Backgrounds: Outlander Replacements
Outlander background is problematic in campaigns where survival is important, and is too generalized for my tastes. Here are some replacement backgrounds.
Nomad
You grew up on the move, out in the wilderness beyond what most would call civilization. Traveling for miles on foot and on mount, living off the land, and navigating by the stars were staples of daily life among your people. The wilds are in your blood, and you can adapt to survive anywhere that your feet may take you.
Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Land Vehicles or one artisan's tool of your choice
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of tribal clothes, a small knife, a keepsake of your people, a pouch containing 5 gp, and your choice of a riding horse, hawk, or dog.
Wildlander
You are an outdoorsman at heart, living and working away from society. Whether as a trapper or hunter, returning the spoils of the wild to your village, or an outlander eschewing traditional civilization all together, surviving on your own is second nature to you. The breeze in the trees, the herds of wild beasts, the flow of clear streams, these are what tell you that you are home.
Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kits, One type of musical instrument
Equipment: A staff, a hunting trap, a trophy from an animal you killed, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a belt pouch containing 5 gp
Feature: Self-sufficiency
You have an understanding of the patterns of nature and its denizens, which help you survive in even the most wild of terrains. You can automatically find food and fresh water for yourself each day, as long as you are not in truly desolate terrain.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home. |
| 2 | I have a lesson for every situation, drawn from observing nature. |
| 3 | I like to whistle and play music to animals, sometimes birds whistle back. |
| 4 | I've always found sleeping out under the stars more comforting than sleeping inside in a bed. |
| 5 | Sometimes I forget, or ignore, the mannerisms and etiquette of society. |
| 6 | I’m always picking things up, absently fiddling with them, and sometimes accidentally breaking them. |
| 7 | I find satisfaction in knowing that I can support myself, without anyone else's help. |
| 8 | There are many creatures in nature that others find savage or terrible, I find them beautiful. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fate. The world is in an ongoing cycle of destruction and creation, and we all have a duty to see this process out, for better or worse. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Freedom. The beasts of the wilderness find harmony without tyrannical rule. (Chaotic) |
| 3 | Cooperation. By supporting and caring for each other, the world can progress and evolve to live in harmony. (Good) |
| 4 | Might. The strongest are meant to rule. (Evil) |
| 5 | Nature. The natural world is more important than all the constructs of civilization. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Perfection. I must seek perfection in everything that I do, and everything that I am. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I seek bountiful new lands for future generations to enjoy. |
| 2 | An injury to the unspoiled wilderness of my home is an injury to me. |
| 3 | Those who abuse their power deserve to have it taken from them. |
| 4 | Those who took me from my people must pay for their crimes and any who would dare to do the same to another will suffer the same fate. |
| 5 | I suffer awful visions of a coming disaster and will do anything to prevent it. |
| 6 | The balance of the world is being upset by the destruction of nature, and I must do all I can to restore the balance. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I am too enamored of ale, wine, and other intoxicants. |
| 2 | Nature is infinitely abundant, why worry about every scrap of food or drop of water? |
| 3 | I remember every insult I’ve received and nurse a silent resentment toward anyone who’s ever wronged me. |
| 4 | I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies. |
| 5 | Violence is my answer to almost any challenge. |
| 6 | Don’t expect me to save those who can’t save themselves. It is nature’s way that the strong thrive and the weak perish. |
Variant Soldier: Tribal Warrior
Instead of an organized military company, you may have been a warrior of a tribe or clan. If you wish to be a Tribal Warrior, choose the Blood Brothers feature instead of the Military Rank feature. Such groups tend to lack the organization of more civilized militaries, so your insignia of rank may be instead a tattoo, piercing, special trinket, or even a scar. Rather than proficiency with land vehicles, you might be proficient with a musical instrument or an additional language.
Variant Feature: Blood Brothers
You have sworn a blood oath with a comrade, binding you together as family. Hardship and conflict have forged your comradery into something greater. They do not serve you, but respect and admire you, and will happily open their doors to you, providing food and lodging. Your blood brother (or sister) will even fight to defend you from harm, but will only follow you in your adventures if they see fit to do so. You are expected to treat your blood brother the same, assisting them and defending them in their times of need, as a keeper of your shared oath.
Your blood brother is an NPC in the world, work with your DM to determine their characteristics and current status. At your DM's discretion, you could even have multiple blood brothers, each an individual NPC.