Fourth Wall Breaker (5e Background)
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Fourth Wall Breaker[edit]
What happens when a D&D player gets stuck in a D&D world? They break the Fourth Wall, of course! Whether or not you choose to use this in front of other characters is up to you, but the important part is you can actually do it! Work with your DM to determine if this is okay for you to play, as many will not allow it.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, History
Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A set of common clothes, a small knife or multitool, a partial (or complete) map of a current (or relevant) location, a book (the PHB, perhaps) that you will not allow others to open, a ballpoint pen or pencil, three sheets parchment (character sheets, probably), a folded leather pouch containing (number of $1 bills in your wallet right now)d4 gold pieces.
Feature: Otherworldly Knowledge[edit]
To put it simply, you can break the Fourth Wall, or Meta Game. To those of you who do not know what that is, the Fourth Wall is what separates the world we live in from the world of D&D. Your character knows the innate qualities of the world, the habits and facts that hold things together. During certain situations, you may say or do things that normal, non-meta-breaking adventurers would not say or do. Situations may include things like recognizing special characters for who they are when a normal character would not recognize them, talking about the world normal characters live in as if it were a game, or even being a monk who yells "C-C-C-Combo!" when using Flurry of Blows. If you're allowed, you may consult the DM when you think something is important or curious. Breaking the Fourth Wall is a delicate art, and if practiced too often can lead to rocks falling and everybody dying. You know this, and use your knowledge sparingly (but not too sparingly). Work with your DM to create points that you may use your powers (without pissing them off).
Suggested Characteristics[edit]
It is not suggested that you take characteristics entirely from this background. If anything, you should try to make some based on your own personality, along with taking some from here.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I often ask people for their "stats" (STR, DEX, CHA, etc) before challenging them to something. |
| 2 | I was always a rambunctious fellow. This won't change that! |
| 3 | I'm cowardly at times. Everything is always so... deadly. |
| 4 | I go for the simple pleasures in life - Why, hello ladies! |
| 5 | I always act as though I know more than everyone, because of this handy-dandy book. |
| 6 | I come across as condescending at times, as though I think I'm a god. |
| 7 | I try to hide the fact that I'm not from here. |
| 8 | How does this Goliath body work again? |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | It's all just a game. Do what you want, broski! (Chaotic) |
| 2 | If I wasn't supposed to do something, I wouldn't be allowed to, one way or another. (Lawful?) |
| 3 | Everybody is capable of doing anything. (Any) |
| 4 | Why should I threaten my life?! It's REAL! (Neutral) |
| 5 | Just because this is a game doesn't mean the people around me can't feel (Good) |
| 6 | Interact with the ladies, obtain all of the gold (if you know what I mean) (Evil) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I need to get back to the "Other side." |
| 2 | I never want to go home! This is AWESOME! |
| 3 | I've finally found my way around here - I have a family and everything. I need to protect them. |
| 4 | I can do whatever, because there are no real consequences here. |
| 5 | I just want to fit in around here. I want friends. |
| 6 | I need to find out how I got here - after all, this could be a big discovery over on my side. |
| d8 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | Most of the time people just see me as an "arse" or thorn in their side. |
| 2 | I don't feel I belong in this world... |
| 3 | I know more than EVERYBODY! |
| 4 | I sometimes talk myself into trouble... well, okay, more than sometimes. |
| 5 | Everybody thinks I'm weird because I talk as if none of this is real... NPCs are so stupid sometimes. |
| 6 | I have ADHD and know how the game works! I'm UNSTOPPABLE!! |
| 7 | I don't think I can die. This is all just a dream, after all, and if you die in your dream, you wake up, right? |
| 8 | I'm not willing to do anything I wouldn't do in "real" life - and I was a huge coward then. |
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