Family or tribe. Maybe the barbarian was raised in a loving family or tribe that taught him kindness. For example, his mother was a healer in the tribe and always taught him to respect life.
A possible back story is that the barbarian was born with a gentle spirit, which was unusual in his war - like tribe. However, he showed great courage when a powerful and evil sorcerer threatened his tribe. He fought the sorcerer and, in the process, realized that his kindness was his greatest strength. He then decided to use his strength as a barbarian to help those in need, traveling far and wide to do so.
A barbarian might have a back story of being from a nomadic tribe. His family was constantly on the move, following the herds. As a child, he learned to hunt and fight to protect the tribe. One day, raiders attacked their tribe. He watched his parents fight bravely but they were outnumbered. This event sparked his hatred for invaders and he vowed to become a great warrior to protect his people.
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 element could be a tragic event like the loss of family. For example, his family might have been killed by a rival tribe, which made him seek revenge. Another is growing up in a harsh environment such as a frozen tundra or a scorching desert. This would force him to adapt and become strong. Also, a meeting with a powerful mentor. Maybe an old, battle - hardened warrior who taught him combat skills.
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.