Dragon Age Tabletop Custom Backgrounds
→This is part 2. Here you will find information on your background’s benefits, such as abilities, focuses, resistances etc.
Fair warning, this post is very long and there are a lot of pictures under the cut.
CREATING A CHARACTER
2. Apply the bonuses of the background you chose (list is in alphabetical order)
For our campaign set in 840 TE (or -355 Ancient), skaifayaheda made us a really nice political map, so I’ve added the relevant areas above each background, so you know where in Thedas you’re from.
Antivan Wayfarer (Tevinter Imperium → Antiva) Add +1 to your Communication ability Choose Communication (Bargaining) or Cunning (Navigation) You can speak and read Antivan and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Cunning, +1 Dexterity, +1 Perception Focuses: Cunning (Evaluation), Communication (Seduction), Communication (Persuasion), Dexterity (Initiative), Perception (Hearing)
Arlathan Scholar (Tevinter Imperium → Antiva → Arlathan Forest) Add +1 to your Cunning ability Choose Communication (Etiquette) or Cunning (Research) You can speak and read Elvhen and the Trade Tongue You are an elf Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Dexterity, +1 Perception Focuses: Cunning (Writing), Cunning (Historical Lore), Dexterity (Calligraphy), Magic (Creation), Willpower (Self-Discipline)
Avvarian Hillsman (Ferelden → Frostback Mountains) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Communication (Animal Handling) or Strength (Climbing) You can speak and read Alamarri and the Trade Tongue You are human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities:+1 Constitution, +1 Dexterity, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Gambling), Constitution (Stamina), Dexterity (Brawling), Strength (Intimidation), Strength (Might)
Beresaad (Seheron + Por Vallen) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Cunning (Qun) or Strength (Intimidation) You can speak and read Qunlat and the Trade Tongue You are a qunari Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1Cunning, +1 Strength Focuses: Communication (Leadership), Constitution (Stamina), Cunning (Historical Lore), Cunning (Military Lore), Strength (Might) Special: you suffer a -1 penalty on all ability tests to resist spells and other magical effects, such as magic item powers
Brecilian Strider (Ferelden → Brecilian Forest) Add +1 to your Willpower ability Choose Cunning (Natural Lore) or (Strength (Might) You can speak Elvhen and speak and read the Trade Tongue You are an elf Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Cunning, +1 Perception Focuses: Communication (Animal Handling), Dexterity (Acrobatics), Dexterity (Bows), Perception (Seeing), Willpower (Courage)
For some reason I never wrote a background description for this one... I think it was a late addition to my backgrounds file.
Chasind Wilder (Ferelden → Korcari Wilds) Add +1 to your Dexterity ability Choose Dexterity (Stealth) or Magic (Primal) You can speak and read Alamarri and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Cunning, +1 Magic Focuses: Cunning (Natural Lore), Dexterity (Brawling), Dexterity (Traps), Perception (Tracking), Strength (Jumping)
Ciriane Adventurer (Orlais → South) Add +1 to your Communication ability Choose Communication (Etiquette) or Communication (Performance) You can speak and read Ciriane and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Cunning, +1 Magic, +1 Willpower Focuses: Cunning (Brewing), Cunning (Musical Lore), Dexterity (Dueling), Magic (Spirit), Perception (Empathy)
Clayne Craftsman (Ferelden) Add +1 to your Dexterity ability Choose Dexterity (Crafting) or Communication (Bargaining) You can speak and read Alamarri and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Cunning, +1 Strength Focuses: Cunning (Brewing), Cunning (Evaluation), Dexterity (Traps), Strength (Driving), Strength (Smithing)
Clayne Freeman (Ferelden) Add +1 to your Willpower ability Choose Strength (Might) or Willpower (Courage) You can speak and read Alamarri and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Magic, +1 Strength Focuses: Constitution (Stamina), Cunning (Poison Lore), Perception (Tracking), Strength (Jumping), Willpower (Self-Discipline)
Dwarf Duster (Gundaar, Hormak, Kal-Sharok, or Orzammar) Add +1 to your Dexterity ability Choose Communication (Deception) or Dexterity (Legerdemain) You can speak and read Dwarven and the Trade Tongue You are a dwarf You are a rogue Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Cunning, +1 Perception Focuses: Communication (Bargaining), Constitution (Running), Cunning (Evaluation), Dexterity (Stealth), Perception (Searching) Special: you gain a +2 bonus on ability tests to resist the effects of spells and other magical attacks
Escaped Elven Slave (Tevinter) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Perception (Hearing) or Magic (Spirit) You can speak and read Tevinter and the Trade Tongue You are an elf Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities:+1 Communication, +1 Magic, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Deception), Cunning (Arcane Lore), Dexterity (Lock Picking), Strength (Driving), Willpower (Self-Discipline)
See Beresaad for map
Escaped Saarebas (Par Vollen) Add +1 to your Magic ability Choose Magic (Entropy) or Magic (Primal) You can speak and read Qunlat and the Trade Tongue You are a qunari You are a mage Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Cunning, +1 Strength, +1 Willpower Focuses: Constitution (Stamina), Cunning (Qun), Strength (Intimidation), Strength (Might), Willpower (Courage)
Green Dales Nomad (Antiva → Green Dales) Add +1 to your Perception ability Choose Dexterity (Bows) or Communication (Bargaining) You can speak Elvhen and speak and read the Trade Tongue You are an elf Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities:+1 Communication, +1 Dexterity, +1 Magic Focuses: Cunning (Natural Lore), Dexterity (Riding), Magic (Primal), Perception (Hearing), Perception (Seeing)
See Dwarf Duster for map
High-Born Dwarf (Gundaar, Hormak, Kal-Sharok, or Orzammar) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Dexterity (Crafting) or Strength (Intimidate) or Strength (Smithing) You can speak and read Dwarven and the Trade Tongue You are a dwarf Choose a class: rogue or warrior Choose a caste: Artisan, Smith or Warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Cunning,+1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Etiquette), Constitution (Stamina), Cunning (Enchantment), Cunning (Engineering), Willpower (Courage) Special: you gain a +2 bonus on ability tests to resist the effects of spells and other magical attacks
Inghirsh Freerunner (Orlais → North) Add +1 to your Dexterity ability Choose Dexterity (Brawling) or Communication (Disguise) You can speak and read Inghirsh and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Constitution, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Bargaining), Communication (Deception), Cunning (Poison Lore), Dexterity (Legerdemain), Magic (Spirit)
See Dwarf Duster for map
Low-Born Dwarf (Gundaar, Hormak, Kal-Sharok, or Orzammar) Add +1 to your Communication ability Choose Communication (Persuasion) or Constitution (Stamina) You can speak and read Dwarven and the Trade Tongue You are a dwarf Choose a class: rogue or warrior Choose a caste: Merchant, Miner or Servant Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Perception, +1 Strength Focuses: Communication (Bargaining), Cunning (Brewing), Constitution (Drinking), Perception (Hearing), Strength (Might) Special: you gain a +2 bonus on ability tests to resist the effects of spells and other magical attacks
Orth Clansman (Anderfels → North) Add +1 to your Constitution ability Choose Constitution (Stamina) or Strength (Climbing) You can speak and read Orth and the Trade Tongue. You are a human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Magic, +1 Perception, +1 Strength Focuses: Constitution (Running), Dexterity (Brawling), Dexterity (Traps), Magic (Entropy), Perception (Tracking)
Planasene Theurgist (Free Marches → Planasene Forest) Add +1 to your Magic ability Choose Magic (Creation) or Magic (Spirit) You can speak and read the Trade Tongue You are a human You are a mage Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Cunning, +1 Perception, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Performance), Cunning (Healing), Cunning (Religious Lore), Perception (Empathy), Willpower (Faith)
Planasene Animist (Free Marches → Planasene Forest) Add +1 to your Perception ability Choose Communication (Animal Handling) or Cunning (Natural Lore) You can speak Elvhen and speak and read the Trade Tongue You are an elf Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Dexterity, +1 Magic Focuses: Communication (Persuasion), Cunning (Religious Lore), Dexterity (Initiative), Magic (Creation), Willpower (Faith)
Rivaini Merchant (Rivain) Add +1 to your Dexterity ability Choose Communication (Seduction) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) You can speak and read Rivaini and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Cunning, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Persuasion), Constitution (Swimming), Cunning (Evaluation), Cunning (Cartography), Dexterity (Brawling)
See Beresaad for map
Tal-Vashoth (Par Vollen) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Constitution (Stamina) or Strength (Intimidation) You can speak and read Qunlat and the Trade Tongue You are a qunari Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Strength, +1 Willpower Focuses: Constitution (Running), Constitution (Swimming), Strength (Might), Strength (Climbing), Willpower (Courage) Special: you suffer a -1 penalty on all ability tests to resist spells and other magical effects, such as magic item powers
See Escaped Elven Slave for map
Tevinter Altus (Tevinter → Minrathous) Add +1 to your Magic ability Choose Communication (Leadership) or Cunning (Arcane Lore) You can speak and read Tevinter and the Trade Tongue You are a human You are a mage Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Cunning, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Etiquette), Cunning (Heraldry), Cunning (Historical Lore), Dexterity (Riding), Magic (Arcane Lance)
Tevinter Laetan (Tevinter) Add +1 to your Cunning ability Choose Communication (Deception) or Cunning (Arcane Lore) You can speak and read Tevinter and the Trade Tongue You are a human You are a mage Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Communication, +1 Constitution, +1 Magic Focuses: Communication (Persuasion), Cunning (Cultural Lore), Cunning (Evaluation), Dexterity (Riding), Magic (Arcane Lance)
Tevinter Soporati (Tevinter → Qarinus) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Constitution (Stamina) or Dexterity (Brawling) You can speak and read Tevinter and the Trade Tongue You are a human Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Perception, +1 Willpower Focuses: Communication (Animal Handling), Communication (Deception), Cunning (Evaluation), Strength (Driving), Willpower (Courage)
Tirashan Hunter (Orlais → Tirashan Forest) Add +1 to your Perception ability Choose Perception (Hearing) or Perception (Seeing) You can speak Elvhen speak and read the Trade Tongue You are an elf Choose a class: rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Cunning, +1 Constitution, +1 Dexterity Focuses: Communication (Animal Handling), Constitution (Running), Cunning (Natural Lore), Dexterity (Riding), Dexterity (Traps)
Vashoth (Anywhere, specify area) Add +1 to your Strength ability Choose Strength (Intimidation) or Strength (Might) You can speak and read the Trade Tongue (and one other language, depending on where you choose to have grown up) You are a qunari Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Dexterity, +1 Magic Focuses: Constitution (Drinking), Constitution (Stamina), Dexterity (Brawling), Magic (Entropy), Strength (Climbing) Special: you suffer a -1 penalty on all ability tests to resist spells and other magical effects, such as magic item powers
Waking Sea Raider (Anywhere, specify area) Add +1 to your Dexterity ability Choose Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Perception (Seeing) You can speak the Trade Tongue (and one other language, depending on where you choose to have grown up) Choose a race: elf or human Choose a class: mage, rogue or warrior Spend 3 points on abilities or focuses: choosing an ability costs 2 points, choosing a focus costs 1 point Abilities: +1 Constitution, +1 Perception, +1 Strength Focuses: Constitution (Rowing), Constitution (Swimming), Cunning (Evaluation), Cunning (Navigation), Strength (Intimidation)