Incarna Gaming Network
Choose your world… and bring your characters to life!
Darkland Scout Background of the Steel Realms
The Darkland Scout is a specialist at survival in the brutal and cold Dark Lands of the Steel Realms. They are not an official World Watcher order, but do serve some of the functions, just specializing in the Dark Lands or any Orrish presence from there really. The are trained from an early age to endure the terrible conditions of the sunless world of the lands under the rule of the gods of darkness under the Curtain of Night. They are a dour, pessimistic lot usually after exposure to the harsh, drab environment and its inhabitants. Unlike the full Darkland Rangers, they only stay at the fringes of the blighted lands in and west of the Tolkisson mountain range and report in frequently using means established for their region to specific authorities (Rangers, Druids, local authorities, etc.). It is not taken lightly, as it has serious potential negative effects. Many times those worst affected are sent deep into the lands of light and away from the Dark Lands and Orrish encounters. It is said the the White Sisters have been able to help a few recover.
The Darkland Scout Background is a character Background; It follows their common conventions. It is only available as a Background Option for the Steel Realms. It is a form of Time of Service and adds +4 years (equivalent for character species) to the starting character age @Character Inception.
Signifying Element: Darkland Scouts have the druids mark upon them – a Wyldsign symbol that minor mystic powers can trigger if the character lets it. This is placed upon the palm of a hand of the character’s choosing. This can work to give a character additional Prestige in some situations.
- Typically all characters with Trade/Vocational (Craft/Artisan) Practices will have an appropriate Vocational/Trade/Craft Toolkit or station + setting appropriate sturdy work clothes and safety gear.
- While Backgrounds don’t generally grant a full Trekking Kit, they do grant rudimentary items for traveling: a few days common clothes, shelter, transportation of gear, bedroll/bag, & sitting materials (toiletry, cleaning, utensils, lighting)…
iCore™i20™ Background Details
It is assumed you are familiar with the 2014 Background List. Check with your GM to see what is supported in your Setting.
There is no Background vocational ASI option for this.
Revealing the Signifying Mark: Thaumaturgy or Druidcraft.
Time in Service:
- Health Hampered > DC 10 Constitution check, failure imposes -1 HP loss & -1 Healing Rate underearth or in the Dark Lands; Cannot possess the Accelerated Healing trait.
- Broken Linkage > DC 10 Sanity check, failure imposes the Flaw “I Still Hear the Whisperings”: When darker than dim light, has Disadvantage on Initiative. Starting Sanity is 1 less.
i20 Skills REPLACE d20 skill proficiency: Add the skill level + modifiers to the check ( Proficiency Bonus not used).
A single Result Check to assess Success or Failure AND quality which may be impacted by conditions which indicate a Lack of Capability (Unfamiliar, Unproficient, etc.). The GM can { } Narrate it, and players may request an appropriate impact when anything other than a basic outcome is indicated. Character Points are Rewarded by the GM to improve Skills (and other Features).
- Grants proficiency in and/or adds the indicated level(s) to…
Survival +1 (Favored Habitat: the Dark Lands), Stealth +1 (+1 in Dark Lands), Speak Orrrisha +1, Lore: {Species} Orrish +1, Lore: {Subject} Dark Lands Botany +1 (the character can make a dose of Mydrinate per Short Rest outside the Dark Lands), Lore: {Subject} Dark Lands Zoology +1; The character is treated as if they had Iron Gut for food foraged in the Dark Lands; The character gains Advantage on checks to resist Intimidate by inhabitants of the Dark Lands; Negate the 1 Measure of Movement penalty from the Oppressive quality of the Curtain of Night.
Equipment: Stalker’s Kit but its fully weatherproof; 5 doses of Mydrinate.