Backgrounds | Baldurs Gate 3 Wiki

Backgrounds in Baldur's Gate 3 affect starting Proficiencies the player has. Each Background also grants two Background features. Backgrounds are not limited to Races or Classes. Backgrounds affect how NPCS perceive the player and may change how events unfold.

Background Quests

Backgrounds not only provide you with skill bonuses now, they also grant you Quests that you can complete throughout the game. These Quests gives you Inspiration Points as well as Experience Points, and adds context to your character's background in the world of Baldur's Gate 3.

Inspiration Points

When a character performs an action that's true to their background, they will be Inspired. Inspiration may be spent to reroll an Ability Check. Note that you may hold four Inspiration points at once. Inspiration earned over the cap will become Experience Points.

Background Information

All Backgrounds

Backgounds Inspiration Goals

Acolyte

You have spent your life in service to a temple, learning sacred rites and providing sacrifices to the god or gods you worship. Serving the gods and discovering their sacred works will lead you to greatness.

Insight Proficiency
Religion Proficiency

Charlatan

You're an expert in manipulation, prone to exaggeration and more than happy to profit from it. Bending the truth and turning allies against each other will bring you success down the road.

Deception Proficiency
Sleight of Hand Proficiency

Criminal

You have a history of breaking the law and survive by leveraging less-than-legal connections. Profiting from criminal enterprise will lead to greater opportunities in the future.

Deception Proficiency
Stealth Proficiency

Entertainer

You live to sway and subvert your audience, engaging common crowds and high society alike.

Acrobatics Proficiency
Performance Proficiency

Folk Hero

You're a champion of the common people, challenging tyrants and monsters to protect the helpless. Saving innocents in imminent danger will make your legend grow.

Animal Handling Proficiency
Survival Proficiency

Guild Artisan

Your skill in a particular craft has earned you membership in a mercantile guild, offering privileges and protection while engaging in your art. Repairing and discovering rare crafts will bring new inspiration.

Insight Proficiency
Persuasion Proficiency

Noble

You were raised in a family among the social elite, accustomed to power and privilege. Accumulating renown, power, and loyalty will raise your status.

History Proficiency
Persuasion Proficiency

Outlander

You grew up in the wilds, learning to survive far from the comforts of civilization. Surviving unusual hazards of the wild will enhance your prowess and understanding.

Athletics Proficiency
Survival Proficiency

Sage

You are curious and well-read, with an unending thirst for knowledge. Learning about rare lore of the world will inspire you to put this knowledge to greater purpose.

Arcana Proficiency
History Proficiency

Soldier

You are trained in battlefield tactics and combat, having served in a militia, mercenary company, or officer corps. Show smart tactics and bravery on the battlefield to enhance your prowess.

Athletics Proficiency
Intimidation Proficiency

Urchin

After surviving a childhood on the streets, you know how to make the most out of very little. Using your street smarts bolsters your spirit for the journey ahead.

Sleight of Hand Proficiency
Stealth Proficiency

Haunted One

A wicked moment, person, or thing that cannot be slain by sword or spell haunts your mind and flickers in your peripheral vision. You carry it wherever your adventure takes you - or perhaps it carries you.

Intimidation Proficiency
Medicine Proficiency

Removed Backgrounds

The following backgrounds existed in the EA version of the game, but were removed in the official release.

Hermit

You were once sworn to seclusion and continue to prefer solitude over the chaos of society.

Sailor

You are familiar with the workings of ships and life at sea, having spent years weathering storms and battling creatures of the deep.

Background Inspiration Goals Comparison Table

When a character performs an action that's true to their Background, they will be Inspired. Earning +1 Inspiration Point and +25 Exp. Inspiration may be spent to reroll an Ability Check. Not only your character can become Inspired, but also your Companions.

You may hold up to 4 Inspiration points at once. Inspiration earned over the cap will become Experience Points.

You can search by Name, Background or Objective. Just type into the search box what you are looking for.

Quick Search of All Background Inspiration Goals

Name	Background	Objective
A BONE TO PICK	Soldier	Overcome the skeletons in Moonrise prison during the assault.
ABSOLUTE DEVASTATION		Destroy Last Light.
AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE SCALPEL AWAY		Defeat the Surgeon without being operated upon.
CENTENNIAL RIVALRIES		Complete the Harper ambush.
DEVASTATION OF THE ABSOLUTE		Complete the assault on Moonrise.
FAMILICIDE		Kill all members of the Thorm family.
KNOW THINE ENEMY		Defeat yourself in the Gauntlet of Shar's mirror trial.
MASTERFUL EXECUTION		Kill any of the bosses in and around the Shadow-Cursed Lands in a single round of combat.
NOTCHED ARMOR		Show off your prowess to the bugbear merchant.
REALITIES OF WAR		Tell Arabella what happened to her parents.
RETURN TO SENDER		Kill the orthon, returning him to Raphael.
SHIELD OF THE MOON		Obtain Selûne's blessing from Isobel.
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE		Give Nightsong to Ketheric. (or Allow Balthazar to transport Nightsong from the Shadowfell.)
THE BEST OFFENSE IS VIRTUALLY NONSENSE		Defeat a member of the Thorm family without drawing steel.
COURT MARSHALL		Expose the Flaming Fist deserter.
DOUBLE-TAP		Kill Auntie Ethel... again...
GREAT HELM OF LEGENDS		Find the Helm of Balduran.
HOT EXIT		Escape the House of Hope.
INNOVATIONS IN VOLATILITY		Give your blood to Araj a second time.
KICKING THE RUST BUCKET		Destroy a Steel Watcher.
PUTTING THE PAST TO REST		Execute Orin.
REGICIDE		Execute Gortash.
REPORTING FOR DUTY		Report to Commander Lightfeather.
SHARING THE SPOILS		Donate to the refugees.
URGENT COMMUNICATION		Commune with the Netherbrain.
VETERAN'S HOTSPOT		Purchase a room at the Elfsong Tavern.
Pentacrush		Kill 5 enemies in a single run
Stalwart Heart		Persuade Rolan to stay and protect the grove
Chain of Command		Follow Flaming Fist orders at the burning inn
Conquer the Conquerors		Defeat the Githyanki raiding squad
Crow Crusher		Kill every leader in the goblin camp
Warrior of the Hells		Kill the cultist leader seeking Karlach
Start Them Young		Inspire the tiefling children to train harder.
Drowned in the Dark		Defeat the duergar patrolling on the Ebonlake.
No One Left Behind		Ensure all of the Grove's defenders survive the first goblin assault.
Strategist		Destroy a powerful foe in one strike.
One For The Ages		Survive a fight in which you kill ten or more enemies.
The Price of Ink	Entertainer	Free Oskar the painter from the Zhentarim.
The Art of Agony		Perform for Loviatar's pleasure in her ritual.
Life of the Party		Take part in the goblin camp's toast.
Made You Look		Earn Mattis' respect by taking his ring.
Celebrant		Enjoy a dance in camp with the tieflings.
Give Them A Show		Get the goblins on your side while duelling Crusher.
Chicken Chase Extraordinaire		Win a match of chicken chase.
A Bard's Muse		Inspire Alfira the bard.
Heart of the Creator		Perform in a play with Bernard the automaton.
Feel the Beat		Successfully perform on the goblin war drum.
A Story for the Ages		Turn someone to your side with a well-timed tale.
A Story You Won't Believe		Pass all Performance checks when telling a tall tale to the brewer.
A Tale of Two Souls		Complete the saga of Art, Halsin and the spirit of the land.
Eclipse of the Heart		Recount Ketheric Thorm's past to him, shaking his resolve.
It Came From Shadows		Discover the source of the Shadow Curse.
Living Legend		Accept Jaheira's invitation to talk.
Memento Mori		Offer condolences to Harper Meygan.
Plucking the Lyre's Web		Play the Spider's Lyre to attract the drider.
Strings of Fate		Bring Art his lute.
Tales of Yore		Piece the scriptures together correctly and reveal the secret in the town square.
Town of Shadows		Find out the fate of each of the major characters in the town: the brewer, the surgeon, the toll collector and the mason.
Catchy Tune		Hear the orthon's contract.
Sea Memorial		Offer something during the Water Queen's funeral procession.
Making It Sing to Your Tune		Sabotage the printing press.
Threads of Fame		Obtain a piece of clothing from the famous Figaro.
Blabbermouth		Complete Lens' interview.
Explosive Artistry		Obtain the runepowder bomb from Wulbren.
Drama Sleuth		Take up Valeria's investigation.
Personal Invitation		Witness Gortash's coronation.
Nest Egg	Outlander	Take an item from the Carrion Crawler nest.
Rock Steady		Survive the bandits' rolling boulder trap.
Mushroom Enthusiast		Destroy each kind of hazardous Underdark mushroom.
Clever Cuckoo		Steal from the giant bird's nest in the Underdark.
Abyss Jumper		Enter the Underdark through the bottomless well.
A Noble Endeavor		Effectively use a noblestalk mushroom.
Sticky Fingers		Secure the pouch from the spider crevice.
Cub Tamer		Successfully tame the owlbear cub.
Walking on Air		Successfully use a fairy ring
A Mother's Fury		Triumph over the mother Owlbear.
Cursebreaker		Discover the curse of Yeenoghu and destroy his hyenas.
Eyes of the Wild		See past the illusion covering the swamp.
The Floor Is Lava		Defeat the Lava Elemental in the lava lake.
Always a Step Ahead of the Darkness		Reach Nightsong without having been affected by the shadow curse.
Bumps in the Dark		Conquer three combat encounters in the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Child's Play		Beat Oliver at hide and seek without alerting the shadow creatures.
Delving into the Deep		Enter the oubliette... for better or for worse.
Embracing the Environment		Survive two rounds of the shadow curse.
From Head to Toe		Explore all sections of the mind flayer colony.
Grove Keeper's Keeper		Protect Halsin's Portal while he saves the spirit of the land.
I've Had Worse		Successfully drink and resist the negative effects of the brewer's concoction.
Mutual Respect		Meet the tadpole-hunting cat.
Never Liked Stairs		Enter a restricted area in Moonrise Towers from the outside.
No Cursed Stone Left Unturned		Explore each key area of the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Sleeping in the Dark		Take a full Long Rest in the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Tools of the Trade		Obtain the orthon's crossbow.
Beneath the Gate		Enter the Undercellar.
Catastrophic Structural Failure		Blow up the Steel Watch Foundry.
Cat's Got Your Tongue?		Find the missing letters.
Down to the Depths Below		Enter the Iron Throne.
Enlisted Avian		Meet Commander Lightfeather.
For Once, a Warm Meal		Obtain room and board at the Elfsong Tavern.
Gifts of the Wilds		Give raw goods as a donation.
Horizon Walker		Travel through the House of Hope portal.
Macabre Hunt		Find all the pieces of Dribbles' body and return them to Lucretious.
Nature of the Beast		Discover the fate of the Githyanki egg.
Primary Needs		Tame the dilophosaurus, making it non-hostile.
Solemn Farewell		Witness the Gur funeral.
The Face of Evil		Reach the Temple of Bhaal.
Saving the Heretic	Acolyte	Learn about Maglubiyet and safely free his priest.
Her Gift of Silver		Recover Selune's lost treasure through prayer.
Treefather's Sorrow		Unleash Silvanus' curse upon the grove.
A Kiss Without Mercy		Endure the ritual of Loviatar until Abdirak is pleased.
Silvanus' Solitude		Witness the ritual that seals off the grove from the world.
Last Rites of the Dark Dancer		Complete Eilistraee's ritual of sorrow and obtain her blessed blade.
A Unified Spirit		Pray with the Flaming Fists at Waukeen's Rest.
The Final Scribe's Boon		Discover Jergal's amulet in the chapel's hidden tomb.
Tipping the Scales		Earn the worship of the Kuo-Toa.
Fate Must Wait		Resurrect anyone in your party.
Justice Sees All		Discover why Anders betrayed Tyr.
Shatter the Moon		Destroy Selune's protection over the Underdark fort.
Divinity Undone		Unlock and read the Book of Dead Gods.
A Piece of Three		Piece together Ketheric's allegiances.
Blessed's Final Rest		Find the aasimar's journal.
Cerimonia Compedum		Execute the ritual to bring Nightsong to Ketheric yourself.
Did My Homework		Recite Shar's dogma to the surgeon.
Honing the Darkness		Pass all of Shar's tests in the middle of the cursed town.
Moonweaver's Prayer		Witness Isobel's ritual to keep up the protection of Last Light.
No Rest for the Wicked		Assist He Who Was in his task.
Sole Survivor		Discover the truth behind the numerous rats in the Gauntlet of Shar.
Those for Whom the Bell Tolled		Kill all of Balthazar's undead.
Tragic Love		Witness Jonas' funeral.
A Scorned Closed Heart		Side with the open-minded priest.
A Test of Faithfullness		Ask the Master of Love to test your bond.
Child Protection Agents		Find and rescue Lora's daughter, Vanra.
Forgotten, Bloodied, Halls		Discover the Temple of Bhaal.
Needs of the Many		Persuade the merchant to let the refugee squatters stay in his home.
Offering to the Waves		Make an offering for the dead waveservant.
Ordinary Practises in Extraordinary Times		Offer appropriate offerings to a deity in the Stormshore Tabernacle.
The Dismemberment of Dribbles		Find all the pieces of Dribbles' body and return them to Lucretious.
What Remains of the Dead		Guide Nina to acceptance or prowess.
Very Important Parasite	Charlatan	Deceive any of the guards in the goblin camp.
Cheese Your Way Through		Talk your way past the bandits and enter the chapel.
Merciless		Manipulate the Flind into eating itself.
Silver Blades, Silver Tongue		Convince Kith'rak Voss to leave without violence.
Spiked		Poison the beer in the goblin camp.
Mirror Master		Trick the magic mirror in the Thayan cellar.
Flexible Diplomacy		Betray the tieflings after convincing them to free Lae'zel.
Anything For A Profit		Steal the toe ring from Crusher without getting caught.
Devil's Advocate		Interrogate the dead mind flayer without drawing suspicion.
A Better Offer		Convince the pit spiders to attack the goblins.
The Importance of Networking		Talk your way into the Zhentarim hideout.
One of Us		Use the hag's mask to peacefully bypass her thralls.
Just Passing Through		Trick the goblins in Moonhaven.
A Friend to All		Gain access to Grymforge peacefully by lying to the raft patrol.
Warmonger		Cause Glut to stage a coup - then pick a side.
Clear Conscience		Successfully lie to Z'rell about the fate of the goblins.
Know Thy Clientele		Instigate Z'rell into showing off her gifts from the Absolute.
Not My First Time		Resist the truth serum when talking to Jaheira.
Not to Worry, I Have a Permit		Evade repercussions when speaking to the Moonrise prisoners.
Pied Piper		Successfully influence the gnolls, either to break free or continue being subservient.
Shuffling the Board		Rig the game of lanceboard.
Tadpole Solidarity		Go along with Marcus' plan.
Takes One to Know One		Expose the true form of the toll collector by removing all of her gold armour.
Tricks of the Trade		Successfully pretend to drink from the steins of ale.
Always Trust a Dishonest Person		Betray a recently forged alliance.
Cheating the Cheater		Find the source of the genie's trick and take it.
Friends in Low Places		Gain access to the Undercellar through Tusgront.
Grave Prospector		Retrieve the grave's gold from Bugthimble.
Never Trust an Honest Person		Lie to make your way into the big barn.
Not so Infallible After All		Evade being arrested by a Steel Watcher.
Nothing's Not For Sale		Convince the Flaming Fist quartermaster to trade with you.
Perks of the Trade		Obtain a rebate for your room at Elfsong Tavern.
Rock-Solid Alibi		Manage to convince the Flaming Fist to let you into Wyrm's Rock.
Saving a Fellow Tale-Spinner		Save Volo from an untimely death.
Seams of Lavender and Thyme		Deceive your way into the circus.
Silver-Tongue's Better Than Any Key		Gain access to Avery's workshop.
Stuffed Bears in the Closet		Blackmail the merchant.
The News of My Deeds Was Greatly Exaggerated		Rig the Baldur's Mouth printing press.
Woman of Her Word		Side with the Nine-Fingers against the Zhentarim.
Protector of the Duke	Noble	Rescue Counsellor Florrick from the burning inn.
Lest Ye Be Judged		Learn Astarion's history as a magistrate.
Noblesse Oblige		Dismiss a companion for interrupting a conversation.
Soul For Sale		Acquire a Soul Coin for your personal collection.
Blueblood Solidarity		Learn Wyll's family history.
Bodyguards For Hire		Recruit the ogres to protect you.
Eldritch Authority		Become a True Soul.
Fine By Me		Use your wealth to bribe a guard.
Dragon's Horde		Have at least 2000 gold among the party.
A Man of Many Talents		Expand your retinue by bringing Volo to camp.
Penchant For Diplomacy		Reach a High level of approval with a companion.
An Apocalyptic Deal		Accept an impossible deal.
Fine By Me		Use your wealth to bribe a guard.
Noblesse Oblige		Dismiss a companion for interrupting a conversation or Ignore the pleas or requests of a companion in dialogue.
Soul for Sale		Acquire a Soul Coin for your personal collection.
Blueblood Solidarity		Learn Wyll's family history.
Entitled		Earn a title from your deeds.
Eldritch Authority		Become a True Soul.
A Velvet Glove		Spare the goblins.
An Iron Fist		Execute the goblins.
Can't Bribe 'Em All		Bribe Moonrise's warden.
Favour for a Favour		Wake Art for Counsellor Florrick and the Flaming Fist.
Ketheric's Loss		Learn Ketheric's past.
Noble Feline		Speak with the lordly cat at Last Light.
Patrician of the Grove		Recruit Halsin.
Taxes? Never Heard of 'Em		Don't give any gold to the toll collector.
Top of the Ladder		Meet Ketheric at the top of Moonrise.
Alms for the Unfortunate		Donate something to the refugees.
Defamed No More		Sabotage the printing press.
Exerting Judgment		End the squabbling between the merchant and the squatters.
Interrupted Communications		Discover where the missing letters went.
Newfound Subject		Feed a brain to the freshly turned mindflayer.
Procedures be Damned		Enter Wyrm's Rock without a pass.
The Right Oil for Any Situation		Gain access to the circus.
Titles for the Collection		Become the Unholy Assassin of Bhaal.
Underbelly Diplomat		Gain access to the Undercellar.
Wine Connoisseur		Warn Mrs Highberry of the poisoned wine.
A Natural Alliance	Sage	Recognise the druid and Harper armour.
The Phases Unfold		Solve the moon puzzle sealing the door to the Underdark.
Secrets of the Matron		Read the obscure text by a drow matron.
Reanimator		Correctly follow Gale's instructions to resurrect him.
The Forbidden Arcane		Read Omeluum's notes on illithid magic.
Secrets of the Sussur Tree		Read the Treatise on Anti-Magic.
Secrets of the High Chieftain		Read Volo's Guide to Goblins.
Roots of the Grove		Learn local history from the druidic frescos.
Secrets of the Necromancer		Discover the strange nature of the Thayan tome.
All Knowledge Is Worth Having		Finish reading the Thayan tome of necromancy.
Secrets of the Shadow Druids		Discover and read Faldorn's Canticle.
A Solitary Spider		Read the arachnomancer's journals at the bottom of the well.
Secrets of the Sundering		Unlock and read the Book of Dead Gods.
A Little Too Familiar with the Grotesque...		Solve Balthazar's secret study puzzle without making a mistake.
A Natural Alliance		Recognize the druid and Harper armour.
Brain Blast!		Successfully complete the mind puzzle in the mind flayer colony.
Corrupted Beyond Recognition		Find and read the dead druid's journal about how the shadow curse came to be.
Emblem of the Moonmaiden		Discover the truth about the Nightsong.
Hippocratic No More		Find the surgeon's research notes.
Partaking in Local Customs		Perform the ritual in the Sharran Sanctuary.
Rat King		Discover the truth behind the numerous rats in the Gauntlet of Shar.
Secrets of The Necromancer		Solve Balthazar's secret study puzzle.
Snuffed Spark		Find the dead aasimar's journal.
Tenets of Loss		Open the way into the Sharran Sanctuary.
Theskan Tactician		Help Mol win the game of lanceboard.
They're in the Walls!		Discover what the 'meat sound' is.
Thorm Family Secrets		Discover the fate of Ketheric's family members.
Waking the Sleeper		Wake Art from his catatonic slumber.
A Foul and Awesome Display		Use Wulbren's runepowder bomb.
A Grand Prize!		Figure out Akabi's scheme and obtain the 'grand' prize.
An Exotic Charter		Obtain access to the House of Hope portal.
Assistant to the Extra-Planar Agent		Take up Valeria's serial killer investigation.
Blood of the Convenant		Find out how Araj's blood experiments are going.
Coronation of the Dreadmaster		Meet Gortash in Wyrm's Rock and witness his coronation.
Crossing's Namesake		Find the undying sentinel underneath Wyrm's Crossing.
Heavy is the Head		Find the Helm of Balduran.
Knowledge of the Heart		Get the best possible outcome from Zethino's relationship quiz.
Membership Admittance		Ask to join the Society of Brilliance.
New Normal		Let yourself be scanned by a Steel Watcher.
Stopping the Repetition of History		Defeat Lorroakan.
The Karsus of Our Times		Give Nightsong to Lorroakan.
The Returned Cap'n		Behold the true Captain Grisly in all her piratical glory.
Using the Proper Means		Find and use the Torch of Revocation.
What Price Dignity?	Urchin	Steal the toe ring from Crusher without getting caught.
Protect Your Own		Protect the child who took the locket from Barth.
Born Innocent		Save the owlbear cub from the goblins.
Mercenary		Get some coin out of the Zhentarim survivors.
The Allure of Coin		Steal from a child charmed by harpies.
Pyramid Scheme		Convince the ogres to work for you without giving them gold.
Artful Dodger		Earn Mattis' respect by taking his ring.
Family Comes First		Encourage Meli to tell the truth about the amulet.
Not On My Watch		Save Arabella from Kagha and her serpent.
Hunger Never Fades		Fill your plate at Raphael's House of Hope.
Slaying the Piper		Rescue Mirkon from the harpies.
Idolatry		Help Mol steal the Idol of Silvanus.
Alley Cats		Meet both the lordly cat and the tadpole-hunting cat.
Bugging Out		Help Wulbren escape Moonrise.
Child at Heart		Play both games of hide and seek with Oliver.
Gone Feral		Free the mind-controlled gnolls from their master.
Good Deed of the Day		Free Nightsong.
Newly Downtrodden		Spare the goblins from Ketheric's wrath.
No Peeking!		Block out True Soul Z'rell from reading your intentions.
Orphan Camaraderie		Help Mol win the game of lanceboard.
Rebellious Phase		Betray Balthazar.
Strength in Cowardice		Convince the orthon to spare you, for now...
Wary of Strangers		Refuse to drink the spiked wine.
Will Not Be Forgotten		Escape the Oubliette.
A Dish Served Cold		Destroy the Steel Watch Foundry.
Child Safety		Expose Arfur for his booby-trapped toys.
Cunning Code Crackers		Discover the secret passphrase and enter Avery's secret workshop.
Down with the Steel Oppressors!		Defeat a Steel Watcher.
Finders Keepers		Help the squatters keep their temporary abode.
Good Intentions		Help Nina with her ritual.
Home Sweet Home		Delve into the Undercellar of Baldur's Gate.
Never Trust Those Above You		Defeat Gortash without making a deal with him.
Part of Life		Convince the coffin maker to make an exception.
Proper Lodging, Finally		Obtain a room at the Elfsong Tavern.
Spare What You Can		Give a donation to the big barn.
Through Nooks and Crannies		Enter Wyrm's Rock without pass or invitation.
Finding Vanra		Find and free Lora's abducted child.
Estrangement of Ethel		Defeat Auntie Ethel permanently.
A Fine Fortune	Criminal	Steal an item worth at least 1000 gold.
Friend of the Family		Become an ally of the Zhentarim.
Escape Artist		Escape from jail after being arrested.
Slaughter's Prize		Ally with Minthara to loot and slaughter the grove.
Finders Keepers		Refuse to return Barth's locket.
Serpent's Bounty		Take Zevlor's payment for killing Kagha.
Blood Price		Murder an innocent civilian.
Heretic		Steal the Idol of Silvanus.
Open For A Surprise		Acquire the Iron Flask from the Zhentarim.
Swiftly Stolen		Steal the duergar boots from the gnome.
Jailbreaker		Smuggle Sazza out of the grove.
A Sound Investment		Give Mol money to found a guild in Baldur's Gate.
Culling the Crowd		Use poison to kill the drunk goblins in camp.
Lesser Evils		Rob the enthralled fishermen.
A Dark Edge		Take Shar's dagger from the ritual pedestal.
Always a Way Out		Help the Moonrise prisoners escape.
An Absolute Douceur		Accept the Absolute's promise of gifts.
Body Heist		Open and loot the mind flayer colony's vault.
Enter Nostalgia		Trespass into Ketheric and Isobel's respective rooms.
Escape Artisan		Give Wulbren his tools so the gnomes can escape.
Fickle Allegiances		Betray Balthazar after learning that Nightsong is not a simple relic.
Long-Awaited Reunion		Hand Isobel over to Ketheric.
Notes of an Amateur		Craft some Brewed-Up Bellyglummer.
Personal Payroll		Discover the Toll Collector's personal hoard.
Right Tool for the Job		Obtain all 4 variants of the nurses' tools.
Shiny Trinkets and Baubles		Take the drider's Moonlantern.
War Profiteer		Find Roah in Moonrise and trade with her.
What's Yours is Mine		Take Shar's gem without aiding or killing the orthon.
Donations means 'Free'		Steal donated goods from the big barn.
There's Always a Back Door		Gain access to the Open Hand Temple's hidden door.
In Working Order	Guild Artisan	Repair the elevator in the Zhentarim hideout.
The Spider's Gift		Identify the drow armour near Waukeen's Rest.
Treasure & Tramp		Observe the effects of the Chest of the Mundane.
An Acquired Taste		Drink one of Auntie Ethel's unique potions.
The Apprentice Turns Master		Craft Nettie's antidote in the cauldron.
Valued Customer		Trade with someone who has High approval of you.
A New Vision		Reforge the broken spear.
An Artist in Need		Rescue Oskar the painter from the Zhentarim.
Mind Over Mushrooms		Gather ingredients for Omeluum's potion.
A Golden Masterpiece		Sell an item worth at least 1000 gold.
The Finest Ingredients		Create a masterwork item from Sussur Bark.
Regeneration		Restore power to the elevator in the Arcane Tower.
Blood, Sweat, and the Other Thing		Give your blood to Araj Oblodra.
Confiscated Works		Acquire a magical item from the toll collector's confiscation chest.
Dark Machinations		Fill all sockets with Sharran gems in the Gauntlet of Shar.
Hellish Armaments		Obtain a piece of infernal equipment from Dammon.
Inhuman Trials		Witness a horrid operation in the cursed house of healing.
Made of Shadows		Unlock and take the Spear of Rampant Night.
Mating Season		Discover the source of the displacer beast's infatuation.
Ruthless Craftsmanship		Take Shar's ceremonial dagger.
Simple Tools, Great Works		Return Wulbren's tools to him.
Special Iced Arsenic... Brew?		Craft some Brewed-Up Bellygummer.
Tragedy in Masonry		Discover the fate of the mason.
Trust and a Little Pixie Dust		Investigate the Moonlantern and find its power source.
Alternative Voices		Partake in the lurid services of Sharess' Caress
Dream Big		Describe your perfect weapon to Gyldro Angleiron.
Following Instructions		Return the Sentient Amulet to Shirra.
Immoral Ingenuity		Discover the booby-trapped toys.
Sour taste		Find a bottle of poisoned wine (can be aqquired at wine festival if you pass medicine check)
Unmasking the Truth	Folk Hero	Free one of the Hag's masked thralls.
A Timely Rescue		Save Findal from the goblins who kidnapped him.
The Most Unfortunate Gnome		Rescue the gnome from his fate at the windmill.
Rescued From the Flames		Save whoever you can from Waukeen's Rest.
Liberator		Liberate the enthralled fishermen from the mind flayer.
The Bard With Nine Lives		Rescue Volo from the goblin camp.
Saved By A Thread		Save Smythin from his lethal fall.
Fate Worse Than Death		Save Liam from his goblin torturers.
Guardian of the Forgotten		Save the tieflings from the goblin assault.
A Lethal Endeavor		Escort Baelen out of the field of bibberbangs.
Snake Whisperer		Protect Arabella from Kagha and her serpent.
Protector of the Small		Save Mirkon from the harpies.
Soul Warden		Save Nadira from the bugbear assassin.
A Smile Better Suits...		Offer a hopeful response to Alfira's inquiry.
Breakout!		Break out and save all of the Moonrise prisoners.
From One Hero To Another		Meet Jaheira and stay in her good books.
Greatness Thrust Upon Them		Find, save & bring Arabella to your camp.
Helping The Little Guy		Help Mol win the game of lanceboard.
Meeting of Fates		Side with either Isobel or Marcus during the confrontation in Last Light.
No Strings to Hold Them Back		Release the gnolls from their enslavement.
Not Another Soul		Keep all Harpers alive during the ambush with the Shadows.
Power Corrupts		Defeat a major figure in the corrupted town.
Saving the Prodigious		Save Rolan from the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Uncommon Recognition		Relate your feats to the bugbear merchant.
A Bet Is a Bet		Meet with Lakrissa in Baldur's Gate.
Chained, Unfortunate Souls		Rescue the vampire spawns from Cazador's lair.
Diplomatic Rescue		Save Counsellor Florrick from Wyrm's Rock.
Empathy for the Fallen		Convince the coffin-maker to make an exception.
End of the Tribunal		Save Valeria and end the Murder Tribunal.
Freeing the Preyed		Free Hope from captivity.
Keeping Your Hands Clean		Refuse to cause collateral damage with Wulbren's plan.
In Need of a Hero		Successfully rescue all of the Gondians from the Steel Watch Foundry.
Innocence Lost		Expose the toy-maker's mischief.
Never To Be Chained Again		Defeat Lorroakan and let Nightsong execute her vengeance.
Painted Hero		Obtain your portrait from Oskar.
Safeguarding the Songbird		Meet the unflappable Alfira in Baldur's Gate.
Securing Hospitalities		Save the squatters from being kicked out.
Trusting Your Instincts		Take up Valeria's shoddily concluded investigation.
Truth Shines Through		Find the true culprit behind the serial murders.

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- Anonymous
  30 Oct 2023 02:53
  I wish they'd done with Backgrounds what they did with Racial stat bonuses and let us just pick 2 proficiencies.
  
  Then added dialogue options for backgrounds so the choice was for RP purposes.
  
  Just imagine things like having banter with Lae'zel as a Noble because you both consider each other Servants. Hilarious back and forth with Volo as an Entertainer (Similar to some of the Bard options) or a Scholar (Who's read his books). Having different ways to interact with Mol as a Criminal, Outlander, Charlatan, Urchin or Guild Artisan. Etc.
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- Anonymous
  30 Aug 2023 11:29
  the need twice as many backgrounds. this is not enough
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- Anonymous
  28 Aug 2023 22:25
  Forgot Haunted One from The Dark Urge, and Hermit isn't in the game sadly that's just DnD
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- Anonymous
  24 Aug 2023 13:37
  Wish they didn't abandon custom backgrounds like tabletop has. 4 skills for most characters at character creation in 5e was balanced around you can actually pick 2 custom ones from your background, and the other 2 come from class skills. Picking 2 for your background means there's 36 possibilities. We are down to 12 in BG3. Hope they actually update this.
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- Anonymous
  19 Aug 2023 17:51
  Entertainer : In the groove. Tell Volo a spectacular story deserving to be in a book.
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- Anonymous
  19 Aug 2023 00:24
  I know one background which is exclusive for the Dark Urge.
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- sarcasteak
  10 Aug 2023 16:20
  Acolyte's "THE FINAL SCRIBE'S BOON" (Discover Jergal's amulet in the chapel's hidden tomb) doesn't seem to work anymore?
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- Anonymous
  06 Aug 2023 23:58
  Why is there no info on the special background for the dark urge?
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- Anonymous
  06 Aug 2023 09:55
  Can i change somehow background on my custom character? Like, f.e. - from soldier to sailor. Maybe cheats or whatever. Just don`t want to restart all 1st act but need lvl.5 important proficiency
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- Anonymous
  06 Aug 2023 04:58
  Soldier Background in Release Version found at Date 05.08.2023:
  Insted of "Start them Young" it is now "To Arms!" = Help Guex learn how to fightt.
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- Anonymous
  03 Aug 2023 03:24
  What happens when you have the same background as one of the origin characters in your party
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- Anonymous
  24 Jul 2023 23:57
  Haunted One Is such a great backround
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- Anonymous
  19 Jun 2023 08:07
  We need:
  Slave
  Idiot Savant
  Made a deal with a devil
  Exiled
  Vampire thrall
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- Anonymous
  13 Jan 2023 04:09
  Hermit and Sailor backgrounds was retired in patch 5. Understandable based on how BG3 gives thematic Inspirations based upon your actions (hermit and sailor does not fit the game), but losing access to Sailor's Athletics and Perception, two of the strongest skills in BG3, is quite the loss.
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- Anonymous
  30 Jul 2022 16:56
  
  Hoping for:
  Faction Agent
  Smuggler
  Guild Merchant
  Mercenary Veteran
  Urban Bounty Hunter
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- Anonymous
  26 Mar 2021 08:28
  i wish to have the hilarious background from Arcanum:
  You were institutionalized at a young age and believed to be mentally handicapped. After several years, the institute lost funding and you were turned out onto the street with nothing more than the clothes on your back. You are brilliant with a keen grasp of numbers and mathematics, but you are barely able to talk. You gain a significant bonus to Intelligence (+6) and an exceptional bonus to your Gambling skill. However, years of being locked away makes you suffer physically and emotionally. You talk as if you had a much lower Intelligence and you suffer penalties to Strength (-1), Constitution (-1), Dexterity (-2), and Willpower (-2).
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- Anonymous
  15 Oct 2020 23:08
  I wish that these gave you dialogue like Divinity.
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- Anonymous
  13 Oct 2020 14:20
  If you choose a class that already has a proficiency in a skill and you choose a background that also grants the same proficiency does the proficiency double or are you wasting potential?
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Search Results

Background Quests

Inspiration Points

Background Information

Removed Backgrounds

Hermit

Sailor

Background Inspiration Goals Comparison Table

Name

Background

Objective

A BONE TO PICK

ABSOLUTE DEVASTATION

AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE SCALPEL AWAY

CENTENNIAL RIVALRIES

DEVASTATION OF THE ABSOLUTE

FAMILICIDE

KNOW THINE ENEMY

MASTERFUL EXECUTION

NOTCHED ARMOR

REALITIES OF WAR

RETURN TO SENDER

SHIELD OF THE MOON

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE

THE BEST OFFENSE IS VIRTUALLY NONSENSE

COURT MARSHALL

DOUBLE-TAP

GREAT HELM OF LEGENDS

HOT EXIT

INNOVATIONS IN VOLATILITY

KICKING THE RUST BUCKET

PUTTING THE PAST TO REST

REGICIDE

REPORTING FOR DUTY

SHARING THE SPOILS

URGENT COMMUNICATION

VETERAN'S HOTSPOT

Pentacrush

Stalwart Heart

Chain of Command

Conquer the Conquerors

Crow Crusher

Warrior of the Hells

Start Them Young

Drowned in the Dark

No One Left Behind

Strategist

One For The Ages

The Price of Ink

The Art of Agony

Life of the Party

Made You Look

Celebrant

Give Them A Show

Chicken Chase Extraordinaire

A Bard's Muse

Heart of the Creator

Feel the Beat

A Story for the Ages

A Story You Won't Believe

A Tale of Two Souls

Eclipse of the Heart

It Came From Shadows

Living Legend

Memento Mori

Plucking the Lyre's Web

Strings of Fate

Tales of Yore

Town of Shadows

Catchy Tune

Sea Memorial

Making It Sing to Your Tune

Threads of Fame

Blabbermouth

Explosive Artistry

Drama Sleuth

Personal Invitation

Nest Egg

Rock Steady

Mushroom Enthusiast