Wild Backgrounds

Even though isolated villages lack the safety of city walls many still prefer the rural life. They appreciate the closer connections that smaller communities foster. These backgrounds range from city dwellers that have more interaction with the wilds, to characters that grew up solely in the outlands.

Cities tend to shape the land to fit them, whereas more rural areas grow around or with the land. Several of these backgrounds are flavoured around that idea, giving your character opportunities to interact with nature.

Changeling

Your parents suspect that you were swapped with a fey child in the crib. Though they still raised you as their own you showed a strong connection to another world. Perhaps you spoke a language they had never known, or learned skills they could never teach you.

Your basic race is not changed, but you have a strange affinity for a certain kind of power. Perhaps your parents were touched by magic when they conceived you, or a long distant heritage has manifested in your blood. Whatever the truth of your origin, you were marked with an otherworldly power.

Skill proficiencies: Arcana, Deception

Arcana, Deception Tool proficiencies: One of your choice

One of your choice Languages: One of your choice

One of your choice Equipment: One set of artisan's tools of your choice, worn-out baby toy that you had a strange obession with, crown of flowers, simple peasant clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp.

Feature: Scent of magic

You have an affinity for a certain kind of magic. Work with your DM to specify what kind of magic you were touched by as a baby. It could be fey, or demonic for example.

You have a very basic sense of this magic, and can identify strong sources of it that you contact or come near. It manifests as a familiar scent or feeling. At the DM's discretion you may gain further insights from studying this kind of item or phenomenon.

Suggested Characteristics

Children touched by otherworldly powers can be isolated from their peers. Along with their unique knowledge they can be strongly self-sufficient. But some consider themselves to be gifted for a reason, perhaps to help others. Many adventure to find more insights into their origin.

d8 Personality trait 1 I am absent-minded, always focussing on a world just out of reach. 2 I enjoy showing off my unique nature. 3 I am shy about my specialness. 4 I love learning about magic. 5 I believe that I have been chosen to do something great . 6 I want to fit in with others. 7 I sympathise with outsiders, I try to make all welcome. 8 I believe we are what we do, not where we come from.

d6 Ideal 1 Helping. We have gifts so we can share them. (Good) 2 Family. Social bonds come from action, not just blood. (Lawful) 3 Uniqueness. We are all different so that we can travel different paths.(Chaotic) 4 Self. Nobody looked out for me, so I owe nothing to others.(Evil) 5 Exploration.. Exploring the world and our own capabilities allows us to grow.(Neutral) 6 Self Knowledge. I must learn about my true nature.(Any)

d6 Bond 1 My parents raised me with their values. 2 I want to live up to the expectations of my community. 3 I have a fascination with places of magical power. 4 I collect trinkets with the scent of magic. 5 I have a mentor who helped me through my adolescence when others ignored or mocked me. 6 My siblings are my closest friends.

d6 Flaw 1 I don't think I belong in this world. 2 I would do anything to find out who I really am. 3 I think I am better than others because of my gifts. 4 I am afraid to find out the truth about myself. 5 I can't refuse a call for help. 6 Insults cut deep into my insecurities.

Messenger

You were a courier for a powerful kingdom or organisation. They entrusted you with important documents and you ranged across the land delivering their missives. You may have delivered offers of surrender or ultimatums to enemy armies, or the letters of scheming nobles to their distant family. Work with the DM to identify who employed you and how long you served in peacetime or wartime.