Character Backgrounds for Ironsworn
If you've played Ironsworn: Starforged, you likely encountered the background table (page 105 of the Starforged rulebook). Rolling or picking on that table provides suggested assets for various character roles. This can narrow your options during character creation and inspire you to play a character you wouldn't otherwise choose.
Ironsworn doesn't include a similar table in the core rulebook, but you can use the one below to reveal the nature of your character. This table can also help introduce new players to Ironsworn or as character "packages" for a one-shot session.
And how about a bonus for using a character background? If you take the three assets as offered, you may immediately upgrade one asset (marking an ability) to represent your experience in that role.
Some tips on using the background table:
- There is some overlap of assets between backgrounds. If you use this table to generate characters in a co-op or guided game with other players, feel free to reroll a result with duplicates, or swap the matching asset for another of your choosing.
- Some backgrounds are straightforward — if you've played other fantasy RPGs. you likely have a good understanding of what role a Ranger or Paladin embodies. Others are more evocative. Not sure what role a Cloak or Reaver might play in your world? Take a moment to envision it.
- If you prefer to customize, go for it! For example, if magic does not exist in your version of the Ironlands, swap a ritual for another asset of your choosing.
- The Loyalist asset — marked with an asterisk(*) — is meant for co-op or guided play with allies. If you are playing solo, swap this asset for one of your choosing.
- This table includes two bonus assets that were only released in digital form: Commander and Lorekeeper. To add those assets to your collection, visit the downloads page to grab the latest print-and-play version of the Ironsworn asset deck.
Prefer a printable PDF? Download one here!
|
Roll |
Background |
Starting Assets |
|
1–3 |
Artisan |
Improviser (Path), Talisman (Ritual), Wright (Path) |
|
4–6 |
Barbarian |
Berserker (Combat Talent), Leech (Ritual), Young Wyvern (Companion) |
|
7–9 |
Bard |
Bonded (Path), Storyweaver (Path), Tether (Ritual) |
|
10–12 |
Beastmaster |
Animal Kin (Path), Cave Lion (Companion), Totem (Ritual) |
|
13–15 |
Bladedancer |
Dancer (Path), Duelist (Combat Talent), Keen (Ritual) |
|
16–18 |
Cleric |
Devotant (Path), Herbalist (Path), Loyalist* (Path) |
|
19–21 |
Cloak |
Infiltrator (Path), Pretender (Path), Shadow-Walk (Ritual) |
|
22–24 |
Delver |
Improviser (Path), Lightbearer (Ritual), Lorekeeper (Path) |
|
25–27 |
Druid |
Augur (Ritual), Long-Arm (Combat Talent), Wildblood (Path) |
|
28–30 |
Enchanter |
Sway (Ritual), Talisman (Ritual), Trickster (Path) |
|
31–33 |
Forsaken Knight |
Ironclad (Combat Talent), Rider (Path), Spirit-Bound (Path) |
|
34–36 |
Hunter |
Bind (Ritual), Fletcher (Path), Hound (Companion) |
|
37–39 |
Knight |
Banner-Sworn (Path), Ironclad (Combat Talent), Kindred (Companion; squire) |
|
40–42 |
Mercenary Commander |
Fortune Hunter (Path), Veteran (Path), Commander (Path) |
|
43–45 |
Monster Hunter |
Fortune Hunter (Path), Slayer (Path), Skirmisher (Combat Talent) |
|
46–48 |
Necromancer |
Awakening (Ritual), Communion (Ritual), Raven (Companion) |
|
49–51 |
Nomad |
Mammoth (Companion), Slinger (Combat Talent), Wayfinder (Path) |
|
52–54 |
Outcast Elf |
Archer (Combat Talent), Masked (Path), Outcast (Path) |
|
55–57 |
Paladin |
Honorbound (Path), Swordmaster (Combat Talent), Lightbearer (Ritual) |
|
58–60 |
Ranger |
Hawk (Companion), Wayfinder (Path), Wildblood (Path) |
|
61–63 |
Reaver |
Hound (Companion), Sunderer (Combat Talent), Visage (Ritual) |
|
64–66 |
Sage |
Lorekeeper (Path), Owl (Companion), Scry (Ritual) |
|
67–69 |
Sea Witch |
Dancer (Path), Invoke (Ritual), Waterborn (Path) |
|
70–72 |
Seer |
Divination (Ritual), Scry (Ritual), Sighted (Path) |
|
73–75 |
Sorcerer |
Giant Spider (Companion), Invoke (Ritual), Sighted (Path) |
|
76–78 |
Swordbearer |
Blade-Bound (Path), Keen (Ritual), Swordmaster (Combat Talent) |
|
79–81 |
Thief |
Cutthroat (Combat Talent), Infiltrator (Path), Trickster (Path) |
|
82–84 |
War Priest |
Banner-Sworn (Path), Devotant (Path), Thunder-Bringer (Combat Talent) |
|
85–87 |
Warden |
Loyalist* (Path), Shield-Bearer (Combat Talent), Ward (Ritual) |
|
88–90 |
Warlord |
Commander (Path), Empowered (Path), Horse (Companion) |
|
91–93 |
Wildling |
Bind (Ritual), Brawler (Combat Talent), Wildblood (Path) |
|
94–96 |
Witch |
Alchemist (Path), Divination (Ritual), Raven (Companion) |
|
97–100 |
Roll twice |
Envision a character whose history includes both backgrounds; choose three assets from among them. |
If you use this table, let me know! The best place to discuss the Ironsworn family of games is our official community Discord.
The text of this article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.