D&D 5E Questions about the noble background ability Retainers

[TrueBagelMan]

So it says you start off with three commoners, but my question is do commoners gain racial trait example: A drow gains drow magic, Darkvision, Trance and such? This is explained well in the PHB I feel.

 

[Charlaquin]

So it says you start off with three commoners, but my question is do commoners gain racial trait example: A drow gains drow magic, Darkvision, Trance and such? This is explained well in the PHB I feel.

Not typically, but nothing stops the DM from giving them racial traits.

 

[TrueBagelMan]

The reason why I was asking was because I don’t if that’s how it works in AL. It wouldn’t make any sense if an elf didn’t have Darkvision or a half orc not have proficiency in intimidation. I was mostly wondering if they could do more then carry about 450 pounds extra.

 

[Zardnaar]

You can assign races to the NPC.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yes, it suggests in the rules (I can't remember where, probably the MM) adding racial traits to NPCs.

On the whole, I wouldn't use "commoner" for drow though. Even the average drow-in-the-street should be much tougher than a human peasant.

 

[Hriston]

Yes, a commoner of a particular race has the racial features of that race. For example, a human commoner typically has 11in all of its ability scores rather than 10.

 

[Bupp]

 

[TrueBagelMan]

Thanks for the clarification. Now I see it as humans are not good retainers. Can a retainer be a variant human, or a high elf with fire bolt?

 

[TrueBagelMan]

The reason why I ask about the high elf is because I’m planning on him hunting animals with a bow. The reason why fire bolt is because it A. gives him limitless arrows since the fire bolt will act like one. B. It’s cooler to have a hunter who hunts with arrows made of fire instead of regular arrows.

 

[S'mon]

Thanks for the clarification. Now I see it as humans are not good retainers. Can a retainer be a variant human, or a high elf with fire bolt?

Ask your DM.