Each character spends one-year, gaining experience and improving their abilities, before they choose a class and become an adventurer. For example a character may start on the military path and get thrown out of the army only to become a strong rouge or a charismatic Bard. The skills earned here are very useful to the Rouge, Ranger, Monk, Bard, Sorcerer, and Warlock.Īny class can come from any path, but the experiences on each table favor the given classes. It is also, where you end up when you are tossed from another path. It is full of odd jobs and varied experiences. The Life Experience Path is the middle ground. This path leads to classes of Fighters, Paladins, or Barbarians.

It could be a Navy, an Army, or even a roving pirate ship. The Military Path involves serving in an organized military unit. This path set upon when the character wishes to become a Wizard, Cleric, or Druid. The Academic Path involves study, attending a University or other place of education, and learning from others in your field. Upon reaching the age of accountability for each race, it is logical that a character will choose one of three paths to start in life. No matter race or creed, most people that populate this fantasy world are commoners. The Life Path Method assumes that all characters were once, not heroic adventures. Players can attach the worksheet with the character’s history to the character sheet.

There is also a “one leaf” character sheet. A character worksheet included in this guide, which will make the process of rolling up a character easier. This guide will provide you with all the tools needed to create a D&D 5E character using Hornbook’s Life Path Method. The method provided here fills in those gaps. However, most character histories are filled with wonderful backstories that never really explain how the character’s abilities were developed. Does Balfor, the fighter, have a 17 strength because he was born ripped or did he spend time working as a lumberjack? Usually, these questions are left up to the players to answer and sometimes they do.

A PDF version of this post is available which includes the tables needed to create a character.Īlthough there are several methods for character creation outlined in the Player’s Handbook, one thing they all fall short on is explaining how the character gained the ability scores they were blessed with.

5e character builder step by step