Acolyte 5e background
2014 (SRD 5.1): Insight and Religion · Shelter of the Faithful
2024 (SRD 5.2): Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma · Magic Initiate (Cleric) · Insight and Religion
Acolyte in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)
- Ability scores
- Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma
- Feat
- Magic Initiate (Cleric)
- Skill proficiencies
- Insight, Religion
- Tool proficiency
- Calligrapher's Supplies
Equipment. Choose A or B: (A) Calligrapher's Supplies, Book (prayers), Holy Symbol, Parchment (10 sheets), Robe, 8 GP; or (B) 50 GP
How the 2024 background works
Increase one of the three listed ability scores by 2 and another by 1, or all three by 1 (none above 20). The feat is an Origin feat you take at level 1.
Magic Initiate (Origin feat)
You gain the following benefits.
Two Cantrips. You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell list. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this feat's spells (choose when you select this feat).
Level 1 Spell. Choose a level 1 spell from the same list you selected for this feat's cantrips. You always have that spell prepared. You can cast it once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in that way when you finish a Long Rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have.
Spell Change. Whenever you gain a new level, you can replace one of the spells you chose for this feat with a different spell of the same level from the chosen spell list.
Calligrapher's Supplies
- Ability
- Dexterity
- Checks
- Write text with impressive flourishes that guard against forgery (DC 15)
- Crafts
- Ink; Spell Scroll
Acolyte in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)
- Skill proficiencies
- Insight, Religion
- Tool proficiencies
- None
- Languages
- 2 of your choice
- Equipment
- A holy symbol (a gift to you when you entered the priesthood), a prayer book or prayer wheel, 5 sticks of incense, vestments, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Suggested characteristics
| d8 | Personality trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I idolize a particular hero of my faith, and constantly refer to that person's deeds and example. |
| 2 | I can find common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with them and always working toward peace. |
| 3 | I see omens in every event and action. The gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen. |
| 4 | Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude. |
| 5 | I quote (or misquote) sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation. |
| 6 | I am tolerant (or intolerant) of other faiths and respect (or condemn) the worship of other gods. |
| 7 | I've enjoyed fine food, drink, and high society among my temple's elite. Rough living grates on me. |
| 8 | I've spent so long in the temple that I have little practical experience dealing with people in the outside world. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tradition. The ancient traditions of worship and sacrifice must be preserved and upheld. |
| 2 | Charity. I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost. |
| 3 | Change. We must help bring about the changes the gods are constantly working in the world. |
| 4 | Power. I hope to one day rise to the top of my faith's religious hierarchy. |
| 5 | Faith. I trust that my deity will guide my actions. I have faith that if I work hard, things will go well. |
| 6 | Aspiration. I seek to prove myself worthy of my god's favor by matching my actions against his or her teachings. |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would die to recover an ancient relic of my faith that was lost long ago. |
| 2 | I will someday get revenge on the corrupt temple hierarchy who branded me a heretic. |
| 3 | I owe my life to the priest who took me in when my parents died. |
| 4 | Everything I do is for the common people. |
| 5 | I will do anything to protect the temple where I served. |
| 6 | I seek to preserve a sacred text that my enemies consider heretical and seek to destroy. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely. |
| 2 | I put too much trust in those who wield power within my temple's hierarchy. |
| 3 | My piety sometimes leads me to blindly trust those that profess faith in my god. |
| 4 | I am inflexible in my thinking. |
| 5 | I am suspicious of strangers and expect the worst of them. |
| 6 | Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life. |
Compared with the other SRD backgrounds
| Background | Ability scores (2024) | Feat (2024) | Skills | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acolyte | Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma | Magic Initiate | Insight, Religion | Calligrapher's Supplies |
| Criminal | Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence | Alert | Sleight of Hand, Stealth | Thieves' Tools |
| Sage | Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom | Magic Initiate | Arcana, History | Calligrapher's Supplies |
| Soldier | Strength, Dexterity, Constitution | Savage Attacker | Athletics, Intimidation | a gaming set |
Try a background’s 2024 ability score increases in the point buy calculator, or roll a set of scores with the 4d6 ability score roller.