There are some responsibilities even among orcs that require a cool head and tempered disposition. The most sacred places in orcish lore are called “stoic landings”, places where heroes rose or fell, or where gods wept or laughed. These stoic landings demand reverence, rite, tradition, and rituals to be observed and carried out faithfully. As many orcs lack the patience needed, the ancient orcish shamans found a solution: a rite called “the quelling.” 

Adolescent orcs take up the quelling rite by tattooing sacred symbols at strategic points of their body to block energy and then imbibing a secret herbal concoction known only as “quell.” Once the rite is complete the young orc is reborn a “stoic”, bereft of passion and utterly focused on the tasks at hand. Stoics are regarded as highly as any priest or shaman, honored for sacrificing the passions and joys of orcish existence to better serve the people. 

The quelling ritual is not without risk, as a rare few who undergo it have the opposite reaction. The subject’s emotions are increased tenfold, converting them into little more than beasts that are bereft of thought and enslaved by their feelings. These unfortunate souls tend to run off screaming into the wilderness, and cautious stories of the “dire orcs” are told around campfires far and wide. 

It is not only orcs who take up the stoic mantle. For the traumatized, the brokenhearted, those beaten and battered by wars and hardships, years of emotionlessness can seem like a lifeline. Gray-robed humans, dwarves, elves, and any number of non-orc stoics stride along the stoic landings keeping the fires lit, untroubled with the lives they had before. 

The quelling rite is not perfect and all stoics eventually go through what they call “the reawakening”. It can take decades, but the old emotions and passions slowly and often painfully reemerge. Reawoken stoics are blessed reverently but are ultimately sent away. The quelling cannot be repeated, and even if it could, they’ve done their service and will be welcomed back into their tribes like wounded warriors, left to nurse emotional scars untreated for decades. 

Characters raised in the stoic culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Clarity of Mind. You have advantage on saving throws made to resist being charmed or frightened . 

Stoic Traditions.The stoic landings have much to teach and you had the patience to learn. You gain proficiency with one of the following skills: Arcana, History, Insight, Medicine, Nature, or Religion. 

Ritualistic Focus. Many of the stoic rituals you learned have broader arcane applications. You know two 1st-level spells of your choice. These spells must have the ritual tag and you may only cast them as rituals. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells. In addition, you may cast other spells you learn as rituals if those spells have the ritual tag. 

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common and Orc.

In a world where magic abounds and the need for mechanical wizardry is minimal, there are still some brave minds who believe in experimentation, knowledge, and reason. One such people are the so-called steamforged—talented engineers who value science and social progress. Steamforged lands are usually the most technologically advanced in a region, pioneering mechanical devices that range from gas lamps to flintlock pistols and steam trains.

Steamforged societies can today be found all over the world. For some, it is a natural evolution of learning and technology; for others, their culture originates in lands of dead magic. As a people of science they reject superstition and do not feel much personal need for religion or faith. In fact, there is considerable resentment against magic and religion, which they believe provoke prejudice and stymie the love of learning. That’s not to say that steamforged can’t embrace individual faith, but most prefer to move on from old institutions, and look towards the leaders of scholarship and industry for guidance. They value education as the right of all people regardless of any social rank, and in steamforged cities the government-funded schools are open to everyone—even foreigners. Public education is essential for advancing science, commerce, and democratic governance, all of which steamforged value. 

Steamforged can expect a polarized response as they travel through other countries. When steamforged abjure faith in the gods it raises suspicion in people unfamiliar with their philosophy. Pious folk worry that nonbelievers anger the gods and spirits. Magic users worry they may catch some antimagic disease from people raised in a dead magic zone. But in all communities, there’s at least someone who finds steamforged folk fascinating for their novelty and forward-thinking. 

Characters raised in the steamforged culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Mind Like a Steel Trap. You have proficiency in either History, Investigation, or Nature, and you gain an expertise die on checks made using the chosen skill.

Tech Savvy. You have proficiency with tinker’s tools and Engineering, plus one other artisan’s tool of your choice. 

War Scholar. Even combat is a scholarly discipline for your people. Choose one of the following:

Student of Martial Arts: When you replace an attack or use an action to Disarm, Grapple , Overrun, Shove, or Tumble, you gain an expertise die . 

Student of Martial Science: Choose one 1st degree combat maneuver from any tradition. You can use this combat maneuver once without spending exertion. You cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest .

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign in Common and one other language.

Whereas most elf cultures focus on light and the immanence of life, the shadow elves—also known as dark elves or drow—contemplate the nature of death and destruction, and they draw inspiration and comfort from the darkness. Although other elf cultures often consider them heretical, shadow elves are creatures of twilight, and it is only natural that some turn towards the day and others towards the night. The traditional shadow elf religion is to worship the elvish moon god, although there are also animistic traditions which venerate creatures favored by assassins (such as scorpions, snakes, spiders, and even the undead). Shadow elves do not view the darkness as being inherently evil, although they recognize that the most vile monsters do prefer the darkness—for shadow elves, it provides forms of freedom and wisdom which are unavailable in the oppressive light. 

Shadow elves tend to live in places which normally strike fear into the hearts of other mortals such as deserts, scorched lands near a volcano, haunted territories, notorious slums, and underground caverns. This is partially intentional because these places are ideal for contemplating destruction, but the “choice” is also often the result of ostracization and banishment by would-be neighbors. 

Of all elvish cultures, shadow elves are the most likely to offer their services to other peoples. They and people trained in their ways make some of the most cunning assassins, advisors, mercenaries, and spies—and having such a person in one’s entourage is often a mark of pride among the rich and famous. 

Characters raised in the shadow elf culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Umbral Acclimation. Prolonged exposure to sheer darkness has improved your ability to see without light. The range of your darkvision increases to 120 feet. If you didn’t have darkvision already, you gain darkvision to a range of 60 feet.

Shadow Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with rapiers and hand crossbows. 

Shadow Lore. You know a cantrip: either dancing lights or minor illusion . Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast faerie fire once per long rest . At 5th level, you can cast darkness once per long rest. You don’t need material components for these spells, and when casting them your spellcasting ability is Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (whichever is highest).

Languages. You can read, speak, write, and sign Common, Elvish, and Undercommon. 

Settlers live at the farthest reaches of their empire, upon shores their nation’s tendrils have not quite fully grasped. They live alone or in communities on the frontier, land that not long ago was merely empty space on the map—though those already living there rarely see it that way. 

Though settlers may claim uninhabited land, it’s rare for any region even remotely livable to be truly unclaimed. Armies or disasters may have swept those previous inhabitants away, or they might be right across the hastily crafted walls, wondering what these strange newcomers are up to. It’s a life of conflict, either fighting against the elements or rival claims on the same patch of land. But they shoulder their burdens and fight their fights anyway, always working towards a promise of a brighter future. A settler has the chance to carve out a piece of the world to call their own. Often the opportunities are slim back home, and the chance to forge one’s own destiny is all it takes. 

Ambition often drives settlers towards colonization. Settlers of all shapes and sizes can leave their homeland in search of fortune and independence, to varying degrees of success. Some settlers thrive while whole colonies go quiet and disappear. While this is a life uncertain and fraught with danger, the drive to build a future lures numerous people into the unknown. 

Characters raised in the settler culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Claim Staker. A tall fence and the grit to defend it is often all it takes to stake a claim out on the frontier. Whenever you begin a long rest , you can choose to spend the first hour of that rest making the area into a fortified position for the duration. While resting in a fortified position, the ground in a 60-foot radius area around you is considered difficult terrain for any creatures other than those you consider allies. In addition, the first time a hidden creature enters the fortified area, it must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 8 + your Wisdom modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a failed save, the creature inadvertently makes loud noises and is no longer hidden. 

Frontier Survival. You are proficient in the Insight and Survival skills. 

Strange Forager. You gain an expertise die on any check made to determine if something is poisonous. 

Languages. You can speak, read, sign, and write Common, and two additional languages. 

There is no one nomadic culture. Most nomadic groups migrate along plains and steppes, following good weather and pasturage for their herd animals. Some groups walk countless miles alongside their cattle or seek peaceful travel, while others train steeds which are the envy of the world, or expect every adult among them to raid the herds of rivals and defend their own. There are nomads that travel within other communities and those that live outside the borders of settled lands but in either case nomads often find themselves in conflict with farmer folk, who desire the same lands that they use. The words “barbarians,” “savages,” and “hordes” are common pejoratives used by townsfolk and cityfolk for their itinerant land rivals. 

Nomadic groups are often close-knit, behaving much like a large family even when they aren’t actually related. They’re happy to accept strangers in their midst. The only qualifications are an ability to keep up with the group and an understanding of animals because they are among the most skilled animal handlers in the land. Whenever they can be swayed away from their group, they are almost often hired as animal trainers, drivers, or elite cavalry.

Characters raised in this culture share the following traits: 

Nature Minded. You are proficient in Animal Handling and Survival, and either Medicine, Nature, or Perception. 

On the Road Again. You are proficient with land vehicles and tinker’s tools. You can use tinker’s tools to repair a land vehicle you a land vehicle you have traveled in for at least 1 month, and gain an expertise die on any checks made to do so. Additionally, you gain an expertise die on checks made to control or navigate a land vehicle. 

Sense Weather. After observing an outside area for 1 minute, you can predict the weather within the next 24 hours. You cannot foresee magical changes, but you can use an action to make an Insight or Perception check to notice them. 

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common and two additional languages. 

Every denizen of a halfling borough has the odd impulse to drop their trowels and dig into the soil with their bare hands, rip off their stuffy clothes and shout at the sky. These urges are usually rejected out of hand, but the mustbairns know better. 

Halflings in mustbairn clans have rejected any notion of control and embraced their roles as children of the soil: wardens of the earth but not its masters. Oddly, most mustbairn clans were founded more recently than their “civilized” borough counterparts. Many are former boroughers themselves, with tattered scraps of their suits or overalls worked into their clan coverings. 

Each mustbairn clan begins with “the whisper,” a moment in which one or more halflings claim they hear the earth speaking to them. It whispers that life was not meant to grow in orderly rows: why not let it grow as it will? It whispers that life could be simple again: why not live as you will? Whether it’s a madness or a divine call, many boroughs have collapsed in the last few centuries, abandoned and overgrown, lost to the whisper. 

While mustbairns may lose the trappings of civilization, they never lose their sense of community. A tribe of mustbairns shares what wisdoms the earth has taught them. Besides simply surviving off the land, most mustbairn tribes feel led to dismantle establishment and derail “progress”. It’s common for mustbairn tribes to storm sites of industry and devastate them before disappearing back into the wilderness. They particularly seek out and destroy mining operations that cut deeply into the earth. It’s not uncommon to see non-halflings alongside them, trying their best to listen to the earth’s will. 

Characters raised in the mustbairn culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Child of the Soil. You can feel the heartbeat of the soil through the soles of your feet. You ignore difficult terrain caused by any form of earth or soil, such as mud, or mountainous terrain. In addition, you know the druidcraft cantrip. 

Earthspeak. You can attempt to divine the earth’s wisdom (as the augury spell) by submerging your feet or hands into mud or soil. Once you divine the earth’s wisdom in this way, you can’t use this trait again until after you finish a long rest . 

Wild and Unshackled. Mustbairns have embraced everything that law and order works against, and have learned to live freely amongst nature. You have the Chaotic alignment for the purposes of any spell or ability that would detect or effect Chaotic creatures. In addition, you gain proficiency with two of the following skills: Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Nature, Religion, or Survival. 

Languages. You can speak, read, sign, and write Common, Halfling, and Terran. 

When most people think of dwarves they think of mountain dwarves. Living in tall mountains or vast hills allows them easier access to useful minerals and superior defenses. The abundance of ore leads many mountain dwarves to become smiths, especially weaponsmiths and armorsmiths. Exporting these goods is frequently the cornerstone of a thriving mountain dwarf economy. Indeed, there are many stout folk that trace their lineage to fallen dwarven kingdoms of old, dreaming of restoring lost glory even if the present is already affluent enough. 

Mountain dwarves are very traditional and follow rigid marriage rituals, with some matrimonies arranged two generations in advance, and they are just as detailed and demanding in the keeping of historical records. There is a saying: “The sky will drop before a mountain dwarf forgets a slight.” While these grudges can be kept for generations, the same is true for favors. If you help a mountain dwarf, you might not live to see the debt repaid—but your descendants surely will. 

Having good weapons and armor is no use if you cannot utilize them. Mountain dwarves are all trained in combat, which allows them to see their work put to use—and to personally understand the importance of quality weapons and sturdy armor. You can trust an armorsmith whose life depends on their work. 

Characters raised in the mountain dwarf culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Dwarven Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer. 

Dwarven Armor Training. You have proficiency with light and medium armor. 

Heart of the Forge. You have resistance to fire damage. In addition, you gain proficiency in Engineering.

Mountain Born. You’re acclimated to high and low altitudes, including elevations above 20,000 feet or depths below 20,000 feet. You’re also naturally adapted to cold climates. 

Stonecunning. Whenever you make a History check related to the origin of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill and gain an expertise die to the check. 

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common, Dwarvish, and one other language.

Even with the myriad of cultures present to choose from, there will always be those who prefer to march to the beat of their own drum. A lone wanderer shirks all connection to the cultures and communities around them in favor of making their own path. No two lone wanderers are alike, even those that might share a heritage—they all have their own personal goals, superstitions, and traditions. Because of this, lone wanderer culture is the most diverse as well as the most disjointed. You will never find communities that share this culture, but occasionally, when forced together, lone wanderers who can manage to get along can form nomadic groups. 

Choosing this culture does not mean you forego having any personal connections, however. Lone wanderers can have families, former mentors, or old friends which may have influenced their decision to stake it out on their own, or that may make them regret it. 

Characters raised as lone wanderers share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Culture of My Own. You have rejected other cultures in favor of building your own. You gain four skill or tool proficiencies of your choice. 

Heirloom. You carry a family or cultural heirloom. Choose one weapon worth 100 gold or less. You begin play with a masterwork version of that weapon.

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common and two additional languages.

In a forgotten corner of the Dreaming lies a territory called the Twilight, a silent world perpetually under the dim light of the setting sun. This place is home to the kithbáin, or the twilight-touched, halflings who’ve lived for generations in half-light, filling up its silence with the voices of ken. There is no sound in the Twilight but one’s own thoughts, and after long enough, the thoughts of others. 

Kithbáin clachan communities aren’t built as separate homes like halfling boroughs—there’s no point. There’s no notion of secrets or privacy in the Twilight, not when the entire community’s inner thoughts are broadcast for all to hear. The kithbáin live in a single communal structure, mentally connected and in constant silent conversation. Life in a clachan can be eerie, but it’s also open and honest. Lies, theft, crimes of passion—they’re all pointless. 

Clachan gates are unassuming things, a pair of trees twisted to an arch, the wicker door in an old forgotten stone wall, a gap in the unworked natural stone. Stepping through a clachan gate takes you to another world, and locks you out of the place you left behind. Each gate leads to a different isolated pocket of the Twilight ringed by a border of terrible dead woods. Clachan gates are always open from the Material Plane, but only open back towards it at celestial convergences. So when an outsider stumbles through they must choose between braving the woods and the Dreaming beyond or staying for months (or even years) and becoming twilight-touched themselves. Those that finally leave their clachan often find the material world harshly bright and empty, severed from the thoughts of their fellows. 

Characters raised in the kithbáin halfling culture share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Superior Darkvision. The range of your darkvision increases to 120 feet. If you didn’t have darkvision already, you gain darkvision to a range of 60 feet. 

Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Perception checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight. 

The Ken. Once the voices of the ken fill your eyes they never truly leave you. You can cast telepathic bond without the need for material components once per long rest.

Without Secrets. Living with the ken amongst a clachan means living exposed and without secrets, intimately aware of the true meaning of every spoken word and privy to those unsaid. You are proficient in the Insight skill, and you gain an expertise die on checks made with it. 

Languages. You can speak, read, sign, and write Common, Halfling, and Sylvan.

Some wanderers may not have grown up with a single place to call home. Their culture is a mix of many, allowing them to see things from different angles and perspectives. Always outsiders yet able to blend in with ease, such folks benefit from the wisdom of a wide range of peoples, customs, and places.

Characters raised as itinerants share a variety of traits in common with one another. 

Blending In. You are used to blending into a new culture. You gain proficiency with the disguise kit.

Conscientious Socializer. The first time you interact with strangers in an unfamiliar land or region, you gain an expertise die to the first Charisma check you make. This trait does not work on groups if at least one person in a group knows you.

I Know Someone. You gain one additional connection, which you can choose from any background other than your own.

Many Cultures. You gain proficiency in Culture. In addition, choose Intelligence or Wisdom. Choose Intelligence or Wisdom. You gain an expertise die on ability checks using the chosen ability score that are made to understand the social customs of, interact with, or recall knowledge about individuals, objects, or environments associated with any culture or society you have been surrounded by for a month or longer. 

Motive and Reason. The reason why you have a home away from home tells a unique life story. Choose one of the following:

Homeland Seeker: Stories of a lost magical homeland are constantly on the minds of your community. Like many others, you have joined the effort to locate this place of legends. You gain proficiency in Arcana and History.

Labor Migrant: You, or your ancestors, came in search of honest work or because your skills were in demand. You are proficient with a set of artisan’s tools and one skill of your choice.

Shadow Exile: You left your country under mysterious circumstances. Are you a wanted criminal, a spy, or a self-exile? Only you know your motivation. You are proficient in Deception or Stealth. If you pick Stealth, once between rests you can make a Stealth check to replace a Perception check. If you pick Deception, once between rests you can make a Deception check to replace an Insight check.

Refugee: By great misfortune, you and many others left your homeland so that you might survive. You are proficient in Survival, and when in an urban environment can roll Survival checks when using Intimidation or Persuasion.

Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common and three additional languages.