Character Origins — page 83

Character Origins Character Backgrounds Your character's background is a collection of characteristics that represent the place and occupation that were most formative before your character embarked on a life of adventure. Parts of a Background A background includes the following parts. Ability Scores A background lists three of your character's ability scores. Increase one by 2 and another one by 1, or increase all three by 1. None of these increases can raise a score above 20. Feat A background gives your character a specified Origin feat (described in "Feats").

Skill Proficiencies A background gives your character proficiency in two specified skills. Tool Proficiency Each background gives a character proficiency with one tool—either a specific tool or one chosen from the Artisan's Tools category. Tools are detailed in "Equipment." Equipment Each background offers a choice between a package of equipment and 50 GP. Background Descriptions Acolyte

Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma

Feat: Magic Initiate (Cleric) (see "Feats")

Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Religion

Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies

Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher's Supplies,

Book (prayers), Holy Symbol, Parchment (10 sheets), Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP Criminal

Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence

Feat: Alert (see "Feats")

Skill Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand and Stealth

Tool Proficiency: Thieves' Tools

Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves'

Tools, Crowbar, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP; or (B) 50 GP Sage

Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom

Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard) (see "Feats")

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana and History

Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies

Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Calligrapher's Supplies, Book (history), Parchment (8

sheets), Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP Soldier

Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution

Feat: Savage Attacker (see "Feats")

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Intimidation

Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming Set (see

"Equipment")

Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Shortbow, 20

Arrows, Gaming Set (same as above), Healer's Kit, Quiver, Traveler's Clothes, 14 GP; or (B) 50 GP Character Species When you choose your character's species, you determine whether your character is a human or a member of a fantastical species, such as dragonborn or gnome.

The peoples of the multiverse hail from different worlds and include many kinds of sapient life forms. A player character's species is the set of game traits that an adventurer gains from being one of those life forms.

Some species can trace their origin to a single world, plane of existence, or god, while other species first appeared in multiple realms at once. Whatever a species' genesis, its members have spread across the multiverse and contribute to many different cultures.

Members of most species live for about 80 years, with exceptions noted in the text about the species in "Character Origins." Regardless of life span, members of all species reach physical maturity at about the same age. Your character can be any age that isn't beyond their species' normal life span. Parts of a Species A species includes the following parts. Creature Type A character's species determines the character's creature type, which is described in "Rules Glossary." Every species in "Character Origins" is Humanoid; playable non-Humanoid species appear in other books. Size Your character's species determines the character's size.

Individuals within a species cover a wide range of heights, and some species include such diversity