D&D Background Spotlight: The Entertainer
Applause, Masks, and the Power of Being Seen
The Entertainer background is about more than music, juggling, or stage tricks. Entertainers understand something fundamental about the world: people want to feel something. Laughter, awe, sorrow, hope—an Entertainer knows how to pull
A bard as seen in the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook. [Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast]
emotion from a crowd and hold it in the palm of their hand.
For players, Entertainers are expressive, emotional, and socially powerful. For GMs, they provide instant access to crowds, rumors, patrons, and places where stories begin.
What Does It Mean to Be an Entertainer?
An Entertainer is someone who has lived by public approval. Their survival, success, or safety depended on their ability to perform. This could include:
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A traveling bard who lived wagon to wagon
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A circus acrobat raised among performers
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A storyteller preserving oral histories
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A gladiatorial showfighter adored by the masses
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A court performer navigating dangerous politics
Entertainers understand audiences. They know when a crowd is restless, when a room is hostile, and when a single word could turn cheers into silence.
Key Questions for Entertainer Characters
To deepen the character, ask:
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Do I perform because I love it—or because I need it?
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Who was I offstage, when no one was watching?
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What happens if I lose my voice, hands, or audience?
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Who did I leave behind on the road?
Roleplaying an Entertainer at the Table
Entertainers excel in social scenes and downtime. They might:
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Perform instinctively during tense moments
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Use humor or drama to defuse danger
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Seek validation through applause or praise
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Feel uncomfortable with silence or isolation
Not every Entertainer is flamboyant. Some are quiet, controlled, or melancholy—performing because it’s the only way they know how to connect.
Entertainer Roleplaying Strengths & Weaknesses
Bard vs Warlock
Optional d8 Tables
Roll once on each table or choose what best fits your character.
Roleplaying Strengths (d8)
| d8 | Strength |
|---|---|
| 1 | Captivates crowds effortlessly |
| 2 | Reads audience mood instantly |
| 3 | Strong emotional intelligence |
| 4 | Natural storyteller |
| 5 | Disarms hostility with charm or humor |
| 6 | Thrives under pressure |
| 7 | Easily forms connections with strangers |
| 8 | Inspires hope or courage through performance |
Roleplaying Weaknesses (d8)
| d8 | Weakness |
|---|---|
| 1 | Craves attention and praise |
| 2 | Fears obscurity or irrelevance |
| 3 | Blurs the line between persona and self |
| 4 | Overcommits to please others |
| 5 | Avoids serious conversations |
| 6 | Emotionally vulnerable to criticism |
| 7 | Haunted by a disastrous performance |
| 8 | Feels empty when not performing |
These traits help spotlight scenes where the Entertainer can shine—or crack.
Story Arcs for Entertainer Characters
These arcs slot easily into urban, travel-heavy, or intrigue-based campaigns.
1. The Last Encore
An old troupe, rival performer, or beloved venue faces collapse—and only the Entertainer can save it.
GM Twist: Saving it means confronting why they left.
2. Song of the People
Dragonborn Bard
A performance sparks a political or social movement the Entertainer never intended.
GM Twist: Factions twist the message for their own ends.
3. The Stolen Act
Someone steals the Entertainer’s signature performance, style, or persona.
GM Twist: The thief improves it—and becomes famous.
4. Performance for a Tyrant
The Entertainer is summoned to perform for a dangerous ruler, crime lord, or extraplanar being.
GM Twist: The performance is a test… or a trap.
5. When the Music Stops
An injury, curse, or magical effect temporarily prevents the Entertainer from performing.
GM Twist: Someone values them anyway—and it terrifies them.
Using Entertainers as a GM
Entertainers naturally open doors:
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Taverns, courts, festivals, and high society
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Information through gossip and rumor
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Patron NPCs and rival performers
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Public consequences for private actions
They turn downtime into story and give the party reasons to stay in one place just a little longer.
Final Thoughts
The Entertainer background is about visibility. Being seen. Being remembered. It asks an important question:
If the applause fades… do you still matter?
Handled well, Entertainers bring heart, humor, and humanity to a party—and give the GM endless narrative tools.
Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!
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