A character’s background has a lot of depth behind it, even if some players don’t regard it as too important.
Backgrounds usually contain two essential aspects that a character needs to consider: whether the stats are beneficial and what the background says about the character before becoming an adventurer.
For a full roleplaying Sorcerer, you might look for backgrounds focusing on unknown magical origins, a struggle with power, or being an outcast.
Contents
Best Sorcerer Backgrounds
5. Courtier
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Set of fine clothes (Value: 15 GP Weight: 6 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 5 GP
Explanation
Both Insight and Persuasion are good Sorcerer skills to have, even if you don’t have the Wisdom to fully support Insight.
The two languages are a massive plus in combination with your Charisma and Persuasion, and the equipment can be quite valuable if you know where to take them.
4. City Watch
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Athletics, Insight
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Uniform in the style of your respective unit and indicative of your rank
- Horn (Value: 3 GP Weight: 2 lbs) with which to summon help
- Set of manacles (Value: 2 GP Weight: 6 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 10 GP
Explanation
City Watch can be a great addition to your Sorcerer with Insight and its good equipment. The only problem is that you won’t get much out of Athletics.
The two languages are also very nice to have in the early game, and since you get fewer spells learned than most, it’ll be a good addition if you don’t want Tongues.
3. Acolyte
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight, Religion
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Holy symbol (a gift given to you when you entered priesthood)
- Prayer book or prayer wheel
- 5 Sticks of incense
- Vestments (Value: 0 Weight: 0)
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Acolyte gives you Insight and two languages, Insight being a good Sorcerer skill and the two languages working well with your Charisma.
The additional equipment is also very good, especially 15 GP and the Shelter of the Faithful feature.
2. Guild Artisan
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies – One type of Artisan’s tools
Languages – One of your choice
Equipment
- Set of Artisan’s tools (one of your choice)
- Letter of introduction from your guild
- Set of Traveler’s clothes (Value: 2 GP Weight: 4 lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Guild Artisan gives you a good two good Sorcerer skills and one language, which benefits from your Charisma.
The Artisan’s tools are nice to have, even if you won’t use them, but the equipment is definitely a plus, especially the 15 GP.
1. Faction Agent
Description
Skill Proficiencies – Insight and one Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom skill you choose, as appropriate to your faction
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two of your choice
Equipment
- Badge or emblem (Value: 5 GP Weight: 0) of your faction
- Copy of a seminal faction text (or a code book for a covert faction)
- Set of common clothes (Value: 5 SP Weight: 3lbs)
- Pouch (Value: 5 SP Weight: 1lb) containing 15 GP
Explanation
Faction Agent gives you a lot of freedom when choosing your skill, and the two languages you get are excellent with your high Charisma.
The equipment you get is worth a lot, and the 15 GP will go a long way to get you something better than previously possible.
Final Thoughts
Sorcerers are those bestowed with magical gifts without doing much to receive them.
The backgrounds giving benefits to Sorcerers and telling their story fit them perfectly.
However, certain elements might not fit your character, but you can change their overall flavor and turn them into completely new backgrounds without changing the benefits they provide!