Backgrounds S–W

This section contains backgrounds from Sage through Wayfarer. Each entry presents the background as it is used in Eldareth, together with its published source and any setting-specific adaptation made for the campaign.

Sage

Source: Player's Handbook (2024)

You devoted much of your early life to study, seeking knowledge through libraries, archives, teachers, and surviving records. Your education gave you a strong foundation in history and the arcane, along with enough magical instruction to put some of that learning into practice.

Origin Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard)

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History

Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Quarterstaff, Calligrapher's Supplies, Book (history), Parchment (8 sheets), Robe, 8 GP
B. 50 GP

Sailor

Source: Player's Handbook (2024)

You made your living aboard ships and learned to work with a moving deck beneath your feet. Your experience taught you practical navigation, awareness of changing conditions, and how to handle yourself when difficult weather or a rough port turned dangerous.

Origin Feat: Tavern Brawler

Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Perception

Tool Proficiency: Navigator's Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Dagger, Navigator's Tools, Rope, Traveler's Clothes, 20 GP
B. 50 GP

Scribe

Source: Player's Handbook (2024)

You spent your formative years working with written records. You may have copied manuscripts, prepared official documents, maintained archives, or produced writing of your own. The work trained you to notice small inconsistencies and preserve information accurately.

Origin Feat: Skilled

Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Perception

Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher's Supplies

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Calligrapher's Supplies, Fine Clothes, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Parchment (12 sheets), 23 GP
B. 50 GP

Seer Apprentice

Source: Arcana Unleashed

You spent part of your training learning to recognize and interpret signs that might reveal something beyond ordinary perception. In Alven'Nathiss, many who follow this path study among the Oracles of Shoral'eren, where unusual dreams and visions are preserved and examined for greater significance.

Origin Feat: Arcane Omens

Skill Proficiencies: History, Insight

Tool Proficiency: Navigator's Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Navigator's Tools, 8 Candles, Ink, Ink Pen, Parchment (9 sheets), Pouch, Tinderbox, Traveler's Clothes, 11 GP
B. 50 GP

Soldier

Source: Player's Handbook (2024)

You received formal martial training and spent part of your life in military service. Whether you served in a standing force, local defense, or another organized fighting body, you learned discipline, physical conditioning, and how to function when violence became unavoidable.

Origin Feat: Savage Attacker

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Intimidation

Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming Set

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Spear, Shortbow, 20 Arrows, Gaming Set of the chosen kind, Healer's Kit, Quiver, Traveler's Clothes, 14 GP
B. 50 GP

Spellfire Initiate

Source: Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn

You possess the rare ability to manifest Spellfire, raw arcane power made physically present through the Weave. Learning to control that power has required both magical understanding and careful discipline, allowing you to wield an ability that remains uncommon even among accomplished spellcasters.

Origin Feat: Spellfire Spark

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Perception

Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of Gaming Set

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Gaming Set of the chosen kind, Arcane Focus (Crystal or Wand), 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 36 GP
B. 50 GP

Storm Chaser

Source: Arcana Unleashed (published as Crucible Storm Chaser)

You learned to approach magical disasters and unstable environments that most people wisely avoid. Whether driven by study, necessity, or fascination, you became accustomed to dangerous conditions and to observing what happens when powerful magic stops behaving safely.

Origin Feat: Arcane Overload

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Nature

Tool Proficiency: Glassblower's Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Glassblower's Tools, Backpack, Rope, Traveler's Clothes, 15 GP
B. 50 GP

Sunlit Explorer

Source: Lorwyn: First Light (published as Lorwyn Expert)

You became accustomed to travelling through bright, open country and developed a strong appreciation for the natural world around you. Exploration taught you to meet unfamiliar places with curiosity and to rely on your own strength when travelling far from familiar surroundings.

Origin Feat: Child of the Sun

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Nature

Tool Proficiency: Cartographer's Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Quarterstaff, Cartographer's Tools, Backpack, Basket, Parchment (4 sheets), Rope, Traveler's Clothes, 29 GP
B. 50 GP

Tomb Raider

Source: Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn (published as Mulhorandi Tomb Raider)

You learned to enter old burial places and ruined sites in search of objects, knowledge, or wealth left behind by earlier peoples. Doing so required patience, practical problem solving, and familiarity with the religious traditions that shaped the places you explored.

Origin Feat: Lucky

Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Religion

Tool Proficiency: Mason's Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Dagger, Light Hammer, Mason's Tools, Backpack, Bedroll, Crowbar, Ladder, Pole, 2 Pouches, Rope, String, Tinderbox, 5 Torches, Traveler's Clothes, Waterskin, 26 GP
B. 50 GP

Vampire Devotee

Source: Astarion's Book of Hungers

You spent part of your life in the service of a vampire or a small group of vampires. Your service may have been willing, driven by fascination or ambition, or imposed through supernatural influence. Whatever the circumstances, that part of your life has ended, though it left its mark on you.

Origin Feat: Vampire's Plaything

Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Stealth

Tool Proficiency: Cook's Utensils

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Cook's Utensils, Fine Clothes, 2 Glass Bottles, Healer's Kit, Perfume, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Waterskin, 19 GP
B. 50 GP

Vampire Survivor

Source: Astarion's Book of Hungers

You survived an encounter with a vampire and came away determined never to be caught so unprepared again. The experience left you watchful, knowledgeable about the undead, and accustomed to carrying the tools needed when ordinary precautions are not enough.

Origin Feat: Vampire Hunter

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion

Tool Proficiency: Woodcarver's Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. Woodcarver's Tools, Crowbar, Hooded Lantern, Holy Symbol (reliquary), Holy Water, Mirror, Oil (3 flasks), Tinderbox, Traveler's Clothes, Waterskin, 4 GP
B. 50 GP

Wayfarer

Source: Player's Handbook (2024)

You learned to survive without the security of a permanent home or reliable support. You took work where you found it, relied on your instincts, and learned when to remain unnoticed. When circumstances demanded it, you also learned how to get through doors that were not meant to open for you.

Origin Feat: Lucky

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Stealth

Tool Proficiency: Thieves' Tools

Equipment: Choose one:
A. 2 Daggers, Thieves' Tools, Gaming Set (any), Bedroll, 2 Pouches, Traveler's Clothes, 16 GP
B. 50 GP