Character backgrounds

These are the backgrounds I think are relevant to the Sealands. See http://dnd5e.wikidot.com for more.
Backgrounds are generally conceived of as the explanation for why your character ended up in whatever class they'll be at level 1—but the link doesn't have to be direct. A ranger could have an acolyte background; they might be a defrocked priest who's hit the woods like Robin Hood.
The linked info at dnd5e.wikidot contains some story for the backgrounds, some of which is specific to other settings. Some of the backgrounds below have optional mechanisms for rolling up different character traits—ideals, motivations, etc. Use these as inspiration or not, as you prefer.

• Acolyte
• Anthropologist
• Archaeologist
• Athlete
• Charlatan
• City Watch
• Criminal
• Entertainer
• Far Traveler
• Feylost
• Fisher
• Artisan
• Merchant
• Haunted One
• Hermit
• Inheritor
• Investigator (professional)
• Investigator (amateur)
• Marine
• Noble
• Outlander
• Pirate
• Sage
• Sailor
• Shipwright
• Smuggler
• Soldier
• Spy
• Bounty Hunter
• Urchin

---

other backgrounds

Here are some fun-looking backgrounds from resources I've acquired here and there. Stats available upon request.

Crafting/Tinkering backgrounds

• Apothecary
• Engineering
• Tinkering

Occult backgrounds

• Ghost Hunter
• Spiritually Awakened

---

Backgrounds and starting benefits

Each background gives the character

• 2 skills;
• 2 tool proficiencies, 2 extra languages, or 1 tool proficiency and one extra language;
• and some starting equipment.

Optional advanced fun: To get a particular flavour you like, you can mix two backgrounds. In that case, pick one skill from each; pick one tool or language from each; and pick one non-clothing, non-money piece of equipment from each. For instance, a Sherlock Holmes-like gentleperson detective might be a hybrid Noble-Investigator:

Drawing-room detective

Skills: Perception, Persuasion
Tools and languages: One extra language, disguise set
Equipment: signet ring, magnifying glass

If you are creating a level 0 pre-class character, you should also roll on the table below to see what kind of weapon you can start out with. also, some backgrounds can give a level 0 character a cantrip (see below also). Level 1 characters get extra benefits and equipment, including weapons and cantrips, according to their class.

---

weapons for level 0 characters

Roll d4 to see what you get, and choose a specific simple weapon with a flavour appropriate to your background. If you want to use a specific martial weapon for character reasons, ask me about it. For instance, an urchin's ranged weapon might be a sling, and their melee weapon might be "javelin," that is, a pointy stick. A noble's weapon could be a sword; it might be a longsword, or it might be a sword-cane, depending on what kind of noble they are.
If your background involves combat as a profession (soldier, city watch, pirate, etc.), roll twice for weapons, and you can choose martial weapons as well. You can also swap out one of your weapons for armor, but not better than leather or padded.

---

cantrips for level 0 characters

Level 0 characters with the following backgrounds get 1 cantrip in addition to their equipment and weapons. Choose from the linked list.

• Acolyte (cleric cantrips or druid cantrips)
• Anthropologist (wizard cantrips)
• Archaeologist (wizard cantrips)
• Charlatan (illusion cantrips only) (and there's only one)
• Feylost (enchantment cantrips only)
• Haunted One (necromancy cantrips only)
• Sage (wizard cantrips)

The homebrew craft/tinkering backgrounds each get an artificer cantrip. The homebrew occult backgrounds each get a necromancy cantrip.