In a world where the very ground responds to their presence, selecting the right background becomes paramount for a narrative rich in both earthly stability and strategic versatility.
This guide leads you through the rugged landscapes, presenting the five best backgrounds meticulously crafted to resonate with the grounded nature and resilient abilities of Earth Genasi.
Contents
What Are Backgrounds in D&D 5e?
Backgrounds are more than simple stat boosts in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. They reveal where your character came from, why you became an adventurer, and your place in the world.
Before choosing your Background, ask yourself a few questions:
- What was I before I became an adventurer?
- Why did I stop doing what my Background explains and become an adventurer?
- Where did I get the money to buy my starting equipment?
- Where did I learn the skills used in my class?
- What’s different about me compared to others with the same Background?
Best Backgrounds for Earth Genasi
5. Archaeologist
Skill Proficiencies – Survival, History
Tool Proficiencies – Navigator’s toos or cartographer’s tools
Languages – Choose one
Equipment – A bullseye lantern, a wooden case containing a map to a ruin or dungeon, a miner’s pick, a shovel, a set of traveler’s clothes, a two-person tent, a trinket recovered from a dig site, and a pouch with 25GP.
Why the Archaeologist?
Earth Genasi are very close to nature, sharing a love for it, meaning they can make successful Archaeologists.
Historical Knowledge helps a lot in dungeons, allowing you to ascertain a ruin or dungeon’s original purpose, as well as determining its builders.
You can even determine the monetary value of art objects older than a century.
4. Acolyte
Skill Proficiencies – Religion, Insight
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Choose two
Equipment – One holy symbol (gift to you when you entered the priesthood), a set of common clothes, a prayer book or prayer wheel, 5 sticks of incense, vestments, and a pouch with 15GP.
Why the Acolyte?
Earth Genasi already make excellent Clerics and Paladins, especially because of their free spells, and when combined with an Acolytle’s Shelter of Faith, you’ll never need a shelter again.
3. Gladiator
Skill Proficiencies – Performance, Acrobatics
Tool Proficiencies – Single type of musical instrument (or an inexpensive, unusual weapon like a net or trident), Disguise kit
Languages – None
Equipment – One musical instrument you choose (or unusual weapon), a costume, the favor of an admirer (trinket, love letter, or lock of hair), and a pouch with 15GP.
Why the Gladiator?
Since Earth Genasu can become adept warriors, the By Popular Demand feature can promise stay in almost any establishment that offers fighting as entertainment.
2. Spy
Skill Proficiencies – Stealth, Deception
Tool Proficiencies – Thieves’ tools, One type of gaming set
Languages – None
Equipment – A set of dark common clothes, including a hood, a crowbar, and a pouch with 15GP.
Why the Spy?
A spy is essentially an espionage agent with a Criminal Speciality and Criminal Contacts that allow them to contact networks of other criminals.
This allows them to send messages over great distances, as you know of all the illegal dealings in an area.
1. Outlander
Skill Proficiencies – Survival, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies – One type of musical instrument
Languages – One you choose
Equipment – A trophy from an animal you killed, a set of traveler’s clothes, a hunting trap, a staff, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Outlander?
Outlander works for almost any class you choose as an Earth Genasi, and because of your link to nature and ease of movement, you’ll make an even better scout.
Not to mention that you can easily find water and food, enough to feed up to 5 party members.
Final Thoughts
Whether navigating the shadows as a Spy, unraveling earthly mysteries as an Archaeologist, pursuing spiritual enlightenment as an Acolyte, or thriving in the wilderness as an Outlander, each background contributes a unique hue to your Earth Genasi’s narrative.
Unearth the depths of your character’s history, allowing the chosen background to seamlessly weave into their stoic existence.