Waterdeep Backgrounds

Noble Scion

  A variant of the Noble found in the Player's Handbook or the Waterdhavian Noble found in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide, the Noble Scion puts characters into the boots of a young noble who has grown up in AmphaiL   Amphail is a common summer destination for many noble families, but more so as a place for young nobles to learn the value of hard work. Spending much of your time here has given you a valuable perspective on how commonfolk lives, a viewpoint you have come to appreciate. Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, History Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan's tools of your choice, and one gaming set or musical instrument. Equipment: A set of fine clothing, a signet ring belonging to your house, a gaming set or instrument, a set of artisan's tools with which you're proficient, a trinket that reminds you of the last summer you spent in Amphail, and a belt pouch with 20 gP¬ FEATURE: FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE Your position in life is one of privilege, but you do not let that go to your head Commoners will come to you with their problems, treating you as an earnest friend When you run into trouble, they stand by you and will do whatever they can to assist your cause including feeding you, and hiding you from the law or other noble families if required If you decide to hide with common folk, they'll hide your identity from any who seek you out. There are some nobles who consider this an offensive attitude. SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS You've spent much time away from the nobility, and recognize the common folk as the lifeblood of the world You have a humble way about you, even though your noble bloodlines gives you the right to treat others as inferior. D8 Personality Trait 1 My judgment of others is determined entirely by their actions, not their blood. 2 If you go out of your way to help others, you'll have me right beside you. 3 I use my influence to improve the conditions of the city I love for everyone. I can't decry the actions of others if my own aren't 4 impeachable. I always ask first if my own actions are just before passing judgment on others. 5 It matters less to me what is just, than what is fair. 1 Respect. Respect is a two-way street, without respect, commoners will simply revolt against you. (Good) 2 Justice. No one, not even nobles, are above justice. (Lawfu l) 3 Love. There's nothing more powerful than the bonds of love. (Any) 4 Power. Having power means having responsibility while wielding it. (Lawful) 5 Privilege. Use the benefits society affords you to make things better for all. (Good) 6 People. If not for the people, nobles would rule empty streets. People are the most valuable resource. (Good) D6 Bond Life in Amphail taught me many lessons but none as 1 important as love. It didn't last, but my first lesson about true love was learned there. 2 I've embarrassed my family with my antics, and now I am trying to make reparations for my actions. 3 My whole life is defined by broadening my horizons. I'm always looking to learn a new trade or skill. 4 While in Amphail, our house fell. I returned penniless. It's time to recover what I've lost. 5 I face the challenges of our bloodline without hesitation, no matter what that challenge is. 6 I am the sentinel that guards our city against whatever endangers it. D6 Flaw 1 Favoring commoners gets me into trouble with nobles. 2 My own family is constantly trying to marry me off to keep me away from my adventures. 3 I tend to run away from the responsibility of nobility. 4 I'd rather make a name for myself, rather than relying on my family. 5 Criticism is often leveled at me for overspending family riches. 6 I'm in love with a member of a rival house. 6 Yeah I'm a noble and I flaunt it, but that showmanship makes for a great spectacle. 7 I work hard, I play hard. Once the job is done, libations are on me! I spend my downtime disguised, pretending to be a 8 commoner. Being with nobles makes me feel like an outsider.    

Indentured

  A variant of the Criminal found in the Player's Handbook, Indentured outlines the unfortunate life of the lower class found of Waterdeep's lower class. Owing a favor to another is never a great idea, but owing the illegal element of the city is often folly.     Some Waterdhavians have charmed lives. The gods have blessed them with riches, skills, or allies. You did not have such luck and it seems like every step of your life has been under Beshaba's torment. But perhaps with determination and hard work, you'll escape the shadow of ill-fortune and earn a glorious reward for toiling under such suffering. Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools (your choice) and one gaming set. Equipment: A set of common clothing, a token as a reminder from the people you owe, a set of tools or gaming set that you are proficient with, and a belt pouch with 10 gp. FEATURE: A LIFE OWED You owe a great debt to a person or organization that wants to see a return on their investment. Perhaps you spent too much gambling, or you stumbled upon something you shouldn't have. Work with your DM to flesh out this shadowy group or figure. What fatal moment did they save you from? What form does repayment take, money or a favor? While you still owe this figure or group, they can call upon you to perform jobs for them. If you should require, they can get you nonmagical gear or information relevant to the jobs you are asked to do, as well as feed you and provide shelter. Once the debt is paid off, you are seen as a friend and offered greater things. In an organization, this means membership but for an individual, they might take you in as family. SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS Being indentured often makes characters paranoid, overly alert, and highly sensitive. D8 Personality Trait 1 Looking over my shoulder has become second nature to me. 2 I wasn't much of a planner before, but now I'm always thinking three steps ahead. 3 I've got nothing left to lose, and that makes me a dangerous person. 4 My emotions change as quickly as the wind. 5 I keep personal information close to my chest, I'm afraid of getting hurt again. 6 I challenge others who try to enforce their wills onto the downtrodden. 7 I can't help but gamble whenever the chance arrives. 8 I'm working as hard as I can to pay off my debt. 1 Community. We live together, we die alone. Build a community you can trust. (Any) 2 Luck. Our lives would be dull and routine if not for fate, embrace the will of Tymora. (Chaotic) 3 People. When you're down on your luck, turn to your friends for support. (Good) 4 Strength. If you have the strength to take what you want, none can stop you. (Evil) 5 Power. Those who have power should use it to make others into their pawns. (Chaotic) 6 Fate. The gods have defined what will happen, so just go with the flow. (Any) D6 Bond 1 I hide my family from those I owe, to keep them safe. 2 My debt is owed because of a failed grift, but after it's paid off I've got new plans I'm sure will be successful. 3 My life has been put on the straight and narrow, no more crimes for me! 4 Debt, no debt, I still have a gambling problem. 5 One day I'll be the one with people indebted to me! 6 I string my debtors along, so that I might betray them to authorities. D6 Flaw 1 I've been treated badly for so long, I only know how to give or take suffering. 2 Gambling is a hard habit to break. 3 I'm ever alert, I barely sleep, I don't ever feel safe. 4 I'm willing to say or do anything to get out of trouble. 5 I'm defined by my vices. 6 I run away from responsibility.  

Orphan

  A variant of the Urchin found in the Player's Handbook, the Orphan is a suitable background for characters who want a backstory filled with tragedy tinged with hope, as the orphan is raised by one of the churches in Waterdeep.   There are many who are saddled with responsibilities they cannot manage for one reason or another. Uncommonly, this includes the life of another. Be it an accidental pregnancy from professional night workers, indentured parents who cannot care for their children, or from deaths in the family, orphans are an all too common staple in Faerun. Often, these abandoned children are left in the care of a temple. Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Religion Tool Proficiencies: Brewer’s supplies Languages: One of your choice Equipment: A set of common clothing, a religious icon belonging to your temple, a set of robes, a small trinket belonging to your parents, and a belt pouch with 10 gp. FEATURE: RAISED BY PRIESTS Raised by the church, you find it's a supportive part of your life. While not a priest, you're familiar with all the rituals and rites of their gods. You can take residence with the priests, and they will provide meals for you. While they won't risk their own security, they will do their best to assist in protecting you. SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS Orphans are taught by the church, but that doesn't make them acolytes. You understand and respect the values of the ones who raised you, but that spurs you on to find your own place in the world 3 Honesty. Be true to yourself, or you're no good to anyone. (Any) Aspiration. The gods teach us and grant us their favor. 4 True wisdom is taking those teachings into the world. (Any) 5 Suffering. You grew up with no family to call your own, and cold callous teachers. Suffering defines you. (Evil) Freedom. You spent years under the watchful eye of 6 others, now it's time to find your own destiny. (Chaotic) D6 Bond 1 I wasn't an only child, my sibling is still being raised by the church. I adventure to provide for them. 2 The church provided for me, and now I make sure to pay them whenever fate allows. 3 My parents had a secret they only told one person, who I am searching for. I was dropped off on the step of the church, but the 4 priests told me I wasn't the only one. I wander to find this lost sibling. 5 I try to seek out and help orphans and other discarded folk to give them the same help I was given. 6 My anonymity is my strength: without a past to tie me down, I can be whomever I want to be. D8 Personality Trait 1 I approach all opportunities with a smile, and politeness. 2 The priests taught me respect. My conduct honors them. 3 Not being a priest, I still learned to respect all religions. 4 The church rubbed me the wrong way. I think they're all out to brainwash the masses. I'm angry for not being raised by my parents, that anger is still present in me. I often spend my free time doing charitable work in the community, a value granted to me by the church. D6 Flaw 1 I tend to be overprotective regarding what little I own. 2 No matter how bad a hand someone else has been dealt, I'll always try to one up them. 3 Trusting others has been difficult for me. The voices of the priests who raised me are always at 4 the back of my head, making me feel bad for my actions. 5 My family was known for great acts of heroism, which got them killed. I avoid anything to do with heroics. 6 I'm a neophobe, afraid of anything unfamiliar. Strict and pious rules guide us to the best versions of ourselves. I continue to follow strict rules as an adult. 8 I take care of abandoned and unwanted people. They deserve the same opportunities that I had. D6 Ideal 1 Respect. Put your own ego aside, and show respect when others deserve it. (Lawful) 2 People. It took many hands to raise you, showing you the value of working together. (Good)