First, think about your character's origin. Are they from a big city or a small village? For example, if from a small village, they might have a simple and close - knit community background. Then consider their family. Maybe they have a missing sibling which gives them a motivation for their adventures. Also, their early life experiences like facing a local bully can shape their personality. For instance, it could make them more determined to stand up for the weak.
Their alignment is an element. A lawful good character might have a back story where they were taught strict moral values by a priest. Their dreams and aspirations matter. Maybe they dream of becoming a great knight. And any secrets they hold. For instance, they might be secretly part of a long - lost royal bloodline.
Let's say the character is a half - elf. They grew up in a forest community where they were always an outcast because of their mixed heritage. Despite this, they learned to be a great hunter and tracker. One day, they discovered an ancient relic in the forest that seemed to hold great power. Since then, they have been on a journey to find out more about this relic, as it has also drawn the attention of some dark forces who will stop at nothing to get it from them.
First, think about your character's origin. Were they born in a small village or a big city? Then consider their family. Maybe they had a strict father or a loving mother. Also, important events in their past can shape the back story. For example, if they witnessed a great battle as a child, it could influence their view of the world.
A good DND back story can start with a simple concept like a tragic event in your character's past. For example, if your character is a wizard, maybe they accidentally caused a fire that destroyed their village. This gives a strong motivation for their actions, like a quest for redemption.
A Dragonborn might have a back story where they were born in a small, isolated clan. Their parents were fierce warriors who taught them the ways of combat from a young age. This Dragonborn grew up with a sense of loyalty to their clan, and as they got older, they set out to explore the wider world to prove their worth and bring honor to their clan. They might face challenges like hostile races and difficult terrains during their travels.
One great druid back story could be that the druid was born in a forest that was constantly under threat from loggers. As a child, they witnessed the destruction of their beloved forest home. This led them to study druidic magic to protect nature. They learned from an old hermit druid who taught them the ways of the wild. Eventually, they became a great protector of the forest, using their powers to fend off any who would harm it.
A Goliath's back story could be that they were exiled from their tribe. Maybe they broke an important tribal law, like failing to protect a sacred site during an attack. This led to them having to wander alone, facing many challenges and learning to rely on their own strength in the outside world.
To create an interesting DND Goliath back story, start with their family. Maybe their family was shamed in the tribe for some reason. So, the Goliath has to work hard to restore the family's honor. For example, if their father made a mistake in a battle long ago, the Goliath is now on a mission to win great battles to erase that stain.