D&D 5E Drudge, a magical laborer background - advice sought

[Baron Opal II]

Drudge : Magewright :: Folk Hero : Warrior

If I understand correctly.

 

[TwoSix]

Magewright is a specific Eberron concept, designed for specific NPCs. This is a background of a magically enhanced laborer specifically for PCs, designed for a general D&D audience. I love Eberron as much as anyone, but you can't assume that its assumptions are shared by a broader D&D playing audience. The existence of Magewright NPCs does not render the Drudge background in anyway redundant, even if this product used in Eberron.

To answer the OP's question, I voted "laborious tools" only. I wasn't sure if a skilled craftsman using mason's tools or woodworker's tools and mending fit into the Drudge concept.

 

[Hriston]

If I'm understanding correctly, this background will have Athletics and 1 or 2 cantrips, correct?

If so, I'd say that a skill and one cantrip leaves room for three tools/languages, but a skill and two cantrips leaves room for none.

 

[Faolyn]

You're asking about the difference between an NPC that characters would meet/interact with and a Background that a PC starts with?
I may have made the false assumption that those differences were clear in 5th edition.

Backgrounds are things that PCs get that provide skills, proficiencies, languages, and a mostly non-mechanical RP bonus. They don't get bonuses to any abilities, nor do they get spells. The primary exception is the Urchin, who can move around a city faster.

NPC classes--the Warrior, Expert, and Spellcaster (or whatever it was called)--are designed to be used with NPC followers and allies. They are not called Backgrounds.

A Drudge background shouldn't provide spells.

 

[bedir than]

A Drudge background shouldn't provide spells.

I have a theory that Backgrounds can provide utility cantrips. Their basic value can be established through Feats (in many ways a non-combat Feat's power level is the same as a Background).

My general formula will be to have the cost be 1 skill and 1 tool/language, although certain Backgrounds may vary.

Those Fantastic Backgrounds I'm working on are;
Firefighter
Drudge
Prankster
Fireworker
Midwife (I'm still searching for a gender neutral name on this one)
Hedge Wizard

They may not necessarily fit all campaigns, which is perfectly fine. My homeworld, where these designs originate is low magic, and yet these do fit there.

 

[jgsugden]

While some cantrips might be appropriate as a background perk, I would avoid any cantrips that deal damage or are commonly selected, like mage hand prestidigitation, guidance, thaumaturgy, minor illusion, mending, spare the dying, gust, light, dancing lights, etc...

As for whether they get a tool or not - I'd say yes based upon the theme.

 

[bedir than]

I would avoid any cantrips that deal damage

Absolutely.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I own Ravnica, and I'm unaware of my concept duplicating a Background within that book. I'll re-read.

The Background will be a player facing choice with a skill, maybe tool, equipment, traits, ideals, bonds, flaws.

There are additional differences in that the magewright has access to spells with levels, the Drudge does not. Also, the Drudge is being created wrapped around the idea of using magic to supplement "unskilled" labor.

OK. So what is the correct background for a nonmagical unskilled labourer?

 

[Mind of tempest]

okay, so the goal is menial labour but done with magic correct?

 

[bedir than]

o what is the correct background for a nonmagical unskilled labourer?

Right now, probably just the Folk Hero

the goal is menial labour but done with magic correct?

Yes