All 18 New D&D Backgrounds in Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn

Dungeons & Dragons made backgrounds more important in the 2024 rules, and *Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn *follows suit by adding a lot of new options. The new book contains 18 new backgrounds in total, with ten designated as regional backgrounds and eight as faction backgrounds.

These backgrounds tend to make a lot more sense if you’re playing a Forgotten Realms campaign, but the concepts could be tweaked a bit to fit into other settings. Either way, these make it possible to tap into new Origin feats and different combinations of proficiencies, expanding…

Chondathan Freebooter

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom
Skilled
Athletics and Sleight of Hand
Weaver’s Tools
(A) Dagger, Weaver’s Tools, Rope, Backpack, Ball Bearings, Basket, Bedroll, Bucket, Rations Rope, Signal Whistle, Traveler’s Clothes, 38 GP or (B) 50 GP

Chondathan Freebooters fled the mandatory four years of military service to take to the seas. Appropriately, the ability scores are the same as the standard Sailor background, but other details of the subclass are different.

Dead Magic Dweller

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Strength, Constitution, Wisdom
Healer
Medicine and Survival
Leatherworker’s Tools
(A) Greatclub, Leatherworker’s Tools, Bedroll, Blanket, Healer’s Kit, Pole, Rations, Tent, Tinderbox, Traveler’s Clothes, Waterskin, 32 GP or (B) 50 GP

The Anauroch desert is a harsh place for everyone, but especially for spellcasters. Dead Magic Dwellers live there for that exact reason, seeking to avoid magic and the threats that might come with it.

Dragon Cultist

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence
Cult of the Dragon Initiate
Deception and Stealth
Calligrapher’s Supplies
(A) Calligrapher’s Supplies, Dagger, Glass Bottle, Lamp, Manacles, Oil, 2 Pouches, Robe, Rope, 30 GP or (B) 50 GP

Initiates of the Cult of the Dragon are as determined as they are furtive, tracking with their ability scores and skill proficiencies in areas like Dexterity, Constitution, and Deception. They’re also interested in studies of arcana and occultism, as their supplies and Intelligence scores reflect.

Emerald Enclave Caretaker

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom
Emerald Enclave Fledgling
Nature and Survival
Herbalism Kit
(A) Shortbow, 20 Arrows, Herbalism Kit, Bedroll, Blanket, Pouch, Tent, Traveler’s Clothes, 13 GP or (B) 50 GP

Emerald Enclave Caretakers learn the ways of the natural world, coexisting with flora and fauna in ways that might make a druid jealous. That doesn’t mean they can’t bite, however, and they’re perfectly happy to “rid the world of unnatural creatures.”

Flaming Fist Mercenary

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Strength, Constitution, Charisma
Tough
Intimidation and Perception
Smith’s Tools
(A) Mace, Smith’s Tools, Fine Clothes, Manacles, Portable Ram, 4 GP or (B) 50 GP

Flaming Fists maintain the law on the streets of Baldur’s Gate, a task that gives them plenty of endurance. That being said, they can be just as charismatic as they are tough, using intimidating words to keep the criminal element in line.

Genie Touched

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Dexterity, Wisdom, Charisma
Magic Initiate
Perception and Persuasion
Glassblower’s Tools
(A) Light Hammer, Glassblower’s Tools, Fine Clothes, Lamp, Oil, Waterskin, 2 GP or (B) 50 GP

Genie Touched makes the most sense for adventurers from Calimshan, who might have encountered genies in any manner of ways over the years. Following that encounter, the Genie Touched picked up on a bit of genie magic, giving them “a keen eye, a silver tongue, and more than a touch of magic.”

Harper

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Dexterity, Intelligence, Charisma
Harper Agent
Performance and Sleight of Hand
Disguise Kit
(A) Disguise Kit, Bedroll, Costume, Grappling Hook, Rope, Traveler’s Clothes, 14 GP or (B) 50 GP

Harpers are united by a specific set of values, but they also share a set of skills. Harpers are good at working in subterfuge, but they do so with the intent of the common good, setting them apart from some backgrounds with similar strengths.

Ice Fisher

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Strength, Dexterity, Constitution
Alert
Animal Handling and Athletics
Woodcarver’s Tools
(A) Woodcarver’s Tools, Basket, Block and Tackle, Bucket, Chain, Hunting Trap, Net, Pole, Rations, Rope, Traveler’s Clothes, 32 GP or (B) 50 GP

Supplying food in Icewind Dale can be tricky, and Ice Fishers are consequently valued for their meaningful, if mundane, contributions. This hardy background contributes to endurance, but it also requires attentiveness and a good hand with animals.

Knight of the Gauntlet

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom
Tyro of the Gauntlet
Athletics and Medicine
Smith’s Tools
(A) Spear, Smith’s Tools, Bullseye Lantern, Holy Symbol, Manacles, Oil, Tinderbox, Traveler’s Clothes, 9 GP or (B) 50 GP

Knights of the Gauntlet are holy warriors with high ideals of justice and compassion. This background would make perfect sense for plenty of paladins, but it could also be applied to other classes in more creative ways.

Lords’ Alliance Vassal

Ability Scores	Feat	Skill Proficiencies	Tool Proficiency	Equipment
Strength, Intelligence, Charisma
Lords’ Alliance Agent
Insight and Persuasion
Calligrapher’s Supplies
(A) 2 Javelins, Calligrapher’s Supplies, Fine Clothes, Ink, 5 Ink Pens, Parchment, 13 GP or (B) 50 GP

Lords’ Alliance Vassals work along the Sword Coast in the service of lords’ houses. They need a diverse set of skills to do so, handling diplomatic communications as well as resolving situations with force when necessary.