One possible back story could be that the cleric grew up in a small village that was constantly plagued by disease. They watched many of their loved ones die, and this led them to seek the power of the cleric of life to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Another back story could be that the cleric was part of a nomadic tribe. One day, a strange illness struck the tribe, and many were dying. The cleric felt a calling from the divine to find a way to save their people. They set out on a journey and eventually became a cleric of life, bringing back the knowledge and power to heal their tribe.
One important element is the cleric's relationship with their community. If they serve a small village, their backstory could involve how they came to protect it. They might have had to fight off bandits or deal with a disease. Their training and how they acquired their skills is also crucial. It could be through years of study in a seminary or a more hands - on apprenticeship with an older cleric.
The cleric's back story could be that they were an orphan, left at the doorstep of a large cathedral in a bustling city. Raised by the clergy there, they were exposed to all aspects of the religious order. However, they had a rebellious streak and often questioned the more dogmatic teachings. This led to them going on a pilgrimage to seek a deeper understanding of their faith. Along the way, they encountered various challenges and had to rely on their own wits and the little bit of religious knowledge they had. Through these experiences, they came to a new, more personal understanding of their deity and decided to become a true cleric, dedicated to helping others in the name of that deity.
One way is to focus on the cleric's calling. Suppose they heard a divine voice in a dream. This could lead them on a journey to discover their purpose. They could travel far and wide, encountering different cultures and learning about various religious practices. Their backstory can be filled with the people they met on this journey and how those encounters shaped their faith.
Imagine a cleric whose back story involves being cursed at birth. This curse made them an outcast in their community. They wandered the lands, shunned by all. One day, they stumbled upon a traveling group of healers. These healers were followers of a benevolent deity. The cleric begged to be taught their ways, hoping to find a way to break the curse. As they learned, they not only found a way to lift the curse but also discovered a true calling. They became a cleric, using their own experience of being an outcast to show compassion to all those who were rejected by society.
Training and education play a part. They could have been sent to a religious seminary at a young age. There, they studied religious texts, learned about the history of their faith, and were trained in the use of religious magic or powers. This formal training was an important part of their journey to becoming a cleric.
A cleric's back story could involve growing up in a religious community. Maybe they were born into a family of devout believers. Their parents might have been clergy themselves, and from a young age, they were taught the religious doctrines and rituals. This upbringing would shape their values and their path towards becoming a cleric.
A trickster cleric might have a back story like this: Once, there was a young acolyte in a strict religious order. This acolyte, who later became the trickster cleric, was always curious and full of mischief. One day, while exploring the restricted areas of the temple, they found an ancient, forgotten scroll. The scroll contained some unorthodox teachings that made the acolyte question the rigidity of their order. This led them to start using their divine powers in more creative and unorthodox ways, often playing tricks on their superiors to make a point about the need for flexibility in the faith. They became known as the trickster cleric, using their wits and powers to both serve the divine and challenge the dogma.
Perhaps the character was once a soldier on a brutal battlefield. After seeing countless comrades die around them, they were filled with a sense of guilt for surviving. In their search for meaning and redemption, they turned to the path of the Death Cleric. They believe that by serving death, they can atone for the lives that were lost while they still live. Their back story is one of war, loss, and the search for absolution.