I'm not including Ideals, Bonds and flaws 'cos i'm not sure i'm going to use them, but here's a tentative effort at a background.
Background: Guide
You come from a rural background and spent your youth travelling the pathways, hedgerows and valleys of your village. As your knowledge grew, travellers, as well as locals, sought you out to guide them to landmarks and local resources. Some of these travellers were adventurers and tired of seeing them return with trinkets and riches, you sought to use your knowledge to join them in the ranks of the revered.
Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Artisan's Tools - Cartographer
Equipment: Cartography kit, Explorer's pack, 2-man tent
Feature: Wayfarer.
Due to your knowledge of terrain and intensive travels, you have an intimate knowledge of the best camp-sites in the local area – including access to water, defensibility, commanding views and comfort. You can leave and read tokens left by other guides that communicate details about nearby suitable camp-sites.
Looks good!
You might want to give it either a Language proficiency or Vehicles (Land) just so it has two skills and two non-skill proficiencies.
Not bad at all.
I did find it odd that that particular background was missing. That's one of the most common backgrounds an adventurer has in any fantasy RPG ;)
Quote from: Sacrosanct;765508I did find it odd that that particular background was missing. That's one of the most common backgrounds an adventurer has in any fantasy RPG ;)
It may not be missing. It could be in the PHB and as good, better, or worse than the one presented here. :)
The pregen fighter had a noble background but that wasn't included in basic either.
Quote from: Exploderwizard;765510It may not be missing. It could be in the PHB and as good, better, or worse than the one presented here. :)
The pregen fighter had a noble background but that wasn't included in basic either.
Oh, I'm sure it will be. I just thought it would be in the basic set, because that background is the fighter class of backgrounds LOL
Quote from: Sacrosanct;765516Oh, I'm sure it will be. I just thought it would be in the basic set, because that background is the fighter class of backgrounds LOL
It reminds me of Warhammer it's a fun background to have and very useful to most classes even the Rogue.
Quote from: Sacrosanct;765508I did find it odd that that particular background was missing. That's one of the most common backgrounds an adventurer has in any fantasy RPG ;)
I'm pretty sure the Guide background was in the playtest. So I'm assuming it'll be in the PHB.
Isn't there a "Guide" specialty under the Soldier? I mean yes, different, but I thought there was....
Quote from: Silverlion;765676Isn't there a "Guide" specialty under the Soldier? I mean yes, different, but I thought there was....
There is
Scout which is similar.
It is a cool background. I could think of a few others.
Quote from: Haffrung;765572I'm pretty sure the Guide background was in the playtest. So I'm assuming it'll be in the PHB.
There was one in the playtest. I'm sure we'll see it again.
3...2....1 before someone releases 100 backgrounds for 5e on DTRPG
I'm working on a jongleur background.
Skills: Acrobatics, Performance
Tools: one instrument of your choice, disguise kit
Not sure about the feature yet; some sort of social knowledge?
Quote from: Maltese Changeling;765767I'm working on a jongleur background.
Skills: Acrobatics, Performance
Tools: one instrument of your choice, disguise kit
Not sure about the feature yet; some sort of social knowledge?
In the play test the Minstrel background had the following trait, which seems o.k.
Noted Performer You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food (within reason) as long as you perform each night. In addition, your performance makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Quote from: jadrax;765776In the play test the Minstrel background had the following trait, which seems o.k.
Noted Performer You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food (within reason) as long as you perform each night. In addition, your performance makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Oh, that's perfect.
Quote from: jadrax;765776In the play test the Minstrel background had the following trait, which seems o.k.
Noted Performer You can always find a place to perform, usually in an inn or tavern. At such a place, you receive free lodging and food (within reason) as long as you perform each night. In addition, your performance makes you something of a local figure. When strangers recognize you in a town where you have performed, they typically take a liking to you.
Basically, teenage Kvothe.
The one thing I really don't like about Features is that damn near every one (except Dan's) is basically exception based rules for the setting. This feature means you can get this from NPCs, this feature means these NPCs always support you, bleh.
I get that they want to have non-combat options, because that's all 4e had, the problem is, they're no good at it. Even their social aspects read like a fucking magic card. Because of this flavor text, the GM has to play his NPCs thusly, Christ on a Crutch.
Quote from: CRKrueger;765819The one thing I really don't like about Features is that damn near every one (except Dan's) is basically exception based rules for the setting. This feature means you can get this from NPCs, this feature means these NPCs always support you, bleh.
I get that they want to have non-combat options, because that's all 4e had, the problem is, they're no good at it. Even their social aspects read like a fucking magic card. Because of this flavor text, the GM has to play his NPCs thusly, Christ on a Crutch.
Yeah, I find the features intrusive. You can always get help from local dwarf miners because your character sheet says so? Uh, no. That shit is always contextual. I don't dislike the concept, but they need to word them in a way that is less specific but more colourful.
Quote from: Maltese Changeling;765767I'm working on a jongleur background.
Skills: Acrobatics, Performance
Tools: one instrument of your choice, disguise kit
Not sure about the feature yet; some sort of social knowledge?
Would a language or two work? And maybe lodging or some perk at a bardic college? Or possibly a single weapon or skill profiencency like History?
Personally I love that Minstrel background because it's spot on.
Quote from: Sacrosanct;7657163...2....1 before someone releases 100 backgrounds for 5e on DTRPG
As my heartbreaker uses an archetype template as a way to fit its 3 classes into any cultural mode I have dozens of things that look like backgrounds from Acrobat to Zealot.
We should get a thread going here to populate a few....
It's fun and easy to make these!
Yeah, if this gets done right, backgrounds could go a long way to pulling D&D classes back to having some sort of connection with interesting, textured settings. The drift in focus about what it means to be in a class and what members of a class can do brought us to a point where it is an uphill fight to figure out what a character is other than a tool for destroying hit points. Also, a big drive for multi-classing (with all its awkward rules and gamesmanship) has been the frustration at how narrow and one-dimensional any class is.
Backgrounds can orient the character into a setting, and create multiple colors of each class that make multi-classing seem pointless to me. They even remove the need for some sub-classes (like Barbarian). If I had a couple spare hours I would quickly draw up...
Rat-catcher
Pilgrim
Hermit
Trapper
Poacher
Savage
Noble
Bailiff
Smuggler
and on and on...
I dig backgrounds. They reminds me of 2e kits but without being class specific.
Quote from: CRKrueger;765819The one thing I really don't like about Features is that damn near every one (except Dan's) is basically exception based rules for the setting. This feature means you can get this from NPCs, this feature means these NPCs always support you, bleh.
I get that they want to have non-combat options, because that's all 4e had, the problem is, they're no good at it. Even their social aspects read like a fucking magic card. Because of this flavor text, the GM has to play his NPCs thusly, Christ on a Crutch.
Quote from: Haffrung;765865Yeah, I find the features intrusive. You can always get help from local dwarf miners because your character sheet says so? Uh, no. That shit is always contextual. I don't dislike the concept, but they need to word them in a way that is less specific but more colourful.
[/SIZE]
I'm not sure what's being angered about here. Are my DM powers nullified if a folk hero can always take refuge with peasant families? Is some dastardly player going to power walk through my game using his undefined criminal contacts? What's the issue?
Quote from: Larsdangly;767377Yeah, if this gets done right, backgrounds could go a long way to pulling D&D classes back to having some sort of connection with interesting, textured settings. The drift in focus about what it means to be in a class and what members of a class can do brought us to a point where it is an uphill fight to figure out what a character is other than a tool for destroying hit points. Also, a big drive for multi-classing (with all its awkward rules and gamesmanship) has been the frustration at how narrow and one-dimensional any class is.
Backgrounds can orient the character into a setting, and create multiple colors of each class that make multi-classing seem pointless to me. They even remove the need for some sub-classes (like Barbarian). If I had a couple spare hours I would quickly draw up...
Rat-catcher
Pilgrim
Hermit
Trapper
Poacher
Savage
Noble
Bailiff
Smuggler
and on and on...
Warhammer with reliable magic.:)
As it is why aren't people catching on to the fact multiclassing isn't a ticket to powergaming? The backloading of the classes and the differing and staggered stat/feat opportunities should be an obvious clue.
Quote from: Marleycat;768641As it is why aren't people catching on to the fact multiclassing isn't a ticket to powergaming? The backloading of the classes and the differing and staggered stat/feat opportunities should be an obvious clue.
It's a lot like FantasyCraft in that you gain some versatility but miss out on all the big ticket items that come with the later levels.
Quote from: Raven;768643It's a lot like FantasyCraft in that you gain some versatility but miss out on all the big ticket items that come with the later levels.
EXACTLY! FantasyCraft is the system I use to run or play Dnd. Have you figured out why I'm all in for 5e yet? To me it's basically FantasyCraft but supported and accepted by the average Dnd player. Easy to start or find a game.:)
And go ahead and do this or that because you won't break the game or your character isn't going to ruin other people's fun.
Quote from: Raven;768638I'm not sure what's being angered about here. Are my DM powers nullified if a folk hero can always take refuge with peasant families? Is some dastardly player going to power walk through my game using his undefined criminal contacts? What's the issue?
The issue is the game designer is giving the players tools that tell the GM "Your NPCs
will respond this way." It doesn't matter what the culture of Nobles in Volantis really is, because your minor noble character has this power on his sheet, my NPC is supposed to grant him audience
despite what would actually happen in the setting.
Your character is a folk hero so he always gets help from the locals? You know what folk heros do? They get peasants to rise up against the nobles, which means nobles who aren't incredibly smart, tend to punish the peasants for the folk hero's doing. This creates resentment. 95% of the populace might support Robin Hood, but if he shows up on the wrong doorstep, it might be a peasant looking to turn him in.
They are very broad, simplistic binary toggles thrown that affect how the world works. Again, WotC is trying, trying real hard to include non-combat mechanics, they're just screwing the pooch on every single one, because despite Mearls' saying "Gee there must have been something to this whole dissociation thing after all", he still can't spot the difference, in that, he's not alone I guess.
Jesus Christ are you for real CR? How about grow a set already? Nothing is as black and white as you described unless you say it is. Nobles in any setting can get audience with their contemparies whether that's good or bad is a completely different issue.
Folk Hero's are Robin Hood or any zero to hero on the run or not a hero yet so yeah here's a crust of bread and go sleep in the sheep pen if you can and if the authorities come I have no clue who you are. etc. Or is your setting not realistic?
Quote from: CRKrueger;768647The issue is the game designer is giving the players tools that tell the GM "Your NPCs will respond this way." It doesn't matter what the culture of Nobles in Volantis really is, because your minor noble character has this power on his sheet, my NPC is supposed to grant him audience despite what would actually happen in the setting.
Your character is a folk hero so he always gets help from the locals? You know what folk heros do? They get peasants to rise up against the nobles, which means nobles who aren't incredibly smart, tend to punish the peasants for the folk hero's doing. This creates resentment. 95% of the populace might support Robin Hood, but if he shows up on the wrong doorstep, it might be a peasant looking to turn him in.
QuoteFeature: Rustic Hospitality
Since you come from the ranks of the common folk, you fit in among them with ease. You can find a place to hide, rest, or recuperate among other commoners, unless you have shown yourself to be a danger to them. They will shield you from the law or anyone else searching for you, though they will not risk their lives for you.
Not sure I am seeing the issue here.
Quote from: Marleycat;768650Jesus Christ are you for real CR? How about grow a set already? Nothing is as black and white as you described unless you say it is. SMH.
U Mad Bro?
Words have meaning.
"Nobility - You character is a Noble of your society and thus has certain privileges within that society. The Worlds of D&D encompass many cultures and societies, your GM will tell you what those privileges are". (Then include some examples to help the kids).
- Was that hard? No. It took literally less then a minute.
- Is it a non-combat mechanic? Yes.
- Is it completely associated and usable in every single setting? Yes.
- Does it tell the GM how his setting works? No.
- Is it a better teaching tool for n00bs then "You must give him an audience?" Yes, because it allows his imagination to fill in the blanks and build his setting.
This ain't rocket science people. Jesus Wept.
Quote from: CRKrueger;768653U Mad Bro?
Words have meaning.
"Nobility - You character is a Noble of your society and thus has certain privileges within that society. The Worlds of D&D encompass many cultures and societies, your GM will tell you what those privileges are". (Then include some examples to help the kids).
- Was that hard? No. It took literally less then a minute.
- Is it a non-combat mechanic? Yes.
- Is it completely associated and usable in every single setting? Yes.
- Does it tell the GM how his setting works? No.
- Is it a better teaching tool for n00bs then "You must give him an audience?" Yes, because it allows his imagination to fill in the blanks and build his setting.
This ain't rocket science people. Jesus Wept.
As I said that definition is completely up to you and already said nothing about what's written in the book said you're wrong. As you say it isn't rocket science. Also I'm not a 49er fan so I have no reason to be mad bro.;)
Wow, Rule Zero defense, whoda thunk that was coming? :eek:
Quote from: WotCPosition of Privilege - Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in High Society and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high rank treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
Yeah that's pretty much the same thing that I wrote. or not, depending on whether you speak English or Bizarro.
people are inclined to think the best of you - Oh yeah cause nobles were always seen as great people by the common folk. Universally across race, culture, world and plane.
people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. - yeah because nobles aren't more likely to get killed in slum areas without a team of bodyguards.
The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure - we've entered Monty Python territory at this point. Seriously.
You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to. - Been there done that.
If WotC wants to include statistics that are meant to give roleplaying advice. Then
they need to start coming up with statistics that give roleplaying advice instead of exception-based powers that hack the world.
It's like they can't even think about rules in some form other then exception-based powers.
Quote from: CRKrueger;768663Wow, Rule Zero defense, whoda thunk that was coming? :eek:
Yeah that's pretty much the same thing that I wrote. or not, depending on whether you speak English or Bizarro.
people are inclined to think the best of you - Oh yeah cause nobles were always seen as great people by the common folk. Universally across race, culture, world and plane.
people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. - yeah because nobles aren't more likely to get killed in slum areas without a team of bodyguards.
The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure - we've entered Monty Python territory at this point. Seriously.
You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to. - Been there done that.
If WotC wants to include statistics that are meant to give roleplaying advice. Then they need to start coming up with statistics that give roleplaying advice instead of exception-based powers that hack the world.
It's like they can't even think about rules in some form other then exception-based powers.
I wouldn't say these backgrounds give the players anything all that useful because they will be localized once common sense is applied.
A noble of Florin will not be treated with respect in Guilder, he/she may instead be targeted for a kidnap/ransom or killed outright depending on how hostile relations are at the moment,
A folk hero of a local Duchy means jack and shit in the kingdom next door. If the people have never heard of you then obviously you can't have folk hero status with them.
Applying a bit of setting consistent logic to backgrounds solves most issues.
Quote from: CRKrueger;768647The issue is the game designer is giving the players tools that tell the GM "Your NPCs will respond this way."
I guess it's a problem if you allow your players to wear the pants in your game. That sort of thing doesn't fly at my table though. My crew knows full well that "abilities" like this are dependent on the actual situation in the campaign world, and as such will work right up to the point where they don't.
If they don't like it, and want to whine about it, then they know where the door is. Happily they're mostly mature enough individuals that their days of trying to straightjacket me with such pointless idiocy are over.
Frankly, it sounds a lot like rpgnet-style "I had a bad game experience once, boo hoo" handwringing bs to me.
Quote from: Exploderwizard;768707Applying a bit of setting consistent logic to backgrounds solves most issues.
and the reason WotC didn't include any of that in the Starter Set which is supposed to teach people how to play is because?
Quote from: Raven;768745My crew knows full well that "abilities" like this are dependent on the actual situation in the campaign world, and as such will work right up to the point where they don't.
Same as my crew, but are we the target audience of the Starter Set? People keep telling me no, so instead of options telling the new GM how to GM, you give nothing but set rules that tell him the game rules dictate his setting after saying elsewhere the GM is the final arbiter. A mixed message.
Again, there's absolutely no reason the ability couldn't have been constructed differently, it just wasn't.
I still await the Pubcrawler background they promised early in the playtest.
Quote from: CRKrueger;768788and the reason WotC didn't include any of that in the Starter Set which is supposed to teach people how to play is because?
Well, if they didn't think creating a character was important enough a concept for an rpg to include what chance did setting consistency really have? :rolleyes:
Quote from: Mostlyjoe;768910I still await the Pubcrawler background they promised early in the playtest.
That's obvious though because most any dwarf fits the bill. I'm holding out for ratcatcher myself (it's an awesome Rogue background).
Quote from: Marleycat;768945That's obvious though because most any dwarf fits the bill. I'm holding out for ratcatcher myself (it's an awesome Rogue background).
We had a running joke of a full team of pub bound adventures questing to feed their habit. Well that and a war forged Stein maiden with pup kegs for assets. *ahem* Was going to be a very wacky adventure.
I think the Backgrounds section, like much of the game, is set up on the assumption that GMs aren't idiots.
Likewise, they've already openly stated that these rules were not written to try to stop asshole players. That's the GM's job.
In many ways, that's the biggest sea change of the new edition. Instead of trying to figure out language to prevent assholes or idiots from misinterpreting or abusing things, the rules are writing assuming empowered GMs and players acting in good faith.