Backgrounds

Example Area Cultures

Using Background Experience

If a character wants to use their Background to make a Skill Roll, they roll using [K]nowledge.

Skill Rolls are explained further in the Actions — Making a Skill Roll section.

Labourer

Labourers are the foundation of society. Akin to the ground we walk on. Labourers work many of life's necessary but oft overlooked jobs that civilisation could not function without. Farmers, builders, miners, smiths, cobblers, and tailors may pass unnoticed until their absence is keenly felt. Often simple folk, that simple hard-working diligence can make them solid allies.

Soldier

A soldiers life can be different depending on the army, campaign, rank, or weather, but certain things are common between Soldiers. The training received and the lessons learned, sometimes painfully so, can make even young Soldiers grow quickly. Some say there are Old Soldiers and Bold Soldiers but never Old, Bold Soldiers. Soldiers make reliable Allies for obvious reasons: when push comes to shove, these people are able to shove back.

Criminal

For some people, a life of crime is just life. Many are dealt a bad hand and need to scrape by doing whatever they can, while others seek money, power, thrill, or infamy. Crime and criminals come in many shapes and sizes, but many skills are common between them all. Also, criminals tend to make long-lasting relationships, usually with law-enforcement or former targets. However, those skills learned from a life of dirty jobs can make (former?) Criminals a worthy ally.

Wilderness

Some individuals prefer the company of themselves. Many also prefer an open sky and fresh air to the dirty cramped spaces of a city. To these people, the Wilderness is where they spend most of their time. Life alone in this natural environment teaches many skills and these skills can be very useful for any that plan to interact with these environments.

Merchant

Merchants are those that buy and sell products to others. Different from tradesmen and labourers, the business of Merchants is primarily in dealings with others. This typically requires interpersonal and financial skills. but travelling merchants may learn other skills and many merchants use stores as fronts for other nefarious dealings...

Noble

Many societies have a clear class divide. While this may not always be so cut and dry, money talks and people listen to those with it. Those fortunate to be born into money or other luxuries face a life far different to those born without. While they may not see them as such, those easy lives may be passed at politics, scholarly pursuits, artistry, or working their way up from a lowly officer. Often judged by those less fortunate, Nobles make solid Allies for more than their money sometimes.

Academic

Children of Nobles or wealthy merchants may be sent to special schools to learn special skills. Less frequently, a particularly gifted child might even be sponsored by a wealthy patron. Doctors, scientists, historians, alchemists, and more often spend much of their lives poring over old tomes or locked in strange workshops. This solitary life often imparts great knowledge and expertise, but can cause lasting harm to one's health and fitness.

Outsider

Outsiders are those from another society, or ones that were never accepted into their own. Though they have skills and a background of their own, they will forever be seen as an Outsider. Outsiders can make solid Allies in any band that welcomes them, letting their other skills be put to use.

Religious

There are many religious orders dedicated to the various Divine Powers. The followers of these orders often follow strict codes and perform certain rituals. While this may be difficult or restrictive, these followers may be rewarded with a fraction of the Divine Power's might. These Followers make worthy Allies as they manage to bring this power to bear to aid their friends or harm their foes.

Sailor

Well me father often told me when I was just a lad,
A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad.
But now I've joined the navy, I'm aboard a man-o-war,
And now I've found a sailor ain't a sailor any more.

Primal

For those who seek to utilise a Primal Power, a deal must be made. Rather than showing subservience or adherence to a code, they must pass a test of wits or strength to earn the respect of a Primal Power. While this can have lasting repercussions, many are willing to attempt this for a chance at the rewards. Primals make useful Allies as they bring these magical rewards to bear against Enemies, or use their powers to support their Allies.

Survivor

Some people are fighters. They have survived something terrible and can keep going. These are people who emerged from terrible disaster, great sickness, or inflicted suffering. Excaped slaves, plague victims, and lone survivors all suffered great harm and emotional damage but found the will to keep going. Many who learn of this find great respect and admiration for these individuals. Survivors might see this event as having meaning and devote themselves to a cause. They may be worthy allies due to their dogmatic persistence and ability to endure the toughest of situations.

Apostate

Apostates are individuals that have made bargains with Profane beings to gain dark knowledge and power. This comes at a steep cost and marks these individuals permanently. While this can be very powerful, these individuals often face harsh judgement from those who fear those powers, and often rightfully so. However, these powers and the forbidden knowledge can make Apostates a powerful Ally for anyone dealing with magic or dark forces.

No Background

Some individuals have no background. These may be mysterious individuals or those literally born yesterday. Regardless, these individuals do sometimes exist.

Custom

This background exists for any Custom Background that Players may want to create. This should be agreed upon with the GM.