System Reference Document 5.2.1
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Character Origins
Character Backgrounds
Your character’s background is a collection of char -
acteristics that represent the place and occupation 
that were most formative before your character em -
barked on a life of adventure.
Parts of a Background
A background includes the following parts.
Ability Scores
A background lists three of your character’s ability 
scores. Increase one by 2 and another one by 1, or 
increase all three by 1. None of these increases can 
raise a score above 20.
Feat
A background gives your character a specified Ori -
gin feat (described in “Feats”).
Skill Proficiencies
A background gives your character proficiency in 
two specified skills.
Tool Proficiency
Each background gives a character proficiency with 
one tool—either a specific tool or one chosen from 
the Artisan’s Tools category. Tools are detailed in 
“Equipment.”
Equipment
Each background offers a choice between a package 
of equipment and 50 GP.
Background Descriptions
Acolyte
Ability Scores: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
Feat: Magic Initiate (Cleric) (see “Feats”)
Skill Proficiencies:  Insight and Religion
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher’s Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher’s Supplies, 
Book (prayers), Holy Symbol, Parchment (10 sheets), 
Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Criminal
Ability Scores: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Feat: Alert (see “Feats”)
Skill Proficiencies:  Sleight of Hand and Stealth
Tool Proficiency: Thieves’ Tools
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) 2 Daggers, Thieves’ 
Tools, Crowbar, 2 Pouches, Traveler’s Clothes, 
16 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Sage
Ability Scores: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom
Feat: Magic Initiate (Wizard) (see “Feats”)
Skill Proficiencies:  Arcana and History
Tool Proficiency: Calligrapher’s Supplies
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Quarterstaff, Callig -
rapher’s Supplies, Book (history), Parchment (8 
sheets), Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Soldier
Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution
Feat: Savage Attacker (see “Feats”)
Skill Proficiencies:  Athletics and Intimidation
Tool Proficiency: Choose one kind of  Gaming Set (see 
“Equipment”)
Equipment: Choose A or B: (A) Spear, Shortbow, 20 
Arrows, Gaming Set (same as above), Healer’s Kit, 
Quiver, Traveler’s Clothes, 14 GP; or (B) 50 GP
Character Species
When you choose your character’s species, you 
determine whether your character is a human or a 
member of a fantastical species, such as dragonborn 
or gnome.
 The peoples of the multiverse hail from different 
worlds and include many kinds of sapient life forms. 
A player character’s species is the set of game traits 
that an adventurer gains from being one of those 
life forms.
 Some species can trace their origin to a single 
world, plane of existence, or god, while other spe -
cies first appeared in multiple realms at once. 
Whatever a species’ genesis, its members have 
spread across the multiverse and contribute to 
many different cultures.
 Members of most species live for about 80 years, 
with exceptions noted in the text about the spe -
cies in “Character Origins.” Regardless of life span, 
members of all species reach physical maturity at 
about the same age. Your character can be any age 
that isn’t beyond their species’ normal life span.
Parts of a Species
A species includes the following parts.
Creature Type
A character’s species determines the character’s 
creature type, which is described in “Rules Glos -
sary.” Every species in “Character Origins” is Hu -
manoid; playable non-Humanoid species appear in 
other books.
Size
Your character’s species determines the character’s 
size. Individuals within a species cover a wide range 
of heights, and some species include such diversity 