One of the most enjoyable parts of playing D&D is creating new characters. Every time I have ever seen anyone get into D&D, they almost instantly go on a character creation spree, creating dozens of PCs that they will never use. At the same time, the system for creating characters has more than a few flaws, and while some of this is subjective, I do feel that the system needs a bit of an overhaul. So, let's talk about what needs fixing, and how I'm fixing it.

New Strats for New Stats

Chapter 1 of this document will be extremely similar to the step-by-step character creation from the Player's Handbook, although with a couple new ways to generate stats. The standard array is gone, replaced with a new version of Point Buy, and a slightly edited version of Rolling For Stats.

Races Reworked

While it would be simple to just remove the ability score improvement from races and call it a day, I think it would be better to gives some of the races some changes. Human needs the most changes, as it's defining features have been taken away and moved to other places, so they need something new to make them stand out.

On top of that, some races are notorious for being too weak or strong. Genasi and Dragonborn are well known for being disappointing, while Aarakocra and Aasimar are a bit too powerful or overloaded respectively.

Finally, the lore for some of these races need to be reworked a bit. For some races and subraces, such as drow and orcs, they are described as all being evil by instinct, instead of based on how they were raised, which is just nonsensical, while other races, such as aarakocra, are described as lacking basic common sense. And some races, like Kenku, were made just to be racist against. The lore of these races will be redone, either to make them less stupid, or to make more sense based on the changes to their traits and features. The races will still have different behavioral tendencies, but it won't be to the point of one race only being full of violent monsters, or another 95% criminals.

So, there are two goals with the races rework. The first is to balance them out a bit, so that you don't have any race that's too strong or too weak. The second is to give every race a feature that makes them unique.

As a note, I will be removing the alignment section of races, as the alignment system is hated by a large majority of players, and has basically no impact on the game. Plus, the idea of saying "Basically everyone of this race is evil" is pretty stupid. Race doesn't determine your personality; the environment you grew up in does.

Backgrounds Breakdown

For the most part, the only major change to backgrounds will be the addition of ability score improvements to them. Some of them will be getting some minor tweaks, and I will be including backgrounds from books other than the Player's Handbook, but the basic idea behind the backgrounds and most of the traits granted by them will remain the same, though I am removing the unique features they give, cuz those are useless.

Despite being a small change, I hope that moving the ability score improvements to backgrounds will make character creation feel a bit more natural. Now, players will avoid choosing certain races just to min-max by getting certain stat increases. Of course, there is the risk that players will not simply choose certain backgrounds to get the stat increase they want, but I think that this is a bit less likely, as if a player wants their fighter to be a sage or scholar, they will want them to have a decent Intelligence.

The descriptions of what the different languages of D&D look like will be found here as well, instead of haphazardly placed in the language section of different races. After all, what's the point in putting a description of elvish in the elf race if there are multiple other races that speak elvish by default? Plus, considering how many races and backgrounds allow you to simply pick a language, it is easier to explain every language in one place so that it is simpler to reference.

Feats

While not technically a part of character creation, feats play a pretty big role in building your character as you level up. A lot of players will go into the game having planned out what feats they want to take.

So feats somewhat matter in character creation, especially for martial classes, which rely on them pretty heavily to keep up with the casters. Plus, they can just be fun to have, giving your character cool flavor abilities. Of course, like everything else, these feats suffer from a bit of balance issues, with some being near useless (Looking at you Savage Attacker). So these will be tweaked a little bit, both to balance them out, and make them a bit more accessible.

Building Varyll

Each step of character creation includes an example of that step, with a player named Elizabeth building her character, Varyll.

3. Determine Ability Scores

Much of what you do in this game is determined by your ability scores; Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Each ability has a score, which is a number recorded on your character sheet.

The six abilities and their use in game are described in chapter 7 of the Player's Handbook. The Ability Score Summary table provides a quick reference for what qualities are measured by each ability, and what classes consider each ability particularly important.

To determine your character's ability scores, you can either roll to determine their stats, or you can use the point buy system. After assigning your ability scores, determine your ability modifiers using the Abilities Scores and Modifiers table. To determine an ability modifier without consulting the table, subtract 10 from the ability score, then divide the result by 2 (rounded down). Write down the modifier next to each of your scores.

Ability Score Summary

Building Varyll, Step 4

Elizabeth fills in some of Varyll's basic details; her name, her gender (female), and her height and weight. Her high Dexterity, Intelligence, and Charisma imply that she is nimble, clever, and confident, though her low strength and wisdom suggest that she is a bit scrawny and impulsive. From there, she begins to think about her character's backstory.

Elizabeth imagines her character, Varyll, to have grown up in a church, never having known her parents. She spent most of her time in prayer and devotion, but became disillusioned when her prayers were never answered, growing more and more frustrated as the years went on, eventually leaving the church and taking to the streets. Because of this, she chose to give her character the acolyte background.

She increases Varyll's Wisdom by 2, and her Intelligence by 1, as per the acolyte background. She notes her proficiency with Insight and Religion on her character sheet, and chooses to learn the Celestial language. Finally, she writes down the equipment that her background gives her, as well as the Shelter of the Faithful feature.

Looking through the different tables, Elizabeth begins to piece together Varyll's personality. Thanks to her sheltered upbringing in the church, she is inexperienced when it comes to dealing with people, which fits well with her low Wisdom. She doesn't feel like any of the ideals that the background provides fit with Varyll, so she ignores them, making up her own. She decides that Varyll has a soft spot for the common folk, due to her humble upbringing and time on the streets. Finally, she chooses a flaw for Varyll, deciding that she has become slightly jaded over time, becoming extremely suspicious of others, since she has a hard time judging their true intentions.

With her background and traits chosen, Elizabeth works to expand on her character's backstory, fleshing out the details and talking to her DM about who her character is, as well as what kind of story she wants to tell with her.

Armor Class

Your Armor Class (AC) represents how well your character avoids being wounded in battle. Things that contribute to your AC include the armor you wear, the shield you carry, and your Dexterity modifier. Not all characters wear armor or carry shields, however.

Without armor or a shield, your character’s AC equals 10 + their Dexterity modifier. If your character wears armor, carries a shield, or both, calculate your AC using the rules in the Equipment section. Record your AC on your character sheet.

Your character needs to be proficient with armor and shields to wear and use them effectively, and your armor and shield proficiencies are determined by your class. There are drawbacks to wearing armor or carrying a shield if you lack the required proficiency, as explained in the Equipment section.

Some spells and class features give you a different way to calculate your AC. If you have multiple features that give you different ways to calculate your AC, you choose which one to use.

Weapons

For each weapon your character wields, calculate the modifier you use when you attack with the weapon and the damage you deal when you hit.

When you make an attack with a weapon, you roll a d20 and add your proficiency bonus (but only if you are proficient with the weapon) and the appropriate ability modifier.

For attacks with melee weapons, use your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls. A weapon that has the finesse property, such as a rapier, can use your Dexterity modifier instead. For attacks with ranged weapons, use your Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls. A melee weapon that has the thrown property, such as a handaxe, can use your Strength modifier instead.

Building Varyll, Step 5

Elizabeth writes down her starting equipment from the rogue class and the acolyte background. Her starting equipment includes a set of leather armor, giving her an AC of 14.

For Varyll's weapons, Elizabeth chooses a pair of shortswords, which are finesse weapons, allowing her to use her Dexterity modifier for her attack and damage rolls. Her attack bonus is her Dexterity modifier (+3) plus her proficiency modifier (+2), for a total of +5. The shortswords deal 1d6 slashing damage, and Varyll adds her Dexterity modifier to the damage when she hits, for a total of 1d6 + 3. When throwing a dagger, Caryll has the same attack bonus, and the weapon deals 1d4 + 3 piercing damage.

Tiers of Play

The shading in the Character Advancement table shows the four tiers of play. The tiers don’t have any rules associated with them; they are a general description of how the play experience changes as characters gain levels.

In the first tier (levels 1–4), characters are effectively apprentice adventurers. They are learning the features that define them as members of particular classes, including the major choices that flavor their class features as they advance (such as a wizard’s Arcane Tradition or a fighter’s Martial Archetype). The threats they face are relatively minor, usually posing a danger to local farmsteads or villages.

In the second tier (levels 5–10), characters come into their own. Many spellcasters gain access to 3rd-level spells at the start of this tier, crossing a new threshold of magical power with spells such as fireball and lightning bolt. At this tier, many weapon-using classes gain the ability to make multiple attacks in one round. These characters have become important, facing dangers that threaten cities and kingdoms.

In the third tier (levels 11–16), characters have reached a level of power that sets them high above the ordinary populace and makes them special even among adventurers. At 11th level, many spellcasters gain access to 6th-level spells, some of which create effects previously impossible for player characters to achieve. Other characters gain features that allow them to make more attacks or do more impressive things with those attacks. These mighty adventurers often confront threats to whole regions and continents.

At the fourth tier (levels 17–20), characters achieve the pinnacle of their class features, becoming heroic (or villainous) archetypes in their own right. The fate of the world or even the fundamental order of the multiverse might hang in the balance during their adventures.

Choosing a Race

Humans are the most common people in most of the worlds of D&D, but they work and live alongside countless other fantastical races. From the slightly uncommon to the extremely rare, and even the most monstrous, the worlds of D&D are full of colorful and unique races to both play as an interact with.

Your choice of race affects many different aspets of your character. It establishes fundamental qualities that exist throughout your character;s adventuring career. When making this decision, keep in mind the kind of character you want to play. Every race has a culture surrounding it, and when making your character, it is important to decide how connected or disconnected you want your character to be from that culture.

Your character's race not only provides you with different traits and proficiencies, but also cues for building their story. Each race has a description of what the race's culture is like, what sorts of personality traits and ideals they tend to try and support or foster, and how their physical characteristics and biology affect their view of the world around them. These descriptions are here to help you think about your character, but they are by no means steadfast rules. You are able to make a character that thinks and acts in a way completely different than most members of their race. If you are going to do so, it may be a good idea to think about why they are different. Perhaps they were raised outside of their culture, or by members of a different race. Or maybe they simply decided that they did not care for the way other members of their race acted, actively choosing to be different.

As the name implies, these races are the most commonly found throughout most settings. Most of the people you interact with will be one of these races. Many members of these races do not need to go adventuring, however because of the sheer number of them, adventurers of these races are still very common to see.

Hill Dwarf

Hill dwarves are strong and resilient, well known for their hardiness in battle. Unlike their brethren that live deep beneath the mountains, most hill dwarves spent their lives exposed to the elements and the dangers that lurk on the surface, helping to build both their bodies and their character.

Dwarven Toughness. Your hit point maximum increases by 1, and it increases by 1 again every time you gain a level in any class.

Mountain Dwarf

Mountain dwarves are strong and hardy, used to a difficult life of hard labor that comes from living underground in rugged terrain. They tend to be slightly taller than other dwarves, with their skin usually on the lighter end of the spectrum.

Bones of Steel. As a bonus action, you can give yourself a bonus to your AC equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounded down) until the start of your next turn. Once you use this trait, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Duergar

The duergar, also known as the gray dwarves, are a race of dwarves that populate the underdark. Once slaves to the Illithid, the duergar are now free, though they still bear the scars of their slavery. Many, though not all, are as cruel as their captors, raiding the surface world to capture slaves. Every duergar has some amount of psionic talent, allowing them to turn invisible or temporarily increase their size.

Duergar are very often bald, though those who aren't usually have white hair and beards. Their skin is usually dull and grey, and is often scarred in some way. Duergar tend to be thinner than other dwarves, due to the scarcity of food in the Underdark, though some speculate that it is simply a part of their genetics at this point.

Innate Psionics. You know the mage hand cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the enlarge/reduce and invisibility spells once each, regaining the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks based on sight when you, the target of your attack, or the thing you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Underdark Adaptation. Your darkvision has a range of 120ft, and you can speak, read, and write Undercommon.

Skill and Grace

When most people think of elves, they think of tall, slender, beautiful creatures that are masters at everything they do, giving the illusions of elves being a race of people who are naturally skilled at everything. While most elves are skilled in many different arts, it is generally due to hard work and practice, rather than any innate talent. The only natural talent that elves boast is their sharp eyes and ears, making them more perceptive than others.

Unlike most other races, elves can live for centuries, with some able to survive for almost a millennium. In addition, their bodies age very slowly. Because of this, it is easy to find an elf who has centuries of experience and practice under their belt, but is also still in their prime. Their extended life span affords elves the time to sit down and learn as many skills as they wish, making them appear to others as naturally gifted, when in reality they have simply had more time to learn.

This is also the reason for the perception that elves are naturally beautiful. Due to how slowly they age, elves will look young for the vast majority of their lives, with many passing away long before they have had a chance to grow old, due to illness or tragedy.

A Timeless Perspective

Another effect of the elves long life span is the way they view life. To many of the shorter lived races, life is all about rushing to leave their mark on the world. To find love and happiness, and to leave a legacy before their time runs out. Most elves do not share this view of life, due to the fact that it simply isn't true for them. Unlike members of other races, elves are guaranteed to live for multiple centuries at the very least, meaning they have plenty of time to slow down and enjoy life to its fullest.

This leads to elves tending to take things slowly. Rather than racing to do everything they can, many elves will instead focus on one thing at a time, trying their hand at whatever catches their interest. This leads to elves gaining a wide skill set relatively quickly, and long before they try their hand at love and romance, if they ever do.

To outsiders, this makes elves seem somewhat aloof, as if they don't care about anything at all. Some describe elves as childish or immature, wasting their lives focusing on passing interests rather than things that truly matter. A misunderstanding born of how different their lives truly are.

Exploration and Adventure

At some point in their life, almost every elf gains some form of wanderlust, tired of spending their entire life in a single place. The world is too large and full of wonder to simply sit around forever. This leads to many trying their hand at traveling, or even adventuring if they crave excitement or glory.

To some, this is but another passing interest, a way to see more of the world before they return home and resume their lives. But to others, their time on the road opens their eyes to the beauty of the world, making them long for more. It isn't uncommon to find elves who have dedicated the rest of their lives to exploring, too curious to simply sit in one place forever.

Thanks to their years of experience, elves rarely find themselves in any serious danger, as most have at least tried their hand at martial or magical training, learning how to handle themselves in combat. This may be untrue for younger elves, who rushed out into the world before they were ready, only to learn just how unforgiving it can truly be.

Elf Names

Elves are considered children until they declare themselves adults, some time after the hundredth birthday, and before this period they are called by child names.

On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult name is a unique creation, though it might reflect the names of respected individuals or other family members. Little distinction exists between male names and female names; the groupings here reflect only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a family name, typically a combination of other Elvish words. Some elves traveling among humans translate their family names into Common, but others retain the Elvish version.

Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall

Masculine Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

Feminine Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

High Elf

Tall, slender, and magically inclined, high elves are by far the most common type of elves seen in the world. Some split these types of elves into two smaller groups; Sun elves, who boast bronze skin and warm colored hair, and are known for being haughty and reclusive, and moon elves, who have pale skin and cool colored hair, known for being far friendlier.

Arcane Inclination. You know one cantrip of you choice from the sorcerer spell list. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for the cantrip.

Eye for Magic. You can cast the detect magic and identify spells as rituals without using any material components.

Wood Elf

Wood elves, also known as wild or forest elves, tend to live in or near forests, as most feel a kinship with nature. They tend to be shorter and stockier than most elves, boasting copperish skin and hair of blacks and browns. Quick and quiet on their feet, wood elves silently move through the forests near their homes, unseen and unheard by everything around them.

Fleet of Foot. Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.

Mask of the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Drow

Descended from a race of elves that were banished from the surface, drow or dark elves have a reputation of being cruel slavers. Most make their home in the Underdark, living in grand cities in the deep caves. While many grow up to be cruel and unforgiving, a rare few were raised outside of the drow cities, or even outside the Underdark entirely, never learning the cruelty of their brethren. Others leave the cities of their own accord, sickened by the actions of their race, or are banished for one reason or another. Drow adventurers are something of a rarity, though not entirely unheard of.

Drow Magic. You know the dancing lights cantrip. At 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell, and at 5th level you can cast the darkness spell. Once you cast a spell with this trait, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks based on sight when you, the target of your attack, or the thing you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.

Underdark Adaptation. Your darkvision has a range of 120ft, and you can speak, read, and write Undercommon.

Small and Practical

The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing between 40 and 45 pounds.

Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and mustaches even more so. They like to wear simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.

Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing. They’re concerned with basic needs and simple pleasures and have little use for ostentation. Even the wealthiest of halflings keep their treasures locked in a cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have a knack for finding the most straightforward solution to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.

Blending In

Halflings are masters of blending in, both in a physical sense and a societal sense. They are a race that tend to be found all over the world, easily fitting in wherever they find themselves. Blending in with communities of elves, dwarves, humans, and many other races, halflings always find a way to make themselves valuable and welcome. Many are raised to be loyal and warm, ensuring that most decent folk always enjoy their company.

On the physical side, Halflings small size makes them naturally stealthy, allowing them to blend in to crowds. Most are able to easily weave through busy markets and towns, slipping underneath other people's legs without them even noticing the tiny figures. For halflings that take up a life of adventuring, their natural affinity for stealth often proves to be a valuable asset, allowing them to hide behind their allies and enemies with ease.

Making Themselves at Home

No matter where they go, a halfling is always able to make themselves at home. Many enjoy a peaceful life in quiet villages, tending to large farms and well-kept groves. But to others, home could be in a wagon on the road, singing songs with a caravan full of performers, or sleeping underneath the stars with their merry band of adventurers.

Halflings tend to be raised with a deep love of their community. Because of this, they are able to feel at home no matter where they are, so long as those they care about are with them. To halflings, home isn't always a place, it can be people instead. Even the meekest of halflings can travel to hell and back, enjoying the comforts of home the entire way. As long as the people they love are with them, a halfling is always happy.

To some, this makes halflings seem carefree, as if they struggles of life can't and don't bother them. In reality, they simply don't show their pain, content to shrug it off so long as they are with others. However, there is nothing a halfling fears more than being alone. With no one they care about to rely on, many halflings tend to fall apart, succumbing to the emotions they could so easily ignore before.

Lucky Charms

Many halflings are raised with the belief that the world will reward you for being kind, or that certain tokens and charms are innately lucky. To others, these beliefs may seem silly or childish. And yet, there seems to be some level to truth to them, as halflings are well known for their good luck.

To the common halfling, this simply appears as random moments of good fortune, finding a gold coin in the street or always getting good hands in poker. But for those that live dangerous lives, their good luck tends to save their skin on many occasions, helping them to dodge traps and blows by mere inches.

Halfling Names

A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly a nickname. Family names are often nicknames that stuck so tenaciously they have been passed down through the generations.

Masuline Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich, Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn, Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby

Feminine Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia, Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela, Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna

Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle, High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage, Tosscobble, Underbough

Lightfoot Halflings

Smaller than the average halflings, lightfoot halflings are quiet and stealthy, well known for their ability to hide in the most absurd of places. They are often written off as harmless due to their small stature, only for their foes to become confused when they disappear from their sight, unaware of the tiny figure sneaking towards them with a dagger in hand.

Naturally Stealthy. You have proficiency in the stealth skill. Additionally, you can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.

Stout Halflings

Stocky and usually well built, stout halflings are known to be hard workers and heavy drinkers. Some believe that stout halflings carry dwarven blood, due to both their similar appearance and tolerance for large quantities of ale. With strong bodies and blood, stout halflings are able to shrug off pains and poisons, keeping their heads up high no matter what.

Stout Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

A Broad Spectrum

With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other common races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight); males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century.

Variety in All Things

Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They live fully in the present—making them well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.

Leaving a Legacy

One thing that unites almost all of humankind is their desire to accomplish something grand. In a world full of races that can live for centuries, the life of a human can seem incredibly short. Because of this, most strive to leave a lasting legacy, to leave their mark on the world while they still have the chance.

For some, this means creating something new, whether that be a vehicle or machine that has never been seen before, or a company that carries their name. For others, it means starting a family, bringing new life into the world to continue their family name. But by far, the most common dream for young humans is to adventure out into the world, uncovering lost kingdoms and bringing down legendary foes. While many humans tend to mellow out as they age, turning their attention to tamer goals, young adult humans have wild ambitions, making up a large bulk of the adventurers in the world.

Human Names and Ethnicities

Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.

The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region. In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different in the northwestern lands of the Silver Marches than in distant Turmish or Impiltur to the east—and even more distinctive in far-off Kara-Tur. Human physical characteristics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations of the earliest humans, so that the humans of the Silver Marches have every possible variation of coloration and features.

In the Forgotten Realms, nine human ethnic groups are widely recognized, though over a dozen others are found in more localized areas of Faerûn. These groups, and the typical names of their members, can be used as inspiration no matter which world your human is in.

Though not seen as often as some of the other races, these races still make up a good population of the world. Their status as uncommon races may come from their small population size, or from the fact that the race is rather isolated, split off from the rest of the world. For example, the aarakocra race tend to keep to themselves, making them somewhat uncommon to see.

Aarakocra Names

As with much of their speech, aarakocra names include clicks, trills, and whistles to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, aarakocra may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names. Generally, aarakocra make no distinction between names based on gender.

Aarakocra Names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed.

Aarakocra Traits

As an aarakocra, you have many birdlike features, which aid you both in and out of combat.

Age Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don’t usually live longer than 30 years.

Size Aarakocra are about 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Limited Flight You have a fly speed of 30 feet, as well as a number of flight points equal to half your proficiency modifier (rounded down). If you end your turn in the air while using your fly speed from this trait, you must expend a flight point, or you fall. You regain a flight point every time you end your turn on the ground.

Talons Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and Auran.

Subrace While all aarakocra are similar to birds, most relate more to certain birds than others. Aarakocra are typically divided into four subraces; Corvid, Hunter, Strigid, and Swift.

Proud Dragon Kin

Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect in humanoid form, though they lack wings, and sometimes a tail. All dragonborn boast scales and features that resemble a different type of dragon, whether it be chromatic, metallic, or gemstone. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 6½ feet tall and weighing 300 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike claws with three fingers and a thumb on each hand.

The blood of a particular type of dragon runs very strong through some dragonborn clans. These dragonborn often boast scales that more closely match those of their dragon ancestor—bright red, green, blue, or white, lustrous black, or gleaming metallic gold, silver, brass, copper, or bronze.

Self Sufficient Clans

To any dragonborn, the clan is more important than life itself. Dragonborn owe their devotion and respect to their clan above all else, even the gods. Each dragonborn’s conduct reflects on the honor of their clan, and bringing dishonor to the clan can result in expulsion and exile. Each dragonborn knows their station and duties within the clan, and honor demands maintaining the bounds of that position.

A continual drive for self-improvement reflects the self-sufficiency of the race as a whole. Dragonborn value skill and excellence in all endeavors. They hate to fail, and they push themselves to extreme efforts before they give up on something. A dragonborn holds mastery of a particular skill as a lifetime goal. Members of other races who share the same commitment find it easy to earn the respect of a dragonborn.

Though all dragonborn strive to be self-sufficient, they recognize that help is sometimes needed in difficult situations. But the best source for such help is the clan, and when a clan needs help, it turns to another dragonborn clan before seeking aid from other races—or even from the gods.

Dragonborn Names

Dragonborn have personal names given at birth, but they put their clan names first as a mark of honor. A childhood name or nickname is often used among clutchmates as a descriptive term or a term of endearment. The name might recall an event or center on a habit.

Male Names: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed, Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn

Female Names: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann, Havilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra, Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit

Childhood Names: Climber, Earbender, Leaper, Pious, Shieldbiter, Zealous

Clan Names: Clethtinthiallor, Daardendrian, Delmirev, Drachedandion, Fenkenkabradon, Kepeshkmolik, Kerrhylon, Kimbatuul, Linxakasendalor, Myastan, Nemmonis, Norixius, Ophinshtalajiir, Prexijandilin, Shestendeliath, Turnuroth, Verthisathurgiesh, Yarjerit

Elemental Dragonborn

Elemental dragonborn resemble Chromatic and Metallic dragons, their scales primarily being one colour, such as blue or red, or being similar to a type of metal, such as bronze or gold. They are capable of exhaling powerful elemental breaths based on their draconic heritage, and are also very resistant to the elements themselves.

Elemental Dracoic Ancestry. You have a draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Elemental Draconic Ancestry table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.

Breath Weapon. Once per turn, when you take the attack action, you can replace one of your attacks with a blast of destructive elemental energy. Your draconic ancestry determines the size, shape, and damage type of your breath weapon.

When you use your breath weapon, each creature in the area of the effect must make a saving throw (The type is shown in the Elemental Draconic Ancestry table). The DC for this saving throw is 8 + your Constitution modifier + your Proficiency bonus. A creatures takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 5th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 17th level.

You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You regain all uses of this trait when you finish a long rest.

Damage Resistance. You have resistance to the damage type associated with your Draconic Ancestry.

Psionic Dragonborn

Taking after the elusive gem dragons, Psionic Dragonborn are much rarer than their elemental bretheren. They have crystaline scales that resemble different types of rare gems and minerals, such as amethysts, rubies, and sapphires. They are known for their psychic powers,

Pisonic Dracoic Ancestry. You have a draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Psionic Draconic Ancestry table. The spells you gain from the Psionic Power trait are determined by this feature.

Telepathic Mind. You are able to speak to any creature you can see within 30 feet telepathically. You do not need to share a language with the creature, but the creature must be able to understand at least one language. The creature is not able to respond to you, unless they are also able to speak telepathically.

Psychic Step. By surrounding a creature with psychic energy, you can temporarily move them through the air. As a bonus action, you can grant a creature within 30 feet of you a fly speed equal to their walking speed, which lasts until the start of your next turn.

Once you use this trait, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Psionic Power. Your innate psychic talents allow you to perform feats of magic. You gain the ability to cast a spell at 3rd level and 5th. The spells that you are able to cast are based on your Psionic Draconic Ancestry. Regardless of your ancestry, you can cast each spell once, regaining the ability to do so after a long rest, and Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Genasi

Genasi are the result of world colliding; the personification of the Elemental Planes tamed. They resemble humanoids in most ways, but have small traits which show their elemental heritage, be it odd skin colors, or bits of elemental power, such as hair made of fire.

Small Bodies, Big Personalities

Standing just over 3 feet tall, gnomes are well known for their loud and energetic personalities, which is well reflected by their appearance. Their tan or brown faces are usually adorned with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses), and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Gnomes tend to hair fair hair by default, but many prefer to paint their hair bright and wild colors, using pigments to dye them on a constant basis. As for styling it, their hair is often wild and unkempt, though many tend to keep their facial hair carefully trimmed and styled into curious forks or neat points.

Outsiders who aren't used to dealing with gnomes tend to see them as hyperactive or annoying, usually due to the fact that they can seemingly speak forever. Many gnomes speak as if they can't get the thoughts out of their heads fast enough, a trait that their communities tend to encourage. What's the point of being quiet when you can fill the room with funny jokes or brilliant ideas?

Delighted Dedication

Even with their wild and fun loving nature and personalities, gnomes are also known to be skilled and dedicated folks, being taught from a young age that there is a time for fun and a time to work. Many are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, inventors, and mages. They're willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large.

Like humans, they always feel like they don't have enough time to do and see everything, despite the fact that they can live for anywhere between three and five centuries. Gnomes are raised to see the simple act of living as a joy, and to never waste a second. If you aren't spending your time doing what you love, are you really living?

Bright Burrows

Gnomes make their homes in hilly, wooded lands. They live underground but get more fresh air than dwarves do, enjoying the natural, living world on the surface whenever they can. Their homes are well hidden by both clever construction and simple illusions. Welcome visitors are quickly ushered into the bright, warm burrows. Those who are not welcome are unlikely to find the burrows in the first place.

Those that make their home in more public towns or large cities tend to find work as gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some find work as teachers, easily mixing serious learning and delighted enjoyment. A gnome might tutor several generations of a single family over the course of their long life.

Gnome Names

Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are “stuffy” about names, a gnome learns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most fun to say.

Masculine Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook

Feminine Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna

Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen

Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck

Forest Gnome

Making their homes deep in the woods, forest gnomes have a knack for illusion and stealth. These kinds of gnomes tend to be somewhat rare, gathering in hidden communities in sylvan forests, using their illusions and trickery to hide their homes. Instead of bonding with other races, forest gnomes tend to bond to nature, becoming friendly with the local wildlife.

Natural Illusionist. You know the minor illusion cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Speak with Beasts. Through sounds and gestures, you can communicate idea with medium or smaller beasts. The beasts are able to understand what you are saying, though you have no ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Wisdom (Animal Handling) and Charisma (Persuasion) checks made to influence animals.

Rock Gnomes

Rock gnomes, named after the fact that they tend to make their burrows and homes in steppes and other rocky areas, tend to be naturally inventive. Their rough and hardy environment forces them to find creative ways to survive, leading to them inventing new and inspired ways to make their lives easier.

Artificer’s Lore. Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.

Tinker. You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (tinker’s tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle it; at that time, you can reclaim the materials used to create it. You can have up to three such devices active at a time.

When you create a device, choose one of the following options:

Goliath

At the highest mountain peaks — far above the slopes where trees grow and where the air is thin and the frigid winds howl — dwell the reclusive goliaths. Few folk can claim to have seen a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, wind, and cold. Their bodies look as if they are carved from mountain stone and give them great physical power. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are infused with the cold regard of their frigid realm, leaving each goliath with the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying.

Half-Elf

Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, half-elves combine what some say are the best qualities of their elf and human parents: human curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition tempered by the refined senses and age, and artistic tastes of the elves. Some half-elves live among humans, set apart by their emotional and physical differences, watching friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Half-Orc

Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form alliances, joining forces into a larger horde to the terror of civilized lands nearby. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, half-orcs are born. Some half-orcs rise to become proud chiefs of orc tribes, their human blood giving them an edge over their full-blooded orc rivals. Some venture into the world to prove their worth among humans and other more civilized races. Many of these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds and notoriety for their barbaric customs and savage fury.

An Ancient Curse

The kenku once served a mysterious, powerful entity on another plane of existence. Some believe that they were servants of a demon prince, while others say that they were a cousin race to the aarakocra, acting as scouts for powerful a powerful being of the Elemental Plane of Air. Whoever they served, according to legend, the kenku betrayed their master. Unable to resist the lure of sparkling treasure, the kenku plotted to steal the item and escape to the Material Plane.

Unfortunately for them, their master discovered their plan before they were able to enact it. Enraged, the entity imposed a pair of deadly curses upon them. First, the kenku's beloved wings withered and fell away from their bodies, leaving them bound to the earth. Then, so ensure that they could not divulge any secrets, their master stole their voice. Once the entity was satisfied that they had been sufficiently punished, the kenku were set loose on the Material Plane.

Since then, the kenku have wandered the world. They settle in places that accept them, usually in places where they are not judged for their ancestors actions.

Dreams of Flight

Above all else, kenku wish to regain their ability to fly. Every kenku is born with the innate desire to take to the skies, and those that learn spellcasting often do so with the hopes of mastering spells that allow them to fly. Rumors of magical items such as flying carpets, brooms of flight, and similar objects provoke a great desire for kenku to acquire the items for themselves.

Despite their lack of wings, kenku love being up high, making their homes on mountains or in tall towers and structure that pierce the sky. Even though it is not enough to truly fulfill their dreams of flight, living in homes high off the ground make kenku feel more at peace, as if they are closer to taking to the skies once more.

A Voice Not Their Own

While kenku do not have a voice of their own, they are not completely incapable of speaking. Rather than speaking, kenku are able to perfectly mimic any sound they hear, from a halfling's voice to the sound of rocks clattering down a hillside. However, kenku cannot create new sounds, and can communicate only using sounds they have heard. Most kenku use a combination of overheard phrases and sound effects to convey ideas and thoughts.

Growing up, young kenku struggle to properly communicate with others, lacking a vocabulary of stolen words and sounds to use. Because of this, many parents, whether they be kenku or not, repeat words and phrases their their kenku children, granting them the words they need to survive and thrive in the world. Because of this, many kenku end up using voices from people who died centuries ago, acting as the last living memory of that person.

Tainted Reputation

The tale of the kenku's betrayal is told far and wide, often used as a bedtime story for children, to teach them the consequences of stealing. Because of this, some automatically regard kenku with mistrust, judging them based on the tales they have heard. While many kenku are able to find a home where they are safe from judgment, many are forced to endure the pain of being watched and treated as criminals.

This often creates a deadly cycle, where a kenku who is regarded as a criminal is forced into a life of crime to survive, further reinforcing the stereotype. Many thieves guilds and crime lords are more than happy to offer kenku a home in their ranks, as their talent for mimicry and memorizing details makes them ideal scouts, spies, and messengers.

In the end, many kenku end up as victims of circumstance, forced to become the very thing they were treated as just to make by. While some do choose a life of crime of their own accord, thriving and making an easy living due to their innate talents, others do it simply to get by. Once a flock of kenku falls into this cycle, it can be difficult to break, taking generations to undo the damage. Their reputation may be tainted by both stories and actions, but the kenku are more than what others think of them.

Lizardfolk

Only a fool looks at the lizardfolk and sees nothing more than scaly humanoids. Their physical shape notwithstanding, lizardfolk have more in common with iguanas or dragons than they do with humans, dwarves, or elves. Lizardfolk possess an alien and inscrutable mindset, their desires and thoughts driven by a different set of basic principles than those of warm-blooded creatures.

Despite their alien outlook, some lizardfolk make an effort to understand and, in their own manner, befriend people of other races. Such lizardfolk make faithful and skilled allies.

Lizardfolk Names

Lizardfolk take their names from the Draconic language. They use simple descriptives granted by the tribe based on an individual's notable deeds or actions. For example, Garurt translates as "axe," a name given to a lizardfolk warrior who defeated an ore and claimed their foe's weapon. A lizardfolk who likes to hide in a stand of reeds before ambushing an animal might be called Achuak, which means "green" to describe how they blend into the foliage.

Lizardfolk make no distinction between gender in their naming conventions. Each example name includes its translation in parenthesis.

Lizardfolk Names: Achuak (green), Aryte (war), Baeshra (animal), Darastrix (dragon), Garurt (axe), Irhtos (secret), Jhank (hammer), Kepesk (storm), Kethend (gem), Korth (danger), Kosj (small), Kothar (demon), Litrix (armor), Mirik (song), Othokent (smart), Sauriv (eye), Throden (many), Thurkear (night), Usk (iron), Valignat (burn), Vargach (battle), Verthica (mountain), Vutha (black), Vyth (steel)

Lizardfolk Traits

A combination of reptilian features and your survival focused mind give you the following traits.

Age. Lizardfolk reach maturity around age 14, and rarely live longer than 60 years.

Size. Lizardfolk are a little bulkier and taller than humans, and their colorful frills make them appear even larger. Your size is medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swim speed of 30 feet.

Bite. Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, it deals piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Cunning Artisan. As part of a short rest, you can harvest bone and hide from a slain creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items:

• A simple weapon or shield
• A set of hide armor
• 1d8 darts, arrows, or bolts

To use this trait, you need a blade, such as a dagger, or appropriate artisan's tools, such as leatherworker's tools. Your DM can decide that a creature lacks the parts to use this trait.

Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time.

Hungry Jaws. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your bite. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1). You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all uses when you finish a long rest.

Natural Armor. You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.

Gifts of the Cat Lord

To most outsiders, all tabaxi appear to be outgoing and curious, never staying in one place for more than a few days. However, this is mostly due to tabaxi that live on the roads being the only ones that are usually seen. In reality, most tabaxi do not travel far from home, preferring to remain in the homelands rather than venture out into the world.

According to their religion, every tabaxi is granted a feline trait by the Cat Lord, the divine figure responsible for the creation of the tabaxi. These feline traits play a large role in defining a tabaxi's personality and interests. Those that are gifted with a cat's curiosity are compelled to travel, wandering far and wide to seek out stories, artifacts, and lore. These tabaxi are the ones most commonly seen in the world, and as such, have painted outsiders' views of the tabaxi as wandering outcasts.

Of course, a tabaxi is more than their feline trait. Tabaxi who are born with insatiable curiosity know when to back off to prevent being killed, and those that are born with a penchant for laziness are not above doing what they need to do to get by. Above all else, the tabaxi want to live life to its fullest, and will do what they must to achive that goal.

Comfort and Lore

Tabaxi hold little value for material wealth and coin. A chest filled with gold might be useful to buy food or coils of rope, but it's not intrinsically interesting. Rather, coin is nothing more than a means to an end, a way to obtain the things that truly matter in life. For the tabaxi, that comes in two forms; comforts and lore.

Life is short, and is meant to be enjoyed. Tabaxi care very little about hoarding wealth, instead choosing to spend what they earn to live lavishly. To them, there is no point in spending a few silvers to stay at a bare-bones tavern, when you could throw a few gold coins away to enjoy the comforts of a five star inn. They can always earn the coin back later, and the experience is worth the cost.

Instead, what tabaxi truly treat as valuable is knowledge. Their ears perk up in a busy tavern, and they tease out stories with offers of food, drink, and coin. They may walk away with an empty purse, but they mull over any stories and rumors they hear like a miser counting coins.

More than anything, tabaxi want nothing more than to live, rather than to survive. While others would prefer to act cautiously and safely, tabaxi simply follow what their hearts desire, doing whatever makes them happy. What specifically brings them joy often depends on their feline trait, with some content to simply laze about and sleep through the day, while others are unable to sit still, running through the world with reckless abandon.

Feline Trait

Infernal Bloodline

Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look human. However, their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their appearance. Tieflings have large horns that take any of a variety of shapes: some have curling horns like a ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s, and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are usually solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones tend to range between red, blue, and purple, though they have been known to have skin tones of nearly every color. Their hair, cascading down from behind their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark red, blue, or purple. A rare few tieflings even have hooved feet or furry legs.

On some occasions, a tiefling will look entirely human aside from their devilish feature, such as their tail and horns, with their hair and skin tone identical to that of a humans. These tieflings are somewhat rare, and are usually able to conceal their infernal traits with some effort. Some even go as far as to file down or cut off their horns, hiding the stubs beneath their hair to appear human. While they can never truly be free of their curse, there are some who would prefer that the world never knows about it.

Marked by Devils

While a tieflings curse is made obvious through their appearance, the true effects of it are internal. While their infernal blood does have its benefits, such as an innate proficiency with the arcane and resistance to heat and fire, the effects it has on a tieflings mind is arguably not worth what strength it gives them.

The mark of devils twists and warps a persons mind, making them think and feel things that conflict with who they truly are. Some lean into their curse, finding joy in what their infernal blood makes them feel, leading to a downward spiral into evil. Others battle against their curse, suppressing their false emotions to live as they truly are.

Luckily, the effects of the curse can be pushed back. For those whose mental will is strong, their false thoughts are nothing more than a quiet echo in the back of their mind. A whisper that grins when someone feels pain, or a nagging need to turn every promise into a contract. While repressing the thoughts is difficult, with time and effort, a tiefling can push past their curse.

Tiefling Names

Tiefling names fall into three broad categories. Tieflings born into another culture typically have names reflective of that culture. Some have names derived from the Infernal language, passed down through generations, that reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.

Masculine Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai

Feminine Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

“Virtue” Names: Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

Tieflings of Levistus

If your infernal bloodline comes from an ice devil, such as the Archdevil Levistus or any devil of Stygia, then with your DM's permission, you can replace the Hellish Resistance trait with the following trait.

Frozen Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage.

Infernal Curse

Every tiefling's infernal curse manifests in a different way, as type of devil that their bloodline originates from has a massive impact on how their curse affects them. At your option, you can pick or roll from the Infernal Curse table below to help determine how their infernal curse affects your character.

Tiefling Traits

The mark of devils infects both the body and the mind, giving your character the following traits.

Age. Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but live a few years longer.

Size. Tieflings are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. You have darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.

Hellish Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.

Chain of Command. You have proficiency with the Intimidation skill. You have advantage on intimidation checks against creatures whose CR is lower than your level.

Infernal Legacy. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip. Additionally you gain the ability to cast a spell at 3rd and 5th level. Choose one of the following devil types that your curse originates from. This determines which spells you learn. Regardless of which you choose, you can cast each spell once, regaining the ability to do so after a long rest, and Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Infernal.

Rare Races

A Hidden People

Wherever other races gather in bulk, changelings also reside, though usually in secret. In general, changelings are born to one of three paths. A few are raised in stable communities, where they are true to their nature and openly deal with people around them. Some are orphans, raised by other races, who find their way in the world while never knowing another of their kind. Others are part of a nomadic changeling clan, who keep their nature hidden from the other races. Some clans maintain safe havens in major cities, but most prefer to wander the world.

If a changeling ever decides to settle down in one place, they usually do so by choosing a single form to live in. Most of the time, their chosen form will reflect the population, usually adopting the form of whatever race makes up the biggest percent of the population. However, some prefer to be unique, even going so far as to disguise themselves as a race that is rare or even unseen in the city.

Revealing their true forms to members of other races can sometimes be a risk. Due to their shifting nature, some regard the changelings with mistrust, unsure if they are ever able to know who they really are. When you are able to change every feature about yourself on a whim, where do the lies end, and where does a person begin? Was their personality a lie too? Another disguise? Did the person that you knew ever really exist?

Masks and Personas

In their true forms, changelings are pale, with colorless eyes and silver-white hair. It is rare to see a changeling in that form, both because it is safer for them to adopt one of their many disguises, and because most changelings enjoy shifting their form. To them, changing their features is a form of art, a way of expressing themselves. They will often change shapes like a person changes clothes, swapping out disguises depending on their mood.

Some changelings develop identities in more depths,
going so far as to create an entire persona. These
forms have a history to them. They are fleshed
out with different beliefs and personality traits.
They often end up feeling like an
entirely different person to the changeling. In
extreme cases, the changeling is only capable of
doing certain tasks while adopting their persona.
A changeling who makes one of their personas
a blacksmith may only be able to competently
craft a sword while adopting that persona.

Personas can be shared by multiple changelings. There may be three healers in a community, but whoever is on duty will adopt the form of Tek, the kindly old medic. Personas can even be passed down through generations, allowing a younger changeling to take advantage of contacts established in the persona's previous life. Sometimes, a persona can survive for centuries, giving the appearance of an immortal creature, like M'aiq the Liar.

For some, every persona reflects a different emotion. A changeling who feels angry or upset may change their form into Revala, the intimidating goliath, while one that is feeling happy may change into the form of Pepper the cheerful halfling. Other changelings prefer to stay in one form, but make small changes to their face to reflect their personality, such as changing the color of their eyes to show off how they feel.

In time, switching between their many masks and personalities becomes second nature to a changeling. They don't need to prepare before adopting a certain personality, as soon as they change their form, their mind automatically assumes their new persona.

Changeling Names

A changeling might use a different name for each mask and persona, and adopt new names as easily as they change faces. The true name of a changeling tends to be a very personal thing, something they only share with those close to them. The names are often monosyllabic, however they are joined by accents that are expressed through their shapeshifting, something that can be hard to see by other races. So there may be two changelings names Jin, but one is Jin-with-vivid-blue-eyes, while the other is Jin-with-golden-nails.

Changelings have a fluid relationship with gender, seeing it as one characteristic to change amongst many.

Changeling Names. Aunn, Bin, Cas, Dox, Fie, Hars, Jin, Lam, Mas, Nix, Ot, Paik, Ruz, Sim, Toox, Vil, Yug.

Changeling Traits

The power to change and shift your form at will gives your changeling character the following traits.

Age. Changelings mature slightly faster than humans but share a similar lifespan — typically a century or less. While a changeling can transform to conceal their age, the effects of aging affect them similarly to humans.

Size. In their natural forms, changelings height can vary wildly between 3 and 6 feet. Your size is either small or medium, your choice.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Shapechanger. As an action, you can change your appearance and your voice. You determine the specifics of the changes, including your coloration, hair length, and sex. You can also adjust your height and weight, and can change your size between medium and small.

You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You can't duplicate the appearance of a creature you've never seen, and you must adopt a form that has the same basic arrangement of limbs that you have. Your clothing and equipment aren't changed by this trait.

You stay in the new form until you use an action to revert to your true form or until you die. Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.

Unsettling Visage. When a creature you can see makes an attack roll against you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the roll. You can use this feature after the creature rolls, but before the DM declares if the attack hits or misses.

Using this trait reveals your shapeshifting nature to any creature within 30 feet that can see you. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and two other languages of your choice.

Humble Forest Guardians

Most firbolgs love nothing more than a peaceful day spent among the trees of an old forest. They see these woods as sacred places, representing the heart of the world and monuments to the durability of life.

In their roles as caretakers, firbolgs live off the land will striving to maintain in balance with nature. Their methods reflect common sense and remarkable resourcefulness. During a bountiful summer, they store away excess nuts, fruits, and berries. When winter arrives, they scatter everything they can spare to ensure the animals of the wood survive until springtime.

In a firbolg's eyes, there is no greater fault than greed. The firbolgs believe that the world remains healthiest when each creature takes only what it needs. Material goods, especially precious gems and gold, have little appeal to them. What use are such things when winter lingers and food runs short?

The firbolgs' connection to nature makes them natural druids. Their cultural reverence for nature and their bond with the forests they call home makes learning druidic magic an intrinsic part of their development. Almost every firbolg learns a few spells, typically those that help them mask their presence, and many go on to master nature magic.

Those who become druids serve as stronghold leaders. With every action the tribe takes, the druids weigh not only the group's needs, but the effect each action will have on the forest and the rest of the natural world. Firbolg tribes would rather go hungry than strain the land during a famine.

Hidden Shepherds

As caretakers of the land, firbolgs prefer to remain out of sight and out of mind. They don't try to dominate nature, but rather seek to ensure that it prospers and survives according to its own laws.

Firbolgs use their magic to keep their presence in a forest secret. This approach allows them to avoid the politics and struggles of the other races. Such events concern the firbolgs only when the events affect the forest.

Even in the face of an intrusion, firbolgs prefer a subtle, gentle approach to prevent damage to their territory. They employ their magic to make the forest an unappealing place to explore by temporarily diverting springs, driving away game, stealing critical tools, and altering trails to leave hunting or lumber parties hopelessly lost. The firbolgs' presence is marked by an absence of animals and a strange quiet, as if the forest wishes to avoid attracting attention to itself. The faster travelers decide to move on, the better.

Firbolgs and Meat

The vast majority of firbolgs are vegetarians, as they see hunting and eating meat as unnecessary. Even after being cast out of their tribes, they continue to see eating meat as self indulgence.

Triton

Hailing from the Elemental Plane of Water, tritons guard the ocean depths, building small settlements beside deep trenches, portals to the elemental planes, and other dangerous spots far from the eyes of land-bound folk. Long-established guardians of the deep ocean floor, in recent years the noble tritons have become increasingly active in the world above.

Triton Names

Most triton names have two or three syllables. Masculine names typically end with a vowel and the letter 's', and feminin names traditionally end with an 'n'. Tritons use their home protectorate as a surname, with the name formed by adding a vowel followed by a "th" to the end of the protectorate's name.

Masculine Triton Names: Corus, Delnis, Jhimas, Keros, Molos, Nalos, Vodos, Zunis

Feminine Triton Names: Aryn, Belthyn, Duthyn, Feloren, Otanyn, Shalryn, Vlaryn, Wolyn

Triton Surnames: Ahlorsath, Pumanath, Vuuvaxath

Despite generally being antagonistic towards the other races of the world and being regarded as monsters, these races are still fully sentient creatures, capable of having thoughts and feelings. While many will blindly follow their brethren, wrecking havoc across the land, others may choose to venture out into the world, or may be cast out and forced to find their own way.

Bugbear Names

Bugbear names are usually gutteral, sharp, and easy to remember. They lack formalities like clan or surnames, though some to add titles such as "The Butcher" to the end of their names.

Sometimes, when bugbears interact with other races for long periods of time, they adapt their names to be less intimidating, usually choosing names from their comrades' language, or simply give themselves a nickname.

Masculine Bugbear Names: Bolgus, Bulkar, Dulk, Grol, Stotrork, Tor, Vuk

Feminine Bugbear Names: Brith, Gurr, Khirr, Navith, Rink, Rotulk, Tarr, Zur

Playing a Bugbear

When you choose to play a bugbear character, one thing you need to decide is why your bugbear has taken up a life of adventuring. What motivates them to push past their desire to laze about? Maybe their gang was murdered, and they wish to avenge them. Or perhaps they reflected on their life, realizing that the other races hated them, and hope to make amends. Or maybe they simply felt a desire to travel, to leave behind a life of sleeping and eating to see what the world had to offer.

Bugbear Traits

Bugbears are strong, silent, and generally fairly lazy. Despite this, they are very proficient when they need to be.

Age. Bugbears reach adulthood at age 16 and live up to 80 years.

Size. Bugbears are between 6 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 250 and 350 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. You have darkvision out to a range of 30 feet.

Cowardice of Skiggaret. When a creature's attack, spell, or effect reduces you below half your maximum hit points, or when you are hit by a critical attack, you can use your reaction to move up to your movement speed without provoking attacks of opportunity. You must end this move further away from the creature that damaged you than you started.

Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carry capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Strong and Silent. You have proficiency with the Stealth skill. Additionally, the first time you hit a creature that has not taken their turn on the first round of combat, you deal an extra 2d6 damage.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.

Small and Angry

Goblins are around the same size as halflings and
gnomes, though they tended to weigh slightly more.
They have flat faces, sloped back forehead, broad or long
and pointed noses, pointed ears, and small, sharp fangs. Their eyes and skin go across a wide range of colors, usually being warmer colors like reds and oranges, though they do also sometimes have green skin.

Their small size had made goblins the go to punching bag of larger races, especially the other goblinoid races, hobgoblins and bugbears. Often times, a tribe of goblins will be lead not by a goblin, but by a member of another race who has dethroned a goblin chief. Most goblins are bitter about this, especially due to the fact that the larger races have no issue with bullying the goblins into doing what they ask. As a result, almost every goblin has learned how to fight those that are bigger than them, waiting for the day that they rebel.

Roles and Structure

Despite looking like nothing more than savages to outsiders, goblins society is rather organized, with families split into one of four groups based on their skills and usefulness to the tribe.

At the top are the lashers, who are the closest thing goblins have to nobility. They are the families who are both trained for battle and have a key skill that the tribe needs. This can be anything from strategy, trap-making, smithing, and sometimes even magic. Lashers follow the lead of the tribe's boss, ensuring that all other goblins stay in line.

Next are the hunters, who are skilled in battle, but lack any other skills. These goblins gather meat in peaceful times, and act as the scouts, foot soldiers, and cavalry in war.

Near the bottom of the hierarchy are the gatherers, who are not trained in combat in any way. These goblins simply gather what food they can find nearby, or steal what they cannot find. Often, these goblins fear for their lives, believing that the hunters and lashers have some special secret to staying alive. They are always the first goblins to run away, and are where goblins get their cowardly reputation from.

Finally, there are the pariahs, goblins who have been deemed useless to the tribe. These are the weakest or most dim-witted of the goblins, and are generally only used to do the jobs that no one else wants to do. This includes things like cleaning out animal pens and digging in mines.

Playing a Goblin

When you choose to play a goblin character, you should decide two things; did they grow up in a goblin tribe, and why have they taken up adventuring? If your goblin character did start their life in a tribe, what role did their family have? How did this affect your goblin's skills, as well as how they viewed others? Why did they leave their old life behind? Did they grow tired of their cruel overlords, choosing to brave the world alone? Was their tribe scattered, and now they travel the world to find their family?

Goblin Traits

Goblins are small, nimble, and angry, making them ferocious creatures in battle, no matter where they are from.

Age. Goblins reach adulthood at age 8 and live up to 60 years.

Size. Goblins are between 3 and 4 feet in height and weigh 40 to 80 pounds. Your size is small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. You have darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.

Fury of the Small. When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell and the creature's size is larger than yours, you can cause the attack or spell to deal an extra 1d8 damage to them. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Nimble Scurry. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.

Subraces. Spread out across the world, goblins have changed and evolved. The three most commonly seen subraces of goblins are batiri, cragmaw, and dekanter goblins.

Head of the Spear

Hobgoblins stature is similar to humans, standing around the same height and weight, though that is where the similarities end. With their dark red or orange skin, yellow or dark eyes, and wide mouths which sport sharp teeth and fangs, hobgoblins cut an intimidating figure.

When they are amongst their own race, hobgoblins form into groups called banners, which come together to create legions, with members of banners being grouped together based on their rank. When they come together with their cousin races, hobgoblins act as the leaders of the army, commanding bugbears to scout and assassinate, and driving goblins into the front lines at spear point.

Military Culture

From a young age, hobgoblins are raised on the idea that life is based on war. Their studies focus on battle, both in terms of training in martial combat and in studying previous conflicts in order to learn and understand strategy. For most hobgoblins, war is all they have ever know, for it is all they were ever taught.

Hobgoblin society is structured less like a government and more like an army. Every hobgoblin is assigned a rank based on their skills and accomplishments, with members of the same rank being grouped into tight-knit groups called banners. These banners act as families, working, living, and fighting together. The glory one member of the banner earns is shared by all, and should they move up in the ranks, so will their siblings.

As such, moving up in their society means proving yourself useful to the legion. While this can take the form of finding a valuable resource or creating an epic ballad about the conquests of your legion, this usually means finding glory on the battlefield. Hobgoblins follow a distinct code of honor, and breaking that code makes anything you achieve worth nothing in the eyes of the legion.

In any legion's eyes, there is nothing more shameful than failure. Hobgoblins will not hesitate to follow an order that will lead to their death if they know it will bring glory to their banner. Because they know that to fail means to bring shame upon not only themselves, but their banner siblings. To condemn them to mockery and insult upon their return.

Despite their focus on war, hobgoblins are not warmongers. Rather, they believe that every insult must be answered. Most hobgoblins will act in civil and respectful manners until they are insulted, at which point they will act. Hobgoblin legions can negotiate with the other races peacefully, but talks can swiftly deteriorate if someone says the wrong thing.

Kobold

Kobolods are one of the lesser seen of the monstrous
races, though only by choice. Kobolds are hardly seen because they do not wish to be seen, hiding away underground to avoid the larger races that would take advantage of their small size. Alone, a kobold is small,
weak, and helpless. But together, the kobolds are a
mighty race, born of dragons, who would bring any
foolish enough to enter their home to their knees.

Birthed by Blood

Tales of how orcs were created and who they worship tends to change from place to place, but there are a few aspects of the story that remain the same no matter where you go. Most people believe that these aspects of the story are the ones that hold the most truth, while other additions are somewhat nebulous.

According to legends, the orcs were once humans, elves, and other races. However, during ancient times, an orcish god had their eye shot by an arrow, or cut out by a blade. In some versions of this story, this was said to be an accident, while in others, it was an act of malicious intent.

Regardless of why it happened, the god lost their eye, and the blood that seeped from their wound fell onto a group of mortals. When it did, the tainted blood began to corrupt them, causing their muscles to swell and filling their veins with burning rage. Thus, the first orcs were birthed by blood, with the anger that filled their hearts only able to be quelled by spilling more blood.

Uncontrollable Anger

The first emotion that an orc can remember feeling is anger, and it is something that follows them for their entire life. No matter how happy they are, how content they feel, orcs cannot escape the rage that flows through their veins. There is no reason for the anger, it is not caused by anyone wronging them or frustration over their circumstance, it simply exists. No matter what is happening in their lives, every emotion they feel is undercut by rage.

But rage does not consume everything an orc feels by default. Often times, the anger is simply something in the back of their mind, an ember that is just waiting to be fanned into a flame. It boils in the background, waiting for a cause to direct the fury towards. Some orcs are able to live their lives without succumbing to their rage, able to hold it back and only direct it towards those that truly deserve it. These are not the orcs people hear about.

The unfortunate reality is that far too many orcs lose control, unable to force the anger away. The rage burns away at their minds, demanding to be released, for blood to be spilled. Some believe that the only way to be free of the rage is to give into its demands, raiding towns and murdering indiscriminately to appease the anger. Others simply take pleasure in satisfying their dark desires, finding joy in the act of spilling blood. In truth, nothing can quell the fire that burns inside them, and those that try to snuff the flames through violence quickly fall into a downward spiral, eventually forgetting why they kill in the first place.

A Chance for Peace

Despite their penchant for violence, there is hope for the orcs. The mere existence of half-orcs proves that they are capable of being more than bloodthirsty murderers.

The road towards pushing back their anger is a never ending journey. Anger and rage rest at the root of an orc's existence, it was the very thing that created them in the first place. They can never truly be free of their curse, but they can fight it. Many are able to keep the anger at bay for a time, living years in somewhat peaceful ways, but often times they end up relapsing, giving into their rage when provoked.

Most orcs that do choose to live peacefully tend to do so away from large towns and cities, living on the outskirts of civilization. As much as they may wish to integrate with society, the sight of a full-blooded orc tends to evoke a feeling of fear in dread in many people, the memories and stories of orcish raiding parties fresh in their minds.

Orc Names

Orc names don't always have meaning in the Ore language, and most noteworthy ores are given epithets by their tribe mates.

Masculine Orc Names: Abzug, Bajok, Grutok, Jahrukk, Lortar, Mobad, Mugrub, Rhorog, Ruhk, Shamog, Shugog, Urzul.

Feminine Orc Names: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif, Myev, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola, Volen.

Epithet: Bone Crusher, Death Spear, Doom Hammer, Elf Butcher, Eye Gouger, Flesh Ripper, Iron Tusk, Skin Flayer, Spine Snapper, The Brutal, The Filthy.

Human No More

The first yuan-ti were supposedly born from one of the original human civilizations, a massive empire that spanned the continents. These humans worshiped serpents as totem animals, admiring their flexibility, cunning, calculating poise, and deadly strike. As the years went by, their devotion turned to fanaticism, until their prayers were heard and answered by the Serpent Gods.

These gods taught the humans a ritual that they could use to ascend, shedding away their frail human bodies and the emotions that held them back. They performed the ritual with glee, becoming the very first yuan-ti.

The rest of the world did not look kindly upon the yuan-ti, seeing them as an abomination. The yuan-ti shared their disdain, viewing the other races of the world as beneath them, in the same way that a human would look down at a chicken, nothing more than livestock. In the years to come, a war raged on between the yuan-ti and the other races of the world, ending in the destruction of the great yuan-ti empire.

Broken and defeated, the yuan-ti were forced to flee, hiding in the ruins of their once great empire. They have since learned that the world cannot be subjugated by force, as there will always be someone to resist. Instead, the path to domination lies in deceit, promising a future full of power and wealth. Now, the yuan-ti bide their time in the shadows, slowly weaving plots towards regaining their lost power.

Muted Emotions

As a part of their ritual of ascension, the yuan-ti cast aside their emotions, seeing them as nothing more than a weakness. When their transformation was complete, they found that their emotions were not quite gone, but were muted. Any feelings that would threaten the yuan-ti could be easily ignored, acting as nothing more than an annoying whisper in the back of their mind.

Most yuan-ti truly believe that emotions are nothing more than a weakness, something that can be exploited. To allow oneself to feel is to open their heart to pain, or worse, to make themselves easy to manipulate. With their emotions cast aside, the yuan-ti believe themselves to be stronger than the other races. While they obsess over their bonds and ideals, the yuan-ti are free from such burdens, able to easily manipulate others to do what they wish, either through false promises or very real threats.

And yet, some yuan-ti find themselves unable to fully cast their emotions aside, to truly let go. Often these are the ones who did not choose to ascend, either being born as yuan-ti or having the transformation forced upon them. These yuan-ti are the ones who are most likely to abandon their people, leaving behind their ruined empire in search of something more.

Pureblood

Yuan-ti purebloods closely resemble humans, but they cannot pass for human under close inspection. Patches of scaled skin, serpentine eyes, and forked tongues quickly reveal a pureblood's nature to anyone who spares them more than a passing glance.

Pureblood Magic. You know the poison spray cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the cause fear spell, and at 5th level you can cast the suggestion spell. Once you cast a spell with this trait, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Character Details

Your character's name and physical description might be the first things that the other players at the table learn about you. It's worth thinking about how these characteristics reflect the character you have in mind.

Personality Traits

Personality traits are small, simple ways to help set your character apart from every other character. Your personality traits should tell you something interesting and fun about your character. The should be self-descriptions that are specific about what makes your character stand out. "I'm smart" is not a good trait, because it describes a lot of characters. "I've read every book in Candlekeep" tells you something specific about your character's interests and disposition.

Personality traits might describe the things your character likes, their past accomplishments, things your character dislikes or fears, their attitude or mannerisms, or the influence of their ability scores.

A useful place to start thinking about personality traits is to look at your highest and lowest ability scores and define one trait related to each. Either one could be positive or negative: you might work hard to overcome a low score, for example, or be cocky about your high score.

Considering choosing more than one personality trait for your character, as having two or three helps to flesh out their personality. Choosing one based on your background, one based on your ability scores, and one that simply seems like a fun character quirk is a good one to begin creating a multi-faceted character.

Ideals

Your ideals are the things that you believe in most strongly, the fundamental moral and ethical principles that compel you to act as you do. Ideals encompass everything from your life goal to your core belief system.

Ideals might answer any of these questions: What are the principals that you will never betray? What would prompt you to make sacrifices? What drives you to act and guides your goals and ambitions? What is the single most important thing you strive for?

A character can have multiple ideals, some of which might conflict with each other at times. For example, a paladin that has sworn to uphold their oath might have an ideal where they promise to always do what is right, but also desperately want to find a way to cure their cursed mother. When forced to make a choice between saving a town and obtaining the cure they need, these ideals can clash, which make for fantastic stories and roleplaying moments, where your character must decide between doing what they want to do, and what their duty demands.

Gaining Inspiration

Your DM can choose to give you inspiration for a variety of reasons. Typically, DMs award it when you play out your personality traits, give in to the drawbacks presented by a flaw or bond, and otherwise portray your character in a compelling way. Your DM will tell you how you can earn inspiration in the game.

You either have inspiration or you don’t — you can’t stockpile multiple “inspirations” for later use.

Using Inspiration

If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll.

Additionally, if you have inspiration, you can reward another player for good roleplaying, clever thinking, or simply doing something exciting in the game. When another player character does something that really contributes to the story in a fun and interesting way, you can give up your inspiration to give that character inspiration.

Ability Score Improvements & Proficiencies

Every background grants you an ability score improvement and proficiencies based on the skills you would have gained doing whatever you did. For example, the Charlatan background gives a +2 to Charisma and a +1 to Dexterity, as well as proficiency with Deception and Sleight of Hand. Certain backgrounds also grant proficiencies with different tools, such as Thieve's Tools or Disguise Kits.

While most backgrounds state exactly what ability score improvements and proficiencies they grant, some give options instead. For example, the Soldier background allows you to choose to gain a +2 to your Strength or Dexterity, then grants a +1 to your Constitution. Some backgrounds also let you pick which proficiencies you get from a small pool.

If a background gives you proficiency with a skill you are already proficient with, you can instead choose to gain proficiency with a different skill from your class' skill list.

Languages

Some backgrounds also give you the ability to read, write, and speak certain languages, or give the option to choose new languages to learn.

Equipment

Each background grants a small amount of equipment, as well as some starting gold. If you use the optional rule from chatper 5 of the PHB to spend coin on gear, you do not receive the starting equipment from your background.

Variants

Some backgrounds have variants; backgrounds that are similar in nature, but not quite the same. For example, the Sailor background has a Pirate variant, as both revolve around sailing the seas, but with very different purposes.

Some variant will change which skills, tools, and languages you gain proficiency with, and your starting equipment. However, the ability score improvements you gain from the background will remain the same, whether you choose the variant or not.

Suggested Characteristics

Finally, your background has a list of suggested characteristics, including personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws. You can use these to help determine your character's personality, either by choosing certain options or rolling to decide them, or ignore them and create your own.

Creating your own Background

In the case that none of the background in this document fit your character, you can work with your DM to create your own. When you do so, you and your DM need to determine:

• What ability score the background grants (Typically +2 in one stat, and +1 in another).
• What proficiencies the background grants (Backgrounds grant proficiency with two skills).
• If the background grants any tool proficiencies or languages.
• Starting equipment for the background.

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Wisdom, +1 Intelligence
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A holy symbol, a prayer book or prayer wheel, 5 sticks of incense, vestments, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15gp.

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Intelligence, +1 Wisdom
Skill Proficiencies: History, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Cartographer's tools or navigator's tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A wooden case containing a map to a ruin or dungeon, a bullseye lantern, a miner's pick, a set of traveler's clothes, a shovel, a two-person tent, a trinket recovered from a dig site, and a pouch containing 20 gp.

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, forgery kit
Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a disguise kit, tools of the con of your choice (ten stoppered bottles filled with colored liquid, a set of weighted dice, a deck of marked cards, or a signet ring of an imaginary duke), and a belt pouch containing 15 gp.

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among deception, sleight of hand, and stealth
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, thieves' tools
Equipment: A crowbar, a set of dark common clothes including a hood, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Performance
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit, one type of musical instrument
Equipment: A musical instrument (one of your choice), the favor of an admirer (love letter, lock of hair, or trinket), a costume, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Wisdom, +1 Charisma
Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools, vehicles (land)
Equipment: A set of artisan's tools (one of your choice), a shovel, an iron pot, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Charisma, +1 Wisdom
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of artisan's tools (one of your choice), a letter of introduction from your guild, a set of traveler's clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Wisdom, +1 Intelligence
Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A scroll case stuffed full of notes from your studies or prayers, a winter blanket, a set of common clothes, an herbalism kit, and 5 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Strength or Dexterity, +1 Constitution or Charisma
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among athletics, insight, intimidation, and stealth
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
Equipment: A uniform of your company (traveler's clothes in quality), an insignia of your rank, a gaming set of your choice, and a pouch containing the remainder of your last wages (10 gp)

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Intelligence, +1 Charisma
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among history, insight, intimidation, and persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
Languages: Two of your choice.
Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse containing 25 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Strength or Dexterity, +1 Wisdom
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal you killed, a set of traveler's clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Intelligence, +1 Wisdom
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among Arcana, history, nature, or religion
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A bottle of black ink, a quill, a small knife, a letter from a dead colleague posing a question you have not yet been able to answer, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Wisdom, +1 Strength or Dexterity
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among athletics, acrobatics, perception, and survival
Tool Proficiencies: Navigator's tools, vehicles (water)
Equipment: A belaying pin (club), 50 feet of silk rope, a lucky charm such as a rabbit foot or a small stone with a hole in the center (or you may roll for a random trinket on the Trinkets table in chapter 5 of the PHB), a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Ability Score Improvement: +2 Strength or Dexterity, +1 Constitution
Skill Proficiencies: Choose two from among athletics, intimidation, medicine, perception, and survival
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set, vehicles (land)
Equipment: An insignia of rank, a trophy taken from a fallen enemy (a dagger, broken blade, or piece of a banner), a set of bone dice or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

Multiclassing

Multiclassing allows you to gain levels in multiple classes. Doing so lets you mix the abilities of those classes to realize a character concept that might not be reflected in one of the standard class options.

With this rule, you have the option of gaining a level in a new class whenever you advance in level, instead of gaining a level in your current class. Your levels in all your classes are added together to determine your character level. For example, if you have three levels in wizard and two in fighter, you're a 5th-level character.

As you advance in levels, you might primarily remain a member of your original class with just a few levels in another class, or you might change course entirely, never looking back at the class you left behind. You might even start progressing in a third or fourth class. Compared to a single-class character of the same level, you'll sacrifice some focus in exchange for versatility.

Multiclassing Proficiencies

Multiclass Spellcaster:
Spell Slots Per Spell Level

You must meet any prerequisite specified in a feat to take that feat. If you ever lose a feat's prerequisite, you can't use that feat until you regain the prerequisite. For example, the Grappler feat requires you to have a Strength of 13 or higher. If your Strength is reduced below 13 somehow - perhaps by a withering curse - you can't benefit from the Grappler feat until your Strength is restored.

When you gain this feat, choose one of the following damage types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or thunder.

Spells you cast ignore reistance to the damage of the chosen type. Additionally, when you roll damage for a spell you cast that deals damage of that type, you can reroll a number of the damage dice equal to your proficiency modifier.

You can select this feat multiple times. Each time you do, you must choose a different damage type

You've dabbled in magic, allowing you to use some basic spellcasting.

Choose a class: artificer, bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, warlock, or wizard. You learn two cantrips of your choice from that class's spell list.

In addition, choose one 1st-level spell to learn from that same list. Using this feat, you can cast the spell once at its lowest level, and you must finish a long rest before you can cast it in this way again.

Your spellcasting ability for these spells depends on the class you chose: Charisma for bard, sorcerer, or warlock; Wisdom for cleric or druid; or Intelligence for artificer and wizard.

Shield Master*

You have mastered using shields not just for protection but also for offense. You gain the following benefits while wielding a shield:

• Before or after you take the attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try and shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield.
• If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throws you make against a spell or other harmful effect.
• If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to only take half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect.

Skulker*

Prerequisite: Dexterity 13 or higher

Keen Mind*

You have a mind that can track time, direction, and detail with uncanny precision. You gain the following benefits:

• Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You always know which way is north, and have advantage on checks made to prevent yourself from getting lose.
• You always know the number of hours left before the next sunrise or sunset.
• You can accurately recall anything you have seen or heard within the past month.

Linguist

You have studied languages and codes, gaining the following benefits:

• Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You learn three languages of your choice.
• You can create written ciphers, which others can't decipher unless you teach them, they succeed on an Intelligence check (DC = your Intelligence score + your proficiency bonus), or they use magic to decipher it.

Observant

Prerequisite: Intelligence or Wisdom 13 or higher

You've become an expert at manipulating voices, allowing you to make them sound further away. You gain the following benefits:

• Increase your Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• When you speak using your Mimicry trait, you can choose to throw your voice, making it sound as if your voice is coming from a space that you can see within 60 feet of you.

Your people are clever, with a knack for illusion magic. You have learned a magical trick for fading away when you suffer harm. You gain the following benefits:

• Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• Immediately after you take damage, you can use a reaction to magically become invisible until the end of your next turn or until you attack, deal damage, or force someone to make a saving throw. Once you use this ability, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.

Your inner fury burns tirelessly. You gain the following benefits:

• Increase your Strength or Constitution score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• When your DM asks you to make a Charisma (Intimidation) check, you instead choose to make a Strength (Intimidation) roll by showing off your strength in some way.
• When you make a melee attack against a creature after using your Aggressive trait to get closer to them, you have advantage on the attack roll. You cannot gain this benefit if you started your turn within melee range of the creature.