The Following Event Traits may only be accessed through the acquisition of the named 'Background Archetype'.
SAVAGE
Born on a Battlefield
You were born on a battlefield, your mother taking part in a fight that involved all the able-bodied men and women of your village. The cause of the strife has been forgotten, but you emerged onto the earth with the clangor of blades and the screams of the dying, baptized into a world of strife and glory.
Rite of Passage
Your village demands that all its youths participate in a challenge, to show your worth and to earn a place among your peers. You faced the challenge and excelled beyond any measure. Perhaps you wrestled a bull to a standstill, or you hunted down a great beast with only scavenged weapons. Your kin-folk still tall about your deed. What was it?
The Broken Branch
When the king called for your village and clan to come to his aid, your elders refused, stating some ancient grudge, some point of honor, or some other reason to refuse such service. This was taken as disloyalty, and since then your village is shunned by others. What was the call, and why was it refused?
Scattered Kin
Something happened that broke your family apart, whether a falling-out between your elders, a fight between kins-folk, or some other strife, but it sent your parents and siblings to the four corners, joining what other clans and villages would have them. What happened? Where did you end up, and do you want to return? Is there vengeance to be had?
Bound by Honor
One of your parents, whether father or mother, was exiled due to some point of honor, some matter where they were expected to behave one way but would not do so. You grew up with this hanging over your head. What was this issue, and do you share your parent’s feeling on the matter?
Too Small a Home
Inspired by the tales told by the bards and those few wanderers who came through your village, you eventually realized that your home was too quiet, too humdrum, too small to contain your appetite for adventure. You gathered your things and set forth with few farewells. Perhaps you’ll return, some day, but not soon.
LAW-SPEAKER
Touched by the Gods
The words of the gods, baneful or benevolent, came clearly through your forebear’s mouth, administering justice and counsel to highborn and peasant alike, ensuring confidence amongst all who heard it. As a child, you heard praise heaped on this relative, but there was much you saw that made you think it may be mistaken. Was this a divine gift, or merely arrogance mixed with common sense?
The Scale of Justice
As the law-speaker, your mother has always had a reputation for being fair and impartial in the matter of the law, inspiring great trust from across the land. Aggrieved parties came from far and wide to hear the judgment of your mother, and all left content. You have had much to live up to, and the pressure for such counsel fell upon you at an early age. What happened? Why were you called upon to interpret the law?
An Unworthy Noble
The leader of your community was generally fair and well-liked, but in one particular case showed disfavor to one of his subjects. This subject was in the right, but was not popular, showing minor disrespect for traditions. In response, the leader’s treatment was unfair and ultimately defied the law. Your family was brought in to adjudicate. How was this resolved?
No One Above the Law
A famed noble, wealthy above all others, brought prosperity to your community, whether through trade, raiding, or gold inherited from forebears. The favored son of this noble performed a grave misdeed upon a free commoner, one who was of no worth. Voices within the community cry for justice, while others claim that the accusation is false. Who is guilty in this matter, and how did your family rule?
Harsh Judgement
Though the decision was a fair one, some single judgment your father made caused hardship to your community, and from this, they have not recovered. He was warned beforehand and wrestled with the consequences, but in the end, he held the law above all else, and innocents suffered. What was the decision? Was he right to make it?
Abuse of Power
It is rare that a law-speaker’s word is questioned, but this was such a case. After a decision was made, another uninvolved party spoke up, accusing your mother of ill-faith, of using her role as law-speaker for personal gain and acting with bias. She denied this breach of her oath, but something about the accusation stirred some memory that had not sat right. What was it? Did you say anything?
What was the outcome?
RENEGADE
Worshiper of Another God
Whether you are a Cimmerian who embraced the worship of Mitra, a Nordheimer who believes in a god other than Ymir, or a Hyperborean who worships one of the strange old gods of the prior inhabitants of your land, your religious believers made you an outsider to your people. Why did you choose this path? What has it cost you?
Blood Feud
One of your grandparents was driven from his home, an unyielding part of a blood-feud between kin that could not be resolved. Perhaps blood was shed, or harsh words were said that could never be undone. Whichever the case, your grandparent was unwelcome in his place of birth, and sought a new life elsewhere. What drove him from his home? Who was in the wrong? Does it matter to you?
Unjustly Accused
Long ago, your mother was falsely accused of a crime by a member of a powerful and influential family, and for that, your family and kin have always been looked upon with disfavor and resentment, begrudgingly acknowledged but never loved. What was the crime? Was she guilty? Why would she stay?
Nothing to Return To
Either your grandparents or your parents claim that there is nothing left of the place of their birth, and have never spoken of it, including its exact location. You have gleaned that there was bad blood, some sort of terrible act committed, but you received no answer when you asked about it. Now that you are older and capable of following your own path, does this mystery appeal to you?
The Path of Vengeance
Some great wrong was done your family, either singled out directly or as part of a larger group, and they left their community in protest, living in exile and brooding over the past. They spoke of a time of retribution, and hinted that you would be their instrument. What happened, and how did they prepare you as their act of vengeance? Will you do what is asked of you?
No Home but the Road
Nothing drove your family out of their home, but nothing held them there particularly. For one reason or another, you have always known movement, your family relocating after a few years, finding a new home in new communities or in the wild, then starting over periodically. Is it wanderlust that drove this? What were they seeking, or trying to avoid?
SKALD
The Ear of the Chieftain
You have earned the favor of your community’s leader, and are always welcome in the hall or court, where you have become privy to many events and matters far above your station. You heard something that you should not have, and it might put your life in danger. Leaving your comfortable home seemed the only course of action. What did you hear?
Words on the Wind
You could have remained in court for as long as you’d like, but the ballads grew ever more stale and you grew tired of reciting the same sagas in the same fashion, to an audience that lacked imagination. Starved for newness, you struck out and put your home at your back, seeking new inspiration in the world at large.
Always a Guest, Never at Home
Whether wanderlust or a simple restlessness of spirit, you have never felt at home. Your grandparents and your parents before you were the same, possessing a wandering spirit and an insatiable need to see everything, to experience all that you can. Where would you feel at home? Does such a place exist?
A Poor Host
Though it is always the custom to show courtesy to a bard, both as an envoy and an entertainer, you somehow met with rudeness when you presented yourself at the door of the leader of a particular community. Hospitality was begrudgingly offered, and you were shown little deference. How did you react, and why was this the case?
Sweet Words to Bitter Ears
Despite your skill with words and song, you somehow managed to earn the ire of a host and found yourself unwelcome. Perhaps some idle jest or story struck closer to the mark than you intended, or perhaps you were simply unaware of a past grievance. You were shown rough courtesy, then none at all. Who was this noble and what did you say?
A Tale Ill-told
There was something to a particular saga that enraged your host, and he all but attacked you outright when you told it. Only the intervention of others prevented bloodshed, and you were told it would be best you left immediately. You are not certain, but you may even be followed by his henchmen. What was the tale and why did it strike so dearly?
Last edited by JackFaust, October 21 2019 15:30:22. Open game article. You can edit it once you log in.