phantomdoodler
Mongoose
This idea, partly inspired by Dnd 5th ed, allows greater character customization. Each player should choose one Background from the following, based on their character concept, and reflects their life prior to following one of the classes they have chosen to play. Each Background listed below provides a +2 Bonus to all non-combat tests that are relevant to that Background. They are kept deliberately vague so that players should pitch to the Gm if a particular Background would help in a certain situation.
Beggar
Your character grew up on the streets of Magnamund, and as such may apply their Bonus to all tests involving scavenging for feed, begging, busking, finding safe shelter and finding your away around towns and cities. Beggars also tend to develop a cast iron stomach, from eating discarded food, and those that survive are also resistant to illness.
Craftsman
Your character was a young apprentice, in their village, town or city, and may apply their Background Bonus when crafting items pertaining to their craft, such as carpentry or blacksmithing, although they have a general aptitude for making im;promptu repairs to most crafts.
Farmer
Your character grew up in a rural environment, and may apply your Background Bonus to all situations relating to farming, such as animal rearing and handling, sewing plants, and knowledge of the weather and seasons. Those from a farming background have also done their fair share of heavy manual work, so tend to be more resistant to illness and used to lifting heavy items.
Gambler
Your character is no stranger to the gaming table, and may apply their Bonus to all gambling attempts, including cheating, or detecting others cheating. Gamblers tend to be excellent bluffers, especially those preferring card games, and may apply their bonus when lying.
Merchant
Your character grew up in a trading environment and may apply their Bonus to all tests involving haggling, business acumen and negotiation
Miner
Your character grew up in the dark and grimy tunnels of a mine, and as such, may apply their Bonus to all tests involving mining, and heavy manual work. Such characters also tend to develop good night vision, applying their Bonus when searching in the dark.
Monk
Your character grew up in a monastery, cloistered away from the world. You may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving meditation, theological lore and remaining calm and composed. Monks often grow plants, manufacture wine and illustrate religious tomes.
Noble
Your character grew up in a castle or large estate, and may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving courtly manners, recognizing heraldic crests, courtly dancing and other noble pursuits such as hunting, riding and hawking. You also apply your Bonus when interacting with aristocratic types.
Nomad
Your character grew up travelling across the deserts and plains of Magnamund, and may apply their Bonus to all tests involving riding or handling animals, finding water and surviving the harsh conditions of their homelands.
Hunter
Your character grew up in the forests of Magnaumund as may apply their Bonus to all tests involving hunting, recognizing plants, setting traps and stalking prey. Such characters also tend to be particularly alert in woodland terrain.
Sailor
Your character grew up in a seafaring community, and as such may apply their Bonus to operating sailing ships, rowing, maintaining balance on ship, and swimming. Such characters are also familiar with nautical superstitions and terminology.
Scholar
Your character grew up around dusty libraries, and may apply their Background Bonus to all tests involving researching, academic knowledge, such as history, literature, or astronomy, and interacting with academic types.
Thief
Your character grew up around roguish types and as such, you may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving picking pockets, picking locks and clambering up buildings. Thieves also tend to be somewhat streetwise, and may apply their Bonus to all test when interacting with criminal types.
Soldier
Your character was enlisted into an army at a young age, and as such is very familiar with the military. You may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving tactics and military strategy, recognizing regiments, and when interacting with military types.
To be continued...
Beggar
Your character grew up on the streets of Magnamund, and as such may apply their Bonus to all tests involving scavenging for feed, begging, busking, finding safe shelter and finding your away around towns and cities. Beggars also tend to develop a cast iron stomach, from eating discarded food, and those that survive are also resistant to illness.
Craftsman
Your character was a young apprentice, in their village, town or city, and may apply their Background Bonus when crafting items pertaining to their craft, such as carpentry or blacksmithing, although they have a general aptitude for making im;promptu repairs to most crafts.
Farmer
Your character grew up in a rural environment, and may apply your Background Bonus to all situations relating to farming, such as animal rearing and handling, sewing plants, and knowledge of the weather and seasons. Those from a farming background have also done their fair share of heavy manual work, so tend to be more resistant to illness and used to lifting heavy items.
Gambler
Your character is no stranger to the gaming table, and may apply their Bonus to all gambling attempts, including cheating, or detecting others cheating. Gamblers tend to be excellent bluffers, especially those preferring card games, and may apply their bonus when lying.
Merchant
Your character grew up in a trading environment and may apply their Bonus to all tests involving haggling, business acumen and negotiation
Miner
Your character grew up in the dark and grimy tunnels of a mine, and as such, may apply their Bonus to all tests involving mining, and heavy manual work. Such characters also tend to develop good night vision, applying their Bonus when searching in the dark.
Monk
Your character grew up in a monastery, cloistered away from the world. You may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving meditation, theological lore and remaining calm and composed. Monks often grow plants, manufacture wine and illustrate religious tomes.
Noble
Your character grew up in a castle or large estate, and may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving courtly manners, recognizing heraldic crests, courtly dancing and other noble pursuits such as hunting, riding and hawking. You also apply your Bonus when interacting with aristocratic types.
Nomad
Your character grew up travelling across the deserts and plains of Magnamund, and may apply their Bonus to all tests involving riding or handling animals, finding water and surviving the harsh conditions of their homelands.
Hunter
Your character grew up in the forests of Magnaumund as may apply their Bonus to all tests involving hunting, recognizing plants, setting traps and stalking prey. Such characters also tend to be particularly alert in woodland terrain.
Sailor
Your character grew up in a seafaring community, and as such may apply their Bonus to operating sailing ships, rowing, maintaining balance on ship, and swimming. Such characters are also familiar with nautical superstitions and terminology.
Scholar
Your character grew up around dusty libraries, and may apply their Background Bonus to all tests involving researching, academic knowledge, such as history, literature, or astronomy, and interacting with academic types.
Thief
Your character grew up around roguish types and as such, you may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving picking pockets, picking locks and clambering up buildings. Thieves also tend to be somewhat streetwise, and may apply their Bonus to all test when interacting with criminal types.
Soldier
Your character was enlisted into an army at a young age, and as such is very familiar with the military. You may apply your Background Bonus to all tests involving tactics and military strategy, recognizing regiments, and when interacting with military types.
To be continued...
