In a realm where the art of transformation is both a gift and a challenge, selecting the right background is essential for weaving a tapestry of mystery and adaptability.
This guide takes you through the enigmatic realms, presenting the five best backgrounds meticulously tailored to complement the fluid nature and clandestine abilities of Changelings.
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 Changelings
5. Feylost
Skill Proficiencies – Survival, Deception
Tool Proficiencies – One type of musical instrument
Languages – Choose one among Sylvan, Goblin, Gnomish, or Elvish
Equipment – A set of traveler’s clothes, a musical instrument (choose one), three trinkets (determined by rolling the Feywild Trinkets table), and a pouch with 8GP.
Why the Feylost?
Feylost Changelings may be closer to the Feywilds than others in their species, leaving them with a Fey Mark as well as better communication skills with Fey creatures.
Feywild Visitor makes a spirit of the Feywild visit you in a deep trance or long rest.
This visitor will never harm you but can bring all sorts of information or a bunch of nonsense, though you’ll have to nitpick what information you take seriously.
4. Charlatan
Skill Proficiencies – Sleight of Hand, Deception
Tool Proficiencies – Forgery kit, Disguise kit
Languages – None
Equipment – Tools of the con of your choice (a signet ring, a deck of marked cards, a set of weighted dice, or ten stoppered bottles filled with a colored liquid), a set of fine clothes, a disguise kit, and a pouch with 15GP.
Why the Charlatan?
As a Charlatan, you can use False Identity to disguise yourself, allowing you to perform certain acts without being noticed.
It even allows you to forge official documents and handwriting you’re trying to copy, which can change many outcomes in a more political campaign.
Note: Changelings are ideal Charlatans because of their ability to change their bodies and always get away from trouble with it.
3. Faceless
Skill Proficiencies – Intimidation, Deception
Tool Proficiencies – Disguise kit
Languages – Choose one
Equipment – A costume, a disguise kit, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Faceless?
Faceless Changelings definitely have an identity crisis, as they won’t only be able to change themselves naturally but using a Disguise kit as well.
Dual Personalities will also stop anyone trying to look up information about your true self, keeping you anonymous no matter how hard they try to get dirt on you.
That also means you can change your appearance between your two personalities. Just don’t let others see this change, as this will weaken your deception.
2. Courtier
Skill Proficiencies – Persuasion, Insight
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Choose two
Equipment – Set of fine clothes and a pouch with 5GP.
Why the Courtier?
Courtier Changelings excels at courting royalty, not only because of their emotional manipulation but because of their physical alteration as well.
Court Functionary gives you knowledge about how bureaucracies function and allows access to records and the inner workings of governments and noble courts.
You can also identify who to ask for favors and understand the group’s current interests and intrigues.
1. 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.
Final Thoughts
Whether navigating the shadows as a Spy, influencing royalty as a Courtier, or coming from the enchanting forest of the Fey as a Feylost, each background provides a unique lens through which your Changeling character can express their enigmatic nature.
Dive into the intricate layers of your character’s past, allowing the chosen background to seamlessly interweave with their ever-adapting persona.