In the subterranean world where shadows dance, and gem-laden caverns beckon, selecting the right background is paramount for a narrative that resonates with the stealthy ingenuity of Deep Gnomes.
This guide takes you on a journey through the underground, presenting the five best backgrounds intricately crafted to complement the subterranean essence and cunning abilities of Deep Gnomes.
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 Deep Gnomes
5. Cloistered Scholar
Skill Proficiencies – History, plus one among Religion, Nature, and Arcana
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Choose two
Equipment – The scholar’s robes of your cloister, a borrowed book on the subject of your current study, a writing kit (a pouch with a small penknife, folded parchment, a bottle of ink, and a quill), and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Cloistered Scholar?
Deep Gnomes might live in the Underdark, but they still make good knowledge-based characters, especially because of their intellect.
Library Access will grant you access to many archives in major libraries across the land. You also have connections with your cloister’s bureaucracy and personnel, and you will most likely gain preferential treatment in many libraries in the realm.
4. Smuggler
Skill Proficiencies – Deception, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies – Vehicles (water)
Equipment – Fancy leather vest or a pair of leather boots, set of common clothes, and a leather pouch containing 15GP.
Why the Smuggler?
Smuggler Deep Gnomes can use their cunning nature and ruthlessness to their advantage, making deals that otherwise wouldn’t have worked and not taking no for an answer.
Down Low lets you tap into a network of smugglers willing to help you in difficult situations. While in certain areas, you and your party may stay freely in safe houses.
3. Far Traveler
Skill Proficiencies – Perception, Insight
Tool Proficiencies – One musical instrument or gaming set you choose (most likely something native to your homeland)
Languages – Choose one
Equipment – Set of traveler’s clothes, one musical instrument or gaming set you are proficient with, a small piece of jewelry worth 10GP in the style of your homeland’s craftsmanship, poorly wrought maps from your homeland depicting where you are in Faerûn, and a pouch with 5GP.
Why the Far Traveler?
Far Traveler Deep Gnomes look much different than normal Gnomes and will immediately stand out among the masses.
Far Traveler allows you to customize just how strange your Deep Gnome is, and All Eyes on You will undoubtedly portray you as foreign, garnering many confused looks.
2. 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 Deep Gnomes already make great Rogues, and with their darkvision and the use of a Disguise kit, they only become more stealthy.
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.
1. Guild Merchant
Skill Proficiencies – Persuasion, Insight
Tool Proficiencies – One type of Artisan’s tools or Navigator’s tools (your choice)
Languages – Choose one (add another language if you don’t want Navigator’s tools)
Equipment – A set of Artisan’s tools (choose one), a mule and a cart (if you don’t want the Artisan’s tools), a set of traveler’s clothes, a letter of introduction from your guild, and a pouch with 15GP.
Why the Guild Merchant?
Duergar are quite similar to Dwarves, understanding trade and loving money, so they already fit the position of Guild Merchant perfectly.
Not only can Guild Merchants start with mule-pulled carts, Guild Business gives you proficiency with Artisan’s tools, and Guild Membership can guarantee safe lodging and food for your party.
Final Thoughts
Whether navigating the intricate criminal underground as a Smuggler, unraveling arcane mysteries as a Cloistered Scholar, or becoming one with the shadows as a Faceless, each background paints a distinct narrative for your Deep Gnome character.
Plunge into the depths of your character’s history, allowing the chosen background to seamlessly meld with their subterranean existence.