The following are some of the backgrounds that can be chosen for a PC. Basically, rather than note down slavishly every skill you have, you will be generally good at things that are associated with your background. If you were an academic and you want to find a book in a strange library, you’ll be twice as likely to pull it off. You needn’t note at the outset that “Find Books in Weird Libraries” is a skill you have, it is assumed. In play, you merely state a case to the Labyrinth Lord as to why you should be able to do something, and he or she will make a ruling. The skills should not translate to combat bonuses, but might be useful in combat for creative players.
All backgrounds are assumed to be “light”—you were an apprentice to the trade, or spent a good deal of your childhood practicing—rather than a full-on professional. Obviously, at some point in time you focused on the vocation of adventurer, and the specific character class to which you belong. That’s why these are backgrounds and not foregrounds. J
Academic
Acrobat
Alchemist
Animal Trainer
Artist
Barber
Bard
Blacksmith
Brewer
Butcher
Construction
Cook
Engineer
Fisherman
Gardener/Farmer
Gemcutter
Hobo
Hunter
Jeweler
Lumberjack
Merchant
Miner
Sage
Sailor
Specific Lore (e.g. religious history)
I think this is a really good approach--it looks like it will suggest actions to players rather than straght-jacketing them. I'm planning on doing something similar for my City campaign--probably posting on it later this week.
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