General Backgrounds

Short

➊ : [Free]

You are slightly shorter than average. Decrease your Size by 1.

Suggested Height: 5'2"-5'6"

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➋ : ✪15

You are much shorter than average. You gain a +2 background bonus to Stealth, decrease your Size by 1 (for a total of -2), and you may be able to enter spaces too small for other adventurers. However, you take a -1 pealty to your Speed.

Suggested Height: 5'1" or less

Tall

➊ : [Free]

You are slightly taller than average. Increase your Size by 1.

Suggested Height: 6'1"-6'5"

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➋ : ✪10

You are much taller than average. You gain a +1 background bonus to your Speed, increase your size by 1 (for a total of +2), and you may be able to reach high-up areas that are out of reach for other adventurers. However, you take a -1 penalty to Stealth.

Suggested Height: 6'6" and up

Lightweight

➊ : [Free]

You have a smaller build, making you a more difficult target. Decrease your size by 1.

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➋ : ✪10

You are very lightweight. Decrease your size by an additional 1 for a total of -2. You gain a +1 background bonus to Speed, but you take a -1 background penalty to Endurance and Defense.

Heavyweight

➊ : [Free]

You have a heavyset physique. Increase your size by 1, and gain a +1 size bonus to Endurance.

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➋ : ✪15

You are very heavy. Increase your size by an additional 1 for a total of +2. You gain a +1 background bonus to Defense and to Endurance, but take a -2 background penalty to your speed.

Tech Aficionado

✪15

Conflicts with: Tech Illiterate

You've always got to have the latest and greatest electronics, and you know how to make use of them. Your starting equipment includes an Advanced Smartphone instead of the typical smartphone, and you gain a +1 bonus to your Technology skill.

Driver

✪15

You own a car worth up to 200,000 CR at the beginning of the campaign.

Speak to the GM about using this background, as it may not apply to all campaigns.

Night Vision

✪10

You have excellent night vision, allowing you to see in darkness as though it were dim light.

Tough

✪20

You have a naturally strong and resilient body.

Increase your base Natural Armor rating by 1.

Enthusiast

✪10

You have a special interest in a specific topic. You may gain one additional free Knowledge of your choice. Set its skill value to 1.

Resourceful

✪10

Prerequisite: 12 Intelligence

Your creative and quick-thinking mind allows you to use things in ways they were never intended for.

You gain Specialty: Improvisation 1.

Persistent

✪20

Conflicts with: Inattentive

It's difficult to change your mind or interrupt you in the middle of a complex task.

You gain Specialty: Concentration 1 and a +1 background bonus to Determination.

Wealthy

✪50

You come from a wealthy family.

You start the game with an extra 10,000 CR in your inventory.

Lucky

✪50

You have an inexplicable streak of good luck.

Once per day, whenever you roll a natural 1 on the die, you may have that roll be treated as a natural 20 instead.

Firearms License

➊ : ✪5

Prerequisite: Age 20 or above, 1 Marksmanship

You have a Class I firearms license, which permits you to legally carry handguns in Ætheria.

See Firearms Licenses for a list of allowed weapon types.

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➋ : ✪10

Prerequisite: 3 Marksmanship

Your firearms license is Class II, which permits you to legally carry weapons used in professional settings such as shotguns and hunting rifles.

If you already have a Class I license due to your career background, you can purchase this tier without tier 1.

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➌ : ✪15

Prerequisite: 4 Marksmanship

Your firearms license is Class III, which permits you to operate high-powered weaponry.

If you already have a Class II license due to your career background, you can purchase this tier without the previous tiers.

Magically Inclined

✪10

Conflicts with: Weak Magic

Everyone is capable of learning and casting spells, but for some people it just comes more naturally.

Your maximum energy is increased by 10.(This takes effect when your class gains the ability to cast spells.)