Most are not born to a life of adventure, and usually have a previous vocation or lifestyle which they can draw on for additional knowledge.
- Characters may perform these functions at a basic level, allowing them to:
- assess the quality and worth of an item associated with the background,
- make minor repairs or alterations to items associated with the background,
- create simple items related to the background, or
- recall specific knowledge pertinent to the background.
| dXX | Background | Starting Items |
|---|---|---|
| Alchemist | Staff, flask of oil | |
| Animal trainer | Club, pony | |
| Apothecarist | Club, healing potion | |
| Actor | Dagger, costume | |
| Arcanist’s Apprentice | Dagger, grimoire | |
| Armorer | Club (hammer), piece of armor | |
| Artisan | Staff, ??? | |
| Astrologer | Dagger, spyglass | |
| Baker | Club (roller), ??? | |
| Barber | Dagger (razor), ??? | |
| Barrister | Club (hammer), ??? | |
| Beadle | Dagger, ??? | |
| Beekeeper | Staff (broom), padded clothes (+1 AC) | |
| Barkeep / Waitstaff | Club (heavy tankard), ??? | |
| Blacksmith | Club (hammer), any single weapon | |
| Bookbinder | Dagger, grimoire | |
| Bowyer / Fletcher | Dagger, bow, arrows | |
| Brewer | Club (ladle), ??? | |
| Butcher | Hand Axe (cleaver), ??? | |
| Carpenter | Club (hammer), ??? | |
| Chandler | Club (wax pot), ??? | |
| Cheesemaker | Dagger (cheese needle), ??? | |
| Circus performer | Dagger, ??? | |
| Cobbler | Dagger (awl), ??? | |
| Confidence artist | Dagger, expensive cloak | |
| Cooper | Club (crowbar), barrel | |
| Costermonger | ||
| Cutpurse | Dagger, small chest | |
| Deacon | Club, prayer book | |
| Ditch Digger | Staff (shovel), dagger (trowel) | |
| Falconer | ||
| Farmer | Trident (pitchfork), wheelbarrow | |
| Fisher | Trident, small net | |
| Forester | Staff, healing potion | |
| Fortune-teller | Dagger, deck of cards | |
| Gambler | Club, set of dice or deck of cards | |
| Glassblower | ||
| Gongfarmer | Dagger (trowel), ??? | |
| Grave digger | Staff (shovel), dagger (trowel) | |
| Guard | Sword | |
| Healer | Club, healing potion | |
| Herbalist | Club, healing potion | |
| Herder | Staff, ??? | |
| Hunstman | Bow, pelt | |
| Indentured Servant | Staff, ??? | |
| Janitor | Staff (broom), ??? | |
| Jester | Dart, ??? | |
| Jeweler / Lapidary | Dagger, ??? | |
| Locksmith | Dagger, ??? | |
| Lorimer | Club (hammer), ??? | |
| Mapmaker | Club (hammer), ink, quill, parchment | |
| Mason | Dagger (trowel), ??? | |
| Mercenary | Sword, leather armor | |
| Miner | Pickaxe, lantern | |
| Minstrel | Dagger, musical instrument | |
| Noble | Sword, fine clothes | |
| Ostler | Staff, ??? | |
| Outlaw | Sword, leather armor | |
| Potter | Dagger (clay tool), ??? | |
| Roofer / Thatcher | Club (hammer), ??? | |
| Roper | Dagger, 50’ rope | |
| Sage | Dagger, ink, quill, parchment | |
| Scribe | Dart, ink, quill, parchment | |
| Seafarer | Club (belaying pin), 50’ rope | |
| Shaman | Mace, healing potion | |
| Shipwright | Club (belaying pin), ??? | |
| Slave | Club, manacles | |
| Smuggler | Dagger, waterproof sack | |
| Soldier | Spear, shield | |
| Squire | Longsword, piece of armor | |
| Tailor | Dagger (shears), fine clothes | |
| Tanner | Sling, pelt | |
| Trader | Sword, ??? | |
| Trapper | Sling, pelt | |
| Traveler | Sling, ??? | |
| Vagrant | Club, begging bowl | |
| Vintner | ||
| Wainwright | Club, ??? | |
| Weaver | Dagger, fine clothes | |
| Woodcutter | Handaxe, ??? | |
| Forgotten Past (Optional) | DM rolls in secret | |
| Secret past (Optional) | 2 lives, roll for both, why the change? |