Page 106 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

Tal’Dorei Backgrounds

The Player’s Handbook presents a brilliant selection of character backgrounds already outlined for use throughout your
Exandria campaign. This section offers additional options for character backgrounds you can offer player characters, these
being specific to the Tal’Dorei region.
Similar to the section provided in the Player’s Handbook, the backgrounds listed below provide proficiencies, languages,
and equipment, as well as a background feature and sometimes a variant form. For personality traits, ideals, bond, and
flaws, most of the backgrounds in this chapter use a thematically similar background in the Player’s Handbook as their
foundation.
clasp member The turn comes when a favor is asked to be repaid. The
favor debt can be called in without warning, and many
times with intended immediacy. Perhaps the player is
Whether you grew up in the slum-run streets of Kymal
called to commit a specific burglary without the option to
bamboozling foolish gamblers out of their fortune, or
decline. Maybe they must press a dignitary for a specific
spent your youth pilfering loose coin from the pock-
secret at an upcoming ball. The Clasp could even request
ets of the less-attentive travelers throughout Emon,
a hit on an NPC, no questions asked or answered. The
your lifestyle of deceiving-to-survive eventually drew
DM is to provide a debt call proportionate to the favor
the attention of the Clasp: the most organized, and
fulfilled. If a favor is not repaid within a reasonable period
dangerous, crime syndicate across Tal’Dorei. Offering
of time, membership to the Clasp can be revoked, and if
protection, a modicum of kinship, and a number of
the debt is large enough, the player may become
useful resources to further develop your craft as a crimi-
the next hit contract to make
nal, you agree to receive the brand of the Clasp and join
the rounds.
their ranks.
You might have been working the guild’s lower ranks,
wandering the alleys as a simple cutpurse to fill the
meager coffers with wayward gold until the opportunity
arose to climb the professional ladder. Or you may have
been ordained a Spook, a clever actor and liar whose skill
in blending in with all facets of society has made you an
indispensable agent of information gathering. Perhaps
your technique with a blade and swiftness of action led
you to become a feared hitman for a Clasp Spireling,
sending you on the occasional contract to snuff the life of
some unfortunate soul who crossed the Clasp. Regardless,
while the threat of the law is ever looming, the advantages
to having a foot in such a powerful cartel can greatly out-
weigh the paranoia.
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, plus your choice of one
between Sleight of Hand or Stealth.
Tool Proficiencies: Your choice of one from Thieves’
Tools, Forgery Kit, or Disguise Kit.
Languages: Thieves’ Cant
Equipment: A set of dark common clothes including
a hood, a set of tools to match your choice of tool
proficiency, and a belt pouch containing 10g.

feature: a favor in turn
You have gained enough clout within the Clasp that you
can call in a favor from your contacts, should you be close
enough to a center of Clasp activity. A request for a favor
can be no longer than 20 words, and is passed up the
chain to an undisclosed Spireling for approval. This favor
can take a shape up to the DM’s discretion depending on
the request, with varying speeds of fulfillment: If muscle
is requested, an NPC Clasp minion can temporarily
aid the party. If money is needed, a small loan can be
provided. If you’ve been imprisoned, they can look into
breaking you free, or paying off the jailer.

chapter 3: character options 105