Backgrounds

Information for adding extra information to a player's character.

1 - Family Status and starting wealth
01-10 No background, either an outcast or a person suffering from amnesia; Start with D100 sestertii.
11-65 Roll on Lower Class Table; start with only simple possessions: the clothes on your back and the tools necessary to your profession. Note that this doesn't mean that a warrior-type has a full arsenal of weapons and equipment, rather a single weapon and perhaps a shield (all non-magical).
66-95 Roll on Middle Class Table; start with better clothes, and more than one outfit, and tools that fit all of your skills (such as a weapon for each weapon proficiency).
96-00 Roll on Upper Class Table; start with multiple outfits of fine clothing for different occasions, quality weapons and arms, and a mount with gear to carry you around. 

 

1A - Lower Class Table
01-50 Poor background; farmer, fisherman, trapper etc. Lowest social status; a beggar or peasant with no resources whatsoever. Start with D10 x 5 sestertii.
51-75 Organized crime family. 25% chance of father being head of a thief's guild or 5% chance of father being the head of an assassin's guild. D10 major enemies, D8 rivals, D8 major allies. Start with D10 x 10 sestertii.
76-00 A member of a high-treason family. An outlaw that may be attacked on sight.2D20 major enemies, 3D20 rivals, 1 ally. Start with D10 x 10 sestertii.

 

1B- Middle Class Table
01-50 A mere peasant farmer or labourer who has been nobled. Family is considered noble farmers/labourers who have earned a tiny portion of land. This noble character may be looked down upon by arrogant aristocrats, while others look upon him/her with great respect because he/she is living proof that nobility /knighthood and honour are not a birthright but a virtue that can be acquired from any station in life. Start with D10 x 20 sestertii.
51-75 A member of new nobility and wealthy landowners with a background in farming and raising cattle. The family is quickly making a name for itself. Start with D10 x 50 sestertii.
76-00 A member of a noble family which is a minor landowner with a background in farming. Start with D10 x 100 sestertii.

 

1C - Upper Class Table
01-50 A member of an old and respected family with a very long line of valiant knights, warriors, explorers and noble patriots. Family is either a minor political force or minor landowners. Your family's been around for D6 x 100 years. 1 major enemy, D4 rivals, 1 major ally. Start with D10 x 250 sestertii.
51-75 Old Nobility; a member of the ruling class dating back D10 x 100 years. The family is well known in home country and may be recognized by foreign nobles. The family is either a major political force or a large landowning family. D8 major enemies, D12 rivals, 2D6 major allies. Start with D10 x 500 sestertii.
76-00 Royal Nobility; a member of the highest class( if not the ruling class itself!), fantastically rich family. 60 % chance of belonging to the royal bloodline. D4 major enemies, D6 rivals, D6 major allies. Your character owns either a large townhouse, a mansion, a ranch, a vast unpopulated land area or a mine. The deeds of your family dates back D20 x 100 years, family is either a major political force or a large land owning family. Start with D10 x 1000 sestertii.

 

2 - Siblings
Does your character have any family?
01-30 Only child
31-55 One sibling
56-75 D4 siblings
76-90 D6 siblings
91-00 D8 siblings
For each sibling roll for their gender;
01-50 Brother
51-00 Sister
For each parent and sibling roll to see whether they are alive or dead;
01-50 Alive
51-00 Dead
If a parent or sibling is dead roll to determine cause of death;
01-50 Accident
51-85 Disease
86-00 Murdered
For each parent or sibling roll to determine their feelings to you;
01-25 Wants nothing to do with you
26-50 Lost contact with him/her D10 years ago
51-75 Standard relationship
76-00 Close relationship

 

Each time you roll on the Life Advantage table you also have to roll a corresponding amount of times on the Life Disadvantage table.

3A- Life Advantage
01-08 You have a Contact in either the underworld, law, government or some major organisation.
09-16 Lottery win. You get an extra D100 x 100 sestertii.
17-24 Good Schooling. You have a far better than average education. A one off +1 bonus to all skills.
25-32 Gifted Learner. +1 additional skill.
33-40 Nominated for Membership. Use this to gain membership with any special club.
41-48 Natural combat ability. Gain +1 on all combat rolls.
49-56 You find a Sensei. +1 level with your chosen Martial Art. He can teach you any martial art not normally available.
57-64 Accustomed to Cold. You were exposed to chilly environments enough that you aren't as affected by them. Each level of this background grants you a +5% cold resistance. You generally don't notice when the temperature drops. 
65-72 Accustomed to Heat. You are more used to hot weather, both dry and humid. Each level of this background gives you a +5% heat resistance. Until the sweat drips into your eyes, you probably won't notice the heat. 
73-80 Gift. Someone has given you a special item. It could be magical in nature, the exact nature of the item is up to the GM.
81-90 Less Sleep. You don't sleep much. Subtract 1 hour from the time you need to sleep, minus 10 additional minutes per level. 
91-00 Innate magical ability. Start with one additional spell or +10 mana. If not a spellcaster then roll again.

 

3B - Life Disadvantage 
01-10 You were set up and made a scapegoat. Hunted by the law or underworld (can be in another state or country).
11-20 Falsely imprisoned for D10 months. 
31-40 Betrayed. You were betrayed by a friend or loved one.
41-50 Major Debt of D100 x 1000 sestertii or you owe someone a Favour.
51-60 Comatose for D10 months. You have no memory of how or why.
61-70 Mental breakdown. Take an Insanity.
71-80 You cause an accident that kills others or are responsible for the death of your team or squadron.
81-90 Gain an enemy. Either an old friend who knows your secrets or someone with a lot of power.
91-95 Unsanitary. Your foul habits and lack of personal hygiene have left you unsuited for situations involving other people: -1 to CHA. However, the constant exposure to dirty conditions has strengthened your immune system: +2 to saving throws against disease, poison, and paralysis. +1 CON.
96-00 Incurable Disease. May or may not be incapacitating.

 

4 - Background Career
What did you character do before he became an adventurer?
01-30 Fisherman; 
31-55 Sailor;
56-75 D4 siblings
76-90 D6 siblings
91-00 D8 siblings
For each sibling roll for their gender;
01-50 Brother
51-00 Sister
For each parent and sibling roll to see whether they are alive or dead;
01-50 Alive
51-00 Dead
If a parent or sibling is dead roll to determine cause of death;
01-50 Accident
51-85 Disease
86-00 Murdered
For each parent or sibling roll to determine their feelings to you;
01-25 Wants nothing to do with you
26-50 Lost contact with him/her D10 years ago
51-75 Standard relationship
76-00 Close relationship

 

The Roman Era