Witchlight Hand 5E Background | New Wild Beyond the Witchlight Option
A circus certainly doesn’t run itself! While not many may look down to the little guy crawling through the Wild Beyond the Witchlight carnival, they’re still here. And as a new member of the circus, you might find yourself becoming a Witchlight Hand! A Hand’s duties never rest, though your training might become useful if you find yourself becoming an adventurer. This Witchlight Hand 5E Background guide will help you learn what we’ve got here.
Witchlight Hand 5E Background
Witchlight Hands do the dirty work behind the scenes. Whether you came here for wealth or refuge, you work hard and party hard. You’ve been across the multiverse, but never really left the carnival. You’ve seen people of all shapes and sizes, and yet you’ve talked to so few. The Carnival was once the perfect place to see everything there was to offer, but you’ve found it to be more like a jail cell. And perhaps, it’s time for a prison break…
Traits
Your years at the circus have put some skills on your resume, some clothes on your back, and some money in your pocket.
- Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Sleight of Hand
- Other Proficiencies: Disguise Kit or A Musical Instrument
- Language: Any one of your choice.
- Items: A Disguise Kit or Musical Instrument, a deck of cards, a carnival uniform or costume, a trinket, and 8 gp.
Pretty basic setup. Performance and Sleight of Hand aren’t exactly stellar, but each serve a purpose… Especially for creative carnies! Disguise kits are fun, but hard to use. It’s probably better than a Musical Instrument, sadly. Any language is wonderful to flesh out your ability to talk with others, though! Choose a language that will most help your campaign. Or Sylvan, that’s pretty good.
Carnival Companion
One of the other Witchlight Hands is your staunch ally. They help you out as best they can while in the carnival, but won’t leave voluntarily. The following table has some examples, though a DM can let you choose a new option.
| d8 | Companion |
| 1 | Old, cantankerous hand. |
| 2 | Young, impressionable hand. |
| 3 | Performer, like an Acrobat, Clown, or Juggler. |
| 4 | Retired performer. |
| 5 | Animal trainer. |
| 6 | Old Blink Dog. |
| 7 | Cheery Sprite. |
| 8 | An old, magical wisp of light. |
Feature: Carnival Fixture
As an employee of the Carnival, you are free to walk around as you wish. In addition, the carnival gives you modest food and lodging, as long as you’re within their walls.
Suggested Characteristics
The Witchlight Hand does not have characteristics unique to it. However, many fey creatures in the Witchlight tend to have a similar list of priorities. Including…
Personality Traits
| d8 | Trait |
| 1 | I constantly hear laughter in my head, causing me to lose track of conversations. At least it helps me smile! |
| 2 | I can’t settle in a place for very long; the wind carries me! |
| 3 | Good music makes me weep like a baby. |
| 4 | I will always bring the warmth and tranquility of home with me. |
| 5 | I have the same imagination and curiosity that I did as a child. |
| 6 | New ideas make me super excited… But not as excited as the next idea! |
| 7 | My own set of ethics and rules guide my hand. |
| 8 | Adults are spooky; I can’t bring myself to trust them. |
Ideals
| d8 | Ideal |
| 1 | Friendship (Good). Never leave a friend behind. |
| 2 | Empathy (Good). Suffering is an unnecessary evil. |
| 3 | Wonderlust (Chaotic). The less-traveled path is mine. |
| 4 | Changeability (Chaotic). Adapting to every situation is important. Including adapting my rule set to whatever works. |
| 5 | Honor (Lawful). A deal is a deal. You don’t break those. |
| 6 | Rule of Three (Lawful). Everything is a rule of three. Everything happens in threes. |
| 7 | Obsession (Evil). I don’t let go of grudges. |
| 8 | Greed (Evil). I get what I want. That’s just what happens. |
Bonds
| d8 | Bonds |
| 1 | My word is sacred to me. |
| 2 | Magic is essential to the growth of the world and myself. |
| 3 | Nature is worth protecting at all costs. |
| 4 | A trusted friend is more important than the whole multiverse. |
| 5 | Fey creatures are to be respected, feared, or befriended. |
| 6 | The Witchlight Carnival is my home. |
| 7 | The Feywild was absolutely astonishing… If only I may return someday. |
| 8 | Mister Witch and Mister Light gave me a home. I must give something back. |
Flaws
| d8 | Flaws |
| 1 | Time is a myth; one that gets me in trouble a lot. |
| 2 | All eyes in the multiverse are on me. |
| 3 | Everything must be on schedule, with deadlines. No ifs, ands, or buts. |
| 4 | A brief spat of Kleptomania never hurt anybody… |
| 5 | My mind wanders as much as I do, and I often forget simple things. |
| 6 | I will always expect something in return for my gifts. |
| 7 | I have vices, sure, but vices are made to be indulged. |
| 8 | My mind changes constantly. Usually? Constantly. |
Wrapping Up Our Witchlight Hand 5E Guide
The Witchlight Hand requires you to be in a Witchlight Carnival-themed campaign. It is useless outside of the campaign. However, in the Wild Beyond the Witchlight campaign setting, this will get you places! Just… Be sure not to aggravate Mister Witch or Mister Light too much. Looking for other Witchlight backgrounds? Check out our guide for the Feylost Background!
