Verdan, with their unique physiology and connection to Chaos, offer an intriguing twist to any D&D adventure.
Choosing the right background can greatly enhance your role-playing experience, allowing you to delve deep into the essence of a Verdan character.
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 Verdan
5. Haunted One
Skill Proficiencies – Choose two of Survival, Religion, Investigation, or Arcana
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Choose two languages, one of which being an exotic language (Undercommon, Sylvan, Primordial, Infernal, Draconic, Deep Speech, Celestial, or Abyssal)
Equipment – A set of common clothes, a monster hunter’s pack, one trinket of special significance (you may choose one or roll for one on the Gothic Trinkets table), and 1SP.
Why the Haunted One?
Shaped by a Harrowing Event, Haunted One Verdan have experienced some of the most horrific atrocities known to any living creature, especially because of their link to Chaos.
Their Heart of Darkness fills your eyes with unimaginable horror, noticed by those who speak to you, understanding that you are no stranger to darkness.
Verdan are relatively secretive, though because of their transformation by the shadow of That-Which-Endures, they have endured countless hardships, mostly turning them away from evil and towards good or at least neutral alignments.
4. 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?
Spies aren’t much different from normal Criminals or Smugglers, but they have practiced in vastly different ways.
In fact, most spies are trained espionage agents. Many work as sanctioned agents of the crown or sell uncovered secrets to the highest bidder.
Because Verdan are linked to Goblins, who are traditionally quite sneaky, and they have a good Charisma score, they can make for a great Face.
3. Sage
Skill Proficiencies – History, Arcana
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Two you choose
Equipment – A set of common clothes, a letter from a dead colleague posing a question you haven’t been able to answer, a bottle of ink, a small knife, a quill, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Sage?
Sages have the Researcher feature, allowing them to effortlessly recall information and lore.
If they do not know the information, they will know where to find the information, such as in a university, scriptorium, or some other place of knowledge.
However, some knowledge is extremely difficult to obtain and can take a long time to unlock or force you to perform questionable actions.
Verdan have been touched by That-Which-Endures, being imbued with Chaos from their first breath.
Many Verdan use this encounter to start learning about the multiverse and all its vastness, understanding who they are and why they were targeted by That-Which-Endures.
2. Entertainer
Skill Proficiencies – Performance, Acrobatics
Tool Proficiencies – One type of musical instrument and a Disguise kit
Languages – None
Equipment – One musical instrument you choose, a costume, the favor of an admirer (trinket, love letter, or lock of hair), and a pouch with 15GP.
Why the Entertainer?
Entertainers have the By Popular Demand feature, allowing them to perform in places like taverns or courts for free lodging and food.
This stay can be lengthened by performing for the owners every night, and with each performance, your fame with the locals will increase.
As you already know, Verdan have the dextrous abilities of a Goblin and Hobgoblin, as well as additional Charisma, making them excellent performers, both in acrobatics and speech.
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.
Verdan are descendants of Goblins and Hobgoblins tied to Chaos, giving them magical and physical qualities that are very useful as common soldiers but even better as commanders or generals (which most of them can easily become).
Final Thoughts
Backgrounds such as Spy, Soldier, or Entertainer can provide intriguing roleplaying opportunities, while the Sage or Haunted One backgrounds can add layers to their understanding of their place in the world.
Choose a background that resonates with your character’s journey of self-discovery, and see how they bring a compelling presence to your adventures.