Alchemist background ...

[mhorgunn]

gives you what?

We have begun the process of rolling up new characters to take a break from the other set. One of my players has an interesting concept where the human character has a terminal disease (which he describes as a cross between cancer and leprosy) . He wants to take as his background, guild artisan: Alchemist. I think he believes this will give him the ability to make potions et all. The description in the Player's Handbook is a little vague.

I have already introduced an Alchemist archetype in the game ( Dawnforged Alchemist.)

I think I would give a player the proficiency of using the tools of the trade, a handful of common medicines to brew and advantage to identify potions.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Nickademus]

The Guild Artisan background grants proficiency in Insight, Persuasion, and one type of artisan's tools in addition to a language and some gear. I'm not sure what's vague about that.

Healing potions are made with the herbalist kit. Alchemist tools (which I believe are what he'd take as his artisan's tools proficiency) are used to make alchemists' fire and acid. Xanathar's has more information on tool proficiencies.

[Zacchaeus]

I'm going to assume that your player has been trawling the D&D Wiki which is the only place that there is an Alchemist Background (https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/OGC:Alchemist%27s_Apprentice_(5e_Background)). This is all non standard stuff which you are at liberty to exclude from your game if you want. You won't find it in any of the WotC publications. If you do want to allow if then you can create the background from within FG. See here for a video (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?36605-Creating-a-Background-video-tutorial) on how to do that