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.
For DND back stories, think about your character's goals. If they want to find a lost artifact, there could be a back story about how they heard of it. Maybe their grandfather told them tales of the artifact before he died. Look at their personality traits too. A sneaky rogue could have a back story of growing up on the streets, stealing to survive. This background would shape their skills and motives in the DND game.
One of the common elements in DND back stories is the character's motivation. This could be revenge for a wrong done to them or their family. For example, a character's village was destroyed by a group of bandits, and now they seek vengeance. Another is a special item or heirloom. It could be a magical sword passed down through generations that holds a special power. Additionally, there are often encounters with supernatural beings in the back story. Maybe the character once met a fey in the forest and was given a task that has shaped their life.
A typical trait in DND orphan back stories is adaptability. Since they don't have the stability of a family home, they need to be able to adjust to different situations quickly. For instance, an orphan might have to move from one town to another, learning the customs and rules of each place. Resilience is also common. They face many hardships from a young age, like finding food and shelter, yet they keep going. And many orphans in DND back stories have a sense of mystery about their past. Maybe they have a hidden heritage or power that they are unaware of until later in their adventures.
There could be a great druid whose story began with a love for the sea. They grew up near the coast, always fascinated by the tides and the marine life. One day, a powerful storm hit and damaged the coastal ecosystem. The druid, who had already been studying some basic druidic principles, decided to fully embrace the path of the druid. They learned to communicate with sea creatures and manipulate water magic. Their back story is one of protecting the ocean and its inhabitants, and they are now a great druid respected for their work in marine conservation in the DND world.
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.
Sure. One could be an orphan who was found in a mysterious, ancient ruin. The orphan was raised by a kind-hearted hermit who lived near the ruin. This orphan has an uncanny ability to understand the long - forgotten languages inscribed on the ruin's walls, which might be related to some ancient magic or a lost civilization. As the orphan grows up in the DND world, this special ability attracts both good - intentioned scholars who want to study the past and also some evil forces who want to use this knowledge for their own gain.
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.