Update: creating randomly generated 5.5e characters /u/trundlewheel DnD: Roll for Initiative!

Update to this post

I have rushed ahead of myself and populated 5/192 possible unique 5.5e level 1 characters (192 based on Class/Background combinations)

So far, I’ve really been enjoying the creative exercise of taking what the dice have thrown at me and turning it into a backstory and personality. Nothing too crazy has been spat my way yet, but it was interesting combining Soldier with Warlock, and Guard with Rogue. Both would be considered sub-optimal as they don’t offer any bonus to the primary stat.

Here’s the link to the Random Tables, which also links to each character sheet in a matrix. I would love to see others try it out and see what you come up with!

Below I’ll share the appearance and backstories/personality I’ve written for each new addition:

Barbarian x Artisan – Tiefling (Chthonic)

Gar is short and unnaturally pale, with every visible inch of his sinewy, muscular body covered in tattoos. His horns and tail are goat like, which add to his intimidating aura.

Gar isn’t good with the customers. A short fuse, combined with a know-it-all attitude to food & drink, make for an explosive combination. Though, when it comes to unusual cocktails and wine pairings, one could be forgiven for thinking that he does, in fact, know it all.

Despite this undeniable talent, Gar’s uncompromising nature means he has moved around extensively from tavern to tavern. His goal is to raise enough funds to finally found his own establishment and to run it his way.

Rogue x Guard – Aasimar

An unassuming, somewhat plain woman except for her piercing cyan blue eyes. Nina often uses her ordinary appearance to her advantage: blending into a crowd and hiding in plain sight when required.

Nina is a private investigator, specializing in reconnaissance. She mostly works with the city guard to disrupt organized crime activities by infiltrating the Thieves’ Guild and reporting back on her findings.

She also takes private contracts, including assisting jilted women by catching their cheating spouses in the act – a service for which she prefers not to charge Her only real vice is gambling. She loves to put her acute senses to the test at the cards table.

Sorcerer x Charlatan – Gnome

Standing a little under 1m tall, Engelbart makes up for in style what he lacks in stature. He is always garishly dressed, favoring bright colors and costume jewelry. If his clothes fail to make an impression, Engelbart’s enchanting voice will.

As a gnome, Engelbart was expected to have some innate magical abilities. However, for as long he can remember, he has had more of an arcane aptitude than many of his peers. Even surpassing some who have dedicated themselves to study (much to their frustration).

Engelbart was quick to turn his natural talents into money-making schemes, often beguiling unsuspecting tourists into paying him hefty sums for useless trinkets (or helping himself to the contents of their pockets while he distracted them with legerdemain).

Warlock x Soldier – Goliath (Frost Giant)

At almost 7ft tall, Sigmund is an imposing presence anywhere he goes. His platinum blonde hair and beard are both shaggy and unkempt. He is seldom far from Billy, his goat familiar.

Sigmund was a member of a local militia, tasked with guarding one of many cold and desolate mountain passes. One day, a storm and ensuing avalanche cut him off from his compatriots and revealed a mysterious cavern.

Cold and hunger drove him deep into the mountain, where a voice offered him survival in exchange for servitude. Sigmund accepted and found new arcane powers bestowed upon him, while his new magical mountain goat led him to safety.

Update to this post

I have rushed ahead of myself and populated 5/192 possible unique 5.5e level 1 characters (192 based on Class/Background combinations)

So far, I’ve really been enjoying the creative exercise of taking what the dice have thrown at me and turning it into a backstory and personality. Nothing too crazy has been spat my way yet, but it was interesting combining Soldier with Warlock, and Guard with Rogue. Both would be considered sub-optimal as they don’t offer any bonus to the primary stat.

Here’s the link to the Random Tables, which also links to each character sheet in a matrix. I would love to see others try it out and see what you come up with!

Below I’ll share the appearance and backstories/personality I’ve written for each new addition:

Barbarian x Artisan – Tiefling (Chthonic)

Gar is short and unnaturally pale, with every visible inch of his sinewy, muscular body covered in tattoos. His horns and tail are goat like, which add to his intimidating aura.

Gar isn’t good with the customers. A short fuse, combined with a know-it-all attitude to food & drink, make for an explosive combination. Though, when it comes to unusual cocktails and wine pairings, one could be forgiven for thinking that he does, in fact, know it all.

Despite this undeniable talent, Gar’s uncompromising nature means he has moved around extensively from tavern to tavern. His goal is to raise enough funds to finally found his own establishment and to run it his way.

Rogue x Guard – Aasimar

An unassuming, somewhat plain woman except for her piercing cyan blue eyes. Nina often uses her ordinary appearance to her advantage: blending into a crowd and hiding in plain sight when required.

Nina is a private investigator, specializing in reconnaissance. She mostly works with the city guard to disrupt organized crime activities by infiltrating the Thieves’ Guild and reporting back on her findings.

She also takes private contracts, including assisting jilted women by catching their cheating spouses in the act – a service for which she prefers not to charge Her only real vice is gambling. She loves to put her acute senses to the test at the cards table.

Sorcerer x Charlatan – Gnome

Standing a little under 1m tall, Engelbart makes up for in style what he lacks in stature. He is always garishly dressed, favoring bright colors and costume jewelry. If his clothes fail to make an impression, Engelbart’s enchanting voice will.

As a gnome, Engelbart was expected to have some innate magical abilities. However, for as long he can remember, he has had more of an arcane aptitude than many of his peers. Even surpassing some who have dedicated themselves to study (much to their frustration).

Engelbart was quick to turn his natural talents into money-making schemes, often beguiling unsuspecting tourists into paying him hefty sums for useless trinkets (or helping himself to the contents of their pockets while he distracted them with legerdemain).

Warlock x Soldier – Goliath (Frost Giant)

At almost 7ft tall, Sigmund is an imposing presence anywhere he goes. His platinum blonde hair and beard are both shaggy and unkempt. He is seldom far from Billy, his goat familiar.

Sigmund was a member of a local militia, tasked with guarding one of many cold and desolate mountain passes. One day, a storm and ensuing avalanche cut him off from his compatriots and revealed a mysterious cavern.

Cold and hunger drove him deep into the mountain, where a voice offered him survival in exchange for servitude. Sigmund accepted and found new arcane powers bestowed upon him, while his new magical mountain goat led him to safety.