Your character’s Background might represent their upbringing, an aptitude they’ve been honing since their youth, or another aspect of their life before they became an adventurer. Character Backgrounds appear in Chapter 2. They typically provide two attribute boosts (one that can be applied to either of two specific attribute modifiers, and one that is free), Training in a specific skill, Training in a Lore skill, and a specific skill feat.

Alternate Ancestry Boosts

The attribute boosts and flaws listed in each Ancestry represent General trends or help guide players to create the kinds of characters from that Ancestry most likely to pursue the life of an adventurer. However, ancestries aren’t a monolith. You always have the option to replace your ancestry’s listed attribute boosts and Attribute Flaws entirely and instead select two free attribute boosts when creating your character.

Optional: Voluntary Flaws

Sometimes, it’s fun to play a character with a major flaw regardless of your Ancestry. You can elect to take additional Attribute Flaws when applying the attribute boosts and Attribute Flaws from your Ancestry. This is purely for Roleplaying a highly flawed character, and you should consult with the rest of your group if you plan to do this! You can’t apply more than one flaw to any single Attribute Modifier.

Character Sheet

Record your character’s Background in the space at the top of the first page of your character sheet. Adjust your attribute modifiers, adding 1 to an Attribute Modifier if you gained an attribute boost from your Background. Record the skill feat the Background provides in the Skill Feat section of your character sheet’s second page. On the first page, check the “T” box next to the name of the specific skill and for one Lore skill to indicate your character is trained, then write the name of the Lore skill granted by your Background.