Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition – Custom Background

November 10, 2015

Happy Tuesday my fellow gamers. Today I would like to present you with a custom background in case you need more character building options for you Dungeons and Dragons game.

So here is the background Tribal. The outlander is the most adventurous background but to me it does not speek to one who was raised in a tribal culture but one who went out into the wilderness later in life. if you are playing a half orc or barbarian character you might very well have grown up in a tribe. If you are playing a more monstrous race or have something custom in your home brew campaign setting this background might suit you better than Outlander.

D&D 5th Edition – Tribal Background

The sight of a city is far more terrifying to you as you might never have seen one. The grand wilderness where you grew up has its own set of rules that you know so much better the the manners and mannerisms of the more cultured folk. You have learned the ways of the wilderness. You know what you can eat and what might try to eat you. You can easily find shelter and avoid the areas that natural predators use to hunt.

When you choose this background work with your DM to determine what your tribe is. Are they still there? Are they a single race or a community of mixed races? Did you leave on good terms or were you cast out for a difference of opinion or something you did wrong? Are you looking for vengeance, acceptance or for forgiveness? perhaps you are looking for a cure so your tribe is not wiped out.

Skill Proficiences: Nature, Survival

Tool Prociences: Your choice of: herbalism Kit or Leather working Tools

Languages: One of Choice.

Equipment: Tool set from your choice above, 1 spear of 2 javelins, Common clothes, 50 feet of hemp rope, waterskin, A belt pouch containing 10 gold pieces.

Feature: Wildborn

Born in the wilderness you have more knowledge about the wilds than those city folk. You can always avoid the hunting paths of wild animals and know how to safely find food in the wilds. If you are in terrain you are familiar with you know what is poisonous and what is safe to eat.

Suggested Characteristics

The savagery of the wild reaches that life can eaisly be snuffed out if you are not careful. Living this type of lifestyle shapes your ideals, creates bonds and leaves you with flaws not easily shaken.

d8 Personality traits

I am fearful of strangers.
I am enthusiastic about learning new things.
I am haunted by a gruesome image from my past.
I am as harsh as the wild, fear my wrath.
I am as gentile as the wind.
I am unbending in my ways as an ancient oak.
I am as savage as the hunting cats that killed my friend.
I am unpredictable as the weather in winter.

d6 Ideal

People. I care more for people than animals as without people we will not survive. (good)
Nature. Nature is more important than any city. (neutral)
Animals. Nature has a natural order and I will follow it. (lawful)
Victory. I will get my prize kill even if it kills everyone around me. (chaotic)
Self. nature teaches that one must protect themselves and so I will. (evil)
Knowledge. I must venture forth and bring new knowledge to my tribe. (any)

d6 Bond

You are on an important mission for your tribe.
Your tribe is lost and you feel the need to find a new family.
You posses an item of your tribe that you must keep safe.
You will protect nature at all costs.
You protect those you travel with.
Your tribe has a secret which you must not divulge or ruin could come to your tribe.

d6 Flaw

Your savage nature always comes out at the worst of times.
You are actually afraid of cities and have to be forced to enter.
You are over curious about the world you know nothing about.
You feel your way of life is superior to that of living in a city and no problem telling others about it.
You are afraid to admit something that you should have learned.
You are slow to trust others not of your tribe.

So there you have it a custom background for Dungeons and Dragons. Will you use this in your game. Let me know in the comments below. And as always Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!