Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 SpedGuy May 01, 2015 19:59:51	Apparently failing my intelligence check, I didn't realize AL allowed custom backgrounds. I've been using by-the-book ones like a chump! Just for my clarity... the system for choosing a Custom AL Background is...   1) Choose a background; this will set your starting Equipment and beginning Lifestyle Level 2) Replace any Skill Proficiencies, tool Proficiencies, languages, and Feature you'd like 3) Choose any Ideal/Bond/Flaw you like (not limited to those listed in the books)   Is this right? If so, do these look like reasonable Custom Backgrounds? Anyone have any good ones they would like to share?   Custom Backgrounds:   'Alchemist' (Custom Guild Artisan) Starting Lifestyle: Comfortable Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Arcana Tool Proficiencies: Alchemist Tools, Poisoner's Kit Feature: Alchemical Discovery (As Hermit 'Discovery', covering knowledge of a secret Alchemical Formula)   'Bandit' (Custom Criminal) Starting Lifestyle: Poor Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, Intimidation Languages: Any two languages (usually monsterous humanoids that you share the countryside with) Feature: Bad Reputation (as Pirate)   'Lost World Explorer' (Custom Outlander) Starting Lifestyle: Poor Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Nature Tool Proficiencies: Cartographer's Tools, Navigation Feature: Behemoth Discovery (As Hermit 'Discovery', covering knowledge of location and habits of some 'prehistoric' monster of your choice)   'Banker' (Custom Noble) Starting Lifestyle: Wealthy Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Investigation Languages: Any two languages Feature: Guild Membership (a 'bankers' or 'money changer's' guild)
#2 Avross May 02, 2015 12:32:32	For the most part, you're right.   Custom Backgrounds are possible by mixing and matching the existing backgrounds.    For example, I have a con-man style bard whose background is a mix between Charlatan and Criminal.   The rules are *designed* to allow you to swap things out here...   Where you might run into issues is where you've customized some Features.   Taking a feature from another background should be fine, but you may encounter some DMs who might not allow you to use a feature which isn't straight out of the book (or approved supplements).   For example, let's take how *I* would react to the two changes you've made to Discovery....again YMMV with different DMs:   Alchemical Discovery - As a DM, I'd be (possibly overly) concerned what this secret Alchemical Forumla might be.   If it's Uncle Bob's secret tanning recipe...no problem.   If it's something more akin to Alchemical Fire, or some sort of potion?    Behemoth Discovery - I'd be less concerned with this one, since this feels like you're just flavoring the knowledge without it really having the chance to affect game play. That being said, most of the Features which require the "discuss with your DM" bit are going to be a little troublesome in an organized play setting.
#3 CahPahkah May 02, 2015 13:19:53	^+1.   Bear in mind that some of the background features do way more than others; Shelter of the Faithful is super useful, and Discovery does functionally nothing in organized play.   But, yeah, customizing backgrounds goes a long way in shaping how I think about my characters (Ronin, ftw).  One thing that I'd recommend, as not all DMs are totally up on background customization rules, is if you're asked at the start of play about your background to specify which Background Feature you're using, because that's what that question usually actually means.
#4 SpedGuy May 02, 2015 14:10:40	Avross wrote:
#5 Kentor_Slowhand_02 May 02, 2015 14:37:10	Ok not to sound like an idiot, but you CAN use custom backgrounds in AL? Out DM is saying that you can not...
#6 abanathie May 02, 2015 15:07:27	Kentor_Slowhand_02 wrote:
#7 Oraibi May 03, 2015 19:28:44	abanathie wrote:
#8 Byakugan01 May 04, 2015 7:21:38	The customized backgrounds are not optional.  They are described to be customizeable in the regular rools text(ie. not a sidebar).  DMs may vary, but they are incorrect if they won't let you.  That said, there is little recourse if they say no, other than playing at a different table.
#9 Pauper May 04, 2015 7:41:32	Just one clarification -- if you choose a bond/flaw/ideal that is not in the books, the DM can, if she thinks the chosen personality trait will cause problems at the table, ask you to change it to one that is listed in the books, or (if there is time) can work with you to modify the custom trait to be a more party-friendly one.   -- Pauper
#10 Oraibi May 04, 2015 11:02:39	Pauper wrote:
(Reply to #10) Pauper	Oraibi wrote:
#12 Oraibi May 04, 2015 11:49:28	I guess my thought is that barring extreme cases, a DM shouldn't really decide to penalize a player based on what they MIGHT do, but is free to step in at any time based on what they DO do.   So if someone's character sheet has a flaw that says "Walta just can't bring herself to trust elves," that wouldn't necessarily be a problem -- but if Walta then, in the game, ran around attacking elves, picking fights with elf PCs, and so on, I'd ask her to stop.   (An extreme case would be something like a flaw of "Walta kills any elf she ever sees" but really that would probably come out in the roleplay anyway as well and would get caught then, so I don't see a real need to make a ruling before the game. It's a stupid flaw, though.)
#13 Kalani May 04, 2015 11:51:36	@Pauper: That is incorrect. Traits/Bonds/Flaws are something that can always be customized or created from scratch. You need not choose those available in the PHB (or other sources). In fact, if you look at the season 2 pregens, we (LCs/RCs) were encouraged to come up with unique Traits/Bonds/Flaws for our pregen submissions.   This has been clarified by the admins on numerous occasions. The DM could however, ask a player to downplay a potentially disruptive trait/bond/flaw as "This is how my character would act" is not a valid excuse for disruptive behavior.
#14 CahPahkah May 04, 2015 12:00:30	It's also worth noting that the 'official' traits already lend themselves pretty well toward irritating "but my character would..." nonsense to begin with:   I am inflexible in my thinking. Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. I lie about almost everything, even when there’s no good reason to. I’m too greedy for my own good. I can’t resist taking a risk if there’s money involved. I hate to admit it and will hate myself for it, but I'll run and preserve my own hide if the going gets tough. When faced with a choice between money and my friends, I usually choose the money. I turn tail and run when things look bad. I get bitter if I’m not the center of attention. I’ll do anything to win fame and renown. Despite my best efforts, I am unreliable to my friends.   ...and so on.
#15 Pauper May 04, 2015 12:01:21	It may not be strictly correct, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that it's common practice for, say, DMs to receive at mid-to-large conventions -- if you see something that looks like it might cause a problem, ask the player to change it to something in the book, as it both saves time and preserves the concept of fairness.   And Oraibi, your examples are exactly what I was thinking of -- usually players will be a bit more subtle than that when writing up their 'I can do whatever I want' personality traits, but not always. If a player honestly doesn't intend to cause problems with a vaguely-worded personality trait, they won't generally be offended when asked for clarification.   Even if it's not official, it's good advice. (If I do say so myself.)   -- Pauper
#16 BRJN May 04, 2015 18:29:08	Oraibi wrote:
#17 Enevhar_Aldarion May 04, 2015 19:19:44	BRJN wrote:
#18 Coredump00 May 04, 2015 19:32:45	Yeah, I think the key is to remind the player that their flaw is not grounds for disruptive play.  I think it could be completely awesome to have Walta and Merwyn at the same table.... assuming the *players* understand the constraints they are under vis a vis the ALPG.   I am currently playing a CE Tiefling that thinks human babies are delicacies......  but I have 'reasons' why my behavior is CN with loyalty tendencies.... and people just 'think' I like eating humans....   Its all in the actual playing.
#19 Kalani May 04, 2015 19:39:03	A good example of how two rivals can be "at each others throats" but not be disruptive is between my character Taevyn (LE Paladin of Tiamat) and her rival Patron (LG Paladin of Bahamut). Both of them have been at the same Expeditions table on several occasions, and both of them try to show up the other in a not-so-friendly rivalry in which we each try to outcompete the other to show whose god is superior.    In many resepects, Taevyn's and Patrons rivalry mirrors that of Goku and Vegeta. They are both paladins of vengeance, and compete to see which is the better paladin.
#20 abanathie May 06, 2015 6:42:27	BRJN wrote: