D&D 5E (2024) Backgrounds in the Forgotten Realms Books

[GarrettKP]

Now that GenCon is over, I wanted to write up everything I now know about 6 of the 18 backgrounds from the new FR books thanks to the preview play pregens.

Some of these are more complete than others either because the stat layouts made it obvious which ASI bonuses were available or which skills got chosen. The two new feats included are written up (as much as possible) at the bottom of the post.

Genie-Touched
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Charisma, (???)
Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard)
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics and Perception
Tool Proficiency: Glassblower’s Tools
Equipment: Glassblower’s Tools, Lamp, Oil (3 flasks), Waterskin, Fine Clothes

Harper
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Charisma, (???)
Feat: Harper Agent
Skill Proficiencies: Performance and Slight of Hand
Tool Proficiency: Disguise Kit
Equipment: Disguise Kit, Musical Instrument, Bedroll, Costume, Grappling Hook, Rope, Traveler’s Clothes

Ice Fisher
Ability Scores: Dexterity, (???), (???)
Feat: Tough
Skill Proficiencies: (???)
Tool Proficiency: Woodcarver’s Tools
Equipment: Woodcarver’s Tools, Basket, Block and Tackle, Bucket, Chain, Hunting Trap, Net, Pole, Rations (3 days worth), Rope, Traveler’s Clothes

Moonwell Pilgrim
Ability Scores: Charisma, (???), (???)
Feat: Magic Initiate (Druid)
Skill Proficiencies: (???)
Tool Proficiency: Painter’s Supplies
Equipment: Painter’s Supplies, Bedroll, Pouch, Robe, String, Traveler’s Clothes, Waterskin

Purple Dragon Squire
Ability Scores: Strength, Charisma, (???)
Feat: Purple Dragon Rook
Skill Proficiencies: (???)
Tool Proficiency: Navigator’s Tools
Equipment: Navigator’s Tools, Fine Clothes

Shadowmasters Exile
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Intelligence, (???)
Feat: Savage Attacker
Skill Proficiencies: (???)
Tool Proficiency: Thieves’ Tools
Equipment: Thieves’ Tools, Caltrops, Costume, Grappling Hook, Iron Spikes, Mirror, 2 Pouches, Rope, Traveler’s Clothes

Feats

Harper Agent
You know Thieves Cant.
You gain proficiency in a musical instrument.
Distracting Melody. When you take the Help action to assist an ally’s attack roll, the enemy you’re distracting can be within 30 feet of you, rather than within 5 feet of you, provided the enemy can see or hear you.

Purple Dragon Rook
Entreat (???, think it’s social skill proficiencies but unsure)
Rallying Cry. When you roll initiative and don’t have the incapacitated condition, you can choose up to two creatures that you can see within 30 feet of yourself. Those creatures gain Heroic Inspiration. Once you use this benefit, you can’t do so again until you finish a Long Rest.

 

[TravDoc42]

Thanks for sharing!! Sounds excellent!!

 

[TravDoc42]

Shadowmasters Exile

I wonder what that is connected to?

 

[Parmandur]

I wonder what that is connected to?

The Shadowmasters were a Thieves Guild that not-terrivly-secrefly ran a city state in Thesk, in the Unapproachable East.

 

[TravDoc42]

The Shadowmasters were a Thieves Guild that not-terrivly-secrefly ran a city state in Thesk, in the Unitterable East.

Thanks! Didn't know that

 

[Parmandur]

Thanks! Didn't know that

It's kind of a deep cut, all things considered,.mainly from a few 3.5 Aplats and the 4E Campaign Setting it seems:

"The Shadowmasters of Telflamm were a religious thieves' guild that operates throughout the eastern lands of Faerûn. Their headquarters were located in Telflamm, where they rule the city in all but name. While they were dedicated to the deity Mask for many years, sometime after the Spellplague they shifted their devotion to the goddess Shar."

Shadowmasters of Telflamm

The Shadowmasters of Telflamm were a religious thieves' guild that operates throughout the eastern lands of Faerûn. Their headquarters were located in Telflamm,[2] where they rule the city in all but name. While they were dedicated to the deity Mask for many years,[1] sometime after the...

forgottenrealms.fandom.com

 

[Henadic Theologian]

According to Roll20 there are 8 backgrounds tied to factions and 10 to regions. So I guess Shadowmasters Exile belongs to the Unapproachable East region. Ice Fisher could be Icewind Dale or just as easily The Cold Lands.

 

[Parmandur]

According to Roll20 there are 8 backgrounds tied to factions and 10 to regions. So I guess Shadowmasters Exile belongs to the Unapproachable East region. Ice Fisher could be Icewind Dale or just as easily The Cold Lands.

Shadowmasters Exile is the interesting odd duck here, though I agree it probably stands in for the Unapproachable East Asia a whole, bit the others are pretty clear:

- Purple Dragon Squire and Harper Agent for their respective factions, interested to see what they do for the others in detail but they suggest pretty clear paths at least.

- Ice Fisher = Icewind Dale

- Moonpool Pilgrim = Moonshae Isles

- Genie-Touched = Calimshan

- Spellfire Adept = Dalelands

So, we can expect a Background for the environs of Baldur's Gate, and then 4 other "Locales" as the Roll20 description put it. They might be just as wild as a callback to the Shadowmasters.

Some sort of "Divine Scion" Background for the Old Empires would be neat.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Shadowmasters Exile is the interesting odd duck here, though I agree it probably stands in for the Unapproachable East Asia a whole, bit the others are pretty clear:

- Purple Dragon Squire and Harper Agent for their respective factions, interested to see what they do for the others in detail but they suggest pretty clear paths at least.

- Ice Fisher = Icewind Dale

- Moonpool Pilgrim = Moonshae Isles

- Genie-Touched = Calimshan

- Spellfire Adept = Dalelands

So, we can expect a Background for the environs of Baldur's Gate, and then 4 other "Locales" as the Roll20 description put it. They might be just as wild as a callback to the Shadowmasters.

Some sort of "Divine Scion" Background for the Old Empires would be neat.

Genie Touched might drill down to Calimshan, but I think it's fine for Amn & Tethyr as well, even ironically Baldur's Gate with its Little Calimshan.

The Spellfire novels I believe started in the Dalelands, but moved later on to other parts of the Heartlands.

Most of the Swordcoast experiences winter so Icefisher could work for most of the region not just Icewind Dale.

Moonpool is the most restrictive.

Shadowmasters could have agents in the surrounding nations for exports.

 

[Parmandur]

Most of the Swordcoast experiences winter so Icefisher could work for most of the region not just Icewind Dale.

The ivory fishing industry is, however, exclusive to Icewind Dale.

The Spellfire novels I believe started in the Dalelands, but moved later on to other parts of the Heartlands.

The "other parts of the Heartlands" are jjat part of the am it of the Dalelands. Remember, "Locales" is the verbiage we got here.