Free &D: Character Origins- Backgrounds

Based on the UA Character Origins published by Wizards of the Coast, August 2022. Copy right material belongs to their respective owners. While I discuss the IP for educational purposes, I make no claims to the IP.

Backgrounds have gone from a rough outline in 5E, to a major defining aspect of a character.

Background Features

Ability Scores. When you determine your character’s ability scores, choose two of them, and increase one by 2 and the other one by 1. Alternatively, choose three ability scores, and increase each of them by 1.

Skill Proficiencies. Choose two Skills. Your character gains Proficiency in them.

Tool Proficiency. Choose one tool. Your character gains Tool Proficiency* with it.

Language. Choose one language from the Standard Languages and Rare Languages tables (these appear later in the document). Your character knows that language.

I tend to run Language a bit differently in my campaign worlds, but more on that once the One System has been flashed out a bit more.

Feat. Choose one 1st-level Feat. Your character gains that Feat.

This is a wonderful increase in Tier1 power level, and makes it potential much more interesting as well as survivable.

Equipment. Your character gains 50 GP to spend on starting equipment. The character keeps any unspent GP as spare coin.

I prefer this flat 50gp approach over the Equipment Packs from 5E

I miss the "Characteristic" section, and I think Trait, Ideal, Bond and Flaw deserve a place in the game, but perhaps in a less structured manner.

Sample Backgrounds

The following are included sample backgrounds, which I have group for potential simplification of similar concepts. Bolded entries indicate backgrounds present in the 5E materials, and are likely to be in Basic Rules. It may be worth noting, that Folk Hero has not made the transition from 5E?

Acolyte, Cultist, Pilgrim- this tells us that temples and other religious sights exist.

Artisan, Laborer

Criminal

Entertainer

Farmer

Soldier, Gladiator, Guard

Guide

Hermit

Noble

Sage

Sailor

Urchin

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