D&D 5E Do you use/allow custom backgrounds?

[Kobold Stew]

I use it all the time and encourage others to do so. It's so much fun!

Current characters include a gravedigger, a goatherd, and a graduate of a girls' finishing school.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Well it's a default rule that is completely mechanically balanced and allows customization of character concept with no effort from the DM (unless the player requests a custom feature). So why wouldn't I allow it?

Because, as written, it may turn the world into a nonsensical place.

As written, you could start with the Sailor background, change the proficiencies to Arcana/History/Elvish/Draconic and the feature to Position of Privilege; and you would create a "Sailor" who has no idea how to sail, and who isn't recognized around any docks; who is universally recognized as a member of the nobility, in spite of not actually being a noble; and who knows magical histories and languages, in spite of never having been around books or sages of any sort.

It is the single most ridiculous rule in the entire book. That is why you should not allow it.

 

[mgshamster]

Because, as written, it may turn the world into a nonsensical place.

As written, you could start with the Sailor background, change the proficiencies to Arcana/History/Elvish/Draconic and the feature to Position of Privilege; and you would create a "Sailor" who has no idea how to sail, and who isn't recognized around any docks; who is universally recognized as a member of the nobility, in spite of not actually being a noble; and who knows magical histories and languages, in spite of never having been around books or sages of any sort.

It is the single most ridiculous rule in the entire book. That is why you should not allow it.

So... Kind of like a fantasy version of Charles Darwin? Or any ship scientist, really.

And heck, XGE has a very similar example, except with an urchin using the sailor feature and becoming a sea wizard.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

So... Kind of like a fantasy version of Charles Darwin? Or any ship scientist, really.

That doesn't fit the definition of the Sailor background in the book. The Sailor background normally comes with sailing-type proficiencies in order to represent that you're a sailor who does sailing stuff. If you aren't a sailor who does sailing stuff, then you wouldn't have the Sailor background. If you're some sort of scientist or sage, then you would have something like the Sage background. If nothing fits your character concept, then you should work with the DM to create a new background that does fit.

The way the rules are written in the book, a normal Sailor gains the Athletics proficiency because they spend so much time climbing ropes and performing physical labor, and any player can customize that background to say that instead they gain the Arcana proficiency because they spend so much time climbing ropes and performing physical labor; and everyone treats them like a prince because they're a sailor.

And the DM isn't supposed to call shenanigans on that. The DM is supposed to go along with whatever nonsensical combination of background and proficiencies that any player comes up with, even if it doesn't make sense. Because the rule is poorly written.

 

[Charlaquin]

As written, you could start with the Sailor background, change the proficiencies to Arcana/History/Elvish/Draconic and the feature to Position of Privilege; and you would create a "Sailor" who has no idea how to sail, and who isn't recognized around any docks; who is universally recognized as a member of the nobility, in spite of not actually being a noble; and who knows magical histories and languages, in spite of never having been around books or sages of any sort.

That’s not a sailor. That’s a custom background that has nothing in common with sailor. With Arcana, History, Elvish, Draconic, and Position of Priveledge, it sounds like you’ve created a wealthy scholar. Probably someone born into money who used their privilege to invest in academic pursuits, which makes plenty of sense given that academia has historically been the province of the wealthy and privileged.

The thing to remember is that when you modify a background, what you’re doing is creating an entirely new background that shares some similarities with the one you start from. This one doesn’t really share any similarities with sailor, but that’s fine, you’ve just created your custom background from scratch instead of basing it on an existing one.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

The thing to remember is that when you modify a background, what you’re doing is creating an entirely new background that shares some similarities with the one you start from. This one doesn’t really share any similarities with sailor, but that’s fine, you’ve just created your custom background from scratch instead of basing it on an existing one.

And it would be great, if the rules actually said that. Instead, the rules say that you can take any background, swap out the proficiencies and feature however you feel like (keeping the description/flavor/fluff of the lore intact), and any DM is a jerk if they ask you to justify it.

What the background rules should have said: "Figure out your background. That is what you did before you were an adventurer. Other characters may react to you based on this. Choose two skill proficiencies and two languages or tool proficiencies that reflect your background. Here are some examples."

What the background rules actually say: "Here are some some codified backgrounds. Each background gives you two skill proficiencies, two languages and/or tool proficiencies, and a feature which determines how other characters react to you. Feel free to mix and match them arbitrarily."

 

[SkidAce]

Because, as written, it may turn the world into a nonsensical place.

As written, you could start with the Sailor background, change the proficiencies to Arcana/History/Elvish/Draconic and the feature to Position of Privilege; and you would create a "Sailor" who has no idea how to sail, and who isn't recognized around any docks; who is universally recognized as a member of the nobility, in spite of not actually being a noble; and who knows magical histories and languages, in spite of never having been around books or sages of any sort.

It is the single most ridiculous rule in the entire book. That is why you should not allow it.

I hate to disagree...but I see no problem.


Said "sailor" was obviously a slacker. Sure he was on the boat but didn't do much and left or got fired.

So they are better at other stuff. Who is to say "never having been around books or sages of any sort" is the case?

They dont get the mechanical benefits that an unmodified sailor background would give them....but they still could have been a sailor.

Its not a straitjacket. I think I understand your opposition to the mods, but I suggest using it instead of fighting it.*


*unless of course your player is trying to get the bennies of both, in that case whack them with the DM stick...

 

[mgshamster]

Did anyone else notice that the Position of Privilege flat out states you're a noble, while the complaint is that the PC is not a noble but gains the benefits of one?

So here we have a case of not following RAW while at the same time complaining that RAW makes it nonsensical.

 

[Arilyn]

I would prefer that the backgrounds in the Phb be examples, and players create their own, as a default. It would open up the creativity, although, it sounds like that's happening a lot anyway. I feel the same about traits. Numbering them, so players can roll, is a mistake, in my opinion. I would rather, there were examples, so players are more encouraged to stretch their creative muscles.

 

[mgshamster]

I would prefer that the backgrounds in the Phb be examples, and players create their own, as a default. It would open up the creativity, although, it sounds like that's happening a lot anyway. I feel the same about traits. Numbering them, so players can roll, is a mistake, in my opinion. I would rather, there were examples, so players are more encouraged to stretch their creative muscles.

Well, you're in luck! Because the book actually gives you exactly what you want!

"A background contains suggested personal characteristics based on your background. You can pick characteristics, roll dice to determine them randomly, or use the suggestions as inspiration for characteristics of your own creation."