Leonin, the proud and noble lion-like humanoid race in D&D, bring a fierce and regal presence to any adventuring party.
Selecting the perfect background for your Leonin character can enhance their natural abilities and add depth to their role-playing potential.
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 Leonin
5. 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 gaming set or musical instrument you’re 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 gives you the All Eyes on You feature, marking you as foreign and garnering attention from everyone, including commoners, scholars, nobles, merchants, princes, and kings.
Leonin garner many looks, mostly of awe or fear, as their proud stance and tall stature bring fear in even the most seasoned fighters.
Leonin have made a name for themselves as warriors, and many distinguished figureheads may try to recruit or propose deals to serve and protect their nations (though they usually fail because of their immense pride).
4. Noble
Skill Proficiencies – Persuasion, History
Tool Proficiencies – One type of gaming set
Languages – Choose one
Equipment – A signet ring, a set of fine clothes, a scroll of pedigree, and a purse with 25GP.
Why the Noble?
Nobles have the Position of Privilege feature that has people always think the best of them, welcoming them to high society and assuming they have the right to be in places others would barred from entering.
Commoners will try to accommodate your wishes and avoid your displeasure, while others of high birth will treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can even secure an audience with a noble if the need arises.
Leonin are already prideful, even more so among their nobility, which shines through when being approached by other races in the Material Plane.
Even if Leonin might not be too enthusiastic about other races, a noble Leonin’s influence is great, and they demand the highest respect, even among kings.
3. 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?
Acolytes receive the Shelter of the Faithful feature, granting you access to resources of temples and sanctuaries sharing your faith.
This allows you to receive free healing, food, and stay, though you’ll have to compensate them for any materials used in spells.
Most Leonin rely on their pride and predator’s instincts to get through life, but some devote themselves to deities, shaking off their pride and offering it up to greater beings.
There are few of these Leonin, but their physical strength combined with the help of their chosen deity make for a powerful feline.
2. 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?
Outlanders have the Wanderer feature, giving them an excellent memory for geography and maps. Allowing them to always recall the general layout of settlements, terrain, and features around them.
They can also find fresh water and food for themselves and up to five others every day if the land offers water, small game, berries, and other things.
In the land of Oreskos, all Leonin have their duties, some of which are to hunt, allowing them to absorb knowledge of the wilderness and use that skill in other worlds.
1. Soldier
Skill Proficiencies – Intimidation, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies – Vehicles (land), One type of gaming set
Languages – None
Equipment – A trophy you took from a fallen enemy (a piece of a banner, dagger, or broken blade), a set of common clothes, a deck of cards or a set of bone dice, an insignia of rank, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Soldier?
Soldiers receive the Military Rank feature, allowing you to exert your rank and impose authority over soldiers lower than you.
This authority can grant you and your party access to fortresses, encampments, simple equipment, and horses.
Without fighting for Oreskos, there can be no pride, and so many Leonin will voluntarily become Soldiers as their honor demands it.
Their superior strength, agility, and size make them some of the most feared warriors imaginable, known even among the gods.
Final Thoughts
Backgrounds such as the Soldier, Noble, or Acolyte can highlight their warrior culture and honor-bound traditions, while the Far Traveler or Outlander backgrounds can show a mystique and nature-attuned lifestyle.
Select a background that aligns with your Leonin’s personality and ambitions, and embark on a campaign filled with valorous deeds and noble quests.