Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Kavrek Sep 04, 2014 15:35:39	Are we allowed to use custom backgrounds in adventure league? I am attempting to make a Harper Agent Eldritch Knight with the Dragon Scholar optional feature from appendix A that was contacted to research a cult related to dragons.   I would like this Background to be as follows:   Skill Proficiencies: Arcane, Stealth   Language: Draconic   Gaming Set: Three Dragon Ante   Personality: I know all there is to know about dragons...except what its like to ride one.   Ideal: Draconic Knowledge: the more we learn about them, the less we have to fear. Or more depending on the dragon...   Bond: Harper Agent Dragon Cult Researcher: If there is a cult related to dragons I will join it or stop it, because it is either the most wonderful cult ever or the most terrible. Very little grey area in either cults or dragons.   Flaw: Dragon Obssesed: I am utterly infatuated with all things dragon, they permeate my every thought, deed, and conversation.   Feature: Dragon Scholar   I would use the Sage lifestyle wealth option with this background.
#2 TheGimper Sep 04, 2014 19:16:53	Creating a custom background is allowed in the Basic Rules and the PHB, and the AL players guide says,   Allowed Rules Characters originating during the Tyranny of Dragons storyline season can use the following rules for character options: D&D basic rules (all rules except rolling ability scores and hit points, some alignment restrictions)  D&D Player’s Handbook™ (all rules except rolling ability scores and hit points, some alignment restrictions   So, I would say that custom backgrounds are allowed.
#3 Undrhil Sep 04, 2014 19:19:53	Well, that begs the question: if I am using a custom background, how do I determine which wealth bracket I fall into?
#4 Oraibi Sep 05, 2014 7:35:30	Undrhil wrote:
#5 Pauper Sep 05, 2014 7:43:39	At the moment, you customize existing backgrounds rather than create new ones (see Customizing a Background, Basic Rules, p.36).   So, for whatever background you originally chose, even if you swapped out every feature for a new legal feature, you'd use that background's starting lifestyle (as per the Adventurers League Player's Guide, p.3)   So in effect, you've taken the Sage background, swapped the feature for the Dragon Scholar feature, swapped History for Stealth, and swapped a language for proficiency with the Three-Dragon-Ante gaming set. That all looks kosher, and you would use the Sage starting lifestyle.   -- Pauper
#6 spanglemaker Oct 03, 2014 3:09:40	A suggestion, if you want to use a customised Background: Use the maximum gold option from AL and PHB of your characters class.   I would imagine that the AL ruling for customised backgrounds, would be that you take the lower amount of gold.   For example: I will create a Storyteller Background (Entertainer and Sage), for a Gnome Wizard called Bobbitus.   Performance, History Two Languages of your Choice Equipment as a Sage: replacing the letter from a dead colleague with either a trinket of your choice or the favor of an admirer Feature: Back by Popular Demand (Entertainer)   Choices for Gold: 10gp (its the lowest out of Sage or Entertainers 15gp) or 160gp (Wizard starting wealth)   Personality: I know a story relevant to every situation Ideal: I want to be famous, whatever it takes Bond: I am searching for a Master Story Flaw: Curiosity killed the cat, I just can't help myself from investigating mysteries     The following is a total free modification of a base background- according to the AL and PHB rules, I could even use another Feature. Lyra the Half Elven Sorceress, who served as a Healer in the Anglarond Army: (Modify the Soldier Background)   Medicine, Intimidation  (Instead of Athletics, Intimidation) Herbalism Kit, Vehicles (Land) (Instead of one type of gaming set, vehicles (land)) Equipment: as Soldier, 10gp Speciality: Healer Feature: Military Rank (Sergeant Healer)   Alternatively to 10gp as a soldier, Lyra could purchase all her equipment from 120gp as she is a Sorceress   Personality: I can stare down a hell hound without flinching Ideal: When people follow orders blindly, they embrace a kind of tyranny Bond: I would still lay down my life for the people I served with Flaw: I made a terrible mistake in battle, which cost many lives- my awakend sorcery hurt many allies and no one must discover this, I am atoning for this   Another example of a Background:   Derryn the Green, a former Druid Apprentice now a Wizard of the Highpeak School (really a Warlock)- Variant Human - Magic Initiate Druid   Survival, Arcana (Outlander/Sage) 2 Languages of choice (Sage) Equipment as a Sage Feature: Wanderer (Outlander)   Choice of 10gp and Warlock Equipment choices or 160gp to purchase all equipment   Personality:I have a lesson for every situation, drawn from observing nature Ideal:The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself Bond: I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back Flaw: Most people scream and run when they see a demon, I stop and study it and may or may not have dealings with them
#7 Pauper Oct 03, 2014 7:54:39	Actually, my understanding is that when you choose a background, the background you choose determines your starting equipment/gold options as well as your starting lifestyle.   So for the Aglarondan sorceress, she'd start with a Modest lifestyle for having the Soldier background.   There's no such thing as an Entertainer/Sage or Outlander/Sage background -- you choose one, then modify the allowable features as desired. You'd pick one (I'd pick Entertainer over Sage, but Sage over Outlander). Of course, if you choose to purchase your equipment using your class funds, then the default equipment for that background doesn't matter to you.   -- Pauper
#8 spanglemaker Oct 03, 2014 8:58:02	Pauper wrote:
#9 spanglemaker Oct 03, 2014 8:58:07	Pauper wrote:
(Reply to #8) Pauper	spanglemaker wrote:
#11 spanglemaker Oct 04, 2014 14:34:41	Pauper, I agree with you, but I think you are misunderstanding me or taking me literally.   You noted that I made use of AL and PHB legal info- its on P125 of the PHB Customizing a Background.   I wanted to mash two Backgrounds together- A Sailor and a Sage- my character is going to be a Bard- My concept he is a Nautical Enthusiast. The simplest way would be to choose the Sage or Sailor background and swap Features. Now my Sage (Bard) is welcomed on the Salty Dog (the ship he sailed on prior adventuring) or my Sailor (Bard) is a keen Researcher but can't get free ships passage. The character (in AL) could choose between taking the maximum gold (as a Bard) and purchase all their equipment, clothes, armor, weapons, musical instruments etc or he could take the Sage (or Sailor) and Bard equipment selections, with the Sage or (Sailor) gold.   Now if I wanted to mix it up even more, the same Bard:   Sage: Arcana, History; 2 Languages, Sage Equipment and 10gp, Feature- Researcher   Sailor: Athletics, Perception; Navigators tools, Vehicles (water), Sailor Equipment and 10gp, Feature: Ships Passage     Now my Nautical Enthusiast or Sailor Sage: (NB- This is a Customised background, it is legal iaw PHB p125)   Customised Background: History, Perception, 1 Language, Navigators Tools, Feature: Ships Passage, Sage's Equipment and 10gp   Now my choice for my Bard is do I take the Bard and Sages Equipment and 10gp which is the simplest or do I instead start out naked with 200gp (Bard Maximum) then purchase everything .   Now my Bard with his customised background calls himself a Sailor because of his feature of Ships Passage, but could call himself a Sage- he is a Bard at the end of the day.   Pauper wrote:
#12 Yunru Oct 05, 2014 3:41:12	I made a guide about just this. It's not quite complete (still have to do tools and starting equipment), but it covers most options.
(Reply to #11) Pauper	spanglemaker wrote: