Tag: background
Darkland Scout Background of the Steel Realms
Posted on January 10, 2025 in 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)…
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.
iCore™ Background Details
Urchin (fantasy background)
Posted on December 20, 2024
The Urchin Background is a character Background; It follows their common conventions.
Equipment: Each iVerse Setting has a Cost Portion which a character starts with to buy goods with; Also see the "Characters" document for the setting. In addition to general purchasable gear, PC characters are assumed to come from "Middling" circumstances and begin play with equipment (portable Toolkits and/or stationary Work Stations) related to their capabilities granted by Race/Background/Archetype/Cultural experiences.- 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)…
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.
@Character Inception, Characters gain an Attribute Score Increase (ASI) from either their Background's Vocational ASI OR as their Archetype's/Class Pathway ASI. These will be specified as either explicit or chosen from a Attribute Group(s):
BACKGROUND = +1 and +1
Benefit = +1 CP @Character Inception
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).
- Updated Skill Reference:
iCore™ Background Details
Soldier (fantasy background)
Posted on December 20, 2024
The Soldier Background is a character Background; It follows their common conventions.
Equipment: Each iVerse Setting has a Cost Portion which a character starts with to buy goods with; Also see the "Characters" document for the setting. In addition to general purchasable gear, PC characters are assumed to come from "Middling" circumstances and begin play with equipment (portable Toolkits and/or stationary Work Stations) related to their capabilities granted by Race/Background/Archetype/Cultural experiences.- 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)…
Rough Demeanor: All activities with the intent to Intimidate gain a +2 (except against other soldiers).
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.
@Character Inception, Characters gain an Attribute Score Increase (ASI) from either their Background's Vocational ASI OR as their Archetype's/Class Pathway ASI. These will be specified as either explicit or chosen from a Attribute Group(s):
BACKGROUND = +1 and +1
Benefit = +1 CP @Character Inception
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).
- Updated Skill Reference:
iCore™ Background Details
Sailor (fantasy background)
Posted on December 20, 2024
The Sailor Background is a character Background; It follows their common conventions. This encompasses the operation, maintenance, equipment, and circumstances around boating on the open water. This includes maneuvering in adverse conditions and combat, towing, mooring, anchoring, and steering. This also provides for assessing capability, damage and repair, the use of grease, oil, and other stores to keep a vessel seaworthy. Characters will be familiar with the technology of their setting – sails, ropes, rigging, rudders, engines, etc. and managing stores for vessels and crew. Like many in trade/professions, they possess a vernacular that is specific to it, and often is confusing or just inexplicable to those without familiarity.
It does NOT cover Orienteering/Navigation – this is a distinct skill/activity/set of tools. The background may provide a bonus to such things though, depending on context and frame of reference. Captains and higher rank crew wusually have some experience with this.
Common Roles & Crew/Positions
Depending on the size of the vessel and crew, roles may be replicated by deck or section (stern or aft, etc.).
- Captain: Runs the boat, final decisions
- {First} Mate: Second to captain in all aspects, executes the captains will
- Bosun/Chief: Manages aspects of the exterior maintenance of the ship and deck crew
- Engineer: Manages aspects of steering and propulsion
- Helmsman (steering)
- Trimmer (propulsion)
- Steward: Manages all aspects of the interior: living quarters, interior safety, cooking and provisioning , crew health, guest service
Equipment & Items
Specifically, this background specifically grants 30m rope, a hammock & hangers, a canvas cover, a water resistant bedroll, and a heavy footlocker (or the equivalents appropriate for the setting & technology level).
Equipment: Each iVerse Setting has a Cost Portion which a character starts with to buy goods with; Also see the "Characters" document for the setting. In addition to general purchasable gear, PC characters are assumed to come from "Middling" circumstances and begin play with equipment (portable Toolkits and/or stationary Work Stations) related to their capabilities granted by Race/Background/Archetype/Cultural experiences.- 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)…
i20™ Background Details
D20/i20 Relevant References
It is assumed you are familiar with the 2014 Background List. Check with your GM to see what is supported in your Setting. > Sailor 5e 2014
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).
@Character Inception, Characters gain an Attribute Score Increase (ASI) from either their Background's Vocational ASI OR as their Archetype's/Class Pathway ASI. These will be specified as either explicit or chosen from a Attribute Group(s):
BACKGROUND = +1 in BODY and +1 in POWER
Universal Benefit = +1 CP @Character Inception
- Updated Skill Reference: Athletics +2 (Swimming & Climbing +2 as an Accomplished Activity), Operate/Pilot: Boat +2
- Any Foraging at sea gains a +2.
iCore™ Background Details
Sage (fantasy background)
Posted on December 20, 2024
The Sage Background is a character Background; It follows their common conventions.
Equipment: Each iVerse Setting has a Cost Portion which a character starts with to buy goods with; Also see the "Characters" document for the setting. In addition to general purchasable gear, PC characters are assumed to come from "Middling" circumstances and begin play with equipment (portable Toolkits and/or stationary Work Stations) related to their capabilities granted by Race/Background/Archetype/Cultural experiences.- 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)…
These types of characters are considered to be a Scholarly Communicator for literacy purposes.
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.
@Character Inception, Characters gain an Attribute Score Increase (ASI) from either their Background's Vocational ASI OR as their Archetype's/Class Pathway ASI. These will be specified as either explicit or chosen from a Attribute Group(s):
BACKGROUND = +1 and +1
Benefit = +1 CP @Character Inception
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).
- Updated Skill Reference: