Backstory Path Tables

The following tables represent various stages of life of your character so far. Roll on each table and envision the story of your character and how that stage of their life was shaped by the generated events. Some benefits listed below list a Skill with an asterisk (*), this indicates that the player must choose a subcategory for that Skill. Chapter 3 has more information about each Skill and the associated subcategories.

Birth Circumstance

d6	Description	Benefits
1-2	You were born strong and healthy.	+1 Stamina
3-4	You were born curious and eager.	+1 Focus
5-6	Your birth was an uncertain struggle, but you endured.	+1 Courage

Childhood

d6	Description	Benefits
1-2	You spent much of your childhood running and roaming, honing your reactions.	+1 Reflexes
3-4	Your childhood was a physical struggle, you had to toughen yourself. You might have performed physical labor.	+1 Resilience
5-6	Your childhood was full of strife and social conflict, you’ve had to steel your mind from difficult events.	+1 Resolve

Adolescence: Social

d20	Description	Benefits
1-4	You had a strong force of will, you might have been an indominable bully or a defender of your friends.	+2 Awe, +1 Persuade
5-8	You quickly learned that lies and deception are the best ways to get people to do what you want.	+2 Deceive, +1 Perform
9-12	You found that opening up to people and sharing your emotions was the best way to make friends.	+2 Inspire, +1 Persuade
13-16	You enjoyed entertaining others, either by making them laugh or boosting their spirits through performance.	+2 Perform, +1 Inspire
17-20	You learned that formal arguments and reason were the best ways to convince others you were right.	+2 Persuade, +1 Deceive

Adolescence: Skills

d20	Description	Benefits
1-3	You honed your body performing much physical activity.	+1 Athletics, +1 Block
4-6	You found yourself in many fights and learned to defend yourself	+1 Fighting, +1 Parry
7-9	You learned survival skills and how to survive in the wilderness.	+1 Medicine, +1 Survival
10-12	You learned the art of subterfuge and the ways of a criminal.	+1 Subterfuge, +1 Lore (Crime)
13-15	You learned a trade and studied to become a better crafter.	+1 Craft*, +1 Investigate
16-18	You were a scholar and spent much time studying and learning.	+1 Lore*, +1 Investigate
19-20	Roll again

Early Profession

d20	Description	Benefits
1	Artisan. You learned a fine craft and honed your skills. You might have apprenticed to a guild master or other specialist.	+2 Craft*, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Investigate
2	Caretaker. You learned how to care for others. You might have been a healer tending to the wounded, or a servant working at the behest of others.	+2 Medicine, +2 Lore (Nature), +1 Inspire
3	Clergy. You were a member of a religious or philosophical organization. You learned how to inspire people and work towards your organization’s goals.	+2 Inspire, +2 Lore (Religion), +1 Craft*
4	Criminal. You were part of dark, underground economy. You might have been a thief, a fence, or involved in other elicit activities.	+2 Subterfuge, +2 Lore (Crime), +1 Investigate
5	Entertainer. You learned how to entertain others. You may have been part of a highly organized entertainment group, a small traveling show, or perhaps you performed in the streets.	+2 Perform, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Athletics
6	Laborer. You performed physical labor. This might have been voluntary for a wage or involuntary as a slave or servant for another.	+2 Athletics, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Fighting
7	Patrician. You had some connection to the rich and powerful and learned the ways of etiquette. You learned how to persuade and convince others.	+2 Persuade, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Awe
8	Scholar. You gathered knowledge and studied the ways of the world. You have focused on your particular interests and a specific area of study.	+2 Lore*, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Investigate
9	Soldier. You have learned the ways of combat and battle. You may have served as a guardian at home or a soldier out on campaign in service to others.	+2 Fighting, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Block or Parry
10	Trader. You learned the ways of economics and trade. You might be a travelling merchant or a local trader who works at a nearby market.	+2 Persuade, +2 Lore (Culture), +1 Deceive
11	Traveler. You have traveled far and wide. You might be a wandering hermit or an eager explorer striking out into the unknown.	+2 Survival, +2 Lore (Nature), +1 Investigate
12-20	Roll again

I became an adventurer because…

d6	Description	Benefits
1-2	I want to prove my capability to myself or others.	+1 Stamina
3-4	I want to discover knowledge or see unknown places.	+1 Focus
5-6	It was forced upon me by circumstances beyond my control.	+1 Courage

Motivation

What motivates your character? What are they trying to accomplish? This might be clear based on the emerging backstory from the results above. Each motivation comes with a flaw, which can add exceptional depth to a character’s personality., Feel free to select or roll on the following list of options.

d20	Description
1	Achievement. You seek personal success through competence and ambition. Flaw: You are often arrogant and overly proud.
2	Benevolence. You desire to earnestly help others and foster happiness. Flaw: You are often exploited by others, taking responsibility for others’ problems.
3	Connection. You seek to create connections with others and create a sense of belongingness. Flaw: You are often eager to earn others approval and do not accept rejection easily.
4	Creation. You seek to create and express yourself and your talents. You might be an artist, crafter, or performer. Flaw: You often fall into perfectionism, being overly critical of both your work and others’.
5	Discovery. You seek to explore the world and see things no one else has seen before. Flaw: You often grow restless and don’t like staying in one place for long.
6	Enlightenment. You seek to experience and understand the metaphysical and spiritual, the power of the gods and faith. Flaw: You tend to be a zealot in your beliefs, preaching to anyone, whether they wish to listen or not.
7	Excitement. You prefer to live in the moment, seeking novelty and new challenges. Flaw: You often fail to follow through with your choices and are typically seen as unreliable.
8	Honor. You focus on respect, self-discipline, honesty, and etiquette. You present a humble attitude, often being overly polite and obedient. Flaw: You cannot bring yourself to disrupt tradition or question legitimate authority.
9	Independence. You desire freedom and independent thought and action. Flaw: You often have trouble working with others and taking orders.
10	Intimacy. You seek romance, love, and affection. You look for someone to share your life with and perhaps start your own family. Flaw: You often are desperate to please others and prove your worthiness.
11	Justice. You seek to right a wrong at any cost. You cannot let the harmful actions of others go unquestioned. Flaw: You often seek vengeance for those that have wronged you or your friends.
12	Knowledge. You seek learning and understanding above all else, searching for the truth of the universe. Flaw: You are often too thoughtful and methodical; you are often too hesitant to take immediate action.
13	Power. You seek social status and prestige, hoping to control things around you. Flaw: You are often dominating and authoritarian.
14	Revolution. You seek liberation and freedom at all costs, hoping to disrupt the status quo. Flaw: You often ignore laws and authority, often finding yourself labeled a criminal.
15	Security. You seek peace, stability, and order in society, perhaps by preserving the social order. Flaw: You are often afraid of change and anything that disrupts the status quo.
16	Stimulation. You prefer to prioritize your own self-enjoyment and pleasure over anything else. Flaw: You are often careless and lazy.
17	Understanding. You desire to understand others, preach tolerance, and advance equity. Flaw: You are often manipulative, preaching to advance the greater good.
18	Wealth. You seek riches and wealth to make your life more comfortable and easier. Flaw: You are often seen as petty and greedy, valuing fortune over the needs of other people.
19 – 20	Roll again