Building a Character, Part 4: Personality and Background

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Your character's personality and background are for more than just role playing--though they will help in that aspect--they give you bonuses and proficiencies. Nothing is off limits here, unless you have an in-house rule that your DM tells you about.

You also don't have to roll anything for this stuff, unless you want to choose at random. How high your proficiency is is determined by your level, and will be explained in Building a Character: Part 5.

Let's start with your Background. 
Depending on which you select, you generally start with certain equipment, more known languages, and more things you're good at. 
Here's another one of those handy tables to help you along. Remember to check the Handbook for equipment and gold!


Now, Alignment.
WTF is Alignment? It's your combination of Lawful or Chaotic and Good or Evil. These don't provide tangible bonuses, but they influence the actions of your character and therefore the path of the story.
Image grabbed from https://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bread-bag-alignment-chart.jpg

There are lots of images like this online but if you'd like something more concrete than bread and TV characters, I recommend this one...
Image grabbed from https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLzQcbpW0AEdQqf.jpg

"Tempered" is interchangeable with "neutral" in this case.
 Your race will usually have suggested alignments, but feel free to pick as you please.
Lastly, Personality!
This one can be fun to play with because the PH5e has lists of suggested personality traits by Background you can roll for, or you can pick/make up your own! It helps with role play so you aren't stuck just being Earth you 24/7.

Side note: If you're as indecisive as I am, you might just want to roll for it and see what comes up. You could end up playing as someone entirely different from you.
Not to mention if a DM thinks you're playing your character well, they might give you a bonus d20 to use when you need an extra boost called an inspiration dice. Depends on the DM. 

Now that we have all the technicalities sorted, let's fill in that character sheet!

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