Commoner background for 5e

[Mothman]

I really like the background system for 5e, it gives players a few opportunities to get really invested in their character (which we all know makes for better roleplaying). But I was wondering why there isn't a commoner type of background; the guild artisan, the folk hero, and the urchin backgrounds all have roots in an average life but aren't quite right.

I was wondering if anyone in the playground has made anything like this or has any ideas for something like this.

[Naanomi]

Folk Hero is probably the best bet. I've had a few other backgrounds I struggled finding a 'good fit' for (a recently escaped slave, for example) and had to approximate

[mgshamster]

What kind of commoner? That's a very broad description that includes every si for professions that isn't noble or moneyed. You'll have to be more specific.

You may also find some ideas in my spoiler, under "how to design background features."

[Sigreid]

So, you mean like farmer? Most of the commoner backgrounds to me fall under what's there, with maybe swapping out the perk. For example the village blacksmith may not be a guild artisan, but he uses that background swapping the perk for "You know how to build your own smelter and forge" or some such.

[Hrugner]

My knee jerk spoilsport response is that your background represents the specific type of commoner you once were. But, in the spirit of the question, try this.

Commoner:
Your uninspiring life of constant toil isn't worth relating. You can rarely afford services and provide for yourself more often than not. The days have long since stopped seeming different and you find yourself pushing on through life only out of fear that death could somehow be worse. You have no idea how those around you managed to pull themselves out of this constant drudgery, but you're sure it's some mix of luck and maliciousness; both of which being equally suspicious traits.


Skill proficiencies: Medicine, Survival
Tool Proficiency: one tool or vehicle proficiency or animal handling if you have no tool or vehicle proficiencies from this or any other source.
Language: one bonus language, spoken but not read.
equipment: 50ft of hemp rope, a small cart on loan, and one from: 1 mule, 4 chickens, or 1 goat.

Feature: Clueless Drudge
You work hard and one of these days you'll finally make it big. It costs you twice as much to live at each lifestyle level as you have no idea what to do with money. You also have disadvantage when negotiating any deal. You're used to pulling your own weight and the weight of those around you, the commoner has advantage on con rolls to avoid exhaustion from lack of sleep, a forced march, or long labor. The commoner also has a bonus level of exhaustion before the normal chart that causes disadvantage on all charisma checks, this level can be recovered by spending a short rest in which the commoner drinks a gallon or a gold of alcohol.

[Grey Watcher]

I'm a big fan of just making custom backgrounds tailored to your character. The formula is pretty simple:


One feature, usually chosen and refluffed from the existing ones
Two skill proficiencies
Two languages, two tool proficiencies, or one of each


A custom feature is possible, but definitely the trickiest part. Plus, with refluffing, I think most of the existing ones cover the mechanical basics (eg you can maintain a modest lifestyle without spending party gold, you can automatically fins plot hooks during downtime, you can get low value goods and services without spending party gold, etc.)

[Sirdar]

I'm a big fan of just making custom backgrounds tailored to your character. The formula is pretty simple:


One feature, usually chosen and refluffed from the existing ones
Two skill proficiencies
Two languages, two tool proficiencies, or one of each


A custom feature is possible, but definitely the trickiest part. Plus, with refluffing, I think most of the existing ones cover the mechanical basics (eg you can maintain a modest lifestyle without spending party gold, you can automatically fins plot hooks during downtime, you can get low value goods and services without spending party gold, etc.)

How about features connected to the urban or rural commoner type? Servants & Farmers.

The Servant feature could be something like:

Feature: The Servant (The Grey Man)
You are born a commoner, a servant to the upper class in the city. You know how to behave in order to go unnoticed and appear almost invisible to the people around you. You are the Grey Man in the crowd. When you are in an urban location you can quickly adapt to the local style in order to not attract unwanted attention. Other commoners are more than happy to share town gossip with you if you inquire. The upper class don't care/notice if you overhear their lesser secrets - you are a nobody to them anyway.

[Zejety]

I've cooked these two up some time ago. Maybe one of them is what you are looking for?


Day Laborer (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRfB3kSTQBdYbU_nZIjPLhQHgQjnJQQ8Zuy8gASHOYbWBNUYr Aol_kwlrOX_omMaKSKLtbB9Ex7uAxb/pub)
Journeyman Artisan (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_ozi0RnHMrF2-dQKpkV1ykInMsTL4Mwq1da3tkhzy3uEn4E6NiDu0yMh-2xwkSXFPSVZEoEvf5w2y/pub)

[Sirdar]

I've cooked these two up some time ago. Maybe one of them is what you are looking for?


Day Laborer (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRfB3kSTQBdYbU_nZIjPLhQHgQjnJQQ8Zuy8gASHOYbWBNUYr Aol_kwlrOX_omMaKSKLtbB9Ex7uAxb/pub)
Journeyman Artisan (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_ozi0RnHMrF2-dQKpkV1ykInMsTL4Mwq1da3tkhzy3uEn4E6NiDu0yMh-2xwkSXFPSVZEoEvf5w2y/pub)


Day Laborer is awesome! Nice work.

[Waffle_Iron]

I've cooked these two up some time ago. Maybe one of them is what you are looking for?


Day Laborer (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRfB3kSTQBdYbU_nZIjPLhQHgQjnJQQ8Zuy8gASHOYbWBNUYr Aol_kwlrOX_omMaKSKLtbB9Ex7uAxb/pub)
Journeyman Artisan (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_ozi0RnHMrF2-dQKpkV1ykInMsTL4Mwq1da3tkhzy3uEn4E6NiDu0yMh-2xwkSXFPSVZEoEvf5w2y/pub)


The feature on Journeyman artisan is good, but the first feature on Day Laborer has a mechanical benefit, which is odd.
The background features are useful, yes, but almost always in a role-play, social setting, DM-hook kind of way. It's not OP by any stretch of the imagination, though. Nah, nevermind, I like it.
The second feature is solid.
Nice work.


Mothman

I really like the background system for 5e, it gives players a few opportunities to get really invested in their character (which we all know makes for better roleplaying). But I was wondering why there isn't a commoner type of background; the guild artisan, the folk hero, and the urchin backgrounds all have roots in an average life but aren't quite right.

I was wondering if anyone in the playground has made anything like this or has any ideas for something like this.

A player at my table made a Farmer Background, once.

Skills: Animal Handling, Nature
Tools: Carpenter's Tools, Leatherworker's tools

Feature: Commoner (From Folk Hero): Not so much "you're a hero!" as it is "You're one of us, grab an ale."

[Joe the Rat]

So here's the question: Why are you an adventurer now? What quirk of fate or fortune opened the possibility of a life of traveling, violence, debauchery, and occasionally bathing?

The closest to "commoner classic" is the Folk Hero/Inheritor: Animal Handling (Farmer), Survival (Hunting and Weather), craft tools (a trade), land vehicles (a cart)... and a motivator.
Folk Hero did something awesome, or at least everybody thinks he did. Jack the Giant Killer, William Tell, The dutch kid with the dam, the brave little tailor (especially before doing anything). Big thing defines their life, makes them popular among the masses. Bonds and Flaws may reflect how much you actually did or didn't do. If you are a Charlatan Hero, swap one of the skills for Deception. The story of The Adventures of Joe Wood, Commoner would turn Joe into one of these.

Inheritor has an Interesting Thing - maybe it's an heirloom, maybe they found it, maybe someone gave it to them. But this is what put them on the road. A maybe-magical trinket, a secret map, a birthmark or tattoo as part of a key/map/sign of something great.

So what other options are there?
Survivor - you are on the road because your farm/hamlet/thorp/anarcho-syndicate combine was wiped out by something (earthquake, dragon) or someone (raiders, dragon). The feature could be based on Outlander (you've lived off the land, and got good at it), or some sort of Favored Enemy or Mercenary Life type of deal (know your enemy, recognizing signs). maybe swap one of your tools for a language.

Henchman - You are an adventurer simply because at one point you were hired as a torchbearer/ camp watch/ linkman for an adventuring party. Feature: retired friends in high places, knowing the road, eye for reliable talent, Inheritor-style map-to-a-dungeon, etc. The story of Puss in Boots kind of fits here as well - except you're the kid, not the talking cat.

Conscript - You probably should just take the Soldier background, or take the Soldier feature.

Gongfarmer (not literally... unless you want to) - You were in a 0-level character funnel. Something happened - like the market square collapsing into a hereto unknown dungeon, and you and the other random folks that survived the fall had to explore/socialize/combat your way out with your wits and whatever random stuff you had on hand. Becoming an "Adventurer" is how you survived. Add a sack of turnips or a live chicken to your item list. Feature: Light sleeper? Improvising?

Nondescript Everyman - There is really nothing exceptional to your story. You woke up one day and decided to throw fire at people for a living. Aside from your Adventurer class stuff, you are as common as they come. Feature: Face in a Crowd - Like the Salt of the Earth in that you are sheltered from scrutiny, simply because when among the peasantry, you don't particularly stand out. Unless you are doing something that draws notice, if someone is looking for a target/mark/lift/possible suspect/business transaction/bequeathment of land, they will choose someone else first. Most folks won't remember you being there, for better or worse. You still need to pay upkeep.

[Specter]

Commoner is too broad, but Peasant/Farmer is easy enough. Animal Handling, Nature and farmer's tools/cook's utensils for the win.

[Maxilian]

Folk Hero is probably the best bet. I've had a few other backgrounds I struggled finding a 'good fit' for (a recently escaped slave, for example) and had to approximate

I think the Underdark campaign bring a couple new backgrounds, one of those being a slave

And to OP, the Folk Hero is basically the commoner that one day something out of the normal happened to bring him in to the life of an adventurer

[TheRainyDaze]

I'm a little curious as to what you think is out of place with the Folk Hero background? Seems custom-made for the commoner-turned-adventurer.

The Rustic Hospitality feature doesn't even really take into account that you are a hero, just that you're somebody who common people recognise as one of their own.

You could ignore the 'Defining Event' part, but you do need an explanation of why you aren't a commoner anymore.

[2D8HP]

At first I was pleased to see the "Journeyman Artisan

Journeyman Artisan (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_ozi0RnHMrF2-dQKpkV1ykInMsTL4Mwq1da3tkhzy3uEn4E6NiDu0yMh-2xwkSXFPSVZEoEvf5w2y/pub)
until I saw that it replicates the worst mistake the PHB made with the "Guild Artisan" background, NO PLUMBERS!

:furious:

Besides the missing the vital Cellarers' & Plumbers' Guild (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Cellarers'_%26_Plumbers'_Guild) of the City of Waterdeep, Faerun,
When you look at the Order precedence of Livery Companies (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livery_company#List_of_companies_in_order_of_prece dence)

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers (http://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/) of the City of London, England,

http://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/images/wcp/wcp-logo.gif

is before such Johnny-come-lately's as theWorshipful Company of Bowyers (http://www.bowyers.com/)

http://www.bowyers.com/images/header.png

I count eleven artisan trades included in the PHB despite their receiving charters after plumbers.

For shame!

[Grey Watcher]

At first I was pleased to see the "Journeyman Artisan until I saw that it replicates the worst mistake the PHB made with the "Guild Artisan" background, NO PLUMBERS!

:furious:

Besides the missing the vital Cellarers' & Plumbers' Guild (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Cellarers'_%26_Plumbers'_Guild) of the City of Waterdeep, Faerun,
When you look at the Order precedence of Livery Companies (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livery_company#List_of_companies_in_order_of_prece dence)

The Worshipful Company of Plumbers (http://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/) of the City of London, England,

http://www.plumberscompany.org.uk/images/wcp/wcp-logo.gif

is before such Johnny-come-lately's as theWorshipful Company of Bowyers (http://www.bowyers.com/)

http://www.bowyers.com/images/header.png

I count eleven artisan trades included in the PHB despite their receiving charters after plumbers.

For shame!





Maybe they figured plumbing comes under smiths and metal forgers? Not saying it should, but maybe that was the rationale? Or just they just assumed plumbing is a more recent invention than it actually is?

[Joe the Rat]

More likely potters and stonemasons. They don't use lead - It blocks the ability to use scrying magic (or a really loyal familiar) to find the clog.

[BW022]

Most backgrounds would be commoners.

Charlatan, criminal, entertainer, folk hero, hermit, outlander, sailor, and urchin would all be commoners baring a really good background and a lot of DM bribes. Most guild artisans (i.e. carpenters, masons, roofers, plasterers, cooks, bakers, painters, weavers, potters, etc.) would all also be commoners. Acolyte and soldier would depend.

Acolyte, noble, soldier, and (some) guild artisans would likely be the only backgrounds where one would reasonably be in the upper-classes. Even then, acolytes could easily be commoners (depending upon the god, location, setting, etc.) and would many soldiers.

[2D8HP]

They don't use lead - It blocks the ability....Stop that!
Um... nothing to see there just go to the next post....
(Remember plumbers have at least as much fraternal fellowship as those Johnny-come-lately blacksmiths!)


Cut to an adze striking timber. The Viking's ship, GOLDEN DRAGON, is being repaired and fitted out for a JOURNEY. Erik is there, directing operations. The camera tracks through all the activity and finally comes to rest on Keitel Blacksmith. He is a magnificent mountain of a man in an Arnold Schwarzeneggarish sort of way. He hammers a sword, and sparks fly, but his eyes keep returning to the preparations for the voyage. Clearly something is worrying him. His assistant, Loki, sidles up to him.

LOKI

Wish you were going too?

Keitel grunts angrily and plunges the sword into cold water. Steam and bubbles.

LOKI

But you CAN'T because you're too busy.

Keitel pulls the sword out of the water and tests it. It slices like as razor, Loki watches.

LOKI

Ooh, that's a good one! You could charge Halfdan fifteen for that one.

KEITEL

Yes, it is good. But I told him ten.

LOKI

You could charge him what you like.

Loki takes the sword from Keitel and stacks it alongside a lot more freshly made swords.

LOKI

You just can't make enough swords and spears and knives and daggers to satisfy the demand. You could charge Halfdan twenty and he'd pay it.

KEITEL

(shocked)

Oh, I couldn't do that! The Blacksmith's Code says...

LOKI

Yes yes... of course.... the "Blacksmith's Code"...

Keitel goes back to his forge and pulls out a fresh dollop of white-hot ore. Loki comes up behind him.

LOKI

If this IS the Age of Ragnarok,

Keitel Blacksmith, it is GOOD to us.

KEITEL

(banging with his hammer)

Can't make enough swords!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

KEITEL

Can't make enough axe-heads!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

LOKI

But, Keitel, if Erik ever finds the Horn Resounding... if he ever crosses Bi-Frost, the Rainbow Bridge... if he ever wakens the gods..

Keitel stops smiting the metal on his forge. He stares into space.

KEITEL

They chase Fenrir the Wolf from the sky...

LOKI

The Age of Ragnarok ends...

KEITEL

The bottom falls out of the sword business!

LOKI

It's not just YOUR livelihood that's at stake but your son's, and the livelihood of ALL blacksmiths.

KEITEL

(this touches a nerve in his muscular mind)

My brother blacksmiths!

LOKI

That's right.

KEITEL

The Blacksmith's Code says I must...

LOKI

Honour and protect all blacksmiths.

KEITEL

(as if reciting his oath)

Together we stand!

LOKI

You can't let Erik do THAT.

Loki smiles.

[Addaran]

Most backgrounds would be commoners.

Charlatan, criminal, entertainer, folk hero, hermit, outlander, sailor, and urchin would all be commoners baring a really good background and a lot of DM bribes. Most guild artisans (i.e. carpenters, masons, roofers, plasterers, cooks, bakers, painters, weavers, potters, etc.) would all also be commoners. Acolyte and soldier would depend.

Acolyte, noble, soldier, and (some) guild artisans would likely be the only backgrounds where one would reasonably be in the upper-classes. Even then, acolytes could easily be commoners (depending upon the god, location, setting, etc.) and would many soldiers.

He probably meant the commoner as the old 3.5 class, not in a noble vs commoner way.

Commoner is the one who's good at nothing, only doing jobs that are easy to do. They were basically wizard without spell and all bad saves if i remember right. It was the lowest of the low NPC classes.

[Yuki Akuma]

He probably meant the commoner as the old 3.5 class, not in a noble vs commoner way.

Commoner is the one who's good at nothing, only doing jobs that are easy to do. They were basically wizard without spell and all bad saves if i remember right. It was the lowest of the low NPC classes.

..And they're not adventurers.

They're NPCs using the Commoner statblock.

[Addaran]

..And they're not adventurers.

They're NPCs using the Commoner statblock.

Actually, just for fun, i made a commoner once. Thanks to the incarnum feats, i was able to use a move action to teleport 10 feets away and i could use my action to spit acid. ranged touch attack for 1d6 i think. I was usefull first fight, since i'm the one who could hit the guy in fullplate easily. Saddly, the game didn't continue, so i'll never know how horrible (or super awesome) i'd have been...

[Yuki Akuma]

Old 3.5?

Heresy!


Since AD&D was a completely different game!
:wink:
So clearly the editions of the only game that matters are:

0e: Little Wars by H.G. Well in 1913
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Littlewars.jpg

1e: Chainmail by Gygax & Perren in 1971
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a1/Chainmail-1st-thumb.jpg

2e: Dungeons & Dragons by Arneson & Gygax in 1974
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/D%26d_Box1st.jpg/175px-D%26d_Box1st.jpg

3e: The Greyhawk supplement by Gygax & Kuntz in 1975
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e4/Greyhawk_Supplement_1975.jpg

3.5: The English translation of D&D (AKA "Basic") by Holmes in 1977
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/09/D%26d_original.jpg/200px-D%26d_original.jpg

4e: The Rules Cyclopedia in 1991
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Rules_Cyclopedia_cover.jpg
which went from levels 1 to 36.
(BTW the '91 rules were once know as the "fifth edition" see here. (http://www.dmsguild.com/product/17171/DD-Rules-Cyclopedia-Basic?it=1&filters=0_0_44699_0_0_45345_0_0))

5e: The only 21st Century and WotC version of D&D, in 2014
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/Dungeons_and_Dragons_5th_Edition_Player%27s_Handbo ok.png/200px-Dungeons_and_Dragons_5th_Edition_Player%27s_Handbo ok.png

Any other so called "editions" by WotC are forgeries made by the Prince of Lies to imperil your soul. By the bright blue panties of Lolth heed my warning and put that book down before you doom yourself!

Your welcome.



DOOMED! DOOMED! I tell you!


Why are you posting this in every thread?

[mgshamster]

If you're going to design your own background feature or use a 3pp/homebrew one you find on the net, be aware of some things.

A background feature should never give a penalty of any kind, ever. If it does, it's broken. Don't use it.

A background feature should not give a combat mechanical benefit such as advantage on something or some other bonus limited to combat. If it does, it's missing the point of a background feature.

Avoid any feature that has those qualities.

[DiceDiceBaby]

Isn't the point of making a PC the fact that you are not a Commoner? PCs are supposed to be special, above average individuals. If you use Point Buy, you're definitely getting better stats than a Commoner, and even if you roll absurdly poorly using the "4d6 remove one" method, the fact that you have a Class and Background sets you apart from Commoners of your Race.

To be a true commoner PC, you'd want 10 in all stats (then add any racial traits and bonuses), no Background bonuses such as Skills, Equipment, and Features, and then whatever Class features you are supposed to get. NPC Commoners get considerably less than PCs should, because PCs are supposed to grow into heroes.

Incidentally, this is why PCs have starting Equipment and/or can roll for gold; you should already be considerably well off for a Commoner, who is implied to be in dire poverty (if the economics of the PHB is to be taken seriously)!

Also, I disagree with the idea that the PHB Backgrounds are for Commoners (this is why NPCs don't usually have them). While being a Noble or a Folk Hero sets one clearly apart, Even being a "lowly" Acolyte or Soldier means, according to the PHB you have a position of reputable standing in your respective church or military. A close reading of it implies that even the most mundane Background grants you connections and equipment that set you apart from the local populace.

Otherwise, we'd need to design every NPC with a background, which might be more realistic, but is utterly tedious, when we can write off the D&D Commoner (whom I see as the fantasy equivalent of a medieval peasant, or an Orc Peon ala Warcraft for other non-Human races) as simply being a person with unrealized potential, limited connections and wealth, and no strong or exceptional qualities other than those that their race is naturally born with. An Elf Commoner has 12 DEX compared to a regular Human Commoner (who gets 11 in all stats) and gets to live to be 700 on average, but that's it. :smalltongue: