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Background

Characters may hail from a number of different places. In general, though, they break down into a few basic categories.
A background gives a description of the kind of upbringing the background represents and a list of sample foci, from which the player gets to pick 2 to be Trained.

City. The character grew up around a lot of different people. Ze’s familiar with many different people and cultures, and ze tends to be comfortable in a variety of settings.
Training: Pick 2 from Deceit, Gab, Legerdemain, Streetwise, Trading, or any other urban focus. You are Trained in these foci.

Country. The character was raised in a farming or ranching town, far from the crowds and bustle of the city. Ze’s familiar with plants and animals, and ze tends to be good with practical trades.
Training: Pick 2 from Athletics, Breaking Stuff, Knowledge about Animals, Knowledge about Plants, Warding, or any other pastoral focus. You are Trained in these foci.

Criminal. The character grew up among lawbreakers, probably in an urban environment. Ze’s familiar with getting by on the streets and among shady types, and ze tends to be good at deception, stealth, and/or fighting.
Training: Pick 2 from Deceit, Dodge, Enchantment, Illusion, Legerdemain, Stealth, Streetwise, or any other underworld focus. You are Trained in these foci.

Entertainment: The character grew up in a traveling troupe dedicated to entertaining others for profit. Ze’s familiar with showmanship and performing arts and different cultures, and ze tends to be good at impressing people with displays of art or skill.
Training: Pick 2 from Acrobatics, Athletics, Illusion, Legerdemain, Oratory, Perform, or any other performative focus. You are Trained in these foci.

Magic The character was apprenticed at a young age to a professional wizard or mystic. Ze’s familiar with recognizing and using spells, charms, and magic items, and ze tends to be good at anything to do with arcane studies.
Training: Pick 2 from Knowledge about Animals, Knowledge about Magic, Knowledge about Plants, Magic Items, Magic Spells, or any other academic or magical focus. You are Trained in these foci.

Temple. The character was raised in a religious environment, usually because ze’s either an orphan or gifted to the temple for some reason. Ze’s familiar with books, learning, and rules, and ze tends to be good with academic or domestic tasks.
Training: Pick 2 from Cooking, Debate, Religion, Oratory, Knowledge of Animals, Knowledge of Plants, Warding, or any other religious or academic focus. You are Trained in these foci.

Trade. The character was apprenticed to a tradesman at a young age. Ze’s familiar with all aspects of the given trade, and tends to be good at making things with hir hands.
Training: Pick 2 from Craft, Conjuration, Profession, Repair, Trading, or any other focus related to the trade. (subject to GM approval) You are Trained in these foci.

Wilds. The character was raised outside of town, either in a tiny community or away from other people entirely. Ze’s at home in wilderness settings, but ze tends to be uncomfortable around large groups of people.
Training: Pick 2 from Acrobatics, Athletics, Hand-to-Hand Attacks, Ranged Attacks, Survival, or any other wilderness focus. You are Trained in these foci.