TEXT: Manuel.Joaquin & Chris Conn 
  10 GNOME BACKGROUNDS 
  
  10 Gnome Backgrounds 
  By Dragon Sun Game Company: Manuel Joaquin & Chris Conn 
  (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/4371/Dragon-Sun) 
  Cover Art: Terrible Character Portraits 
  (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/91360/108-Terrible-Character-Portraits) 
  By Jeff Preston (http://team-preston.com) 
  Via Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) 
  TCP was coordinated by Duane O’Brien (http://aterribleidea.com/ccworks/) 
  & funded through Kickstarter (http://kck.st/dogX5W) 
  Use of TCP material does not indicate endorsement by the original artists 
  Designation of Product Identity: All artwork, logos, the name Dragon Sun and all 
  associated trademarks, and the material presented herein are designated as Product 
  Identity.  
  © Dragon Sun. All rights reserved. 
  
  GNOME BACKGROUNDS 
  Backgrounds grant you the ability to customize your character 
  even further by suggesting ideas for your character’s history. 
  Likewise, the DM can use backgrounds to make NPCs more 
  memorable with personality traits & their own odd, little habits. 
  Although the 10 backgrounds we present here are specially 
  tailored for gnomes, backgrounds are virtually rules agnostic. 
  Feel free to use them with any game, any race, any character! 
  ALCHEMIST 
  Alchemy is the systematic search for the magic of the gods 
  amongst the mundane dirt of reality. Alchemists seek perfection 
  of form, transformation from the base into the noble, to create 
  freedom from pain & disease in the shape of the immortality 
  granted by the philosopher’s stone.  
  More importantly, from the gnomish point of view, you get to 
  mix things up that go BOOM! 
  On the face of it, alchemy & chemistry share many 
  characteristics. Indeed, many alchemists are, in practice, simply 
  chemists in fancy robes. A pure alchemist seeks to understand 
  the nature of reality through exploring the qualities of the natural 
  world. The fact that their research yields highly explosive 
  powders, hallucinatory medicines, & magical potions is merely a 
  happy accident (something quite common in alchemy).  
  Are you using your alchemical research to explore reality? Are 
  you looking for the secret that will turn lead into gold? Or, do you 
  study alchemy simply for the fireworks?  
  Have you ever suffered a catastrophic meltdown in the lab? 
  How did you contain the damage? What monsters were birthed? 
  What damage was inflicted? Has your alchemy ever saved a 
  life? Who did you save? Why were they important / desperate 
  enough to risk facing the potential rapid internal combustion? 
  Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Perception 
  Tool Proficiencies: Alchemist’s supplies, glassblower’s tools 
  Equipment: A set of alchemist’s supplies; a pair of multi-lens, 
  indirect-ventilation goggles; an industrial grade, clockwork fire-
  starter; a set of (rather scorched) common clothes; & a belt 
  pouch containing 15 gp.  
  FEATURE: ALCHEMY 
  Alchemy can produce both magic & mundane medicines, 
  explosive powders, potions, dusts, oils, & philters. At the DM’s 
  discretion, you can also use alchemy to create such things as 
  well as flasks, jugs, or possibly certain gemstones.  
  Follow the appropriate crafting rules (p. 187 in the PHB for 
  nonmagical, & p. 118 in the DMG for magical). To perform 
  alchemy, you need your alchemist’s supplies & appropriate 
  glassware, as well as any necessary ingredients &/or materials. 
  Access to especially high quality supplies could reduce the cost 
  to produce the item (i.e. the market value / creation cost) by up 
  to 50%, at the DM’s discretion.  
  VARIANT ALCHEMIST: PYROTECHNICIAN 
  Pyrotechnicians are alchemists who focus primarily on explosive 
  powders & the pretty colors, sounds, &/or patterns that can be 
  achieved with the addition of specific concentrations of particular 
  chemicals. 
  A skillful pyrotechnician can easily produce a supply of 
  harmless, entertaining fireworks while on the road. Whizzbangs, 
  snapsticks, glowrods, & bottle rockets are no problem.  
  More intensive work, such as smoke bombs, grenades, or 
  heavy rockets, requires a suitably equipped laboratory. Likewise, 
  you should follow the appropriate crafting rules in either the PHB 
  or the DMG.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Alchemy originated as spiritual exploration. The idea is: the 
  Divine created the Prime, therefore the Divine is reflected in the 
  physical. Study of the physical world equates to a better 
  understanding of the Divine. As above, so below.  
  Since its conception, alchemical discoveries have resulted in a 
  great many practical applications in science & medicine, 
  attracting more logically-minded individuals to its study. Despite 
  the “dilution” of alchemist spirituality, most gnomes still consider 
  alchemists to be the “clerics” of the gnomish race.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  My clothes bear an acrid stench from the chemicals & experiments 
  I’m around all day 
  2 
  One of my many accidental explosions resulted in the creation of a 
  homunculus. Now the little guy follows me everywhere I go! 
  3 
  I wear my goggles all the time, not just during experiments 
  4 
  I much prefer the metric system to that awkward system of pounds, 
  ounces, gallons… miles?! Seriously, what were they smoking?  
  5 
  One (or both) of my eyebrows has been permanently scorched off 
  6 
  Rather than the pewter mugs most travelers use, I drink from the 
  beakers in my alchemy kit. What? They’re clean! (…I think) 
  7 
  I’ve invented a cypher with which I encrypt all of my alchemical 
  books & research. 
  8 
  I spend most of my time thinking of new ways to blow stuff up 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Caution. Goggles… check. Ventilation fan… check. Weapon’s 
  grade unobtainium blast shield… check & double check! (Lawful) 
  2 
  Chrysopoeia. I don’t care what it takes, or whom I must sacrifice, 
  nothing will stand between me & the philosopher’s stone (Evil) 
  3 
  Hermeticism. As above, so below. Religion, the arcane, 
  base physicality, all are one & the same. (Any) 
  4 
  Ingenuity. Sometimes I just throw some chemicals together to see 
  how big the bang is (Neutral or Chaotic) 
  5 
  Panacea. I’m so close to discovering the secret of the perfect 
  medicine. Imagine! An end to pain & disease, forever! (Good) 
  6 
  Research. Through science, we can unlock all the secrets of the 
  multiverse! (Any) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  I’ve devoted my professional life to the pursuit of the universal 
  solvent / the philosopher’s stone / the elixir of immortality 
  2 
  A wintery old wizard ordered a slew of fireworks for some ancient 
  halfling’s “elventy-somethingth” birthday party next month 
  3 
  My lab was ransacked! They took everything! The only clue I have 
  is an eye-&-pyramid symbol they burned into my work desk! 
  4 
  My experiment cascaded out of control. It consumed everything, 
  even my left arm / right leg / little brother, before I could safely 
  contain the reaction 
  5 
  I invented invisibility powder! But I put it down somewhere & it 
  disappeared � 
  6 
  Healing the sick is a lost cause. Better to never succumb in the first 
  place. I seek to create the Perfect Form of Life 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  No matter what precautions I take, nor how safe the materials 
  I use, my experiments tend to explode 
  2 
  Magic? Religion? Nothing but primitive superstition. Alchemy will 
  grant me power greater than even the gods! 
  3 
  My constant exposure to strange substances resulted in all of my 
  hair falling out / a glowing, third eye sprouting from my forehead / 
  mutation & hyper-development of the pineal gland 
  4 
  They LAUGHED at me at the academy! I’ll show them who the real 
  fools are. I’LL SHOW THEM ALL!!!! 
  5 
  I’m not always as careful as I should be when it comes to storing 
  my chlorine / mercury / nitroglycerin 
  6 
  My experiments result in contact with a suspiciously high number of 
  shadowy, gravelly-voiced entities with vague promises of power 
  
  FAERIE FRIEND 
  There’s a secret that only children, fair maidens, & those pure of 
  heart know. All those times when you feel like you’re being 
  watched even though you’re entirely alone? When you awaken 
  to find the floors mopped & the dishes washed? Or the laundry 
  spilt & the milk spoiled? Those are visitations of prankster fairies. 
  You are a faerie friend. You know where to look to find the 
  elusive sprites & pixies. You know the favorite treats of the 
  atomies. You can play jigs so jolly the brownies can’t help but 
  leap about, & dirges so mournful you set the dryads aweeping. 
  You've even lain hidden in the underbrush & spied on the faerie 
  royalty as they promenaded through the twilit woods.  
  You know all their favorite foods, songs, & dances, allowing 
  you to spend your day frolicking in the woods with your faerie 
  friends far away from the pressures, fumes, & grime of the city. 
  How old were you when you saw your first faerie? Was the 
  sprite playing a trick? Did you join in the fun, or did you chastise 
  the naughty nixie? Did the faeries steal something from you, 
  leading you on a merry chase through the midnight woods? 
  What kind of faeries do you enjoy the most? The nurturing, 
  dryads? The beautiful sea nymphs? The playful pucks?  
  What faerie secrets do you know? Can you get into the 
  Feywild? What’s the most valuable present you ever got from a 
  fairy? Does that gift mean you owe the fairies a boon? Do they 
  own you any favors? What did you do to earn that boon? Would 
  you use that favor to save an ally’s life? Are you saving it for your 
  own, selfish reasons?  
  Is there any danger of you “getting too old” to see fairies? Why 
  haven’t you “outgrown” fairies like normal people do? 
  Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Performance 
  Tool Proficiencies: One musical instrument of your choice 
  Languages: Sylvan 
  Equipment: One musical instrument; a gift from the Fey (a 
  backwards music box / a pouch of pixie dust / an unwilting 
  winter rose); a cap / coat / gown sewn of autumn leaves & 
  acorn caps; a set of common clothes; & a pouch with 15 gp 
  FEATURE: PURE OF HEART 
  The sprites, pixies, & atomies you so love are shy, flighty 
  creatures who are extremely sensitive to dark emotions. Whether 
  violence, hatred, or jealousy, the fairies dart off & disappear into 
  the woods at the first sign of any sort of negativity. You, however, 
  have no trouble joining the faerie festivities. Being free of malice, 
  you can dance, sing, & frolic with the pixies to your heart’s 
  content. They accept you as one of their own. 
  You can find fairies almost anywhere. As long as the place is 
  not filled with iron or too “civilized,” you can find a faerie hiding 
  about the place. It might be invisible pixies attending the dust 
  bunnies under the bed. You might meet the tooth fairy on one of 
  her nightly visits. And, of course, you can always find faeries 
  amongst the faerie rings deep in the woods.  
  The fairies are always at least friendly towards you, if not your 
  friends. By singing a sweet song, maybe a gift of honey & milk, 
  or the promise of a future favor, you can often convince a fairy to 
  aid you, such as by delivering a message, bringing you fresh 
  water, or with other favors at the DM’s discretion.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Faeries don’t reveal themselves to just anyone, much less spend 
  enough time with them to make friends. It takes a person with a 
  profound sense of childlike wonder to befriend the sprites. 
  Faeries flock to innocence like bees to honey.  
  On the other hand, there are times when being childish isn’t 
  always a good thing. Faerie friends can be bratty, shy with 
  anyone over 5 inches (12 cm) tall, &/or dangerously irresponsible. 
  After all, when you have a cloud of crazy friends waiting in the 
  woods with cakes & honeydew, it’s hard to makes yourself 
  concentrate on responsibilities like digging a latrine.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  I tend to sparkle when I laugh (I guess the faeries’ magic is rubbing 
  off on me) 
  2 
  I collect any loose teeth I find to leave under my pillow 
  3 
  I’m shy about entering towns or cities. Give me the cool shade of 
  forest foliage any day! 
  4 
  I’m always on the lookout for fun, new music to learn & play for my 
  faerie friends 
  5 
  At night, I like to leave out a saucer of milk (or maybe a thimble of 
  whiskey?) for any timid house faeries that may be around 
  6 
  Look! I have a badger minion! His name is Francis! 
  Who’s my minion? WHO’s my minion?! YOU are!!! 
  7 
  It’s best to avoid strange trails you come across in the wilderness. 
  You never know if it’s a faerie path or a corpse road 
  8 
  I greet each moonrise with a lively jig to entertain my invisible 
  atomy friends 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Abandon. Let the wild romp begin! (Chaotic) 
  2 
  Awe. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than the firefly 
  faeries’ midnight ballet (Neutral or Good) 
  3 
  Generosity. What a wonderful idea! I can’t wait to share with all my 
  friends! (Good) 
  4 
  Innocence. I’m so sorry, but the faeries won’t reveal themselves to 
  anyone not pure of heart � (Any non-Evil) 
  5 
  Isolationism. Go away! You’re not welcome here! (Neutral or Evil) 
  6 
  Quietude. It’s good to get away from the hustle & the bustle of the 
  city (Any non-Lawful) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  I build & maintain small shrines (about 75 cm tall & 50 cm wide) 
  deep in the woods for little faeries & tiny gods to live in 
  2 
  I can count on the forest faeries for help if I get lost in the woods 
  (even if their idea of “help” doesn’t always match mine) 
  3 
  Between adventures, there is a very special hamadryad to whom I 
  always return with gifts, new stories, & music 
  4 
  The faeries told me of a secret garden with miraculous healing 
  properties 
  5 
  It is my dream to attend the Seelie Court & meet the beauteous 
  Queen Titania face to face! 
  6 
  I live in the boughs of an ent. It can be hard to find my house again 
  if he wanders around after waking from his decades-long sleep 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  I shy away from cold iron. In fact, I refuse to handle it. The horrid 
  metal doesn’t hurt me, but I’d hate to annoy my faerie friends 
  2 
  I care so much about my friends, especially the artists, that I can 
  fall into a terrible state of depression should tragedy strike 
  3 
  I don’t like strangers At. All. I’d rather eat my own head than talk to 
  a new person. Faeries, on the other hand, are always welcome 
  4 
  Good food, good music, good friends! Life is one long party! 
  Do not come to me with anything that’s the least bit boring. 
  You will be ignored 
  5 
  I am fiercely, irrationally, protective of my faerie friends, sometimes 
  even violently so 
  6 
  I’m so worried! It’s been years since I’ve seen a faerie! Are they 
  avoiding me? Were they killed off? I’ll give anything to know! 
  
  GEM CUTTER 
  The old, bent gnome carefully unfolded a black velvet cloth, still 
  glittering with the dust of earlier projects, over the tavern table & 
  began setting out his tools. As the final touch, the jeweler fit a 
  complicated eye-piece on, flipping lenses & tweaking tiny dials, 
  to examine the jagged piece of raw diamond in his tweezers, 
  “Yes, my dear. I think we’ll find this choice of stone to be quite 
  felicitous… yes… quite felicitous indeed.” 
  Gem cutting is a fantastic art. It combines the practicality of 
  smithing (you’re building a solid, useful object) with the creativity 
  of sculpture (gems are insanely beautiful). Gnomes are 
  especially well-suited to gem cutting with their wacky yet 
  thoughtful approach to life.  
  Out of all the arts, gem cutting has the strongest reputation for 
  magic. The jeweler takes such mundane materials as stones & 
  iron to produce objects of incredible delicacy. Even when the 
  artist foregoes the extra step of enchanting their jewelry, the 
  beauty they can produce is almost literally unbelievable.  
  What about gem cutting do you enjoy the most? Is it the 
  finished product? The looks on peoples’ faces when you present 
  your art to them? Do you hoard your works for yourself?  
  What piece was your greatest accomplishment as a gem 
  cutter? Where is that piece of jewelry now? Is it magical? What 
  properties does it have? What would people do to get their 
  hands on your magnum opus of jewels? How do you protect your 
  art? What would you do if your gems were stolen or damaged?  
  Skill Proficiencies: History, Perception 
  Tool Proficiencies: Jeweler’s tools 
  Languages: Dwarvish 
  Equipment: A set of jeweler’s tools; glitter-dust sparkles in your 
  pockets & hair; a multi-lensed eye-loup; a gem-less, pewter 
  brooch in the shape of a bird / butterfly / crown; a set of 
  common clothes; & a belt pouch containing 20 gp.  
  FEATURE: GEMOLOGY EXPERT 
  Whether you gained it through a long process of self-taught trial 
  & error or in a formal college of geoscientific study, you have a 
  deep, almost instinctive knowledge of gems, their origins, & their 
  uses.  
  Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to 
  gems, jewels, or jewelry, you may add twice your proficiency 
  bonus instead of your regular proficiency bonus.  
  Likewise, you may make a special Intelligence (History) check 
  related to gems. On a success, you can ask a single 
  “Yes/No/Maybe” question that the DM must answer as truthfully 
  as possible.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Jewelers are a weird mix of extroversion & quietude. While on 
  the job in their workshops, they quietly concentrate for extremely 
  long periods of time on details almost too small to see with the 
  naked eye. Meanwhile, the entire purpose of the enterprise is to 
  create a spectacle such that one cannot help but become the 
  center of attention.  
  Some gem cutters revel in the attention themselves, creating 
  glorious (sometimes hopelessly garish) displays of their wares. 
  Others enjoy the experience vicariously, dressing others in their 
  gems & enjoying the attention by proxy. Regardless, there’s a 
  part of every gem cutter that always appreciates adulation.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  I’ve developed a permanent squint in one eye due to overusing my 
  jeweler’s loup 
  2 
  I want to make a matching set of rings / necklaces / piercings for 
  my closest friends 
  3 
  I have a bright smile. Literally! I embedded 1d3 gems in my teeth 
  4 
  I much, much, much prefer that we get paid in gemstones. 
  5 
  I seal every deal, bargain, promise, etc with a stamp of my sigil ring 
  6 
  I hide my wares while traveling so as to not attract brigands 
  7 
  I’m never without my mother’s / master’s / lover’s bejeweled ring 
  8 
  I insist on trying to re-cut any gems we find to up their market value 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Creation. Every gleam, every facet, every nuance is an evocation 
  of my innermost self (Chaotic) 
  2 
  Delicacy. It takes a steady hand & a light touch to create 
  perfection. The slightest misstep & it’s lost forever (Lawful) 
  3 
  Everlasting. Rubies don’t grow old. Diamonds never fade. Their 
  beauty lasts forever. That is the promise I make to you (Lawful) 
  4 
  Ostentation. If it doesn’t sparkle, it’s not worth it. What’s the use of 
  being rich, if no one knows? (Any Non-Good) 
  5 
  Splendor. Here, try this on. Just as I thought – that looks fantastic 
  on you! Everyone’s going to love this! (Any Non-Evil) 
  6 
  Uniqueness. You’ll never see anything like this again in your entire 
  life. That’s what makes it so special (Chaotic) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  There is a wondrous gem that shines with its own inner light. The 
  dwarves lost the jewel when a horrid dragon overran the kingdom 
  2 
  This diamond bears a terrible curse: every single owner of this gem 
  has died a ghastly, gooey death. I need to safely dispose of it 
  3 
  My brother was murdered, but I managed to catch his soul inside 
  this heart-cut ruby. I must find a way to bring him back! 
  4 
  They say there is a glorious diamond that holds the secrets to 
  unlocking the path to the City of Gold 
  5 
  See this jewel? When you swallow it, you can’t get sick as long as 
  it remains in your system. It… uh… needs thorough cleaning 
  before it can be used again. Seriously… like fire or something… 
  6 
  I’m trying to discover the secret to creating Ioun Stones. So far, I’ve 
  only managed a Dullard Ioun Stone & an Ioun Stone of Leporidae 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  Silver, gold, whatever. You can have that. But any gems we find 
  are mine, mine, MINE!!! 
  2 
  I’m actually a pretty horrible gem cutter. I’ve ruined far more gems 
  than I’ve improved 
  3 
  Hey, it’s not my problem if some idiots can’t tell the difference 
  between authentic diamond & cheap cut glass 
  4 
  People always think I’m rich since I deal with gemstones all day. 
  They’re constantly asking for a loan or trying to steal from me… 
  5 
  That ring is a family heirloom. I don’t care if it was “lawfully sold,” I 
  am prepared to do anything, anything, to get it back 
  6 
  Help me! This horrid gem is cursed! I can feel it trying to rip away 
  my soul. Here, take it… Givves it baaaack! It’s mine! Iz precious! 
  
  HYPNOTIST 
  Hypnotism originated as research into & reproduction of the 
  altered states of trance-like consciousness found in many 
  religions. Since its derivation, people have used hypnosis as 
  staged entertainments at private parties, in lieu of medication 
  during invasive operations, & even to assist with criminal (or 
  personal) investigations. 
  Hypnotism, as we know it, was developed fairly recently. It’s 
  only been around for about 2 centuries or so, which is barely any 
  time at all in the long lives of gnomes or elves. Its newness is 
  exactly what makes mesmerism so alluring to the curious minds 
  of mental investigators, perfect for inquisitive gnomes. 
  Mesmerism isn’t a skill that comes naturally. All of its 
  practitioners had to either research the techniques on their own 
  or learn from a teacher. How did you acquire the secrets of 
  hypnotism? What do you plan to do with your skills? Are you 
  interested in assisting in criminal investigations? Helping people 
  overcome their personal fears? Looking into the possible spiritual 
  connections with séances?  
  Many hypnotized subjects report altered memories. 
  Sometimes they remember things that could never have 
  happened or seem to remember things that were previously lost. 
  Perhaps most frighteningly, quite a large number of subjects 
  report memory loss & sudden behavioral compulsions they never 
  felt before the hypnotic event.  
  Do you have any holes in your memory? Do you experience 
  any abrupt urges or physical / mental ticks you just can’t explain? 
  Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Persuasion 
  Languages: 2 of your choice from the following – Dwarvish, 
  Elvish, or Halfling 
  Equipment: A pocket watch on a long chain-fob; a pair of spiral-
  lensed spectacles; a fancy cane with a sparkly head; a set of 
  fine clothes (top hat & tails); & a belt pouch containing 15 gp 
  FEATURE: HYPNOTISM 
  When interacting with an unthreatened humanoid (see the PHB 
  p. 186 & the DMG p. 245), you have advantage on checks to
  calm down hostile humanoids or befriend indifferent ones.
  If a non-hostile humanoid gives you its whole attention, you 
  can attempt to hypnotize them. After an uninterrupted 20 minute 
  session of constant, relaxing conversation, make a Charisma 
  (Performance) check to put the humanoid into a hypnotic trance. 
  With concentration, you can maintain the trance for up to 1 hour. 
  During the hypnosis, the humanoid considers you a friendly 
  acquaintance & you have the humanoid charmed. The trance 
  ends when your concentration ends, or when you or your 
  companions do anything harmful to the hypnotized creature.  
  After an uninterrupted 20 minute session during the hypnotic 
  trance, you may attempt a Charisma (Persuasion) check (without 
  advantage) to perform specific hypnotic acts such as: 
  •
  Asking the creature to truthfully answer a Yes / No question
  •
  Causing the creature to forget a specific memory, which can
  include the hypnotic trance, for up to 1 day
  •
  Causing the creature to vividly re-experience past memories
  •
  Convincing the creature to perform a risky favor for you
  •
  Creating / Averting a minor compulsion for up to 1 week
  •
  Implanting a false memory, aversion, or attraction to a
  specific person, place, or thing, for up to 1 day
  •
  Putting the creature in a restful sleep (ending the hypnosis)
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Fair or not, hypnotists have a reputation for creepiness. Perhaps 
  it’s the intense stare, the weirdly bushy eyebrows, or the skinny 
  mustaches. There’s just a vague feeling that there’s something 
  wrong with the mesmer. Even still, these people have an almost 
  visceral animal attraction. They just ooze charisma. It’s almost 
  vampiric. 
  In the same way that a safecracker uses their nimble fingers, 
  hypnotists exploit the alluring power of their personalities. Some 
  coordinate with their subjects. Others simply charm their way into 
  their subjects’ confidence. The worst of the worst deceive & 
  betray their subjects’ trust.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  I unthinkingly twist my long, skinny mustache / beard / hair when I 
  think up a dastardly trick 
  2 
  I always dress nicely. It’s important to look one’s best to put people 
  at ease 
  3 
  I carry around a step ladder so I can look Tall People in the eye 
  4 
  I’m in the habit of swinging or twirling my pocket watch around 
  5 
  Each time I see an orc, I’m compelled to snap my fingers / bark like 
  a dog / pinch the person on my left. I don’t know why it happens 
  6 
  My eyes stare with a burning intensity 
  7 
  I always smile & wink as if I’m inviting people in on a secret, even if 
  what I’m saying would directly harm that person 
  8 
  Rather than a pocket watch & spiral spectacles, I use crystals & a 
  mellow gong combined with meditation to perform my hypnotism 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Animal Magnetism. Hey, how you doin’? (Any) 
  2 
  Assistance. I provide help people can’t get any other way (Good) 
  3 
  Calm. Listen to the soothing sound of my voice…(Neutral or Good) 
  4 
  Lethe. Hey, if they don’t remember it, it’s like it never happened. 
  No harm no foul, right? (Chaotic or Evil) 
  5 
  Malleability. There’re ways to work around even the most iron of 
  wills. Just leave it to me. (Neutral) 
  6 
  Power. I am the Great Mesmer! The Dominator! No one can resist 
  me! (Evil) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  A halfling / goblin / human peasant follows me around clucking like 
  a chicken all the time. I hypnotized him into thinking he was a bird 
  in my stage act & I haven’t been able to break him out of it yet 
  2 
  I enjoy traveling the world, using my hypnotism to help people 
  overcome their fears, bad habits, & self doubt 
  3 
  I pose as a “psychic medium” & help people contact “the dearly 
  deceased.” The problem is: they sometimes answer back! 
  4 
  I am an excellent Forensic Hypnotist. I can help people rediscover 
  memories they never knew they had 
  5 
  A prince asked me to hypnotize him just for fun, & the next day the 
  royal jewels disappeared. I swear I had nothing to do with it! 
  6 
  They say there is a powerful magic item, perhaps in the form of an 
  Eye from a mighty, long dead wizard, that grants its owner 
  incredible hypnotic powers 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  I get it: With our intense stares & weird eyebrows that meet in the 
  middle, we hypnotists can be pretty creepy 
  2 
  I hear all sorts of juicy, scandalous information from my hypnosis 
  victims… er, I mean “volunteers.” 
  3 
  It’s hiLARious when I hypnotize my companions to do stupid stuff & 
  then make them forget I hypnotized them 
  4 
  (I just hope the memory block that I put on the tax collector / sheriff 
  / prince holds until I can replace that priceless crown jewel…) 
  5 
  I’m going to be the best hypnotist the world has ever seen! 
  Not even the gods will be able to resist my mesmerizing powers! 
  6 
  I’m so lazy I’d rather hypnotize someone to do my chores for me 
  than spend any amount of time & effort to do the work myself 
  
  PRANKSTER 
  What is life? You wake up, toil all day, eat a bland little lunch, toil 
  some more, get home & deal with the family, & then back to 
  sleep. Repeat ad nauseam. How can people deal with such a 
  tedious, mind numbing existence? How can people work with 
  such day-in, day-out drudgery?  
  Pranks. That’s how. Life is like a steam engine under full fire. 
  Stress just builds up & up with no way out. Pranking is the 
  release valve. It’s the screeching whistle that lets off steam. With 
  just a little stupid inappropriateness, you can give people an 
  excuse to laugh at themselves & shine some light in what might 
  otherwise be dark times.  
  (Of course, some people prank because they’re just bored little 
  bastards with nothing better to do than stuff some cherry bombs 
  down the toilets.) 
  What was the first prank you pulled? Was it something general, 
  like setting off a smoke bomb in the tavern common room? Did 
  you have a target? Who was the most powerful person you ever 
  pranked? How did they react? Were they angry with you? Did 
  they laugh it off? If you showed up today, would they throw you 
  out or laugh about the good old times?  
  What’s the difference between a funny prank & plain, old 
  viciousness? Is a stink bomb a prank? How about painting graffiti 
  on the town hall? Why not burn down the place? Where do you 
  draw the line? What’s the difference between you & a villain?  
  Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Sleight of Hand 
  Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit & 1 gaming set of your choice 
  Equipment: A (“magic”) gaming set of your choice; a pack of ink 
  / garlic / red dragon pepper hard candies; 1 electro-shock pen; 
  a fake dracolisk poo / whoopee cushion / “water”-squirting 
  corsage; a set of common clothes; & a pouch containing 15 gp 
  FEATURE: TRICKY TIES 
  It’s not very well known (intentionally so), but there is a full-on 
  pranking scene. Pranksters meet up to trade tricks, brag about 
  their exploits, & fill up on pranking supplies & new tricks.  
  You are on good terms with people who enjoy a cunning trick 
  or two. Most of the people you know are small time, like young 
  thieves or acolyte illusionists, but you may be acquainted with 
  more powerful pranksters at your DM’s discretion. If so, work out 
  the details of your powerful prankster pal with your DM.  
  Your tricky ties may help you out of a jam, participate in a 
  prank, or supply you with hard to find materials (especially if 
  they’re for an especially audacious prank). As a rule, these 
  people are in it for the fun & will not risk life or liberty for a gag. 
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  A good prank shakes things up. It breaks up the rhythm of what 
  could otherwise develop into a dull or tiresome routine. Many 
  pranksters start pranking out of boredom. They crave action or 
  excitement. More mature pranksters keep an eye on the people 
  around them & pull jokes to distract their companions so that 
  they can relieve a little stress when the weight of the world starts 
  to get them down.  
  Paradoxically, it takes dedication to be a good prankster. 
  There's alot of research, science, & hard work that goes in to 
  pulling off the perfect prank. A good prank is always worth pulling 
  off, even more than taking a violent life-or-death seriously. I 
  mean, what’s the use in living, if you can’t laugh about it, right?  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  To break the ice, I offer a new friend a sniff of my corsage… & then 
  squirt them in the face! 
  2 
  I try to always wear a disguise when I enter a new town. It can get 
  pretty difficult to pull pranks if everyone knows my real face 
  3 
  I have so many gimmicks, gags, & pranks on me that every time I 
  sit down something honks, rattles, or farts 
  4 
  My idea of flirting is a good, strong joy buzzer 
  5 
  My weapon / spellcasting focus is (badly) disguised as a colorful 
  umbrella / bouquet of flowers / banana cream pie 
  6 
  My pranks tend towards the macabre. I use a lot of fake blood, 
  dismembered rubber limbs, & latex undead / clown masks 
  7 
  I like games, but I mostly use my gaming set to practice my sleight 
  of hand skills 
  8 
  I literally roll on the floor laughing when I pull off an especially good 
  prank 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Clamor. If someone isn’t screaming or moaning, it wasn’t a good 
  prank (Any non-Lawful) 
  2 
  Excitement. Variety is the spice of life (Chaotic) 
  3 
  Hijinks. Just because it’s the end of the world, doesn’t mean we 
  can’t have a little fun. Whaddaya say? You in ☺? (Good) 
  4 
  Maliciousness. So the guy can’t take a little laxative in his ale? 
  HA! He’s gonna hate what’s coming up next! (Evil) 
  5 
  Silliness. Loosen up! No one expects you to be serious all the 
  time. (Neutral) 
  6 
  Unpredictability. Time to shake things up a bit (Chaotic) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  My rival & I constantly try to one up each other. At the moment, I’m 
  up 5 noxious whoopee cushions to his / her 3 exploding cigars 
  2 
  I’m afraid my last prank was just a touch over the line. I need to lay 
  low for a while or the palace guard will have my guts for garters 
  3 
  Everyone knows me for my silly / dangerous / hilarious pranks 
  4 
  I’m getting ready for my greatest prank yet! All I need is a bull dog, 
  a hot air balloon, & about 500 liters of nitrous oxide 
  5 
  I’m not the one who pulls all these stupid pranks. It’s my evil twin! 
  6 
  Itching / sneezing / sleeping powder is just hilarious. I really need to 
  find the recipe so I can make my own 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  Even if I know a prank would be inappropriate or even disastrous, 
  I often can’t resist the temptation 
  2 
  (I’m not proud to admit this, but) I sometimes can’t tell the 
  difference between “harmless fun” & “cruelty” 
  3 
  There’s 1 particular NPC / PC that I always, always, always prank 
  4 
  Whenever I meet anyone who’s too pompous, I feel a tremendous 
  urge to take them down a peg or two 
  5 
  I spend most, if not all, of my (allies’) money on prank supplies. 
  It’s almost an addiction 
  6 
  Joy buzzers & whoopee cushions just aren’t funny anymore. 
  I need something with more oomph. A bigger bang! 
  
  PRESTIDIGITATOR 
  The hand is quicker than the eye! Literally, “one who is quick 
  with their hands/fingers,” prestidigitation is the art of producing 
  “magical” effects through nothing more mystical than an 
  especially dexterous set of fingers. The rabbit conjuring illusion, 
  the cup-&-balls routine, & the coins-from-children’s-ears gag 
  were all invented by prestidigitators.  
  Part of the appeal of prestidigitation is its challenge: it is as 
  rewarding to practice as it is to show off. It also stimulates the 
  imagination, both of the audience & of the performer. Quite a few 
  stage magicians spend hours upon hours developing & 
  perfecting new illusions with which to astound their viewers.  
  With its connection to stage magic, prestidigitation usually falls 
  under the Magician’s Code of Secrecy. How did you learn your 
  first tricks? Did you develop them yourself? Were the tricks a 
  natural out-branch of your “less than legal” livelihood / hobby? 
  Do you / did you have a mentor who instructed you on the proper 
  execution of stage performance? How close are / were you with 
  your mentor? Were they like a mother / father figure? Are you 
  now rivals?  
  Do you regard prestidigitation as a fun, though childish, 
  diversion? Or is it a calling, almost a way of life? How do you use 
  prestidigitation in your daily life? The tricks are useful for 
  amusing small children, but do you use your skills in your 
  adventuring life, too? Can you stave off an ogre’s assault with a 
  handy bit of distraction? How would a lich react to its phylactery 
  suddenly disappearing?  
  Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Sleight of Hand 
  Tool Proficiencies: Magician’s kit*; & your choice of either 
  playing cards or Three-Dragon Ante 
  Equipment: A magician’s kit*, a pet rabbit / pigeon / snake; a 
  gluepot & 1d6+6 posters advertising your act; a stage 
  magician’s costume; & a pouch containing 15 gp.  
  * A collapsible top hat; a white-&-black magic “wand;” 3 red
  sponge balls; 3 silk scarves; a pad of flash paper; & 2 packets
  of glitter
  FEATURE: STAGE MAGIC 
  You are a master of stage magic. By utilizing your skills at 
  Deception or Sleight of Hand, combined with some clever 
  applications of your magician’s kit, you can produce 
  mindboggling tricks! 
  Spend an action & roll the appropriate skill to create an effect 
  (or fool your audience into thinking you’ve created the effect) 
  similar to the Prestidigitation cantrip (PHB p. 267).  
  For a typical audience, out for a bit of fun, the DC is 10. 
  Skeptical audiences or close-up magic may require a more 
  difficult DC at the DM’s discretion. Likewise, the DM may use 
  audiences’ passive Perception or make an opposed roll, 
  especially if the audience is hostile. 
  VARIANT FEATURE: LOVELY ASSISTANT 
  If your character has the prestidigitator background, you may 
  select this background feature in place of Stage Magic.  
  You have a beautiful assistant who helps you in your 
  performances by distracting the audience, loading magic props, 
  or even executing the trick while you cover the move.  
  Your assistant is a noncombatant NPC under your control. 
  Make sure to flesh out the NPC with a personality, needs, goals, 
  & so forth. As you level up, your assistant may be upgraded to a 
  full-fledged follower at your & the DM’s discretions. Since this 
  affects the way the entire group earns XP (see DMG p 92), you 
  may want to include the other members of your party when you 
  think about this decision.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  There’s something of a showoff in every prestidigitator. Sure, not 
  a few people get started because they love learning the neat, 
  little gimmicks that go into a good trick, but what’s the point if you 
  can’t share what you’ve learned with an audience?  
  Ask any prestidigitator & they’ll all say the best part of the job 
  are the gasps of horror you get when sawing a lady in half or the 
  applause when you produce that playing card out of thin air.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  My favorite words are, “Voila!” “Prestidigio!” & “Abracadabra!” 
  2 
  I r-r-roll my R-r-r’s like cr-r-razy. 
  3 
  I wear my magician’s costume all the time. One must keep up 
  appearances or risk ruining the mystery 
  4 
  I spend a lot of my downtime sewing hidden pockets into my 
  clothes &/or gear 
  5 
  I keep a lot of my supplies, not just my rabbit, hidden in my top hat 
  6 
  I dramatically twirl my cape when I get down to business. 
  7 
  My… how yu say… vunderful onstage persona iz noting more than 
  clevàr affectation to increase my mystique. My real name is Bob. 
  8 
  I make new friends by “conjuring” paper flowers out of thin air 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Astonishment. It’s my job to make people’s lives brighter with 
  amazing surprises (Good) 
  2 
  Cunning. I love devising new tricks & illusions (Chaotic) 
  3 
  Deception. People are stupid. Use that to your advantage. Hell, 
  they’ll do the work for you. The idiots want to be fooled. (Evil) 
  4 
  Limelight. I’m most comfortable when I’m the center of attention. 
  I hate it when people ignore me (Any) 
  5 
  Mystery. A prestidigitator never reveals his secrets (Lawful) 
  6 
  Showmanship. Always leave them wanting more (Any) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  I might finally be admitted to the Inter-Realms Brotherhood of 
  Magicians! I just need to show them my best trick next month! 
  2 
  Oh this? It's just a ventriloquist's dummy. I got a real deal on it, too! 
  They found its last owner in a pool of his own blood... What? 
  3 
  I have a wizard / sorcerer / warlock convinced I can cast magic 
  spells even in an anti-magic zone, ha! 
  4 
  I must discover the secret to performing the Amazing Luccini’s 
  Instant Teleportation Illusion! 
  5 
  I am excellent with cards. I can produce any card I want at any time 
  I want from anywhere I want. 
  6 
  I recently lost my lovely assistant. I am in search of another 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  Sometimes my need to be the center of attention is too much for 
  my own good. 
  2 
  I’ll do anything to uncover other people’s secrets. 
  I’ll do even worse things to protect my own 
  3 
  Sometimes my pet rabbit / pigeon / snake stares at me with such 
  intense hatred I can’t bear to meet its gaze 
  4 
  I can’t say why, but a lot of my tricks (wearing a coat of flesh-eating 
  beetles / escaping from being chained up underwater / catching a 
  bullet in my teeth) are unnecessarily dangerous  
  5 
  I once made a volunteer disappear & she hasn’t reappeared yet. 
  I must find her & rectify my mistake! 
  6 
  I’m jealous of people who can do honest-to-goodness real magic. 
  Something is broken in me preventing from mastering real magic! 
  
  PROFESSOR 
  Professors’ favorite thing in the whole, wide world is the musty 
  smell of old books. Journals, atlases, scrolls, archives, it doesn’t 
  matter. As long as there’s literature to read, professors are 
  happy. In fact, a professor’s idea of heaven is probably a nice, 
  leather lounger, a glass of brandy, possibly a pipe, all situated in 
  the middle of an infinite plane of bookshelves. Oh, & maybe a 
  pupil or two to listen to the professor’s lectures.  
  Professors’ hunger for knowledge is only equaled by their 
  drive to share it. Education is the one commodity that grows in 
  the giving. Nothing warms a professor’s heart like seeing a pupil 
  achieve ever greater intellectual heights. Even the grumpiest of 
  professors is a teacher at heart, & a teacher must teach!  
  What is your area of specialty (see the “Area of Specialty” 
  table below)? Did you come by your education via the usual 
  routes, or are you an autodidact? Do you prefer to teach in the 
  vaulted halls of respected academic universities? Or, are you a 
  travelling professor, bartering minute lessons for an apple & a 
  couple of eggs? What is your favorite demonstration / 
  experiment? Has the experiment ever run out of control or 
  unexpectedly exploded? Why is the demonstration so useful?  
  Who is your favorite student &/or mentor? How often do you 
  keep in contact? Do they ever need your help with research, or 
  possibly more personal matters? What kind of help can you 
  expect from them? What kind of research do they conduct? Is it 
  of world-shattering importance, like a cure for cancer? Could 
  their research be of a more personal interest, such as a hair-
  growth formula?  
  Skill Proficiencies: History & 1 of your choice from the following 
  – Arcana, Nature, or Religion
  Tool Proficiencies: 2 textbooks related to 2 topics of your 
  choice from the following table 
  Equipment: A laterna magica 
  projector; a selection of glass 
  academic slides; a clockwork 
  orrery; a set of common 
  clothes (an old, beat up 
  fedora & a tweed jacket); & a 
  pouch containing 15 gp  
  FEATURE: ACADEMIA 
  Textbooks are tools which you can use in knowledge-related 
  ability checks that pertain to the subject matter of that textbook. 
  For example, you could use a textbook on genealogy to 
  determine the parentage of a particular person by their hair &/or 
  eye color. As tools, textbooks follow all the pertinent rules.  
  In addition, you are a professional academic. Your expertise & 
  educational skills are valuable commodities which you can 
  practice in your downtime as a profession.  
  Likewise, your textbooks enable you to conduct research on 
  your own, including on uneventful days while traveling. You do 
  not incur additional expenses while researching in this way, but 
  some subjects may simply be beyond the scope of your 
  textbooks, at the DM’s discretion.  
  See page 187 in the PHB for more information about 
  conducting research & practicing professions.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Professors range from stuffy know-it-alls to gregarious, hands-on 
  scientists. The foremost thought on every professor’s mind is 
  their students, whether that thought is, “Golly, I love these guys,” 
  or “/facepalm Not these idiots, again.”  
  Gnomish professors are particularly well known for their 
  friendly, fun presentations, as well as their ability to relate the 
  material to the interests of their students.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  I keep copious notes on everything my party encounters, 
  sometimes tapping my teeth with my pen as I make annotations 
  2 
  I suffer from permanent bed-head, too distracted by my studies to 
  take proper care of my personal hygiene. 
  3 
  I carry so many textbooks with me I require a wheeled contrivance 
  of some sort to ensure their safe transport 
  4 
  I get really, REALLY enthusiastic over my particular area of interest 
  5 
  I’m a pipe smoker. I can puff up quite a cloud when I’m deep in 
  thought or busy conceptualizing plans & strategies. 
  6 
  When not otherwise occupied, I brainstorm ideas about my area of 
  interest, doodling diagrams on whatever is handy at the moment 
  7 
  I always wear my collegiate cap & gown so that everyone knows I 
  am a respected professor 
  8 
  I am an excellent lecturer. Despite my size, I have a booming voice 
  & I can get quite animated with my large, energetic gestures 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Abstraction. Intellect. Conceptualization. Logic. These are the 
  tools of an educated mind. (Lawful) 
  2 
  Didacticism. Hey, do you want to see something cool? Pass me 
  that hydrogen peroxide & the yeast… (Neutral) 
  3 
  Elucidation. Oh, the definition of “gnomic”? Let’s see… what’s the 
  best way to explain this…? (Good) 
  4 
  Immersion. Sure, we only survived because we jumped off that 
  cliff, but it’s a lesson you’re not likely to forget! (Chaotic) 
  5 
  Scholarship. Academia is the highest calling a person can answer. 
  (Lawful) 
  6 
  Sesquipedalianism. Lacking puissance as a conversationalist 
  denotes a deficiency of experiential verisimilitude (Any) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  I have in my journal an article detailing a lost hoard of literary 
  treasures! The knowledge it contains is invaluable! 
  2 
  I’m always on the lookout for interesting, educational magicks I can 
  bring back to the academy for my students 
  3 
  Even though my student is on a simple field exercise, we haven’t 
  heard from him / her for nearly a month. I grow concerned � 
  4 
  I have a burning question that can only be answered by Apellogon, 
  Ancient Golden Dragon of Intellect & Music 
  5 
  I need a hands-on lesson to teach the concept of equitable sharing. 
  I’m pretty sure looting a monster’s lair should do the trick. 
  6 
  My department lacks the funds to carry out our most exciting 
  experiments to date. 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  My demonstrations have an unfortunate tendency to explode. 
  I owe quite a bit of money for the collateral damage I’ve caused. 
  2 
  Damn! There goes another bloody fingernail. Well, never mind that. 
  Take a look at this green, glowing mineral I’ve refined! 
  3 
  Uh… um… no, I was never Senior Professor of Biomancy at the 
  Arcane University. Why? What have you heard? Nothing about 
  insane, multi-limbed monsters running amuck, I hope? 
  4 
  Pshaw! Turning lead into gold is easy! I’ve got the recipe right… 
  here…Wait. Maybe in my bag… or not. Could it be in my desk…? 
  5 
  My prized pupil lies comatose / soulless / paralyzed & it’s all my 
  fault! I must discover a cure for their dreadful condition! 
  6 
  My experiments uncovered some aberrant, incomprehensible thing. 
  The beast haunts me, pursuing me in my dreams. I must escape! 
  d8 
  Area of Specialty 
  1 
  Arcanology 
  2 
  Archeology 
  3 
  Biology 
  4 
  Cultural Studies 
  5 
  Genealogy 
  6 
  History 
  7 
  Linguistics 
  8 
  Philosophy & Religion 
  
  STORYTELLER 
  “Once upon a time, on a night much like this, a group of ill-
  disciplined little boys were out past their bedtime, laughing & 
  screaming, rattling their sleeping neighbors’ windows, pulling the 
  tails on the dogs, & throwing stones at the cats. When the 
  constables gave chase, the naughty child only hooted & 
  scattered. All night, the naughty children played & pranked in the 
  streets, until the smallest boy heard a tiny, scratchy voice calling 
  from the darkest alleyways…” 
  Also known as “telltales,” storytellers love collecting & 
  spreading stories of all sorts, whether it’s as grand as the 
  complete oral history of your tribe, or merely mean-spirited 
  gossip. Gnomes in particular love stories. Reading is, of course, 
  a fantastic hobby, but laughing & gasping over a hero’s exploits 
  with your family & friends is even more fun! 
  What is your favorite type of story? Do you indulge in gossip? 
  Are you an expert in historical epics? What about bedtime stories 
  & picture books? What’s the most important story you ever told? 
  Why is it so important? Does it relate the tragic fall of a noble 
  figure? Is it more personal? Something from your family?  
  Does the story contain hints of a fantastic treasure? 
  Who have your stories influenced? Who have your stories 
  helped heal or infuriate? Did you make that story up or is it 
  something you heard? Would anyone want to make sure your 
  story was never heard again? What can you do to protect 
  yourself & your stories for the future?  
  Skill Proficiencies: History (Lore, Fables, Gossip), Performance 
  Languages: 2 of your choice 
  Equipment: Storybooks filled with folk tales / historical articles / 
  fanciful woodprints; a pressed flower (now there’s a tale!); a 
  tinderbox; a bag of mallow-fluff candies; a set of common 
  clothes; & a pouch with 15 gp  
  FEATURE: RAPT AUDIENCE 
  A properly told story can keep an audience enraptured for hours 
  upon hours. With dramatic pauses, voice inflection, or sudden 
  gestures, you are an expert at keeping your listeners on the 
  edge of their seats, held in place only by the tenterhooks.  
  Children & rascals are particularly easy to distract, but you can 
  enrapture practically any audience. The DM may require ability 
  checks to maintain the enthralling effect of the story in especially 
  difficult circumstances or for particularly long periods of time. 
  VARIANT FEATURE: COMFORTING BEDTIME STORY 
  If your character has the storyteller background, you may select 
  this background feature in place of Rapt Audience.  
  When a creature in need of medical attention is conscious (or 
  even unconscious at the DM’s discretion) & can listen to your 
  story, you can use your Performance skill in place of your 
  Medicine skill to grant the stricken creature advantage on saving 
  throws related to disease, poison, & possibly even death saving 
  throws if you can devote a significant amount of time (spending 
  at least your action, or longer at the DM's discretion) to telling an 
  epic story of desperate survival.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Many storytellers are telltales: rumormongers with a passion for 
  getting the dirt on their fellows. For these storytellers, gossip 
  comes as easy as breathing. If the lips are moving, the lips are 
  gossiping. 
  A lot of people tell stories as an act of kindness. Perhaps 
  they’re trying to keep their grandkids’ minds off of being stuck in 
  bed sick, or they tell stories around the camp fire to help distract 
  their fellows from the strange sounds in the darkness.  
  The most serious type of storytellers considers their stories to 
  be a job, or a time-honored tradition. They preserve the history of 
  their people by passing down tales of illustrious ancestors to the 
  younger generation. These epics are as much education as 
  entertainment.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  Every time I recount a memory, no matter how mundane, I always 
  begin with “Once upon a time…” 
  2 
  Any time I find a fire, I make sure to toast some mallow-fluff snacks 
  3 
  I can’t resist flipping through whatever books I find lying around 
  4 
  I’m a Romantic. I tell stories about the way I wish things were. I can 
  lose track of reality at times, even if it’s biting me right on the ass 
  5 
  I constantly daydream. It’s really hard for me to concentrate on 
  anything for longer than a few minutes at a time 
  6 
  My years of reading & telling stories in the dim campfire light have 
  taken their toll on my eyesight. 
  7 
  I sometimes mix up my memories & my stories. It’s easy to confuse 
  a story I told & retold for something that really happened to me 
  8 
  Any little thing is likely to set me off on long, rambling, tangential 
  stories… Which reminds me, did I ever tell you of the time I...? 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Comfort. A good story can bring relief when medicine is of no help 
  (Good) 
  2 
  Fables. The best tales are lifelong lessons at their heart (Lawful) 
  3 
  Oral Tradition. Come! Listen to the stories of our great forefathers 
  & their fight to escape the clutches of the horrid Fomorai! (Lawful) 
  4 
  Rumor-Mill. Talking to (& about!) people is the best part of my job 
  (Chaotic) 
  5 
  Slander. Lie, defame, vilify. The more people hear your story, the 
  more they will believe it, even if it’s obviously not true (Evil) 
  6 
  Vagaries of Perception. One man’s sacred Truth is another man’s 
  dirty Propaganda (Neutral) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  The prince / an arcane professor / a terrible villain has invited me to 
  tell stories next month at their Tower of Knowledge 
  2 
  I just realized that some of the pictures in my storybooks hide 
  fragments of a map. The problem is, I’m missing a vital illustration 
  3 
  In my youth, I once heard the start of a fantastic story of love, 
  drama, & daring do. I’d give anything to learn the end of that story 
  4 
  (I am part of a secret organization of intellectuals. I weave secret 
  messages to my coconspirators into the stories I tell) 
  5 
  You’re telling me the king dresses up & pretends he’s a pauper!? 
  You’re kidding! Wait ‘til the guys at the tavern hear about THIS! 
  6 
  I learned all of my best stories from my grandfather, but he’s saving 
  the best for last. I can’t wait to hear all about his secret tale! 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  I made up a scathing story about the Necromancer / the Queen / 
  my mother, & now she’s out for my blood! 
  2 
  I am a terrible gossip. I stir up muck about everyone I meet. 
  Even if (especially if!) it’s not true 
  3 
  Slender, sharp looking men have been surreptitiously following me 
  ever since I, uh… “acquired” this peculiar children’s picture book 
  4 
  I’m much too busy flapping my gums to listen to what anyone else 
  is saying 
  5 
  My storybook is actually a necromantic tome of great evil, which 
  can trap the souls of defeated enemies to mutilate into new tales 
  6 
  I can’t sleep without a good story, even if I have to tell it to myself 
  
  TINKER 
  Tinkers generally come in two varieties. The first travels between 
  the villages & shires of the countryside repairing the small wear 
  & tear everyday life inflicts on common household goods like 
  pots & pans, shoes, or simple farm machines.  
  The far more interesting type of tinker, at least from a gnome’s 
  point of view, devises captivating clockwork contraptions for the 
  amusement & education of themselves & others. To a certain 
  type of individual (& indeed, an entire gnomish subrace), the 
  whirling of the gears, the tension of the springs, & the tick-tock of 
  a well-running device is like sweet music.  
  Where did you first encounter a clockwork device? How rare 
  are clocks, fire-starters, &/or windup toys where you come from? 
  Did you grow up building & dismantling these devices? What 
  about the machines is so interesting to you? Is it the intricacy 
  with which each tiny piece must fit together? Or, do you enjoy 
  the pragmatic side of the devices?  
  How would you react if you encountered a larger machine, for 
  example a mantle-, grandfather-, or tower-clock? How do you 
  feel about machines that claim to be sentient? They say anything 
  is possible with magic, but… honestly, isn’t that cheating? 
  Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Sleight of Hand (tinkering) 
  Tool Proficiencies: Tinker’s tools, woodcarver’s tools 
  Equipment: A pocket full of spare gears, widgets, & coil springs; 
  a partially disassembled clock / toy / music box; a small device 
  tangled in your hair / beard; a paint-stained, multi-pocketed 
  apron; a set of common clothes; & a pouch with 15 gp 
  FEATURE: TINKERING 
  With your tinker’s tools, you may spend 1 hour & 10 gp to create 
  a clockwork device (Tiny size, 5 AC, & 1 HP). The device lasts 
  24 hours before winding down. You may spend another hour 
  maintaining the item to extend its life for another day. You can 
  spend an action to disassemble the device to reclaim the 
  materials for use in a new device.  
  You can keep up to 5 functions in operation at a time. You 
  might build 5 devices with 1 function each, 1 rather complicated 
  device bearing all 5 functions, or any combination in between.  
  In addition to the 3 optional functions on p 37 of the PHB, you 
  can choose from the following options. Note that, unless 
  otherwise noted, using or setting a device requires you’re action. 
  Alarm Clock. This device rattles a very loud bell after a set 
  amount of time. Fancy versions can be configured to display 
  the amount of time left before the alarm.  
  Daguerreotype Camera. This device can capture a rather sharp 
  image of the scene before it in as little as 1 minute (naturally, 
  longer exposures result in more detailed images).  
  Mouse Trap. These are spring loaded contrivances are designed 
  to trap &/or kill creatures of Tiny or smaller size. Even though 
  they can be startling or even painful to larger creatures, these 
  devices are virtually harmless to creatures of Small size or 
  bigger (unless applied to a sensitive area of the body).  
  VARIANT TINKER: CLOCKMAKER, TOYMAKER, ETC 
  Some tinkers decide to specialize in a particular type of device. 
  Clockmakers & toymakers are especially common, but many 
  examples of other specialists exist. Cameramakers, for instance, 
  are becoming more & more popular every day.  
  If you decide to specialize in your tinkering, you may choose 
  the Professional Tinker variant feature provided here instead of 
  the Tinkering feature.  
  VARIANT FEATURE: CLOCKMAKER, TOYMAKER 
  If your character has the tinker background, you may select this 
  background feature in place of Tinkering.  
  Rather than building tiny, fragile devices that almost 
  immediately break down, you take pride in the quality of the 
  machines you produce. While it’s true constructing the devices 
  takes far more time & money, your machines last as long as they 
  receive minimal care that anyone can provide.  
  Choose one device option here or on p37 of the PHB. Follow 
  the appropriate crafting rules (p. 187 in the PHB for nonmagical, 
  & p. 118 in the DMG for magical) to build your machines. 
  Likewise, you can practice your profession in your downtime. 
  See page 187 in the PHB for more details on professions.  
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Tinkers can be a bit eccentric. They’re doting types who love 
  being around people, especially children. At the same time, they 
  need time alone to recharge, usually spending the time holed up 
  in the shop tinkering on the most recent project to catch their eye. 
  Likewise, even though tinkers may encourage a ruckus with 
  their fascinating devices, the tinkers, themselves, hardly ever 
  participate. They prefer to simply sit back & bask in the energy of 
  the crowd instead.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  I dearly miss the comforting “tick-tock” sound of my grandfather’s / 
  the university’s / my old shop’s ancient hall clock 
  2 
  When idle, I sometimes spin spare gears around like they’re tops 
  3 
  I have nervous habit of cleaning my glasses / goggles on my shirt 
  4 
  I lost an eye / hand / foot due to my youthful indiscretions, but I 
  replaced it with a clockwork device that I must wind once a day 
  5 
  Springs, wires, & gears are constantly falling out of my pockets 
  6 
  I’m often bleary-eyed from the late nights tinkering on my devices 
  7 
  I craft silly, little toys to hand out to children I meet on my travels 
  8 
  I need to take my pet clockwork dog / cat / owl on an hour-long 
  walk each day to keep its gears tightly wound 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Concern. Let me see if I can whip something up to help out (Good) 
  2 
  Fun. I just love seeing the kids’ faces light up with joy ☺ (Good) 
  3 
  Intricacy. The beauty of it all is what lies on the inside (Lawful) 
  4 
  Inventiveness. See how that works? If you take this here & add 
  that there… Voila! A walking, fire-breathing dragon toy! (Neutral) 
  5 
  Usefulness. I’m working on a way to combine my chisels, files, 
  knives, & maybe the tweezers, into a single, tiny tool… (Any) 
  6 
  Wonder. How does this thing work? Can I take it apart? (Chaotic) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  A blue faerie brought one of my devices to life. The stupid thing 
  screamed something about “killing all the real boys” & ran off! 
  2 
  Brigands stole my child’s favorite wind-up toy! 
  3 
  This? Oh, it’s a death clock ☺. Insert your thumbs here… & here… 
  & the device will count down ‘til you die! 
  4 
  Rats(?) infest our village, but the pests keep eating the usual traps 
  5 
  This camera was discovered in the study of the mad Dr. H.P. Ward. 
  I shudder to think of the images that might be contained herein. 
  6 
  Our clock tower has stopped. I seek the crystals needed to repair it 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  If left on my own, I can’t help but tinker with my fun little devices 
  rather than concentrate on what I was supposed to be doing. 
  2 
  When I encounter an intriguing machine, I tend to drop whatever I 
  was doing & start taking it apart so as to study its inner workings 
  3 
  My devices can unpredictably, um, “explosively dismantle” 
  4 
  I’m terribly disorganized. It takes me forever to find anything in my 
  pockets or bags. 
  5 
  To be honest? I hate kids. I can make more than just toys, dammit! 
  6 
  I’m too shy to talk with people. Instead, I use a specialized music 
  box device with pre-recorded voice messages to communicate. 
  
  TOURIST 
  Have you ever seen the aerial crystal palaces of the Winged 
  Elves? If that’s not to your liking, you could visit Echoing 
  Hammerhalls where the iron never sleeps. Oh! Then there’s the 
  quaint little hamlets where halfling cooks fill the air with 
  fragrances you wouldn’t believe! There’s so much out there to 
  see! So many things to do! Food to try! People to meet! 
  The Grand Tour is a tradition that is quintessentially gnomish. 
  Tourism is a kind of almost spur of the moment journey that 
  every gnome is expected to perform at least once in their lives, 
  probably not long after they attain majority & can strike out under 
  their own volition. The journey is somewhat of a rite of passage, 
  the final stage of the young tourist’s education, intended to 
  broaden the young gnome’s horizons in an organic manner.  
  Where was the most fascinating place you’ve ever been? How 
  about the worst place? Even the most foul of locales can teach 
  you something. What did you do there? Who did you meet? 
  What did you learn from those experiences? Would you return to 
  those places? What would you do differently this time?  
  One of the biggest reasons to travel is to meet new people & 
  learn new things from them. Who was the wisest person you 
  met? Was it a crazy, old hedge witch with her herbal concoctions 
  & dozens of cats? Perhaps you met a child prodigy, a musical 
  virtuoso, whose dedication to her craft was nothing less than 
  awe-inspiring. What heroes, what villains, did you meet? And 
  what are you going to do about them?  
  Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Survival 
  Tool Proficiencies: Navigator’s tools 
  Languages: One of your choice 
  Equipment: A “Lonely Realms” guidebook; a postcard you need 
  to send back home; an “I ♥ Love Mount Dhume” souvenir mug; 
  a set of traveler’s clothes; & a belt pouch containing 10 gp.  
  FEATURE: COSMPOLITANISM 
  You are extremely well travelled. You’ve seen things that the 
  folks back home never even dreamed of & met hundreds, if not 
  thousands, of new people.  
  First, & perhaps most simply, your travel experiences have 
  taught you how to get by in strange cities. You suffer no 
  disadvantage in urban settings to use your Survival skill to find 
  sustaining food or shelter.  
  Likewise, your experiences have taught you much about 
  foreign thought processes. You may use your Intelligence ability 
  when you use your Insight skill rather than Wisdom. 
  SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS 
  Tourists tend to be young, although that’s not always true. The 
  tradition started as a way to finish a young person’s education, 
  but has since evolved into a diversion which more & more people 
  enjoy when they can afford the time & money.  
  Most tourists are eager to see the world, try new things, & 
  meet new people. They can be brash, perhaps rushing headlong 
  into unknown situations just because it’s there. Some are merely 
  naïve, not fully comprehending the full ramifications of their 
  actions. Regardless, these are the types of rough edges the 
  Grand Tour is expected to polish.  
  d8 
  Personality Trait 
  1 
  I picked up a, how yuu say… slight accént & occasionally use 
  foreign vocabulaire when I speak 
  2 
  I find myself daydreaming of the places I’ve been… “Oh! Sorry. I 
  was just thinking about the time I explored the Undermountain…” 
  3 
  My money is mostly in foreign currency. “Lions,” “kings,” “dollars” 
  *shrug* they’re all gold (well, some are paper…)
  4 
  I’ve gotten in the habit of greeting people with a bow (with or 
  without hands in a prayer-like gesture) instead of shaking hands 
  5 
  When I visited a very special land, I learned how to cook the 
  garbage parts of food, like frogs’ legs / snails / gizzards 
  6 
  I dream about traveling so vividly that I sometimes walk in my sleep 
  7 
  I love showing off my souvenirs & “photo-graphical etchings” 
  8 
  I prefer a bedroll / sleeping bag / tent to an inn or tavern 
  d6 
  Ideal 
  1 
  Bonhomie. The best way to make new friends is to be one (Good) 
  2 
  Broad Horizons. Wait, you’re telling me you’ve never seen the 
  ocean?! Go pack your bags right now! (Any) 
  3 
  Discontent. I hate everyone & everything I’ve ever met. I travel in 
  search of a new home. I’ll know it when I see it. (Evil) 
  4 
  Exoticism. I didn’t climb blazing mountains, wade acidic swamps, 
  & brave the stare of the basilisk frog just for you to serve me a 
  fried steak. Get out the chocolate-covered ants, man! (Chaotic) 
  5 
  Immersion. tut-tut! Please. “Ellyjobell” was my gnome-name. I live 
  among the humans now. Call me John! (How exotic!) (Neutral) 
  6 
  Perspective. Yes, we have a long line of kings here, but did you 
  know some countries elect their government? (Lawful or Neutral) 
  d6 
  Bond 
  1 
  Travelling is actually just part of my main hobby – collecting dragon 
  scales. I just need 2d4 colors &/or metals to complete my set! 
  2 
  It’s embarrassing to admit, but I lost a… precious ring somewhere 
  on my travels. 
  3 
  I heard, in the next kingdom over, there is a curry that is so red-hot 
  spicy, it’ll literally blow your mind! I can’t wait to try it! 
  4 
  I keep track of countries I visit on an ancient map I found in a dusty 
  tomb. Just ignore those squibbly marks. No knows what it means 
  5 
  Have you ever heard of Svarltzlvania? Sounds fascinating, no? 
  6 
  My favorite souvenir is a hand carved, painted eggshell gifted to 
  me by the Grand Pasha of Calimshan about 140 years ago 
  d6 
  Flaw 
  1 
  Let’s just say I can’t resist the locals’ “charms.” Many’s the time my 
  allies found me abed when I should’ve been scouting, etc… 
  2 
  My excitement of visiting new places blinds me to the danger. Sure, 
  there’s hellfire everywhere, but look at the cute, widdle goggie! 
  3 
  I’ve raised hell in so many places that I’d say there’s an even 50% 
  chance I’m banned from entering any particular establishment 
  4 
  I don’t know what it is yet, but I’m looking for something specific. 
  Until then, I’ll keep complaining about the food, beds, people… 
  5 
  I don’t realize it, but my lust for souvenirs can damage the local 
  people or attractions. Lookit that! Hey! Gimme a lock of yor hair!!! 
  6 
  I think you’ll find the natives will do anything if you throw enough 
  money at them. Heh, cute little savages, huh? 
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Dungeons & Dragons [multi]/5th Edition (5e)/3rd Party/Dragon Sun/10 Gnome Character Backgrounds.pdf