Overview

The character you're making is not yet the gifted adventuring type you're used to. These are the extras from the background of a typical D&D adventure, but they have no less potential for heroism or villainy. They will act primarily on the gifts of their race, and the experience from their occupation. They have yet to be able to benefit from the the learned skills of a class.
You will level up to be level 1 once your first act of great heroism, or of villainy, has been committed. Upon doing so, select a class, choose your background to be the same as your occupation below, and modify stats as detailed in the Stats section of this document. You will not gain equipment as normal upon reaching level 1.

Equipment

The starting equipment for your character is as follows:

• Any 2 weapons which you are proficient in. (Spellcasting foci count towards this total)
• Any armor which you are proficient in, except plate.
• 15 gold pieces, and common clothes.
• Any equipment pack as found in the PHB

Stats

When determining the stat block for your character, you have three options to choose from, at your DM's discretion:

• Use the stat array 14, 12, 11, 11, 10, 8
• Use the point-buy system detailed in the PHB, with 19 allotted points.
• Roll 5d4, dropping the lowest rolled number. Repeat this for each stat

Apply racial bonuses, features, and modifiers as normal when creating a level 0 character.
When advancing to level 1, add a total of 6 points between any selection of stats, being sure that no stat exceeds 15 before racial modifiers.

Cantrips

While creating a character, if the table instructs you to choose 2 cantrips from say, Cleric or Warlock, both cantrips must be from the same class.
If the class you want to choose cantrips from isn't listed, talk with your DM about why the cantrip(s) you want are appropriate for that background.