Backgrounds

Backgrounds are a shorthand way of coming up with - and combining, in an in-world way - four elements of your character: Social Standing, Faith, Profession, and Faction. Each defines a different way you’ll interact with the game world.

WHAT DO BACKGROUNDS DO FOR ME?

Backgrounds are defined by four aspects, as noted below. You can either choose Backgrounds from the list of Common Backgrounds by Culture, provided later on, or you can custom-build your own with your Referee’s approval.

BACKGROUND ELEMENTS
ELEMENT DESCRIPTION IN-GAME EFFECT
SOCIAL STANDING What class or caste do you hail from? Starting resources, cultural affinities and enmities
FAITH Which of the Immortals do you worship? Earning Favor by following Faith Tenets.
PROFESSION How did you make your living? Free Skilled Ability at Max Campaign Training.
FACTION Who do you swear fealty to? Check each Session to see if a Faction can help you.

Each Background Element can be independently selected if you want to build a fully customized character, but standardized Backgrounds that follow can give you a way to quickly finalize your character and get into play.

Additional cultural common backgrounds are described in each Culture’s detail page - this table gives you enough to get started with two common adventuring archetypes for each Culture.

HOW DOES SOCIAL STANDING AFFECT MY CHARACTER?

Each character has a SOCIAL STANDING in their CULTURE. Choose one from the list below and note both the Resource and Obligation that come from belonging to that standing.

SOCIAL STANDINGS
STANDING RESOURCE OBLIGATION
VAGRANT REFUGE NONE
PEASANT RAW GOODS TAXES
FREEMAN FINISHED GOODS GUILDS
MERCHANT TRADE TARIFFS
CLERGY SECRETS STRICTURES
NOBILITY INFLUENCE COURT
  • RESOURCE indicates what your character can always get their hands on given the right circumstances.
  • OBLIGATION indicates what you’ll have to deal with in order to obtain that resource.

OVERVIEW

TABLE H: TYPICAL BACKGROUNDS by CULTURE

NAME SOCIAL FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
MINSTREL Merchant Dawn Musician Maltharian Autarchy
RANCHER Freeman Rilanari Rider Maltharian Autarchy
NAME SOCIAL FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
MINSTREL Merchant Dawn Musician Maltharian Autarchy
RANCHER Freeman Rilanari Rider Maltharian Autarchy
NAME SOCIAL FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
MINSTREL Merchant Dawn Musician Maltharian Autarchy
RANCHER Freeman Rilanari Rider Maltharian Autarchy
NAME SOCIAL FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
DRUID Clergy Rilanari Botanist Council of Alanthii
SCOUT Freeman Dawn Trapper Countil of Alanthii
NAME SOCIAL FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
POLITICIAN Nobility Iconoclast Debater Maltharian Autarchy
TRADER Merchant Concordat Haggler Maltharian Autarchy
NAME SOCIAL FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
DEFENDER Peasant Ardusari Blacksmith Imperial Areg
PHILOSOPHER Clergy Valdurani Theologist The Navigators
BACKGROUND CULTURE STANDING FAITH PROFESSION FACTION
Khozhn’akan (Soldier) Khozhn’ah Freeman Ancestors Strategist Imperial Khozhn’ol
Mahal-Kal’ak (Mystic) Khozhn’ah Clergy Ancestors History The Navigators
Cavalry Adaric Freeman Rilanari Rider Maltharian Autarchy
Minstrel Adaric Merchant Dawn Musician Maltharian Autarchy
Trader Anladrian Merchant Concordat Haggler Maltharian Autarchy
Politician Anladrian Nobility Iconoclast Debater Maltharian Autarchy
Scout Solindriel Freeman Dawn Trapper Council of Alanthii
Druid Solindriel Clergy Rilanari Herbalist Council of Alanthii
Assassin Tenebriel Clergy Torani Stealth Thurgaran Federation
Hosteler Tenebriel Merchant Varanos Haggler The Navigators
Barbarian Scavaga Vagrant Pag’ai Tracker Tribal Gochin
Shaman Scavaga Clergy Daloric Storyteller Tribal Gochin
Sailor Hengian Peasant Rilanari Sailor Maltharian Autarchy
Inquisitor Hengian Freeman Valdurani Observer The Navigators
Tinkerer Betrillan Merchant Valdurani Sage Kâlindivallan Geniocracy
Thief Betrillan Vagrant Varanos Sneak The Unquiet
Explorer Vadrian Peasant Dawn Navigator Federation of Challinar
Settler Vadrian Freeman Concordat Farmer Federation of Challinar
Linhonhwey (Diplomat) Echoine Nobility Dusk Smooth-talker Lysudran Imperatrix
Thutharra (Architect) Echoine Peasant Dusk Stonemason Lysudran Imperatrix
Oligarch Maltharian Nobility Iconoclast Demagogue Maltharian Autarchy
Warden Maltharian Freeman Iconoclast Logistician Maltharian Autarchy
Defender Aregian Peasant Ardusari Blacksmith Imperial Areg
Philosopher Aregian Nobility Valdurani Theologist Imperial Areg
Alchemist Kâlind Exile Clergy Valdurani Alchemist The Navigators
Thane Kâlind Exile Nobility Concordat Logistician Kâlindikar Remnant
Wine-Taster Fey Nobility Unitarian Vintner Tywysog o Eira
Thread-Cutter Fey Nobility Unitarian Vivisectionist Tywysoges Huddygl
Outlander Wanderer Vagrant Concordat Forager 1 per die allowed
Mercenary Wanderer Peasant Pag’ai Tactician 1 per die allowed
Healer Hermit Peasant Elewani Healer 1 per die allowed
Astrologer Hermit Vagrant Rigosian Astrology 1 per die allowed