Custom backgrounds and feats - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Helaman Oct 26, 2014 1:50:49	Anyone making their own feats and backgrounds? I found an archeologist background on line and there is a online character generator that still allows you to pick an adjusted bounty hunter from the play test. Are there any sites that are good to check out?
#2 mellored Oct 26, 2014 8:29:43	i think everyone in my game is running a custom background. The rules for them are pretty straight foreward there's been several homebrew feats floated on the board as well.
#3 tallric_kruush Oct 26, 2014 8:49:17	I believe there is a homebrew thread in the Player Help forum. I don't know how well maintained it is, but Homebrew content has mostly been posted in that forum. We are using customized backgrounds and feats in our games.
#4 Helaman Oct 29, 2014 18:23:25	Link anyone? I found one place for homebrew campaigns under prev. editions but not sure thats the right place. Is there a thread or board for homebrew feats etc for 5th Ed? ENworld has some decent stuff too.
#5 seti Oct 29, 2014 18:37:17	I have allowed everyone to pick and choose chunks of existing background to fit their character concepts when needed. Haven't made any feats yet, but I probably will as I get ideas, and stuff comes up. We're still mostly just playing one-shots, and loose with 5e...Waiting for the DMG. We also are collaboratively house-ruling some stuff. I think many 5e feats can be mix and matched too, just like backgrounds, with no glaring problems. I'll probably make up at least 1-2 races, and 1-3 subclasses when the DMG comes out. I might also heavily house rule psionics in...ie: they use the spell point system the DMG supposedly has, and they (not wizards) gain access to spells like dominate, reverse gravity, telekenisis, hold, etc. Conversely, they don't get some elemental damage spells wizards and sorcerers can get. Plus, they get to re-flavor some damage cantrips to do piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning damage (representing telekenetically throwing small objects at high velocity, rather than 'fire bolt' or 'acid spash', etc.)
#6 SterlingRat Oct 29, 2014 20:10:32	I've made a "Town Guard" background for one PC. Perception, Intimidation, any one common - Race language and vehicles (land). Feature is Town Rank (similar to Noble "Position of Privilege", but change "people of noble birth" to "people who enforce laws")
#7 Joe_the_Rat Oct 30, 2014 6:43:43	"Town Guard" could also work with the "Rank" privilege from Soldier. Or "Bad Repuation" if you're cynical. I love the flexibility on these. Amusingly, I've been having a hell of a time getting people to think about backgrounds (and worse, traits and ideals) outside of the published options. Which is hilarious to me, given that the players are all fairly old hands at, well, playing, and the characters in question are conversions from an existing game and already have backstories and personalities in play. Best I got was suggesting that the elf could trade getting yet another language for a tool proficiency, and pointing out that his backstory Quest To Save My People would in fact make a good Bond (To his credit, he also incorporated it into a Flaw). My players are weird.
(Reply to #7) SterlingRat	Joe_the_Rat wrote:
#9 spelley Oct 30, 2014 7:52:22	Couple random ones: Whip Master: You gain proficiency with Whips Whips now count as Light for the purposes of dual-wielding When you hit with an attack made using a whip, you may attempt to trip an opponent. If so, you deal no damage with the attack and the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw equal to 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Your Dexterity Modifier or be knocked prone. You may only attempt this once per turn. Trident Master: You gain Proficiency with Tridents +1 Strength When you hit an attack made using a trident. you may attempt to disarm an opponent. If so, you deal no damage with the attack and the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw equal to 8 + Your Strength or Dexterity Modifier or have their weapon knocked out of their hand and have it land at their feet. You may only attempt this once per turn.
#10 biotech66 Oct 30, 2014 8:31:42	I run my own game design blog called Throat Punch Games. I post an idea there everyday. Lots of the recent posts have been about 5e. Give it a look! I'd love to get some feed back. http://www.throatpunchgames.com
#11 Joe_the_Rat Oct 30, 2014 8:39:03	What would people think about a Feat that grants Expertise? Is one proficiency enough? Is two too many? Limited to tools? What other boons would round this out? Here's my initial idea: [Insert snappy title here] You're the best at what you do. You gain Expertise in one of your skill or tool proficiencies. (insert page reference or replace this line with the "use double your proficiency bonus" explanation.) +1 to a/the relevant attribute.
#12 sleypy Oct 30, 2014 11:42:44	Here are some of the backgrounds I created for a one-shot of Al Qadim. Al Qadim: Background Desert Riders Desert Riders Desert riders represent the classic Arabian warriors: well-trained, mounted fighters sweeping out of the barren wastes. They are the romantic heroes of a nomadic people, living their lives and fighting their battles from the saddle. Desert riders are primarily horsemen, but some are more adept at riding camels. Opinions on the nature of desert riders vary according to whom you ask. To the nomadic tribes, desert riders are heroes, exemplifying the traditions of the desert: bravery, honesty, and freedom. To the small towns that are sometimes targets of raids, the riders are little more than wandering thieves and haughty looters, who sweep into civilized lands for raids, then “turn tail” and disappear into the desert to avoid pursuit. Both opinions are partly right. There are indeed good and lawful desert riders who exemplify the positive values of the desert. And there are evil men and women who live up to the villainy portrayed by the townsfolk. But the true nature of the group lies somewhere between those two poles. Trait – Nomad You have lived your life travelling the desert, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to eight other people each day, provided by al-Badian hospitality, or where land offers dates, small game, water, trade routes and so forth. Proficiencies Skills: Animal Handling, Nature, Survival Tools: Mounts (land), navigator’s tools, vehicles (land) Equipment Backpack, bedroll, hempen rope (50 ft.), tent, tinderbox, traveler’s clothes, waterskin, blanket, desert camel.

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

Helaman

Oct 26, 2014 1:50:49

Anyone making their own feats and backgrounds?

I found an archeologist background on line and there is a online character generator that still allows you to pick an adjusted bounty hunter from the play test.

Are there any sites that are good to check out?

mellored

Oct 26, 2014 8:29:43

i think everyone in my game is running a custom background. The rules for them are pretty straight foreward there's been several homebrew feats floated on the board as well.

tallric_kruush

Oct 26, 2014 8:49:17

I believe there is a homebrew thread in the Player Help forum. I don't know how well maintained it is, but Homebrew content has mostly been posted in that forum.

We are using customized backgrounds and feats in our games.

Helaman

Oct 29, 2014 18:23:25

Link anyone?

I found one place for homebrew campaigns under prev. editions but not sure thats the right place.

Is there a thread or board for homebrew feats etc for 5th Ed?

ENworld has some decent stuff too.

seti

Oct 29, 2014 18:37:17

I have allowed everyone to pick and choose chunks of existing background to fit their character concepts when needed.

Haven't made any feats yet, but I probably will as I get ideas, and stuff comes up. We're still mostly just playing one-shots, and loose with 5e...Waiting for the DMG. We also are collaboratively house-ruling some stuff. I think many 5e feats can be mix and matched too, just like backgrounds, with no glaring problems.

I'll probably make up at least 1-2 races, and 1-3 subclasses when the DMG comes out. I might also heavily house rule psionics in...ie: they use the spell point system the DMG supposedly has, and they (not wizards) gain access to spells like dominate, reverse gravity, telekenisis, hold, etc. Conversely, they don't get some elemental damage spells wizards and sorcerers can get. Plus, they get to re-flavor some damage cantrips to do piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning damage (representing telekenetically throwing small objects at high velocity, rather than 'fire bolt' or 'acid spash', etc.)

SterlingRat

Oct 29, 2014 20:10:32

I've made a "Town Guard" background for one PC. Perception, Intimidation, any one common - Race language and vehicles (land). Feature is Town Rank (similar to Noble "Position of Privilege", but change "people of noble birth" to "people who enforce laws")

Joe_the_Rat

Oct 30, 2014 6:43:43

"Town Guard" could also work with the "Rank" privilege from Soldier. Or "Bad Repuation" if you're cynical. I love the flexibility on these.

Amusingly, I've been having a hell of a time getting people to think about backgrounds (and worse, traits and ideals) *outside* of the published options. Which is hilarious to me, given that the players are all fairly old hands at, well, playing, and the characters in question are conversions from an existing game and already have backstories and personalities in play. Best I got was suggesting that the elf could trade getting yet another language for a tool proficiency, and pointing out that his backstory Quest To Save My People would in fact make a good Bond (To his credit, he also incorporated it into a Flaw). My players are weird.

(Reply to #7)

SterlingRat

Joe_the_Rat wrote:

spelley

Oct 30, 2014 7:52:22

Couple random ones:

Whip Master:

You gain proficiency with Whips
Whips now count as Light for the purposes of dual-wielding
When you hit with an attack made using a whip, you may attempt to trip an opponent. If so, you deal no damage with the attack and the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw equal to 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Your Dexterity Modifier or be knocked prone. You may only attempt this once per turn.

Trident Master:

You gain Proficiency with Tridents
+1 Strength
When you hit an attack made using a trident. you may attempt to disarm an opponent. If so, you deal no damage with the attack and the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw equal to 8 + Your Strength or Dexterity Modifier or have their weapon knocked out of their hand and have it land at their feet. You may only attempt this once per turn.

#10

biotech66

Oct 30, 2014 8:31:42

I run my own game design blog called Throat Punch Games. I post an idea there everyday. Lots of the recent posts have been about 5e. Give it a look! I'd love to get some feed back. http://www.throatpunchgames.com

#11

Joe_the_Rat

Oct 30, 2014 8:39:03

What would people think about a Feat that grants Expertise? Is one proficiency enough? Is two too many? Limited to tools? What other boons would round this out?

Here's my initial idea:

[Insert snappy title here]

You're the best at what you do.

You gain Expertise in one of your skill or tool proficiencies. (insert page reference or replace this line with the "use double your proficiency bonus" explanation.)
+1 to a/the relevant attribute.

#12

sleypy

Oct 30, 2014 11:42:44

Here are some of the backgrounds I created for a one-shot of Al Qadim.

Al Qadim: Background

Desert Riders

Desert riders represent the classic Arabian warriors: well-trained, mounted fighters sweeping out of the barren wastes. They are the romantic heroes of a nomadic people, living their lives and fighting their battles from the saddle. Desert riders are primarily horsemen, but some are more adept at riding camels.

Opinions on the nature of desert riders vary according to whom you ask. To the nomadic tribes, desert riders are heroes, exemplifying the traditions of the desert: bravery, honesty, and freedom. To the small towns that are sometimes targets of raids, the riders are little more than wandering thieves and haughty looters, who sweep into civilized lands for raids, then “turn tail” and disappear into the desert to avoid pursuit. Both opinions are partly right. There are indeed good and lawful desert riders who exemplify the positive values of the desert. And there are evil men and women who live up to the villainy portrayed by the townsfolk. But the true nature of the group lies somewhere between those two poles.

Trait – Nomad

You have lived your life travelling the desert, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to eight other people each day, provided by al-Badian hospitality, or where land offers dates, small game, water, trade routes and so forth.

Proficiencies

Skills: Animal Handling, Nature, Survival

Tools: Mounts (land), navigator’s tools, vehicles (land)

Equipment

Backpack, bedroll, hempen rope (50 ft.), tent, tinderbox, traveler’s clothes, waterskin, blanket, desert camel.