D&D Character Backgrounds - Free Download
405 character backgrounds from Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition and expansions, including descriptions and source books. Contains 405 records. Download in Excel, CSV, PDF formats.
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- Contains 405 records with 5 fields
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- Data sourced from https://github.com/nick-aschenbach/dnd-data
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Showing 405
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| Name | Description | Publisher | Book | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acolyte | These D&D 5E Free Basic Rules only contain a fraction of the races, subclasses, backgrounds, feats, items, monsters, spells, and other content available on Roll20. Check out the Player's Handbook to a… | Wizards of the Coast | Free Basic Rules (2014) | Backgrounds |
| Acolyte | You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and of… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Acolyte | You have spent your life in the service of a temple to a specific god or pantheon of gods. You act as an intermediary between the realm of the holy and the mortal world, performing sacred rites and of… | Wizards of the Coast | Essentials Kit | Backgrounds |
| Acolyte | Ability Scores Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma Feat Magic Initiate (Cleric) Skill Proficiencies Insight and Religion Tool Proficiency Calligrapher’s Supplies Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher’s… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Acolyte | Ability Scores Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma Feat Magic Initiate (Cleric) Skill Proficiencies Insight and Religion Tool Proficiency Calligrapher’s Supplies Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher’s… | Wizards of the Coast | Free Basic Rules (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Acrobat | Acrobats are an integral part of any circus act. Whether you have mastered the trapeze, aerial silks, acro dance, or acrobalance, your mastery over your body is unmatched. You have traveled with the c… | Escape Plan Games | Tavern Tales Vol 1 - A Trip Away Inn | Backgrounds |
| Activist Journalist | You work to expose the harm caused by ruling powers through journalism. Maybe a local broadsheet or town crier employs you, or maybe this is how you spend your free time. Either way, the stories you i… | MCDM Productions | Arcadia Issue No. 9 | Backgrounds |
| Aetherial Mystic | Aetherial Mystic “Keeping your eyes only upon the heavens will make you stumble upon the earth.” You believe the elemental planes are extensions of the gods, and the aether is their lifeblood. To trul… | Ghostfire Gaming | Aetherial Expanse Setting Guide | Backgrounds |
| Agasha Family - Dragon Clan | The Agasha family’s teachings cover religious rites, including powerful invocations to the spirits, and the family’s knowledge represents generations of tireless research. But unlike many theologians,… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Akodo Family - Lion Clan | The Akodo family trains many of the master strategists and tacticians of the Empire at its legendary war college. Students of its martial schools are trained to be warrior-scholars seeking to understa… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Al-Zawira - Non-Rokugani | A massive center of learning and the heart of the Qamarist Caliphate, Al-Zawira produces some of the finest sages in the world. Amidst its towers, scholars pursue truths of the world, the universe, an… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Amazon of Perunalia | A strong daughter of a mighty nation, you are among the most elite warriors of matriarchal Perunalia. All amazons of Perunalia are female, and all train in the art of archery first and foremost. Regar… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Ambulant | Grinders, umbrella menders, nomads, seasonal workers, wayfarers, street actors, thespians, harlequins, puppeteers, carnies, charlatans, relic peddlers, beggars, wandering clerics, students moving from… | Acheron Games | Brancalonia - Core Rulebook Compendium | Backgrounds |
| Amnesia - Person of Mystery | Roll20 Note: This page is read only and will not function with drag-and-drop as similar pages within this category. Your background is a mystery, even to you. You have no official records and what rec… | Evil Genius Games | Everyday Heroes Quickstart Guide | Backgrounds |
| Amnesiac | You woke up one day in the city of Luyarnha, with no memory of who you were or where you came from. You're near-certain that this place is not your home, but all the memories of your past life are a h… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Anarchist of Tolia | You are a defiant, a freedom fighter, a rebel. You believe in a free and masterless society and you aren’t afraid to fight for it. You believe the independence of the individual to be a virtue that so… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Anthropologist | You have always been fascinated by other cultures, from the most ancient and primeval lost lands to the most modern civilizations. By studying other cultures' customs, philosophies, laws, rituals, rel… | Wizards of the Coast | Tomb of Annihilation (Deprecated) | Backgrounds |
| Anthropologist | You have always been fascinated by other cultures, from the most ancient and primeval lost lands to the most modern civilizations. By studying other cultures’ customs, philosophies, laws, rituals, rel… | Wizards of the Coast | Tomb of Annihilation | Backgrounds |
| Arbonesse Exile | You are from the River Court of Arbonesse or one of its far-flung thorpes. Most exiles are elf-blooded or gnomes, but the occasional foundling of another race taken in by exiles is not unheard of. You… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Archaeologist | An archaeologist learns about the long-lost and fallen cultures of the past by studying their remains—their bones, their ruins, their surviving masterworks, and their tombs. Those who practice archaeo… | Wizards of the Coast | Tomb of Annihilation (Deprecated) | Backgrounds |
| Archaeologist | An archaeologist learns about the long-lost and fallen cultures of the past by studying their remains—their bones, their ruins, their surviving masterworks, and their tombs. Those who practice archaeo… | Wizards of the Coast | Tomb of Annihilation | Backgrounds |
| Archivist | Some of your earliest memories are of the library you called home while you learned to read and write under the tutelage of your mentor. The stacks comforted you, protected you, and took you to lands… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic | Backgrounds |
| Archivist | Some of your earliest memories are of the library you called home while you learned to read and write under the tutelage of your mentor. The stacks comforted you, protected you, and took you to lands… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 1 | Backgrounds |
| Artisan | Ability Scores Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence Feat Crafter Skill Proficiencies Investigation and Persuasion Tool Proficiency Choose one kind of Artisan’s Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Artisan’… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Asahina Family - Crane Clan | Founded after a terrible conflict between the Phoenix and Crane Clans centuries ago, the Asahina family teaches its scions to seek harmony and peace in all things, embodying a philosophy of compassion… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Asako Family - Phoenix Clan | The Asako are a quiet family, viewed as being content to follow their scholarly and philosophical pursuits while the Isawa drive the goals of the Phoenix. The Asako prize knowledge, but they prize wis… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Ashari | Isolated from the political struggles of urban Tal’Dorei, you are a member of the Ashari people—a society bound to an ancient covenant protecting the Material Plane from the chaos of the primordial el… | Darrington Press | Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn | Backgrounds |
| Astral Drifter | For longer than you can remember, you have traversed the Astral Sea. There, you experienced firsthand the wonders of the Silver Void: you stopped aging and no longer felt hunger or thirst. Driven by w… | Wizards of the Coast | Spelljammer - Adventures in Space | Backgrounds |
| Athenian Mage | You belong to the most magically advanced city in the realm. Magic is part of everyday life, from the simple and humble civilian life all the way to the tallest wizard towers in your home. You have be… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Athlete | Athlete You strive to perfect yourself physically and in execution of everything you do. The thrill of competition lights fire in your blood, and the roar of the crowd drives you forward. Tales of you… | Wizards of the Coast | Mythic Odysseys of Theros | Backgrounds |
| Ayrissian Magnate | Ayrissian Magnate “Only the truly powerful and refined are worthy adversaries to test my business acumen. Everyone else is but an obstacle to my mercantile greatness.” You are a skilled and cunning me… | Ghostfire Gaming | Aetherial Expanse Setting Guide | Backgrounds |
| Azorius Functionary | The brutes are at the gate, chaos is looming, and the only thing standing in the way of disaster is the foundation of law and order—as embodied in the Azorius Senate . You’re a proud member of the Azo… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Bandit Defector | You were once a member of the Bandit Coalition, moving from place to place, ambushing and robbing passing merchants. Something made you decide that path was no longer worth pursuing, and you left that… | Hit Point Press | Humblewood | Backgrounds |
| Barber | Jeff Stevens Games | Potbellied Kobold | Backgrounds | |
| Barrister (Corrupt Motivation) | You are a legally recognized advocate. You are entitled to speak on the behalf of another before a judge or a magistrate. Some barristers represent the state, and prosecute malefactors and those accus… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Barrister (Crisis of Conscience) | You are a legally recognized advocate. You are entitled to speak on the behalf of another before a judge or a magistrate. Some barristers represent the state, and prosecute malefactors and those accus… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Bayushi Family - Scorpion Clan | The lead family of the Scorpion Clan, the Bayushi family carries on the tradition of its founder with all of his legendary dramatic flair. Smiling behind masks of oni, arachnid mandibles, or threateni… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Beast Hunter | Growing up, the menacing presence of the Scourge loomed over your life in the city. The beasts terrified you, destroyed your homes, and took away people you loved. Driven by vengeance, fear, or a desi… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Bemmean Scholar | Bemmea, capital city of the Magocracy of Allain, is the jewel of magical study in Midgard. You walked its ley‑infused streets and studied among the gleaming spires that touch the sky. During your time… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Bhavyatapura - Non-Rokugani | The central region of the Ivory Kingdoms is dominated by a vast plateau known as the Sonagiri, or "Golden Mountain." Ringed by soaring, snowcapped mountains and cut by the mighty Heeratand, or "River… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Blacksmith | Every rusty sword you find at the bottom of a dungeon, every piece of armour that has saved its wearer from a piercing arrow, every spear tip, dagger, and shield, all were made by blacksmiths. The smi… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Blood Sister | You were brought up in the service of the Red Goddess Marena in one of her temples, likely from a young age. As a member of the Blood Sisters, you were accorded respect and often fear on account of yo… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Bodyguard | Jeff Stevens Games | Potbellied Kobold | Backgrounds | |
| Bookworm | Roll20 Note: This page is read only and will not function with drag-and-drop as similar pages within this category. You loved books and spent nearly all your free time reading as a child. In addition… | Evil Genius Games | Everyday Heroes Quickstart Guide | Backgrounds |
| Born Leader | Some people are just born with the natural talents of leadership. They exude charisma, excel at commanding others to follow, and just get things done. Born Leader Some people have a natural affinity f… | Goodman Games | The Fey Sisters' Fate (FEF 2) | Backgrounds |
| Boros Legionnaire | As a member of the Boros Legion , your life is devoted to the service of angels and consecrated to the work of establishing justice and peace on the streets of Ravnica. You might be a true believer, i… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Bounty Hunter | Your past as a tracker of criminals to bring them to justice has led you across many lands and realms. You have met those who stand as the force of justice and taken into captivity those who prowl in… | Lion Banner Games | HellWatch Infernal Oath 5e Compendium Expansion | Backgrounds |
| Brawler | In a Kingdom where brawls are as widespread as games of dice, brawlers love nothing better than constantly throwing themselves into fistfights and scuffles, which they often provoke deliberately. Demo… | Acheron Games | Brancalonia - Core Rulebook Compendium | Backgrounds |
| Butcher | Jeff Stevens Games | Potbellied Kobold | Backgrounds | |
| Calamac Ordu - Non-Rokugani | The Calamac Ordu is every bit as large, prominent, and wealthy as their long-time rivals, the Menghes. The head of the Calamac family is Calamac Mala, a stout, ruddy-faced woman given to shouting and… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Canon Lawyer (Corrupt Motivation) | Variant - Canon Lawyer Sometimes those schooled in matters of law aren’t concerned with the laws of the land but the laws of gods governing the faithful. Instead of prosecuting or defending criminals,… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Canon Lawyer (Crisis of Conscience) | Variant - Canon Lawyer Sometimes those schooled in matters of law aren’t concerned with the laws of the land but the laws of gods governing the faithful. Instead of prosecuting or defending criminals,… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Caretaker | You are part of a large family with multiple younger siblings and/or elderly relatives that you were responsible for taking care of. Because of this responsibility, it was important that you learned p… | Renegade Game Studios | Wardlings Campaign Guide | Backgrounds |
| Celebrity | You are famous. Everyone on the SIM knows your name and what you do. You have a knack for attracting public attention and know how to work a crowd. Most of your life has been spent in the limelight, w… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Celebrity Adventurer's Scion | Your family name strikes fear and admiration in the hearts of the common folk—but that’s got nothing to do with you. Songs and stories celebrating the adventuring exploits of your famous parent are wi… | Wizards of the Coast | Acquisitions Incorporated | Backgrounds |
| Changeling Traveler | You’re an urban nomad, wandering from city to city, a force for change—much like the Traveler who bestowed you with your supernatural gifts. You spent your childhood traveling with your family, using… | Keith Baker Presents | Exploring Eberron | Backgrounds |
| Chaos Child | You were born in an area tainted by the forces of chaos, whether that be a demon-blighted wasteland, twisted, alien forest, or region of badlands marked with the ruins of an ancient fallen civilizatio… | Kobold Press | Wastes of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Charlatan | You have always had a way with people. You know what makes them tick, you can tease out their hearts’ desires after a few minutes of conversation, and with a few leading questions you can read them li… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Charlatan | Ability Scores Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma Feat Skilled Skill Proficiencies Deception and Sleight of Hand Tool Proficiency Forgery Kit Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Forgery Kit, Costume, Fine Clo… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Citizen Activist | The system is corrupt. Change will only come if the oppressed come together to resist. Your work may happen out in the open or perhaps in secret. Work with the GM to decide what form your activism tak… | MCDM Productions | Arcadia Issue No. 9 | Backgrounds |
| City - Commoner | Cities are places where trade flourishes, cultures meet, and many different types of people mix and mingle. Some city dwellers love the press of bodies, the clamor of the marketplace, and the cacophon… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| City Watch | You have served the community where you grew up, standing as its first line of defense against crime. You aren’t a soldier, directing your gaze outward at possible enemies. Instead, your service to yo… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| City Watch Investigator | You have served the community where you grew up, standing as its first line of defense against crime. You aren’t a soldier, directing your gaze outward at possible enemies. Instead, your service to yo… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Clan Crafter | The Stout Folk are well known for their artisanship and the worth of their handiworks, and you have been trained in that ancient tradition. For years you labored under a dwarf master of the craft, end… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Clasp Member | Whether you grew up in the mean streets of Kymal bamboozling foolish gamblers, or spent your youth pilfering loose coin from the pockets of Emon’s many tourists, your lifestyle of deceiving-to-survive… | Darrington Press | Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn | Backgrounds |
| Cloistered Scholar | As a child, you were inquisitive when your playmates were possessive or raucous. In your formative years, you found your way to one of Faerûn’s great institutes of learning , where you were apprentice… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Clown | Clowns are an integral part of the circus experience, entertaining crowds with singing, dancing, trick riding, juggling and more. Their job is to elicit laughs and joy from the crowd, sometimes at the… | Escape Plan Games | Tavern Tales Vol 1 - A Trip Away Inn | Backgrounds |
| Collaborator | In the vicious and bleak world that Izrador has created, many have no choice but to work with the Shadow’s forces if they wish to survive. Others tragically fall into the trap of believing that their… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Crown of Shadow | Backgrounds |
| Cometborn | Cometborn are individuals born under the passing of a comet. The event magically changed them, instilling in them memories from before they were born. These memories are fragments of various events an… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 2 | Backgrounds |
| Commercial Pilot | For every ace fighter pilot or sky pirate, there are hundreds of completely unremarkable civilian pilots, who make their livings ferrying goods, people, and information between the stars. These commer… | Mage Hand Press | Dark Matter Starter Kit | Backgrounds |
| Conspiracy Theorist | You’ve always seen the hidden dangers. Your intuition is amazing, and you’ve often identified a villain after a single look at the person. And when trouble is on the horizon, you know it’s not just a… | Braythe RPG | Braythe - Shattered Realities | Backgrounds |
| Continental Nobility | Continental Nobility Requirements: Any class except sorcerer, warlock, or wizard You are the scion of a noble household. Whether you hail from Caspia , Elyria , or Westemär , the fall of Drakkenheim h… | Ghostfire Gaming | Dungeons of Drakkenheim | Backgrounds |
| Courier | You are a courier in a metropolitan city, who’s been delivering all sorts of packages for a very long time. Although the job may seem easy at first, it is far from it. You have to protect and deliver… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Courier | You travel the world, carrying vital information across Eredane, between the strongholds of the free peoples. You may serve a royal court or a military leader, your service may be between hidden outpo… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Crown of Shadow | Backgrounds |
| Court Apprentice | Studious and law-abiding, you believed the Inquisition Courts held the truth above any other. Years of service led you through thousands of documents and books. You witnessed countless trials where mo… | Lion Banner Games | HellWatch Infernal Oath 5e Compendium Expansion | Backgrounds |
| Court of the Animals' Path - Non-Human | In the Enchanted Country, the beings that follow the court of the Animals’ Path interpret the Celestial Order as stating that virtue has its own rewards: the virtuous die and are reborn anew, while th… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Court of the Path of Mischief (or Illusion) - Non-Human | The other leading philosophy of the Enchanted Country is embodied in the court of the Path of Mischief (or Illusion). A trickster lord of the Path of Mischief (or Illusion), if asked about their court… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Court Servant | Even though you are independent now, you were once a servant to a merchant, noble, regent, or other person of high station. You are an expert in complex social dynamics and knowledgeable in the histor… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Courtier | In your earlier days, you were a personage of some significance in a noble court or a bureaucratic organization. You might or might not come from an upper-class family; your talents, rather than the c… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Crafter | You are an artisan and excel at both practicing and selling your craft. You are part of some inner circles depending on your profession. Gunsmiths, tailors, chefs, and mechanics all fall under your li… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Criminal | You are an experienced criminal and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Stealth Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves’ tools Equipment: A… | Wizards of the Coast | Essentials Kit | Backgrounds |
| Criminal | You are an experienced criminal with a history of breaking the law. You have spent a lot of time among other criminals and still have contacts within the criminal underworld. You’re far closer than mo… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Criminal | Ability Scores Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence Feat Alert Skill Proficiencies Sleight of Hand and Stealth Tool Proficiency Thieves’ Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves’ Tools,… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Criminal | Ability Scores Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence Feat Alert Skill Proficiencies Sleight of Hand and Stealth Tool Proficiency Thieves’ Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves’ Tools,… | Wizards of the Coast | Free Basic Rules (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Cult Initiate | Whether through your own choice or a twist of fate, you found yourself part of a clandestine and often misunderstood group of individuals—a cult. This may have been a circle focused on the symbiotic r… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Cultist | Late nights of studying and ritual practice, feigning normalcy in the eye of the public, such is life in a cult. You may not have always been in it, and you may have gotten out of it if you were lucky… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Curio Collector | Curio collectors are obsessed with collecting alchemical ingredients, spell components, and other small oddities. They travel the world in search of the rarest of these to add to their collections. No… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 2 | Backgrounds |
| Daidoji Family - Crane Clan | The Daidoji family trains the core of the Crane Clan’s standing military, but their other key function is in managing the clan’s vast logistics network. From the Iron Warriors who comprise the elite u… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Dancing-Bear Guide | The Lodge of the Dancing Bear is a loose, widespread organization that stretches from Bjeornheim to the northern coast of the Grand Duchy. Members of the lodge—known as guides—are a rough and tumble l… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Dead | I don't need to die to talk to spirits, or even the dead for that matter. Unless it's whatever I ate earlier. I never could understand all that gurgling. — Xanathar You died and came back. This experi… | Castle Skydawn Design | Xanathar's Lost Notes to Everything Else | Backgrounds |
| Desert Runner | You grew up in one of the desert areas in the northern half of the Southlands, among the Tamasheq nomads, the jinnborn, or the gnolls. As a nomad, you are used to moving from place to place, following… | Kobold Press | Southlands Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Desert Runner | You grew up in the desert. As a nomad, you moved from place to place, following the caravan trails. Your upbringing makes you more than just accustomed to desert living—you thrive there. Your family h… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Destined | Duty is a complicated, tangled affair, be it filial, political, or civil. Sometimes, there’s wealth and intrigue involved, but more often than not, there’s also obligation and responsibility. You are… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Devoted Missionary | Devoted Missionary You are a follower of one of the many religions of the world. Through either divine calling, visions, or prophecies, or because your church sent you as an envoy and representative,… | Ghostfire Gaming | Dungeons of Drakkenheim | Backgrounds |
| Dhampir of Morgau | The Principalities of Morgau and Doresh burst at the seams with miserable specimens of humanity, or deluded wretches who seek undeath to elevate their station. Your lot is greater, thanks to your nobl… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Dimir Operative | You’re a spy. Secrets and misinformation are your stock in trade. You skulk in the shadows, infiltrate other guilds, and steal the most precious secrets, whether they’re written in locked journals or… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Diplomat | You have always found harmonious solutions to conflict. You might have started mediating family conflicts as a child. When you were old enough to recognize aggression, you sought to defuse it. You oft… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Disciple | The Radiant Church, a beacon of hope and strength, raised you, training you in the teachings of the Radiant One. As a disciple, you were immersed in the Church's lore, its ideals of benevolence born o… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Disgraced Noble | Note: This variant modifies the Noble background from the Player's Handbook . ... And Losing Privilege Just as a lowborn character can gain a noble title, a highborn one can lose it. The simplest path… | Keith Baker Presents | Chronicles of Eberron | Backgrounds |
| Displaced Noble | Note: This variant modifies the Noble background from the Player's Handbook . While the Position of Privilege feature represents benefits that might come from your position, not all nobles receive suc… | Keith Baker Presents | Chronicles of Eberron | Backgrounds |
| Doji Family - Crane Clan | The descendants of Doji have defined the courtly arts and culture of the Empire since its dawn. Lords of even far-flung domains strive to have a member of the Doji family among their members; for cour… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Drifter | You are used to hearing the phrase, “You’re not from around here, are you?” The truth is, you aren’t. You’re from nowhere. You’ve spent most of your life wandering from planet to planet, earning your… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Enforcer | You use violence so that powerful people can get what they want. Whether it’s for cops, cartels, or corporations, in exchange for a little bit of their power and a little bit of their money, you hurt… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Engineer | Both the city of Kanrath and the city of Cyherested are technological centers of civilization in Tolia. Not only do all of their daily struggles concern technology, but the state of technology and thu… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Entertainer | You thrive in front of an audience. You know how to entrance them, entertain them, and even inspire them. Your poetics can stir the hearts of those who hear you, awakening grief or joy, laughter or an… | Wizards of the Coast | Essentials Kit | Backgrounds |
| Entertainer | You thrive in front of an audience. You know how to entrance them, entertain them, and even inspire them. Your poetics can stir the hearts of those who hear you, awakening grief or joy, laughter or an… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Entertainer | Ability Scores Strength, Dexterity, Charisma Feat Musician Skill Proficiencies Acrobatics and Performance Tool Proficiency Choose one kind of Musical Instrument Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Musical In… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Envoy of the Free Peoples | You serve your people and perhaps a particular lord or household as a diplomat and an ambassador. You travel the length and breadth of Eredane, with the authority to speak on behalf of your people wit… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Crown of Shadow | Backgrounds |
| Ex-enforcer | You use violence so that powerful people can get what they want. Whether it’s for cops, cartels, or corporations, in exchange for a little bit of their power and a little bit of their money, you hurt… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Executioner | You made a living from killing. Most criminals get away, so when they do catch them, those in charge like to make an example with a public spectacle. People weren’t exactly lining up for the job and m… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Exile | Sometimes seen as a fate worse than death, exile has long been a popular sanction for radicals, dissidents, and troublemakers. Exiling these people allows the authorities to remove a thorn from their… | Mage Hand Press | Dark Matter Starter Kit | Backgrounds |
| Exile of the Black City | Misto Cherno, also known as the Black City, is the traveling fortress that serves as capital to the villains and bandits of the plains. The size of the city changes to match the overall health of the… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Expanse Immigrant | Expanse Immigrant “No one’s ever going to drive me from my home again.” You’ve arrived in the Expanse hoping for a better life. You may have come to seek fortunes you never had, opportunities you were… | Ghostfire Gaming | Aetherial Expanse Setting Guide | Backgrounds |
| Experimented | Blood experiment is a common practice in Kanrath and Cyherested although they differ in each city. In Kanrath, the most common blood practice is leech therapy, where the scientists or the state offici… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Faceless | Being who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path you’ve chosen. Even… | Wizards of the Coast | Baldur's Gate - Descent Into Avernus (Legacy) | Backgrounds |
| Faceless | Being who you are, you could never be a hero. Whether due to your class, your people, your family, or your sins, something about you prevents you from effectively pursuing the path you’ve chosen. Even… | Wizards of the Coast | Baldur's Gate - Descent into Avernus | Backgrounds |
| Faction Agent | Many organizations active in the North and across the face of Faerûn aren’t bound by strictures of geography. These factions pursue their agendas without regard for political boundaries, and their mem… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Failed Merchant | Maybe you come from a long line of merchants. Perhaps you were an entrepreneur. Regardless, your ventures ended poorly. Whether it was because of outside influences, bad luck, or simply because your b… | Wizards of the Coast | Acquisitions Incorporated | Backgrounds |
| False Apologizer | You have committed serious transgressions in the past, and you want to atone for them in meaningful ways—or so you’d have everybody believe. Secretly, you’re only apologizing because doing so allows y… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Families of the Fleet - Mantis Clan | For complicated historical reasons, members of the Mantis Clan do not have a family name. Its samurai all belong to the Mantis fleet, however, and so they take their names from the ships they sail wit… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Far Traveler | Almost all of the common people and other folk that one might encounter along the Sword Coast or in the North have one thing in common: they live out their lives without ever traveling more than a few… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Farmer | You are a child of a farm-owning family and have learned how to work the land since you could walk. From feeding chickens and milking cows to planting and harvesting crops, you’ve done it all. Rising… | Renegade Game Studios | Wardlings Campaign Guide | Backgrounds |
| Farmer | Ability Scores Strength, Constitution, Wisdom Feat Tough Skill Proficiencies Animal Handling and Nature Tool Proficiency Carpenter’s Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Sickle, Carpenter’s Tools, Heale… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Fate-Seeker | The circumstances of your birth are of supernatural significance to some people, which shaped your formative years a great deal. The details of this early life can be various, depending on how far-rea… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Feral One | You abandoned civilization, or civilization abandoned you, for the Forest long ago. Regardless of whether it was by choice or by chance, the effect on you is the same. You live, hunt, eat, and sleep i… | Kobold Press | Margreve Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Fey Hostage | Years, possibly centuries, ago you were captured by the fey. Each host, as the fey called themselves, treated their “guest” differently. The relationship you forged with your captors defines you just… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic | Backgrounds |
| Fey Hostage | Years, possibly centuries, ago you were captured by the fey. Each host, as the fey called themselves, treated their “guest” differently. The relationship you forged with your captors defines you just… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 1 | Backgrounds |
| Feylost | You grew up in the Feywild after disappearing from your home plane as a child. Perhaps you were spirited away by kindly Fey who thought you were destined for great things. Perhaps you stumbled through… | Wizards of the Coast | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | Backgrounds |
| Finagler | "With strangers you apply the law, with friends you interpret it." - Saying among the Finaglers - The finagler is a bit of a symbol of the Kingdom’s civil life and bureaucracy: a fixer, a notary, a pe… | Acheron Games | Brancalonia - Core Rulebook Compendium | Backgrounds |
| Fisher | Fisher You have spent your life aboard fishing vessels or combing the shallows for the bounty of the ocean. Perhaps you were born into a family of fisher folk, working with your kin to feed your villa… | Wizards of the Coast | Ghosts of Saltmarsh | Backgrounds |
| Flaming Fist | You have joined the Flaming Fist, a powerful mercenary company headquartered in Baldur’s Gate, where it serves as the city’s primary law enforcement and military. Lower-ranking fists patrol the Lower… | Anthony Joyce-Rivera | Baldurs Gate - The Fall of Elturel | Backgrounds |
| Folk Hero | You come from a humble social rank, but you are destined for so much more. Already the people of your home village regard you as their champion, and your destiny calls you to stand against the tyrant… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Forest Dweller | You are a creature of the forest, born and reared under a canopy of green. You expected to live all your days in the Margreve, at one with the green things of the world, until an unforeseen occurrence… | Kobold Press | Margreve Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Forest Dweller | You are a creature of the forest, born and reared under a canopy of green. You expected to live all your days in the forest, at one with the green things of the world, until an unforeseen occurrence,… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Forest Hamlet - Commoner | In some forests, reality blends and shifts, and spirits whisper to one another in the murk. If one enters a forest unprepared, it is only a matter of time before such a person succumbs to either the w… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Former Adventurer | As you belted on your weapons and hoisted the pack onto your back, you never thought you’d become an adventurer again. But the heroic call couldn’t be ignored. You’ve tried this once before—perhaps it… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Former Slave | Along with countless others, you were captured by the Shadow’s legions and enslaved, put to work to feed and arm Izrador’s war machine. Maybe you lived in the north and saw the legions’ destruction of… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Legacy of Darkness | Backgrounds |
| Fortune Teller | You have spent your life traveling with the circus as the resident fortune teller. You delight in the wonder-filled eyes of patrons, as you make predictions about their future and offer insightful gli… | Escape Plan Games | Tavern Tales Vol 1 - A Trip Away Inn | Backgrounds |
| Freebooter | You sailed the seas surrounding the Southlands as a freebooter, part of a pirate crew. You should come up with a name for your former ship and its captain, as well as its hunting ground and the type o… | Kobold Press | Southlands Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Freebooter | You sailed the seas as a freebooter, part of a pirate crew. You should come up with a name for your former ship and its captain, as well as its hunting ground and the type of ships you preyed on. Did… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Freedom Fighter | Your lands may have been occupied by the Shadow’s legions. Your life may have been taken from you by the Shadow. Your friends and family may still be living under the constant threat of oppression and… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Legacy of Darkness | Backgrounds |
| Fugitive | Outcasts; prison, galley or forced-labor escapees; deserters from armies and mercenary companies; on the run after attacking a guard or an aristocrat: whether rumors about them are true or false, fugi… | Acheron Games | Brancalonia - Core Rulebook Compendium | Backgrounds |
| Gambler | All you need to make a lot of gold is a little gold. Except at those times when all you need to have no gold at all is a little gold. Whether you’re a good gambler or a bad one rarely matters, because… | Wizards of the Coast | Acquisitions Incorporated | Backgrounds |
| Gamekeeper | You are at home in natural environments, chasing prey or directing less skilled hunters in the best ways to track game through the brush. You know the requirements for encouraging a herd to grow, and… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Gate Warden | A Gate Warden from the gloomy gate-town of Hopeless protects the balance of the Outlands. Prerequisite: Planescape Campaign You spent a significant amount of time somewhere influenced by intense plana… | Wizards of the Coast | Planescape - Adventures in the Multiverse | Backgrounds |
| Ghost Knight (Midgard) | You joined the Ghost Knights of Morgau, also known as the Order of the Knights Incorporeal, either willingly or as a result of being conscripted, and were bound in service to an officer in the order—m… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Ghoul Imperium Deserter | You have served your emperor and his officers dutifully, and it has brought you nothing. The rewards you have been promised—a herd of fattened manlings for feasting upon, a troop of skeletons to serve… | Kobold Press | Underworld Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Giant Foundling | Though you aren’t a Giant, you grew up among giants. Maybe you were an orphan taken in by a sympathetic family of stone giants who raised you as one of their own. Or perhaps you lived in a lost prehis… | Wizards of the Coast | Bigby Presents - Glory of the Giants | Backgrounds |
| Gladiator | A gladiator is as much an entertainer as any minstrel or circus performer, trained to make the arts of combat into a spectacle the crowd can enjoy. This kind of flashy combat is your entertainer rou… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Gnoll Caravan Raider | Gnolls are found in large numbers throughout the Southlands. While many are “civilized” and join local armies to fight as shock troops, their more savage cousins often roam the deserts and wilderness… | Kobold Press | Midgard Worldbook | Backgrounds |
| Gnoll-Caravan Raider | Gnolls are found in large numbers throughout the Southlands. While many are civilized (more or less) and join local armies to fight as shock troops, their savage cousins roam the deserts and wildernes… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Golgari Agent | You are a member of a teeming horde—one small part of a sprawling organism. Just as you are part of the swarm, the swarm is part of a larger ecosystem, a never-ending cycle of life, death, rot, and re… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Graverobber | Some folk regard graves as sacred ground, a memento of the ones who passed away from the world, some see them as places that they won’t visit, even after death, and others consider graves to be a sour… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Grinner | The Golden Grin began in the far-off land of Tal’Dorei, trading secret messages through a network of bards and minstrels to undermine an iron-fisted king’s authoritarian rule. Today, Tal’Dorei is a re… | Wizards of the Coast | Explorer's Guide to Wildemount (deprecated) | Backgrounds |
| Grinner | The Golden Grin began in the far-off land of Tal’Dorei, trading secret messages through a network of bards and minstrels to undermine an iron-fisted king’s authoritarian rule. Today, Tal’Dorei is a re… | Wizards of the Coast | Explorer's Guide to Wildemount | Backgrounds |
| Grounded | Despite the inherent vertical aspects of birdfolk culture, you have always felt safer and more at peace with your feet firmly planted on the soil. You are practical and level-headed, but due to your d… | Hit Point Press | Humblewood | Backgrounds |
| Gruul Anarch | The entire world of Ravnica is a sprawling metropolis, but you are a native of the wild areas that still exist—the abandoned districts, the rubblebelts, the overgrown parks, and the crumbling ruins. Y… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Guard | Ability Scores Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom Feat Alert Skill Proficiencies Athletics and Perception Tool Proficiency Choose one kind of Gaming Set Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Light Crossbow,… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Guide | Ability Scores Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom Feat Magic Initiate (Druid) Skill Proficiencies Stealth and Survival Tool Proficiency Cartographer’s Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Shortbow, 20 Arro… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Guild Artisan | You are a member of an artisan’s guild, skilled in a particular field and closely associated with other artisans. You are a well-established part of the mercantile world, freed by talent and wealth f… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Guild Merchant | Instead of an artisans’ guild, you might belong to a guild of traders, caravan masters, or shopkeepers. You don’t craft items yourself but earn a living by buying and selling the works of others (or t… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Gye Valley - Non-Rokugani | The Gye valley is the largest and most populous of the five major river-valleys of Saebyuksan and has substantial agriculture, producing enough to export to other valleys and even to other countries.… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Hantei Family - Imperial Court | The Hantei family, which includes the Emperor and his immediate family, is truly “Imperial,” insofar as the Emperors who have reigned over Rokugan have come from this family. At any time, it consists… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Haunted One | You are haunted by something so terrible that you dare not speak of it. You’ve tried to bury it and run away from it, to no avail. Whatever this thing is that haunts you can’t be slain with a sword or… | Wizards of the Coast | Van Richten's Guide To Ravenloft | Backgrounds |
| Haunted One | You are haunted by something so terrible that you dare not speak of it. You've tried to bury it and flee from it, to no avail. This thing that haunts you can't be slain with a sword or banished with a… | Wizards of the Coast | Curse of Strahd | Backgrounds |
| Haunted Region - Commoner | Brooding skies smother the land, and jagged precipices cut the Heavens. Unfamiliar animals and plants, changed by hellish influence, assault the eyes with strange colors, textures, and movements. The… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Haunted Villager | Life is bleak and relentless under vampire rule for the common folk of the Blood Kingdom. You were a hard-working peasant or craftsman living in one of the villages or small towns in Morgau, Doresh, o… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Healer | You have dedicated a great deal of your life to understanding the body, how to cure it and how to keep it healthy. You may be a priest in a temple, an apprentice under a physician or even a self-taugh… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Hellrider | You are one of the Hellriders, an elite company of mounted warriors that protects Elturgard, the Kingdom of Two Suns. The Hellriders get their name from the brave cavalry that rode into the Nine Hells… | Anthony Joyce-Rivera | Baldurs Gate - The Fall of Elturel | Backgrounds |
| Heretic | Xan's heretics are on my tail again for sure. There's Another close one. You need to be more cautious, young pupil. — El Yeah, that was... wait. Alright, who is this? — Aladair You believe in a doctri… | Castle Skydawn Design | Xanathar's Lost Notes to Everything Else | Backgrounds |
| Heretic | Where gods vie for supremacy through trickery and murder, and mortals ascend to godhood, so there is heresy. You believe in a doctrine outlawed by your faith, taught to you in secret by other heretics… | Castle Skydawn Design | Lost City of Mezro | Backgrounds |
| Hermit | You lived in seclusion—either in a sheltered community such as a monastery, or entirely alone—for a formative part of your life. In your time apart from the clamor of society, you found quiet, solitud… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Hermit | Ability Scores Constitution, Wisdom, Charisma Feat Healer Skill Proficiencies Medicine and Religion Tool Proficiency Herbalism Kit Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Herbalism Kit, Bedroll, Bo… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Hero of the Apocalypse | When the old world came to an end, you didn't just watch. You tried your best to save people, fighting enemies or helping others get to a safer location. Even if you were inexperienced, you did whatev… | Braythe RPG | Braythe - Shattered Realities | Backgrounds |
| Hida Family - Crab Clan | The Hida family trains its members to guard Rokugan against the horrific denizens and spreading doom of the Shadowlands first and foremost. Its castles are built into the Kaiu Wall itself, and its tra… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Hightailer | Your life wasn't really the best in the old world. You got from day to day, maybe even had some success. But when things got difficult, you had a tendency to just move on. This gave you a certain free… | Braythe RPG | Braythe - Shattered Realities | Backgrounds |
| Hiruma Family - Crab Clan | Having lost their lands to the spread of the Shadowlands centuries ago, the Hiruma family does little in the way of administration of territory or collection of taxes. Instead, members of this family… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Historian | No one knows that the world of today is built on the foundations of the past quite like you do. Though you likely have a specialty of some sort, you are fascinated by the history of the world in whic… | Green Ronin Publishing | Death in Freeport 20th Anniversary Edition | Backgrounds |
| Host | For years, your body was not your own. You lost control of yourself to a creature more powerful than you, known as your “rider”. You have more control of yourself now, but it may still influence your… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| House Agent | You have sworn fealty to a dragonmarked house. If you have a dragonmark, you’re likely a member of one of the house’s influential families; otherwise you’re an outsider who hopes to make your fortune… | Wizards of the Coast | Eberron - Rising from the Last War | Backgrounds |
| Ichiro and Fureshu Family - Badger Clan | Most Minor Clans rule over territories far from Rokugan’s borders and rarely march to war. Not so for the formidable Badger Clan, which is situated in the north of Rokugan and protects a set of key mo… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Ide Family - Unicorn Clan | In its centuries of wandering, the Unicorn Clan had a need for good ambassadors. It was Ide, one of Shinjo’s original followers, who helped her create alliances and navigate foreign powers in the earl… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Ikomo Family - Lion Clan | The Ikoma family are storytellers who weave history and myth into a grand tale of the Emerald Empire. They serve as the memory not only of the Lion Clan but of the Empire as a whole. Boasts, tears, an… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Inheritor | You are the heir to something of great value—not mere coin or wealth, but an object that has been entrusted to you and you alone. Your inheritance might have come directly to you from a member of your… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Innkeeper | You spent some time as an innkeeper, tavern keeper, or perhaps a bartender. It might have been in a small crossroads town, a fishing community, a fine caravanserai, or a large cosmopolitan community.… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Inquisitor | You are a steadfast disciple of the Radiant Church, filled with an unwavering faith and a holy zeal that drives you to root out any threats to the church and its teachings. Your duty might involve que… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Interpreter | In a galaxy with hundreds of systems, thousands of worlds, and a vast array of cultures, communication is a constant challenge. On the civilized worlds, maws, and other places where disparate peoples… | Mage Hand Press | Dark Matter Starter Kit | Backgrounds |
| Inventor | You were born and raised in the most technologically advanced city in the material plane, or maybe you had an apprenticeship from a master who belonged there. Perhaps you were born in the northern met… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Investigator | You relentlessly seek the truth. Perhaps you’re motivated by belief in the law and a sense of universal justice, or maybe that very law has failed you and you seek to make things right. You could have… | Wizards of the Coast | Van Richten's Guide To Ravenloft | Backgrounds |
| Investigator | As an Investigator, your life is a ceaseless pursuit of the elusive truth. You are driven by a profound desire to understand the perplexing enigma that is the Scourge, the inscrutable disappearances h… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Isawa Family - Phoenix Clan | The Elemental Masters who sit on the Council of Five are the true rulers of the Phoenix, and these masters are almost always drawn from the Isawa family. These masters come from a venerable tradition;… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Iuchi Family - Unicorn Clan | The Iuchi are a ritualist family whose practices stretch back to the Unicorn Clan’s departure from Rokugan. Having left behind the spirits of his homeland, Shinjo’s follower Iuchi learned a unique mys… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Ivory Kingdoms Naga - Non-Human | In the Ivory Kingdoms, naga inhabit many of the rivers. They rule great underwater cities, which only a few humans are ever lucky enough to visit due to the logistical difficulties of keeping a human… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Izzet Engineer | Armed with an inventive intellect, a love of magical technology, and an unquenchable energy, you are an enthusiastic participant in the research work of the Izzet League . Though you’re likely to begi… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Journalist | Similar to other cosmopolitan cities with huge populations, journalists or radio hosts are well-known in Tolia. Both occupations are considered useful tools for the ruling class and citizens. The ruli… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Kaikoga Family - Moth Clan | With a small physical domain and few members, the enigmatic Moth Clan seems an odd organization. Yet their role in the Empire is critical, as they are the guardians of the Realm of Dreams, which morta… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kaito Family - Phoenix Clan | The small Kaito family has been given the task of safeguarding the many shrines scattered across the Phoenix holdings, from small altars sheltered by a single tree to massive sanctuaries. To fulfill t… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kaiu Family - Crab Clan | Monuments to the skill of the Kaiu family’s engineers and architects are everywhere in the Crab lands, from the vast Kaiu Wall itself to the armor and weapons used by those who stand guard over it. Th… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kakita Family - Crane Clan | The Kakita family maintains two of the most renowned academies in the Empire: the Kakita Duelist Academy and the Kakita Artisan Academy. Each of these traditions has produced some of the finest artist… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Karelagne Naval Magewright | Karelagne Naval Magewright “Few things are as beautiful as a ship under full sail, breaking through the aether.” You have spent your life in service to the glory and power of the Karelagne Navy, utili… | Ghostfire Gaming | Aetherial Expanse Setting Guide | Backgrounds |
| Kasuga Family - Tortoise Clan | Magistrates of Slow Tide Harbor, the Tortoise Clan presides over one of the most notorious havens for smugglers and criminals in the Empire. However, as Slow Tide Harbor is one of the most accessible… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kinushima City - Non-Rokugani | A bustling port on a small island, Kinushima City sits on a sheltered bay where Mantis and foreign ships alike often go to trade specialty goods. Originally a modest fishing village, the city has grow… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kitsu Family - Lion Clan | Ancestor veneration is common in Rokugan, but the Kitsu bloodline, which incorporated with otherworldly beings in ages past, produces members who can part the veil to speak with them. The Kitsu are kn… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kitsuki Family - Dragon Clan | The samurai of the Kitsuki family are most well-known for their training’s emphasis on keen perception and their investigative techniques that rely upon making the most of physical evidence, including… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kitsune Family - Fox Clan | Once the followers of Shinjo who remained behind in the Empire, the Kitsune family of the Fox Clan is noted for its scholarship, its knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants, and the subtle ski… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Kkachi Valley - Non-Rokugani | Since the formation of the Jindallae League, the wars between the valley clans have largely ceased, leaving the Kkachi valley’s ruling family ample opportunity to expand their fortunes through trade,… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Knight | A knighthood is among the lowest noble titles in most societies, but it can be a path to higher status. If you wish to be a knight, choose the Retainers feature (see the sidebar) instead of the Positi… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Knight of Solamnia | Prerequisite: Dragonlance Campaign You have trained to be a valorous warrior known as a Knight of Solamnia. Strict rules guide your every action, and you work to uphold them as you strive to defend th… | Wizards of the Coast | Dragonlance - Shadow of the Dragon Queen | Backgrounds |
| Knight of the Order | You belong to an order of knights who have sworn oaths to achieve a certain goal. The nature of this goal depends on the order you serve, but in your eyes it is without question a vital and honorable… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Knotted Tails Tribe - Non-Human | The Shadowlands is a harsh environment even for beings immune to its corrupting influence, filled with cunning horrors and ravening undead. Some nezumi tribes have dedicated warriors among them, train… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Krakovan Rebel | You were a loyal citizen and supporter of King Eynryk, rightful ruler of the Electoral Kingdom of Krakova, when the undead army of the Principalities invaded. Still living within the borders of the Pr… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Kuni Family - Crab Clan | No ritualist tradition is more feared in the Emerald Empire than that of the Kuni family, which teaches its members to root out any sign of evil, whether in Crab lands or beyond. The Kuni family has a… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Legendary Lineage | You have heroes in your family background and the story of your ancestors is known far and wide. Perhaps your parents were a famous adventuring duo, or a grandparent hunted and killed great evils. May… | Castle Skydawn Design | Xanathar's Lost Notes to Everything Else | Backgrounds |
| Light Bringer Inititate | You followed in the nuns’ footsteps at a Convent of Everlasting Light, yet the unmistakable signs proved you were different. Sacred Light. Your connection to the Everlasting Light allows you to cast t… | Lion Banner Games | HellWatch Infernal Oath 5e Compendium Expansion | Backgrounds |
| Lorehold Student | You have spent your youth preparing to be a student of Lorehold College, reading every book on the college’s recommended reading list for prospective students. Your academic passions are in the broad… | Wizards of the Coast | Strixhaven A Curriculum of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Low-Worlder | Low-worlders hail from planets that have never discovered the secrets of faster-than-light travel, planets from which the rest of the universe seems unknown and out of reach. The technology level of t… | Mage Hand Press | Dark Matter Starter Kit | Backgrounds |
| Lyceum Scholar | You most likely came up through money or hailed from a family with social prestige if you were able to afford tuition at the Alabaster Lyceum in Emon. But whatever your origin, your interests and purs… | Darrington Press | Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn | Backgrounds |
| Mage Craft Dissident | Mage Craft Dissident “Fools sing their songs of lament and prose, unaware their downfall is of their own making.” Mage Craft Dissidents are spellcasters who have cast off the crutch of technology, bel… | Ghostfire Gaming | Aetherial Expanse Setting Guide | Backgrounds |
| Mage of High Sorcery | Prerequisite: Dragonlance Campaign Your talent for magic came to the attention of the Mages of High Sorcery, an organization of spellcasters that studies magic and prevents its misuse. You’ve trained… | Wizards of the Coast | Dragonlance - Shadow of the Dragon Queen | Backgrounds |
| Mageborn | Mageborn Requirement: You must be a bard, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard You manifested arcane magical abilities at a young age, and were taken into the guardianship of the Amethyst Academy. You learned… | Ghostfire Gaming | Dungeons of Drakkenheim | Backgrounds |
| Malenti | You were born a sahuagin in the Eternal Dominion of the Thunder Sea, but ritual magic and the blood of the kar’lassa allowed you to consume and replace a surface dweller. You can never regain your ori… | Keith Baker Presents | Exploring Eberron | Backgrounds |
| Marine | Marine You were trained for battle on sandy beaches and rocky shores. You have launched midnight raids from swift ships whose names evoke terror in the hearts of your adversaries. The water is your se… | Wizards of the Coast | Ghosts of Saltmarsh | Backgrounds |
| Marked for Death | You once were dead, but the mysterious Blood Moon of Rebirth returned you to life, leaving an indelible Eldritch Carving on your body - the Sacrificial Brand. The mark on your flesh is feared by many,… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Matsu Family - Lion Clan | The Matsu are the courageous, implacable heart of the Lion. As the largest family in the Empire, the Matsu fill the ranks of the vast Lion armies. Founded by Lady Matsu, one of the greatest of all sam… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Media Investigator | You’ve made your career out of getting the latest scoop, piece of gossip, or finding just the right contact to get you hard evidence on a story. You may be doing it because you like it, or perhaps it’… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Menghes Ordu - Non-Rokugani | One of the largest ordus in residence belongs to the Menghes family under the patriarchal leadership of Menghes Daidu. Daidu is a lean, long, sour-faced man, and his wives, brother, sons, daughters, n… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Menoumori Island - Non-Rokugani | A forested volcanic island covered in brilliant ponds that shine like brightly polished lapis lazuli, Menoumori Island is home to the people of the same name, and is the largest of the inhabited coast… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Mercenary | Having participated in battles for coin as a sell-sword, you're no stranger to risking your safety and even life for just a chance at acquiring wealth. But now, as an adventurer, you look forward to t… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Mercenary Company Scion | You descend from a famous line of free company veterans, and your first memory is playing among the tents, training yards, and war rooms of one campaign or another. Adored or perhaps ignored by your p… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Mercenary Recruit | Every year, the hopeful strive to earn a place in one of the great mercenary companies. Some of these would-be heroes received training from a mercenary company but needed more training before gaining… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Mercenary Veteran | As a sell-sword who fought battles for coin, you’re well acquainted with risking life and limb for a chance at a share of treasure. Now, you look forward to fighting foes and reaping even greater rewa… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Merchant | Ability Scores Constitution, Intelligence, Charisma Feat Lucky Skill Proficiencies Animal Handling and Persuasion Tool Proficiency Navigator’s Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Navigator’s Tools, 2 P… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Mharoti Emissary | You are an agent of the Dragon Empire abroad in the nations of Midgard. You might be traveling as a legitimate ambassador, or without displaying your allegiance. Wherever you go, you present a “true”… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Miner | You grew up in the Free Cantons of the Ironcrags, the kobold city of Lillefor, or the human mining communities of the Seven Cities. You learned how to dig deep beneath the surface of Midgard in search… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Mirumoto Family - Dragon Clan | The Mirumoto family is renowned for their founder’s unique two-sword style, called “Two Heavens,” but they train their scions to be more than just bushi and duelists. The Mirumoto family also oversees… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Miya Family - Imperial Court | Legend has it that when the War against Fu Leng was finally won, it was the original Miya who brought the news of the victory to the first Hantei, who lay dying. The Emperor commanded Miya to continue… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Monastery | Skill Proficiencies: Religion, choose one other Wisdom-based skill (Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, or Survival). Tool Proficiencies: Any two artisan tools. Languages: You can read, si… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Monster | Your actions are depraved, and your current crimes extend beyond callous greed or mischief. You have invented ways to harm others that shock the most jaded cutthroats and sell swords. You take pervers… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Monster - Exile | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds | |
| Monster Hunter | The world is a dangerous place. Monsters great and small lurk in the dark places: in caves, in castles, maybe in your attic right this very moment. While others hunt deer, you hunt monsters, not for f… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Monstrous Adoptee | Songs and sagas tell of heroes who, as children, were raised by creatures most view as monsters. You were one such child. Found, taken, left, or otherwise given to your monstrous parents, you were rai… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Moshi Family - Centipede Clan | The Centipede Clan are the foremost followers of Lady Sun, and they view themselves as bulwarks of sacred traditions. They sing their greetings to Lady Sun each morning and tend to one of the most rev… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Moto Family - Unicorn Clan | The Moto are descended from the Ujik, the nomadic peoples of the Plains of Wind and Stone west of Rokugan, who drive their herds across the steppe. Indeed, the Moto family are still very much politica… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Mountain Dweller | An adventurer and explorer by nature, no unmarked path and trail can withstand your determination. You seek something beyond the material and wish to explore the world around you. Altitude Adaptation.… | Lion Banner Games | HellWatch Infernal Oath 5e Compendium Expansion | Backgrounds |
| Mountain Village - Commoner | In the mountains, majestic peaks reach to the clouds, and the air is thin and cold. Artists have captured the purity of these lands with stark lines and minimalist detail, illustrating their beauty an… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Mountain's Witness | Dontrona Mountain, Sable Mountain, Demon Mountain; call it what you will, this spire of mystery and infernal plots looms large on both the horizon and in the dreams of Rothenians. You know more than m… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Muse | A muse is someone who inspires great works of art, epic poems, or daring acts of bravery. They are loved and celebrated wherever they go, and have legions of adoring fans, artists, and suitors. Many m… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Mysterious Origins | Your origins are a mystery even to you. You might recall fragments of your previous life, or you might dream of events that could be memories, but you can’t be sure of what is remembered and what is i… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Mystic of Baba Yaga | “…I met a man upon the road, (a wanderin’ was I wonderin’) He said he bore a heavy load, I saw no pack upon his back, He said look close inside this sack, I saw an egg with two clawed toes! (a reelin’… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Neimheim Gnome | You hail from the gnomish kingdom of Neimheim: a place of skilled craftsmen, close families, and blood stains so deep they’ll never wash out. Your homeland labors under a generations-old curse laid by… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Nekoma Family - Cat Clan | The Nekoma family of the Cat Clan lives on a protected island off the Phoenix coast. While the family appears to be a playful association of acrobats, actors, and noted playwrights, in truth they are… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Newly Risen Noble | Note: This variant modifies the Noble background from the Player's Handbook . When Is a Noble Not a Noble? Just as you can be a noble without the noble background, you can also take the noble backgrou… | Keith Baker Presents | Chronicles of Eberron | Backgrounds |
| Noble | You understand wealth, power, and privilege. You carry a noble title, and your family owns land, collects taxes, and wields significant political influence. You might be a pampered aristocrat unfamili… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Noble | Ability Scores Strength, Intelligence, Charisma Feat Skilled Skill Proficiencies History and Persuasion Tool Proficiency Choose one kind of Gaming Set Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Gaming Set (same as… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Nomad | You are a natural traveler, having moved around from place to place your whole life. The only place you’ve ever felt like you belonged is with your tribe itself, but you have no real attachment to a h… | Renegade Game Studios | Wardlings Campaign Guide | Backgrounds |
| Northern Minstrel | While the tribal warriors residing in other parts of the wintry north consider you to be soft and cowardly, you know the truth: life in northern cities and mead halls is not for the faint of heart. Wh… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Northlands Reaver | The Northland's brutal winters breed harsh people; perhaps none more so than the reavers. Your life is a series of challenges to be overcome, spoils to be taken, and honor to be earned. You have saile… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Nurian Theurge | The Southlands kingdom of Nuria-Natal is steeped in the magic of life and death. The greatest keeper of this knowledge is the theurge. As a theurge, you study the flow of the River Nuria that gives li… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Occultist | At your core, you are a believer in things others dismiss. The signs abound if you know where to look. Questions beget answers that spur further questions. The cycle is endless as you uncover layer af… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Occultist | Curiosity has always gotten the better of you. There has always been a sense of affinity to the darkness and the secrets it hides. While others feel fear in its presence, you get a sense of calmness.… | Lion Banner Games | HellWatch Infernal Oath 5e Compendium Expansion | Backgrounds |
| Of River's Hollow | You were born in River’s Hollow or raised there for at least 5 years and have been taught to worship DexMya. You know your destiny is to become a powerful Wardling and protect the world from evil. You… | Renegade Game Studios | Wardlings Campaign Guide | Backgrounds |
| Of the Silver Staff | You were born into or trained as a member of the Silver Staff, resident in the Argent Halls adrift in the Starscape. Life among the vor’tai acolytes saw you tutored in the mastery of your physical for… | Animancer | Enchiridion Vaz’kin’rai | Backgrounds |
| Officer | In a crowded and chaotic city, crime is a common occurrence that must be prevented. To keep non-criminals safe, the enforcers in Kanrath and the C.B.I. in Cyherested work tirelessly. As an officer of… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Omen-Born | The circumstances of your birth are of supernatural significance to some people, which shaped your formative years a great deal. The details of this early life can be various, depending on how far-rea… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Oracle | The path of fate is ever-flowing. Oracles are rare individuals who have been gifted with the ability to see further beyond the mortal realm and into the mechanisms of the cosmos itself to some degree.… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Order of the Gauntlet | You are a member of the Order of the Gauntlet, an organization devoted to crushing evil when it rears its ugly head. The order is composed of righteous warriors—paladins and clerics of Tyr, Helm, Torm… | Anthony Joyce-Rivera | Baldurs Gate - The Fall of Elturel | Backgrounds |
| Orzhov Representative | The prospect of immense wealth is the promise of membership in the Orzhov Syndicate. All of the guild’s endeavors channel wealth from Ravnican society into the ranks of the Orzhov —and concentrates th… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Otomo Family - Imperial Court | The original Otomo, the younger son of a great warlord, was glib, clever, and subtle. Thanks to his formidable powers of persuasion and manipulation, he was an expert at defusing conflicts that threat… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Outlander | You grew up in the wilds, far from civilization and the comforts of town and technology. You’ve witnessed the migration of herds larger than forests, survived weather more extreme than any city-dwelle… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Outlaw | You’ve run afoul of the law at least once or twice and it’s given you a different perspective and maybe a bit more experience than you asked for. You’ve made contacts in the criminal underworld and ca… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Parfumier | You are educated and ambitious. You spent your youth apprenticed among a city’s more reputable greenhouses, laboratories, and perfumeries. There, you studied botany and chemistry and explored properti… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Partisan | You were born into the cold order of Tolia, but you do not believe anything needs to change. You are a citizen of Tolia, either living in Cyherested where sorcerers reign or Kanrath where vampires rul… | Dream Realm Storytellers | Bloodpunk - A Guide to Tolia Campaign Setting | Backgrounds |
| Patrician | You are one of the societal elite. You may have been born into wealth as part of a megacorporation or a famous family. Perhaps you fell into the life of political favor. Either way, you are considered… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Pilot | There isn’t anything you can’t fly. When you’re in a vehicle, you’re a diamond in the sky, a star blazer, a leaf on the wind… you get the idea. You might be a retired fighter jock, a commercial pilot,… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Pirate | You spent your youth under the sway of a dread pirate, a ruthless cutthroat who taught you how to survive in a world of sharks and savages. You’ve indulged in larceny on the high seas and sent more th… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Plague Doctor | Plague doctors are the brave (and sometimes mad) members of a community who are willing to risk illness and injury in their efforts to heal the sick. Plague doctors are equal parts scholar, healer, an… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 2 | Backgrounds |
| Plaintiff | Sure, accidents happen. But they seem to happen an awful lot when Acquisitions Incorporated operatives are on the scene. Naturally, nothing ever happens when there are no witnesses left behind. But so… | Wizards of the Coast | Acquisitions Incorporated | Backgrounds |
| Planar Philosopher | A planar philosopher forges a portal key in the Great Foundry in Sigil, headquarters of the Mind's Eye. Prerequisite: Planescape Campaign You subscribe to a philosophy that seeks to understand the nat… | Wizards of the Coast | Planescape - Adventures in the Multiverse | Backgrounds |
| Political Strategist | You work for a candidate, elected official, guild, or other entity that seeks to maneuver local politics as strategically and deftly as possible. You advise your bosses on who to make strategic allian… | MCDM Productions | Arcadia Issue No. 9 | Backgrounds |
| Politician | You are running for office or have already been elected (or maybe appointed; talk to your GM about what makes sense for the setting). Your office is one of moderate power and influence; you might be a… | MCDM Productions | Arcadia Issue No. 9 | Backgrounds |
| Polymorphed | You were transformed into an animal or monster and lived that way for years. You most likely entered this form unwillingly but how you came down with this affliction is up to you. A caster with an axe… | Castle Skydawn Design | Xanathar's Lost Notes to Everything Else | Backgrounds |
| Port Town - Commoner | The sea, the source of salt and fish but also storms, provides and takes away in equal measure. Wise fishers respect the power of the waves and the devastating effects of floods. Tempestuous, unpredic… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Prismari Student | An advanced Prismari student artfully harnesses fire. You are an artist, and you have been preparing to hone your craft according to the traditions of Prismari College. Whatever your medium—sculpture,… | Wizards of the Coast | Strixhaven A Curriculum of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Privateer | You’ve spent your time at sea, cutting the line between criminal and bounty hunter. You have sailed with those with letters of marque, but you know they were often inclined to lean into a bit of pira… | Green Ronin Publishing | Death in Freeport 20th Anniversary Edition | Backgrounds |
| Professional Athlete | You were born into a legacy that your family and your community takes pride in. While other children played, you trained. In fact, your version of relaxing is to work up a sweat until your endorphins… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Prophet | Truth rings throughout the multiverse, and sometimes it finds a place to resonate loud and clear. You are one such point. There is a greater power at work in the world, and you can see pieces of its d… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Protector of the Tribe | You grew up as part of a tribe that lives in unity with nature and the spirit world. At some point in your life, whether early or at a late age, the desire to protect your people became a driving forc… | Braythe RPG | Braythe - Shattered Realities | Backgrounds |
| Public Intellectual | You’re known for speaking out against—or in favor of—a regime, political organization, religious body, or other entity that holds state power. Perhaps you’re a dissident or even an exile (work with th… | MCDM Productions | Arcadia Issue No. 9 | Backgrounds |
| Quandrix Student | A Quandrix student magically gazes into the intricate patterns of nature. In preparation to become a student of Quandrix College, you have spent years working through the college’s math problems for p… | Wizards of the Coast | Strixhaven A Curriculum of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Rakdos Cultist | You’re an entertainer at heart, a performer with a flair for the dramatic and a love of the spotlight. You’ve spent years honing your craft, mastering a demanding set of skills so you can perform them… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Red Winter Adherent | You are part of the Red Winter, whether recently inducted or a more seasoned member. You and your brothers and sisters of the Red Winter believe vampires have subverted the natural order of things by… | Kobold Press | Underworld Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Reformed Cultist | Two pantheons have battled over the fate of Exandria since the world’s founding—the Prime Deities and the Betrayer Gods. During the Calamity, the Prime Deities allied themselves with the mortal races… | Darrington Press | Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn | Backgrounds |
| Refugee | Sojourner dwarves like Okkar Ironeyes are likely to be born on the road, refugees of either a recent or ancient event that resulted in the loss of their homeland. The following background can be used… | Goodman Games | Glitterdoom (FEF 1) | Backgrounds |
| Refugee | You have been driven from your homeland by the ravening forces of the Shadow. Without access to the traditional lands of your people, you have been forced to find succor in the lands of others. Taken… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Crown of Shadow | Backgrounds |
| Retired Adventurer | I've retired a few adventurers in my time. Do they count? I highly doubt any of them will be back. — Xanathar You lived a life of adventure already and retired to something quieter. You thought you we… | Castle Skydawn Design | Xanathar's Lost Notes to Everything Else | Backgrounds |
| Rewarded | You were living a difficult life before your destiny suddenly changed through a miraculous turn of good fortune. Perhaps a benevolent deity gave you precisely what you most desired. You might have stu… | Wizards of the Coast | The Book of Many Things | Backgrounds |
| Rival Intern | You were an intern at a rival of Acquisitions Incorporated, and you gained a healthy respect for not just the job and the franchising opportunities, but for the ruthless and efficient way Acquisitions… | Wizards of the Coast | Acquisitions Incorporated | Backgrounds |
| Rover | Rovers spend a large part of their lives in the free, natural manner traditional of feral communities and wolfcats, hermits, heretics, woodcutters, coalmen, shepherds, and the more isolated pagans. Th… | Acheron Games | Brancalonia - Core Rulebook Compendium | Backgrounds |
| Royal | You were born to a life of luxury and comfort. You are a member of the royal family who will inherit the throne of a small kingdom or city-state with an absolute monarchy. As a result, your childhood… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Ruined | Everything was going so well! You had a life of luxury, love, and comfort when you suddenly lost it all. Perhaps you were framed for crimes you didn’t commit and lost your reputation, fortune, and car… | Wizards of the Coast | The Book of Many Things | Backgrounds |
| Runagate | You grew up in a society of evil. You learned to torture, to kill. But there was a moment where you just couldn't stand it anymore. Or maybe it was just a moment of opportunity, the chance to escape t… | Braythe RPG | Braythe - Shattered Realities | Backgrounds |
| Rune Carver | What we call rune magic is the palest imitation of Annam's creative work. He shaped worlds from the primal elements; we struggle to bind the merest scraps of elemental power into the mystic shapes of… | Wizards of the Coast | Bigby Presents - Glory of the Giants | Backgrounds |
| Rural Family | Roll20 Note: This page is read only and will not function with drag-and-drop as similar pages within this category. You grew up among the salt of the earth. Not only did you learn the value of hard wo… | Evil Genius Games | Everyday Heroes Quickstart Guide | Backgrounds |
| Rural Farmland Town - Commoner | Though many may think the city is the embodiment of civilization, rural farmland tends to better reflect the organizing power of people and governments. Whether tilling the fields of gentle plains or… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Sage | You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a mast… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Sage | You spent years learning the lore of the multiverse. You scoured manuscripts, studied scrolls, and listened to the greatest experts on the subjects that interest you. Your efforts have made you a mast… | Wizards of the Coast | Essentials Kit | Backgrounds |
| Sage | Ability Scores Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom Feat Magic Initiate (Wizard) Skill Proficiencies Arcana and History Tool Proficiency Calligrapher’s Supplies Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Sage | Ability Scores Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom Feat Magic Initiate (Wizard) Skill Proficiencies Arcana and History Tool Proficiency Calligrapher’s Supplies Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff… | Wizards of the Coast | Free Basic Rules (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Sailor | You sailed on a seagoing vessel for years. In that time, you faced down mighty storms, monsters of the deep, and those who wanted to sink your craft to the bottomless depths. Your first love is the di… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Sailor | Ability Scores Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom Feat Tavern Brawler Skill Proficiencies Acrobatics and Perception Tool Proficiency Navigator’s Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Dagger, Navigator’s Tools,… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Scholar | You specialize in a particular field of knowledge which you’ve spent much of your early years studying. Knowledge is the key to the mysteries of the universe and you strive to learn enough to become a… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Scion | You are a member of the Scions, a group of brilliant, boundary-pushing scientists, working at the fringe of societal norms and scientific understanding. You have seen life being breathed into the life… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Scion of Sin | You understand how evil works and what kind of impact it can have on people for generations to come. After all, your ancestors brought evil to the land. Your upbringing has been heavily shaped by what… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Scoundrel | You were brought up in a poor neighborhood in one of the crowded towns or cities of the Southlands. You may have been lucky enough to have a leaky roof over your head, or perhaps you grew up sleeping… | Kobold Press | Southlands Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Scoundrel | You were brought up in a poor neighborhood in a crowded town or city. You may have been lucky enough to have a leaky roof over your head, or perhaps you grew up sleeping in doorways or on the rooftops… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Scribe | Ability Scores Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom Feat Skilled Skill Proficiencies Investigation and Perception Tool Proficiency Calligrapher’s Supplies Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher’s Suppli… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Seafarer | Whether from humble beginnings in a small fishing village or a noble knight of the waves from the city of Atlantis, you have sailed across the Aegean sea, the sea of Crete, and even through the sea of… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Seer | The stars guide all footsteps on the path. Seers are rare individuals endowed with the gift to see beyond the mundane veil cloaking the world to the truth illuminated by those stars. Cause and effect… | Kobold Press | Midgard Heroes Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Selesnya Initiate | You are a member of a blessed community, built on the ideals of harmony. Here, nature and civilization coexist peacefully, living and growing in accordance with the will of the Worldsoul, Mat’Selesnya… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Sentry | In your youth, the defense of the city, the community, the caravan, or your patron was how you earned your coin. You might have been trained by an old, grizzled city watchman, or you might have been p… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| Seppun Family - Imperial Court | The Seppun family can trace its origins to the very dawn of the Empire, and their founder, a wise-woman and diviner called Seppun, was said to have been Hantei’s first follower and friend in the Morta… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Servant of the Jinn | You served in the court of a powerful jinn or a genie lord. For 1,001 days you lived at court on one of the elemental planes, traveling as part of their entourage and always at their beck and call. Yo… | Kobold Press | Southlands Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Shiba Family - Phoenix Clan | The Shiba family descends from the divine sibling Shiba and provides the Phoenix with a champion, but it bent the knee to the Isawa family early in its history and has dutifully served it ever since.… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Shika Family - Deer Clan | Treading softly, without grand accolades, the Deer Clan serves the Empire as a guardian of balance. Through divine vision granted by the Fortune of Bonds, Musubi, the members of the Deer Clan uncover… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Shinjo Family - Unicorn Clan | The Shinjo are the core of the Unicorn, the clan of explorers who followed their founder Shinjo into the vast world beyond the Empire. They administrate and lead the Unicorn, working to keep all of th… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Shinomen Naga - Non-Human | Unlike human civilizations, naga societies can sleep for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years, dreaming in their aquatic or subterranean cities as other species build empires that fall to dust.… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Ship's Doctor | Aboard a ship, you must be prepared for anything. Whether exploring the far reaches of the ‘verse, where untold alien pathogens lurk, going to war in one of the great space fleets and staring down ali… | Mage Hand Press | Dark Matter Starter Kit | Backgrounds |
| Shipper | You know the true value of being able to get goods and services from place to place. You see yourself as a free trader, hauling items or people of all types from place to place so long as you’ve got t… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Shipper/Transporter | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds | |
| Shipwright | Shipwright You have sailed into war on the decks of great ships, patching their hulls with soup bowls and prayers. You once helped build a fishing vessel that single-handedly saved a town from starvat… | Wizards of the Coast | Ghosts of Saltmarsh | Backgrounds |
| Shosuro Family - Scorpion Clan | When the Shosuro family is known to outsiders, it is for their acting talent and theatrical skills. Little does the Empire realize how fully the Shosuro embrace their roles; many of the finest Scorpio… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Silverquill Student | You have spent years practicing your writing and oration in the hope of becoming a student of Silverquill College. Your studies focus on language, literature, and the power of words, both magical and… | Wizards of the Coast | Strixhaven A Curriculum of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Simic Scientist | Imagine a perfect world: one in which nature and civilization exist in harmony, adapted to each other; one in which life is shaped to match its environment and the environment is shaped to match life.… | Wizards of the Coast | Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica | Backgrounds |
| Siwali Embalmer | In Siwal, dealing with the dead is the livelihood of a select few families. You are a member of one of the families of Siwal’s gravebinders, or you have apprenticed to one of them. You are trained in… | Kobold Press | Southlands Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Siwali Embalmer | In Siwal, dealing with the dead is the livelihood of a select few families. You are a member of one of the families of Siwal’s gravebinders, or you have apprenticed to one of them. You are trained in… | Kobold Press | Underworld Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Siwali Traveler | You traveled the sands of the deserts as a youth, with the camel trains, as part of a sandship crew, or in a caravan. Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s too… | Kobold Press | Southlands Player's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Smuggler | Smuggler On a rickety barge, you carried a hundred longswords in fish barrels right past the dock master’s oblivious lackeys. You have paddled a riverboat filled with stolen elven wine under the gaze… | Wizards of the Coast | Ghosts of Saltmarsh | Backgrounds |
| Snowfeather Aerie - Non-Human | Far into the Great Northern Mountains exists the Snowfeather Aerie, one of the largest in Rokugan, at times housing hundreds of tengu. The Snowfeather Monastery’s inhabitants run their aerie much like… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Soldier | War has been your life for as long as you care to remember. You trained as a youth, studied the use of weapons and armor, learned basic survival techniques, including how to stay alive on the battlefi… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Soldier | War has long been your life. You might have been part of a national army or a mercenary company, or perhaps a member of a local militia. When you choose this background, work with your DM to determine… | Wizards of the Coast | Essentials Kit | Backgrounds |
| Soldier | Trained to be a master of arms, you’ve spent years practicing the art of combat. Your experience has taught you how to survive in the field both alone and with a group of fellow combatants. You may ha… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Soldier | Ability Scores Strength, Dexterity, Constitution Feat Savage Attacker Skill Proficiencies Athletics and Intimidation Tool Proficiency Choose one kind of Gaming Set Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Spear,… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Soldier | Ability Scores Strength, Dexterity, Constitution Feat Savage Attacker Skill Proficiencies Athletics and Intimidation Tool Proficiency Choose one kind of Gaming Set Equipment Choose A or B: (A) Spear,… | Wizards of the Coast | Free Basic Rules (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Soshi Family - Scorpion Clan | The Soshi are often overlooked, and that is how they prefer things to be. For generations, the Soshi family has trained the most subtle illusionists in Rokugan, whose carefully crafted façades are nea… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Soul Channeler | A quirk of fate, or a circumstance of birth, exposed you to the intoxicating power of arcane magic and changed you irrevocably. You spent your formative years learning about yourself, gauging your inn… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic | Backgrounds |
| Soul Channeler | A quirk of fate, or a circumstance of birth, exposed you to the intoxicating power of arcane magic and changed you irrevocably. You spent your formative years learning about yourself, gauging your inn… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 1 | Backgrounds |
| Spartan Warrior | As a member of the Spartan Army, your life is devoted to War and your home. You have been trained by the harshest taskmasters in the land, since you were a child, to be nothing short of a perfect warr… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Spy | Although your capabilities are not much different from those of a burglar or smuggler, you learned and practiced them in a very different context: as an espionage agent. You might have been an officia… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Starfall Aerie - Non-Human | In the Spine of the World Mountains rests the Starfall Aerie. This aerie always has exactly eight residents: one teacher and seven students. Among tengu and humans alike, this aerie is famed for the s… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Starlight Sea Raider | Starlight Sea Raider “Those who sail the Starlight Seas are a motley bunch, as varied as individual blades of grass. Some beautiful, some grotesque, and some indescribable. You should fear them all.”… | Ghostfire Gaming | Aetherial Expanse Setting Guide | Backgrounds |
| Storyteller | Storytellers serve a multitude of purposes within their community. Some storytellers act as historians, keeping memories and traditions alive through generations. Others see stories as the perfect veh… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 2 | Backgrounds |
| Storyteller | Storytellers are always respected. Even if they are battered, tired, and have been on the road for weeks, a storyteller commands a certain respect that is hard to define, but impossible to miss. They… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Street Knife | You’re a child of the rough streets, and yet you call them home. You may have been there your entire life, or only recently in the past few years, for whatever reason. Either way, you’ve taken to the… | Green Ronin Publishing | Death in Freeport 20th Anniversary Edition | Backgrounds |
| Student | You are an avid student and eager learner. You always like to know the answers and will spend hours researching facts for fun. While you enjoy your academic studies in general, you have focused on a p… | Renegade Game Studios | Wardlings Campaign Guide | Backgrounds |
| Survivor | Survivor Not everyone left Drakkenheim after the meteor. Some stayed behind, searching the ruins for things they lost: friends and family, or just seeking out treasure and artefacts. You know what pla… | Ghostfire Gaming | Dungeons of Drakkenheim | Backgrounds |
| Survivor of Tragedy | Roll20 Note: This page is read only and will not function with drag-and-drop as similar pages within this category. A horrible thing happened to you when you were young. It’s an event that has left yo… | Evil Genius Games | Everyday Heroes Quickstart Guide | Backgrounds |
| Suzume Family - Sparrow Clan | An offshoot of the Crane Clan from the fifth century, the Sparrow Clan is renowned for its storytelling tradition and its warriors’ skill with the sling. The Suzume Hills, home to the Sparrow Clan and… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Tattered Ear Tribe - Non-Human | Within the ancient vale known as the Shinomen Forest, the Tattered Ear nezumi have flourished despite all odds. The primeval forest defies all attempts to tame it, devouring most civilizations with th… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Techie | You’re a whiz when it comes to anything technical. Computers and machines are your forte and also your favorite topic of discussion. You’ve got connections of the digital sort who are often the source… | Alligator Alley Entertainment | Esper Genesis Core Manual | Backgrounds |
| Technologist | The galaxy is filled with machines—machines that often break down. Technologists are experts in repairing, tuning, and decommissioning the devices that other people rely on for their employment, comfo… | Mage Hand Press | Dark Matter Starter Kit | Backgrounds |
| Tent Master | The life of a tent master is an unforgiving one. They are a necessary part of the circus, but never get a chance to enjoy the spotlight. It’s their job to build the tents and maintain them, repair gam… | Escape Plan Games | Tavern Tales Vol 1 - A Trip Away Inn | Backgrounds |
| The Ghostlands - Non-Rokugani | The Ivory Kingdoms are bordered along a large portion of their eastern edge by a region of thick, gloomy, tangled forests inhabited by evil spirits and terrifying monsters. These “Ghostlands” are, in… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| The Hidden Valley of the Ganzu - Non-Rokugani | Along the Sand Road is the Hidden Valley of the Ganzu, a crucial oasis held by a tenacious people. Qamarists by faith and members of the Unicorn Clan by alliance, the Ganzu stride the line between the… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| The Realm of Slaughter - Non-Human | The Realm of Slaughter is another realm of punishment, but unlike the Realm of the Hungry Dead, the Realm of Slaughter is for the violent and the cruel. This realm is thought to have been created by t… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| The Realm of the Hungry Dead - Non-Human | The Realm of the Hungry Dead is a realm of punishment for souls who could not be satisfied in life: the greedy, the lustful, the gluttonous, and the power hungry. Their fixation on physical pleasures… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| The Realm of Waiting - Non-Human | Beneath the Mortal Realm is the Realm of Waiting, a vast place where mortal souls go to be judged by the Fortune of Death. Never intended as a permanent residence for souls, the Realm of Waiting now s… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Tian Shan - Non-Rokugani | Most of Tiān Shān consists of a single, massive mountain that twists towards the Heavens and stands proud above all of the other mountains in Yún Fēng Guó. From the outside, it boasts three ornate doo… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Togashi Order - Dragon Clan | The Togashi Order is a family by choice rather than bloodline, and welcomes anyone willing to embrace their teachings and accomplish the challenges required to join, the first of which is finding one… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Tonbo Family - Dragonfly Clan | Most Minor Clans have political relationships with their Great Clan neighbors, but the Dragonfly Clan is deeply enmeshed with the Dragon Clan, existing somewhere between a close ally and a vassal orga… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Toritaka Family - Falcon Clan | There are many good and helpful spirits that travel to the Mortal Realm from the afterlife, the realms beside, and the realms beyond. But the Mortal Realm is also threatened by spectral predators, fro… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Tough | “When you finish the game, the king and knave end up in the same box" - Alazian saying - Toughs were born and raised amidst all manner of oppression, hardship, or violence, yet far from breaking them,… | Acheron Games | Brancalonia - Core Rulebook Compendium | Backgrounds |
| Traded Child | As a baby, you were traded to a hag, fiend, or other extraplanar bargain-maker. They raised you in a strange place, apart from others of your kind, to serve as a pawn in their schemes. Your unconventi… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Transformed | Life is change, that's nothing new. But what happened to you goes far beyond normal life experiences. During the rebirth of your world in the dimension of Braythe, you went through a metamorphosis. No… | Braythe RPG | Braythe - Shattered Realities | Backgrounds |
| Transformed Familiar | Your connection to magic began with a term of service, or servitude, to a magician of power. Your partnership continued as expected for years, until the bond was abruptly broken. In the aftermath, you… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic | Backgrounds |
| Transformed Familiar | Your connection to magic began with a term of service, or servitude, to a magician of power. Your partnership continued as expected for years, until the bond was abruptly broken. In the aftermath, you… | Kobold Press | Deep Magic Vol 1 | Backgrounds |
| Treasure Seeker | Treasure Seeker Lost treasure and valuable relics brought you to Drakkenheim. Perhaps the prospect of earning more gold than you can spend in your lifetime is too tantalizing to pass up, or alternativ… | Ghostfire Gaming | Dungeons of Drakkenheim | Backgrounds |
| Trophy Hunter | You hunt the mightiest beasts in the harshest environments, claiming their pelts as trophies and returning them to settled lands for a profit or to decorate your abode. You likely were set on this pat… | Kobold Press | Tome of Heroes | Backgrounds |
| True Apologizer | As a true apologizer, you are genuinely accountable for your actions. You’re interested in correcting your misdeeds and improving the lives of those you hurt in tangible ways. You can replace the forg… | Lone Colossus Games | Injuries and Vile Deeds | Backgrounds |
| Tsuruchi's Warband - Wasp Clan | Commanded by the famed bounty hunter Tsuruchi, the Wasp Clan is a group of mercenaries that has found itself elevated to the status of Minor Clan thanks to the political machinations of the Imperial C… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Undertaker | Undertakers play a vital role in any functioning society. Every settlement needs someone to bury the dead and conduct funerals. Ensuring the dead are buried properly stops them rising as undead, and m… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Urban Bounty Hunter | Before you became an adventurer, your life was already full of conflict and excitement, because you made a living tracking down people for pay. Unlike some people who collect bounties, though, you are… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Urchin | You grew up on the streets alone, orphaned, and poor. You had no one to watch over you or to provide for you, so you learned to provide for yourself. You fought fiercely over food and kept a constant… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook | Backgrounds |
| Usagi Family - Hare Clan | Famous hunters of heretical sorcerers, the Hare Clan dates back to the era when Bloodspeaker cults plunged the Emerald Empire into chaos using foul necromancy. The Hare Clan’s expertise has meant that… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Utaku Family - Unicorn Clan | There is no finer heavy cavalry in the Empire than the Battle Maidens. These skilled champions are exceptional riders, capable of incredible martial feats of prowess even against long odds. The sight… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Uthgardt Tribe Member | Though you might have only recently arrived in civilized lands, you are no stranger to the values of cooperation and group effort when striving for supremacy. You learned these principles, and much mo… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Vagabond | Jeff Stevens Games | Potbellied Kobold | Backgrounds | |
| Veteran Soldier | The Last Age is an age of constant warfare. All of the lands of Eredane are mobilized for total war, and nearly every individual capable of fighting has been drafted into the armies. The elves and dwa… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Legacy of Darkness | Backgrounds |
| Village Healer | From a young age, you were adept at healing those who were infirm. You have honed your skills on your journey through discovering the world of plants and potions. Heartfelt Recognition. Your reputatio… | Lion Banner Games | HellWatch Infernal Oath 5e Compendium Expansion | Backgrounds |
| Vintner | Vintners make wine. Whether used in religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals, parties, or just to enjoy with dinner, wine makes up an integral part of society, and as such vintners enjoy a peculiar po… | David Serrano | Warriors of the New World | Backgrounds |
| Volstrucker Agent | The Volstrucker are a clandestine organization of arcane assassins and enforcers in the service of the Cerberus Assembly. Their operatives bear no official title, but are referred to in hushed tones a… | Wizards of the Coast | Explorer's Guide to Wildemount (deprecated) | Backgrounds |
| Volstrucker Agent | The Volstrucker are a clandestine organization of arcane assassins and enforcers in the service of the Cerberus Assembly. Their operatives bear no official title, but are referred to in hushed tones a… | Wizards of the Coast | Explorer's Guide to Wildemount | Backgrounds |
| Wasteland Reaver | You grew up prowling the wastes as a member of a bandit gang, orc tribe, or similar warlike group. You spent much of your early life raiding and pillaging, plundering villages and merchant caravans. T… | Kobold Press | Wastes of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Waterdhavian Noble | You are a scion of one of the great noble families of Waterdeep. Human families who jealously guard their privilege and place in the City of Splendors, Waterdhavian nobles have a reputation across Fae… | Wizards of the Coast | Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide | Backgrounds |
| Wayfarer | Ability Scores Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma Feat Lucky Skill Proficiencies Insight and Stealth Tool Proficiency Thieves’ Tools Equipment Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves’ Tools, Gaming Set (any),… | Wizards of the Coast | Player's Handbook (2024) | Backgrounds |
| Whitestone Rifle Corps | You trained with the elite forces charged with the defense and protection of the isolated city-state of Whitestone, with much of that training focused on how to care for, protect, and safeguard the fi… | Darrington Press | Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn | Backgrounds |
| Wilding | As an infant, you were lost in the wild, either abandoned by your parents, kidnapped and left on your own, or by terrible random happenstance. After spending 5 years being raised by nature, you have a… | Renegade Game Studios | Wardlings Campaign Guide | Backgrounds |
| Wildlander | When Izrador invaded the lands of humanity at the dawn of the Last Age, a number of people were living as rangers and explorers on the edge of civilization. Rather than facing the Shadow, these indivi… | Edge Studio | Midnight - Legacy of Darkness | Backgrounds |
| Wildspacer | You were raised in the void of Wildspace—home to asteroid miners, moon farmers, and other hardy folk. Perhaps you grew up in a far-flung settlement such as the Rock of Bral, or you spent your early ye… | Wizards of the Coast | Spelljammer - Adventures in Space | Backgrounds |
| Wind-Touched | There are legends within the Wood, of birdfolk blessed by the wind who are destined to soar over any and all obstacles. When a chick is born with special markings or unique feather patterns, or when t… | Hit Point Press | Humblewood | Backgrounds |
| Witchlight Hand | You crept into the Witchlight Carnival as a child or youth and never looked back, earning a place among those who work behind the scenes to keep the carnival in business. As a hand, you work hard and… | Wizards of the Coast | The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | Backgrounds |
| Witherbloom Student | You filled your childhood with rudimentary alchemical experiments, all in the hope of becoming a student of Witherbloom College. The life sciences are the focus of your reading, which include biology… | Wizards of the Coast | Strixhaven A Curriculum of Chaos | Backgrounds |
| Worthless Husk | You were born into a world that saw you as utterly worthless, a waste of skin. Deemed talentless and devoid of potential, you were cast aside by those around you. As a Worthless Husk, you have learned… | MonkeyDM | Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt | Backgrounds |
| Xie Long Gu - Non-Rokugani | Surrounded by impenetrable mountains lies Xiē Lóng Gǔ, a beautiful valley in an eternal state of springtime. Xiē Lóng Gǔ, or the Valley of Slumbering Dragons as inhabitants of Rokugan often refer to i… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Yasuki Family - Crab Clan | The Yasuki family teaches its scions to use the tools of trade and industry to keep the Crab armies well equipped and fed, and not to let legal vagaries or bureaucratic inconveniences stand in the way… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |
| Yogo Family - Scorpion Clan | Once belonging to the Phoenix Clan but now staunchly devoted to the Scorpion Clan’s cause, the Yogo family is often called “the most unfortunate family in the Empire:” each scion of their line is said… | Edge Studio | Adventures in Rokugan | Backgrounds |