BACKGROUND
In the Atlantean System, a character’s background is an important factor in the determination of the type of secondary skills and contacts a character will have acquired during his or her pre-game career. All player/characters should review the following section and choose a background for their character, keeping in mind that improbable background/profession combinations (such as barbarian/alchemist) should be avoided. Based on their campaigns, Game Judges may disallow certain combinations of backgrounds and professions as they see fit.
A Note on "Contacts": Contacts are simply N.P.Cs that a player has met at some time prior to the start of his or her actual game career (such as shopkeepers, minor officials, friends, etc.) The Game Judge should try to create a few N.P.C. contacts for each player as soon as possible, in order to give the player a better feel for his or her character’s past (pre-game) history.
OUTCAST: Characters who hail from this type of background will have formerly associated with the likes of beggars, thieves, criminals, escaped slaves, enemies of a church or state, etc. Contacts: Underworld, black market, corrupt petty officials and sentinels, etc. Background Skills: Streetwise, Street fighting, Thieves’ Cant, Gambling, Drinking (choose two).
BARBARIAN: Characters who hail from this type of background will have formerly been raised in a barbaric or primitive culture (nomad, jungle, etc.). The type of terrain (steppes, desert, tundra, forest, highland, etc.) to which the character is familiar with should be determined according to the Game Judge's campaign world. Contacts: Members of other tribes, tribal shamans or Druids, scouts, traders, trappers, etc. Background Skills: Woodcraft, Hunting/Fishing/Trapping, Barter, Swimming, Sign Language, Riding (choose two).
VILLAGER: Characters who hail from this type of background will have been raised in a small village, hamlet, or settlement. The type of village (fishing, farming, etc.) should be determined according to the Game Judge's campaign world. Contacts: Village magistrate (if applicable), local villagers, peddlers, craftsmen of various sorts, etc. Background Skills: Haggling, Additional Language, Basic Seamanship, Barter, Swimming, Riding (choose two).
CITY DWELLER: Characters who hail from this type of background will be familiar with most of the basic aspects of life in a large city or township. The type of city (seaport, capitol city, etc.) and its location is determined according to the Game Judge's campaign. Contacts: All types of character classes, guilds, merchants, etc. Background Skills: Streetwise, Haggling, Drinking, Gambling, Reading/Writing one Additional Language (choose two).
ARISTOCRAT: Characters who hail from this type of background will be familiar with the finer or gentler aspects of civilisation. In addition to who have had an aristocratic upbringing will generally be available and write and will be familiar with the social graces and rules ahead of the upper class. Add +40% to any Aristocratic Character’s Wealth and Possessions die roll, and disallow the following skills: Streetwise, Street Fighting, and all skills pertaining to Woodlore. Contacts: All types of aristocratic folk, clergy, artisans, etc. Little or no Contacts amongst those of lower social standing. Background Skills: Diplomacy/Protocol, Reading/Writing, up to two Additional Languages, (choose two).
BACKGROUND POSSIBLE PLACE OF BIRTH
Once a character’s background has been chosen, a place of birth may be established based on the campaign being employed. If the Atlantean trilogy is being used, the following background/place of birth reference may be employed:
BACKGROUND POSSIBLE PLACE OF BIRTH
- Outcast Any
- Barbarian Eria, Turan, the Gondwanan interior, Dravidian Hills, Hyperborean, Northern Khitai
- Villager Mediterranean coast, Northern Atlantis, Erian coast, Gondwanan coast, etc.
- City Dweller Alkhits, Khitai, Tartessos, Mohenjo-Daro, Acheron, Kaffir
- Aristocrat Avalon, Atlantis, Khitai, Acheron, Tartessos
