being too picky.

Well recall that you can both refluff and alter the backgrounds. For example if you wanted to come from a semi-monastic order dedicated to help latent sorcerers awaken the power in their blood, I would take the Acolyte background, replace religion with Arcana and run it past my GM.

You also are not restricted to the labels WotC used. They put "spy" down as a variant criminal, but I think charlatan is far superior for dramatic ( fun) spy craft.

 

[Kobold Stew]

One that I noticed was absent was something that included Investigation and would give characters who don't have that option on their class skills a means to access it. I could see that being used by a spy, an inquisitor, or a constable background.

I made an investigator background the other day!

Skills: Stealth, Investigation
Tools: Thieves' tools, one language
trait: false background (from Charlatan)

It was for my Dwarven druid!

 

[agamerspov]

I created an Elf Friend background for my friends Forgotten Realms campaign. None of the given Backgrounds fit for a Harper-style bard.
They can pick between arcana or nature and perception or stealth, have proficiency in the herbalism kit, and the elven language.
The feature is they can gain help of some sort from the elves of their region. Elves of other regions may know of them and may make them prove themselves.