Unearthed Arcana

CHARACTER BACKGROUND

If you define background as "everything that happened to a character before now," then you can use this character background variant to actually generate a character. The system detailed below lets you build a high-level character as if that character had started at 1st level, undertaking adventures and earning experience points.

Before starting to use this system, you'll need to generate a set of ability scores and decide on the character's race; the tables in this section take care of the rest.

To finish generating the character, simply choose the type of adventuring activity he undertook at each level, stopping when you have the character level you want. For example, if you want a 9th-level character, use the tables in this section nine times. You can roll percentile dice or choose the result you like.

This variant is a quick way to bring a new character into an ongoing campaign. You'll get a character who's had some life experiences and built up a personal history. It's also a useful variant if you want to create characters for a new campaign that starts with characters of higher than 1st level. This background variant works best in conjunction with the event-based reputation variant and the contacts variant; if you aren't using reputation and contacts, then ignore those columns in the tables that follow.

As a general rule (if it matters, depending on how you use this variant), each of these background selections is considered to take up 1d6 months of game time. For example, if you create a dwarf character who begins adventuring at age 48 (see Table: Random Starting Ages) and you apply four background selections to the character, the dwarfs age as a 4th-level character is 48 years + 4d6 months.

If you let the dice fall where they may with this variant, you'll get more multiclass characters than you would in a standard campaign where PCs start at 1st level or build their characters to a target level before the campaign begins. Spellcasters in particular lose significant power if they have more than a handful of nonspellcasting levels, so you'll want to monitor the dice results closely.

Background Descriptions

Activity: A word or phrase that summarizes what the character focused his attention on, or learned the most about, during the time he spent advancing from one level to the next.

Class: The class in which the character's most recent level was gained. Some of the entries in this column are prestige classes or classes with alignment restrictions. If you don't qualify for the class indicated, select one of the other classes on the table instead.

Feats: The character chooses one of the given feats if he is at a level when he ordinarily would gain a new feat (such as 1st, 3rd, or 6th) or when he gains a bonus feat by virtue of his new class level (such as 5th level in wizard). If the feat selection requires a choice because more than one feat is mentioned, it's okay to wait until you're done determining the character's entire background before making that choice. if the character doesn't meet the prerequisite for a feat or already has the feat, take one of the listed alternatives (if applicable) or a feat that appears elsewhere on the table you're using. If the character has a feat that has an improved or greater version (such as Weapon Focus, Spell Penetration, Cleave, or Weapon Specialization), he can take the improved or greater version of the feat whenever the basic version appears on the table. .

Skills: This column identifies three or more skills that the character must spend skill points on at his new level. Start at the beginning of the list in an entry, taking one rank in each skill listed, in the order the skills are presented, until you're out of skill points. If you reach the end of the list with skill points remaining, spend the rest however you like.

Gear: This column provides guidance for equipping the character, and it only matters when you've finished creating the character's background. In general, a character spends up to 30% of her wealth on the gear associated with her most recent activity, up to 20% of her wealth on the gear for her second most recent activity, and up to 10% on the gear for her third most recent activity. Background choices made earlier than "third most recent" don't affect the character's equipment. You can spend the character's remaining wealth on anything you choose.

For example, you want to create a 5th-level wizard with a background entirely in academic magic by rolling d% five times on the table below to represent the five levels. At 3rd level, the d% result is 34, and the Gear column gives "Wand/staff with abjuration spells." At 4th level the result is 63 (Wand/staff with illusion spells), and at 5th level the result is 11 (Rod or staff).

A 5th-level character has wealth equal to 9,000 gp. The character can spend 30% of this amount, or 2,700 gp, on a rod or staff — a staff of fire with 7 charges, for instance. She can spend 20%, or 1,800 gp, on a wand or staff that holds an illusion spell, such as a wand of invisibility with 20 charges. She can spend up to 10%, or 900 gp, on a wand or staff that holds an abjuration spell, such as a fully charged wand of shield.

Contacts: This column applies only if you're using that variant and the character would earn a new contact at this level.

Reputation (Rep): Similarly, this column applies only if you're using the reputation rules. If a bonus appears in this column, add it to your Reputation score.

Recognition: With accomplishments come rewards, in the form of recognition by one's peers or by others who may be impressed by a character's status. To benefit from the reward (if any) identified in this column of a table entry, the character must make a recognition check, which is 1d20 + any modifiers that might apply, as indicated in a background description. Most often, this modifier is the number of ranks the character has in a relevant skill, which is a generally accurate measure of how much time the character has spent honing that skill, which in turn is closely tied to the character's level. (The more you have learned about the skills that are most central to your success, the more likely it is that you will earn recognition.)

This reward has no specific game effect, but the game master is free to grant an ad hoc bonus of some sort when a famous or accomplished character interacts with those who are impressed by the recognition that character has earned.

ACADEMIC MAGIC BACKGROUND

Recognition in the academic world takes the form of academic degrees or membership in honorary societies.

A character's ranks in Spellcraft provide a bonus on recognition checks related to degrees, and his ranks in Knowledge (arcana) provide a bonus on recognition checks related to societies. Societies could be full-fledged secret cabals, or they could be honorary societies that rarely meet and don't have agendas beyond their field of study.

Table: Academic Magic Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Know = Knowledge; Sp Focus = Spell Focus.
01-07	Item creation	Wizard	Any item creation	Spellcraft, Craft (any), Concentration	Any magic item	Skill	+0	Society, DC 30
08-15	Metamagic	Sorcerer or wizard	Any metamagic	Know (arcana), Concentration, Spellcraft	Rod or staff	Influence	+0	Degree, DC 24
16-23	Spell research	Wizard	Spell Mastery	Spellcraft, Know (arcana), Concentration	Extra spells in spellbook	Information	+½	Degree, DC 26
24-29	Training	Wizard	Leadership, Persuasive	Spellcraft, Know (arcana), Sense Motive	Wondrous item for interaction/communication	Influence	+1	Society, DC 26
30-35	Abjuration	Wizard	Sp Focus (Abj)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (the planes)	Wand/staff with abjuration spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
36-41	Conjuration	Wizard	Sp Focus (Conj)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (the planes)	Wand/staff with conjuration spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
42-47	Divination	Wizard	Sp Focus (Dlv)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (the planes)	Wand/staff with divination spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
48-53	Enchantment	Wizard	Sp Focus (Ench)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Diplomacy	Wand/staff with enchantment spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
54-59	Evocation	Wizard	Sp Focus (Evoc)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (arcana)	Wand/staff with evocation spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
60-65	Illusion	Wizard	Sp Focus (Illus)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Perform (any)	Wand/staff with illusion spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
66-71	Necromancy	Cleric or wizard	Sp Focus (Necro)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (religion)	Wand/staff with necromancy spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
72-77	Transmutation	Wizard	Sp Focus (Trans)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (arcana)	Wand/staff with transmutation spells	Information	+0	Degree, DC 28
78-85	Creature studies	Wizard	Spell Penetration, Improved Familiar	Know (nature), Know (arcana), Know (the planes)	Wondrous item that mimics monster ability	Influence	+½	Society, DC 26
86-94	Battle magic	Sorcerer or wizard	Combat Casting, Any metamagic	Concentration, Spellcraft, Know (arcana)	Bracers of armor or cloak of resistance	Information	+½	Society, DC 28
95-100	Divine magic	Cleric	Sp Focus (any)	Concentration, Know (religion), Spellcraft	Prayer beads or divine scrolls	Skill	+½	Society, DC 24

ARISTOCRATIC BACKGROUND

Recognition for characters with aristocratic backgrounds varies widely, because noble courts have a highly stratified social structure. Actual nobles can attain progressively greater noble titles, but other characters who spend time in noble courts don't have that chance.

A character's familiarity with the ways of the noble court provides a bonus on recognition checks; each time the aristocratic background is selected for this character, the bonus increases by 1.

EXAMPLE ARITOCRATIC TITLES

Titles (Lowest to Highest)

Sometimes counts are called earls, and marquesses are referred to as marquises or margraves. Germanic culture refers to dukes as grafs and baronets as ritters. Prince or princess can either be a noble title or it can describe a familial relationship: son or daughter of the king or queen.

Table: Aristocratic Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Know = Knowledge; Sp Focus = Spell Focus. Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the campaign.
01-07	Noble warlord	Fighter or paladin	Leadership, Weapon Focus	Intimidate, Diplomacy, Know (nobility and royalty)	Armor	Influence	+1	Title, DC 22
08-14	Landed gentry	Bard	Leadership, Skill Focus (Diplomacy)	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Know (history), Know (nobility and royalty), Perform	Wondrous item that aids interaction	Influence	+1	Title, DC 22
15-21	Church potentate	Cleric	Leadership, Persuasive	Diplomacy, Know (nobility and royalty), Spellcraft	Rod or staff	Influence	+1	Title, DC 24
22-28	Dragon-blooded	Sorcerer	Leadership, Sp Focus (Ench)	Diplomacy, Know (nobility and royalty), Concentration	Rod or staff	Influence	+1	Title, DC 24
29-39	Troubadour	Bard	Skill Focus (Perform), Sp Focus (Ench)	Perform (any), Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Know (nobility and royalty), Know (local)	Wondrous item that charms or compels	Influence	+½	—
40-49	Court jester	Rogue	Acrobatic, Agile	Perform (any), Tumble, Jump, Know (nobility and royalty), Balance	Wondrous item that aids movement	Influence	+½	—
50-59	Court arcanist	Wizard or loremaster1	Sp Focus (Ench), Sp Focus (Illus)	Know (nobility and royalty), Know (arcana), Know (local), Spellcraft, Concentration	Extra spells in spellbook	Influence	+½	—
60-69	Religious advisor	Cleric	Negotiator, Sp Focus (Dlv)	Know (religion), Know (nobility and royalty), Spellcraft	Item with divination aura	Influence	+½	—
70-80	Chivalric knight	Paladin	Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack	Ride, Intimidate, Diplomacy	Armor	Influence	+½	Title, DC 24
81-90	Seneschal	Bard	Negotiator, Investigator	Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Know (nobility and royalty), Know (local)	Item with divination aura	Influence	+½	—
91-100	Duelist	Fighter or duelist1	Combat Expertise, Improved Feint	Bluff, Perform (any), Tumble, Sense Motive, Know (nobility and royalty)	Weapon	Influence	+½	—

CROSS-CULTURAL BACKGROUND

It's almost impossible to define what form recognition takes in this background, because it depends heavily on the nature of the culture your character is visiting. The exact nature of the recognition earned is up to the game master — it could take the form of rank, title, society membership, or decoration.

Each activity in this background is associated with a specific Knowledge skill. A character's ranks in that skill provide a bonus on recognition checks.

Table: Cross-Cultural Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Know = Knowledge; Sp Focus = Spell Focus; Gather Info = Gather Information.
01-20	Primitive tribe	Any	Track, Self-Sufficient	Know (nature), Survival, Diplomacy, Spot, Listen	Armor	Skill	+0	DC 28
21-50	Far-off culture	Any	Exotic Weapon Proficiency	Know (geography), Speak Language, Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Know (history)	Weapon	Information	+½	DC 26
51-60	Extraplanar	Any	Sp Focus (Abj), Spell Penetration	Know (the planes), Speak Language, Diplomacy, Decipher Script, Spellcraft	Wondrous item that provides protection	Influence	+½	DC 28
61-85	Racial minority	Any	Weapon Focus (any racially favored weapon), Improved Critical (any racially favored weapon)	Know (local), Speak Language, Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Gather Info	Weapon	Influence	+½	DC 26
86-100	Refugee	Any	Endurance, Diehard	Know (geography), Bluff, Gather Info, Hide, Move Silently	Armor	Information	+0	DC 30

GOVERNMENT BACKGROUND

Most of the recognition associated with a government background comes in the form of increases in rank (whether military or civilian in nature).

Each activity in this background is associated with a particular skill — the one mentioned first in the entry's Skills column. A character's ranks in that skill provide a bonus on recognition checks.

Table: Government Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Know = Knowledge; Gather Info = Gather Information.
01-12	Administrator	Bard or rogue	Leadership, Investigator	Know (local), Diplomacy, Intimidate, Sense Motive, Know (history)	Item that provides protection	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 26
13-25	Spy	Rogue	Stealthy, Deceitful	Disguise, Gather Info, Hide, Move Silently, Forgery	Item with illusion aura	Information	+0	—
26-37	Diplomat	Bard	Negotiator, Persuasive	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bluff, Intimidate, Know (local)	Item that aids interaction	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 28
38-50	City watch	Fighter	Alertness, Power Attack	Know (local), Sense Motive, Jump	Weapon	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 28
51-63	Arcane advisor	Wizard or sorcerer	Any item creation	Know (arcana), Spellcraft, Know (local)	Scrolls and spells in spellbook	Information	+0	Society, DC 26
64-75	Honor guard	Fighter or paladin	Combat Expertise, Weapon Focus	Know (history), Intimidate, Ride	Armor	Skill	+1	Rank, DC 26
76-88	Sheriff	Ranger	Alertness, Weapon Focus	Know (local), Ride, Sense Motive, Survival, Intimidate	Weapon	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 30
89-100	Theocrat	Cleric	Persuasive, Investigator	Know (local), Spellcraft, Know (religion)	Wand or staff	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 28

MARITIME BACKGROUND

A character's time spent on the high seas provides a bonus on recognition checks; each time the maritime background is selected for this character, the bonus increases by 1.

EXAMPLE MARITIME RANKS

Maritime Ranks (Lowest to Highest)

Table: Maritime Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Prof = Profession; Sp Focus = Spell Focus; Know = Knowledge.
01-12	Pirate	Rogue	Dodge, Mobility	Balance, Jump, Tumble, Bluff, Swim	Weapon	Information	+½	Rank, DC 22
13-24	Military navy	Fighter	Leadership, Weapon Focus	Prof (sailor), Swim, Use Rope	Weapon	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 24
25-34	Sea trader	Rogue or bard	Negotiator, Deft Hands	Appraise, Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Swim, Prof (sailor)	Wondrous item that aids interaction	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 26
35-44	Ship's marine	Fighter	Power Attack, Improved Sunder	Swim, Climb, Jump	Light armor	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 26
45-52	Stowaway	Rogue	Stealthy, Deceitful	Swim, Hide, Move Silently, Disguise, Bluff	Item that aids stealth	Influence	+0	—
53-62	Shipwrecked	Barbarian	Track, Self-Sufficient	Swim, Survival, Craft (any), Spot, Listen	Simple weapon or hand-crafted item	Skill	+0	—
63-72	Deckhand	Rogue or fighter	Dodge, Weapon Focus	Swim, Use Rope, Prof (sailor), Climb, Jump	Weapon	Information	+0	Rank, DC 26
73-82	Navigator	Bard or wizard	Scribe Scroll, Sp Focus (Trans)	Prof (sailor), Decipher Script, Know (geography), Spellcraft, Swim	Scrolls	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 24
83-90	Wind-bringer	Druid or sorcerer	Sp Focus (Trans), Sp Focus (Conj)	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (geography), Swim, Prof (sailor)	Item that affects weather or wind	Information	+0	Rank, DC 24
91-100	Chaplain	Cleric	Any metamagic	Heal, Swim, Prof (sailor)	Item that heals or cures	Information	+0	Rank, DC 24

MERCANTILE BACKGROUND

The only recognition available in this background category is among caravan guards and guild officials, both of whom can earn promotions to higher ranks (as described for the military background, below). A caravan guard applies his base attack bonus as a modifier on recognition checks, while a guild official applies his ranks in Diplomacy.

EXAMPLE GUILD RANKS

If you want more frequent recognition (and thus more guild ranks), set the recognition check DC at a constant value of 24 and split each rank into three smaller ranks. Characters begin as apprentices in the third degree, then ascend to second-degree apprentices and first-degree apprentices. Then they become journeymen in the third degree.

Because the game is set in a fantasy world, you may wish to develop more fanciful titles for the guilds you create, especially those that are part of nonhuman or otherwise exotic cultures.

Table: Mercantile Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Gather Info = Gather Information; Know = Knowledge.
01-14	Caravan guard	Fighter	Alertness, Point Blank Shot	Ride, Spot, Listen	Armor	Information	+0	Rank, DC 24
15-27	Broker	Rogue or bard	Investigator, Persuasive	Gather Info, Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Know (local)	Wondrous item that helps carry loads	Information	+½	—
28-40	Negotiator	Rogue or bard	Negotiator, Skill Focus (Diplomacy)	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bluff, Intimidate, Know (local)	Wondrous item that aids interaction	Influence	+½	—
41-53	Buyer	Rogue or bard	Diligent, Skill Focus (Appraise)	Appraise, Bluff, Sense Motive, Craft (any), Diplomacy	Wondrous item with divination aura	Influence	+0	—
54-69	Traveling merchant	Rogue or sorcerer	Dodge, Mobility	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Appraise, Bluff, Sleight of Hand	Wondrous item with illusion aura	Information	+½	—
70-83	Magic-shop owner	Wizard	Brew Potion, Craft Magic Arms and Armor	Spellcraft, Know (arcana), Craft (any)	Staff or wand	Skill	+½	—
84-100	Guild official	Rogue or cleric	Leadership, Persuasive	Craft (any, Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bluff, Know (local)	Item that gives morale effect	Influence	+1	Rank; see text

MILITARY BACKGROUND

Military recognition takes two forms: decorations (medals, fancy uniforms, tattoos, and the like) and rank (encompassing traditional military ranks and sometimes noble or honorific titles). In each case, the recognition check DC is modified by the character's base attack bonus. Rolling a natural 20 on a recognition check gives the character a double promotion or a more prestigious decoration.

EXAMPLE RANKS AND DECORATIONS

Ranks (Lowest to Highest)

Decorations

Table: Military Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Weapon Spec = Weapon Specialization; Prof = Profession; Know = Knowledge. Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the campaign.
01-11	Raid	Barbarian or fighter	Weapon Focus, Weapon Spec	Climb, Jump, Intimidate, Search, Swim	Melee weapon	Information	+0	Decoration, DC 20
12-19	Trainer	Fighter	Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm	Intimidate, Diplomacy, Know (local)	Wondrous item for morale/interaction	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 22
20-27	Cavalry scout	Ranger	Mounted Combat, Mounted Archery	Ride, Spot, Listen, Survival, Search, Move Silently, Hide	Ranged weapon	Information	+0	Rank, DC 24
28-35	Heavy cavalry	Fighter or paladin	Mounted Combat, Spirited Charge	Ride, Intimidate, Jump	Barding	Information	+½	Decoration or rank, DC 24
36-44	Defense	Fighter or dwarven defender1	Dodge, Mobility	Prof (siege engineer), Climb, Jump	Armor or shield	Skill	+½	Rank, DC 22
45-52	Scout	Ranger or arcane archer1	Alertness, Stealthy	Spot, Listen, Move Silently, Hide, Survival	Wondrous item for stealth, perception, or communication	Information	+0	Rank, DC 24
53-63	Shock trooper	Fighter	Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush	Climb, Intimidate, Jump	Armor or shield	Information	+½	Decoration, DC 24
64-74	Siege	Fighter	Power Attack, Improved Sunder	Climb, Jump, Prof (siege engineer)	Melee weapon	Information	+½	Decoration, DC 22
75-80	War	Fighter	Any fighter bonus feat	Climb, Intimidate, Jump	Melee weapon	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 20
81-86	Diplomacy	Fighter or paladin	Leadership, Persuasive	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Know (nobility and royalty)	Wondrous item for morale/interaction	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 24
87-94	Border patrol	Ranger	Point Blank Shot, Far Shot	Survival, Spot, Listen, Hide, Move Silently	Ranged weapon	Information	+0	Rank, DC 26
95-100	Herald	Bard or fighter	Negotiator, Weapon Focus	Know (nobility and royalty), Diplomacy, Know (local), Sense Motive, Spot, Listen, Know (history)	Armor or shield	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 24

RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND

Recognition is by ascension in rank, with a character's ranks in Knowledge (religion) providing a bonus on his recognition check.

EXAMPLE RELIGIOUS RANKS

Religious Ranks (Highest to Lowest): acolyte, abbot, deacon, priest, high priest, bishop, prelate, archbishop, patriarch, cardinal.

Table: Religious Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Sp Focus = Spell Focus; Know = Knowledge; Gather Info = Gather Information. Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the campaign.
01-12	Temple leader	Cleric	Leadership, Sp Focus (Ench)	Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Know (religion)	Item that employs divine magic	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 26
13-24	Evangelist	Cleric	Negotiator, Sp Focus (Conj)	Diplomacy, Know (religion), Spellcraft	Item that aids interaction	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 28
25-33	Sacred librarian	Bard or cleric	Diligent, Investigator	Gather Info, Know (religion), Know (history), Spellcraft, Search	Item with divination aura	Information	+0	Rank, DC 30
34-42	Keeper of the dead	Cleric	Extra Turning, Sp Focus (Necro)	Know (religion), Spellcraft, Concentration	Item with necromancy aura	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 30
43-51	Cultist	Cleric	Sp Focus (Conj), Sp Focus (Necro)	Disguise, Concentration, Spellcraft	Item that aids disguise or secrecy	Information	+0	Rank, DC 26
52-64	Inquisitor	Cleric	Sp Focus (Dlv), Investigator	Sense Motive, Intimidate, Spellcraft	Item with divination aura	Information	+½	Rank, DC 28
65-77	Exorcist	Cleric	Sp Focus (Abj), Spell Penetration	Spellcraft, Concentration, Know (the planes)	Item that affects extraplanar creatures	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 30
78-88	Temple guardian	Paladin, fighter, or blackguard1	Power Attack, Cleave	Know (religion), Spot, Climb	Armor	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 28
89-100	Cloistered	Monk	Dodge, Mobility	Tumble, Jump, Balance, Hide, Move Silently	Item that provides protection	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 28

SKILLED BACKGROUND

Recognition for skilled background activities is similar to recognition in an academic magic background: degrees and memberships in honorary societies. (Athletes get trophies, functionally similar to military decorations, instead.)

Each activity in this background is associated with a particular skill — the one mentioned first in the entry's Skills column. A character's ranks in that skill provide a bonus on recognition checks.

Table: Skilled Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Know = Knowledge; Prof = Profession.
01-16	Religious scholar	Cleric	Scribe Scroll, Diligent	Decipher Script, Know (religion), Spellcraft	Robe or cloak	Information	+0	Degree or society, DC 26
17-32	Music theorist	Bard	Scribe Scroll, Skill Focus (Perform)	Perform (any), Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Decipher Script, Speak Language	Instrument	Information	+½	Degree or society, DC 28
33-44	Barrister	Rogue	Persuasive, Negotiator	Intimidate, Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bluff, Know (nobility and royalty)	Wondrous item that protects against spells	Information	+0	Degree or society, DC 26
45-60	Scribe	Wizard	Any metamagic	Decipher Script, Speak Language, Know (arcana)	Extra spells in spellbook	Information	+0	Degree or society, DC 28
61-74	Naturalist	Druid	Track, Natural Spell	Know (nature), Prof (herbalist), Handle Animal, Spellcraft, Concentration	Scrolls, wand, or staff	Information	+0	Degree or society, DC 28
75-90	Scientist	Wizard	Any item creation	Know (architecture and engineering), Craft (any), Spellcraft	Wondrous item that moves by itself	Information	+0	Degree or society, DC 26
91-100	Athlete	Monk or ranger	Athletic, Dodge	Balance, Climb, Jump Tumble, Swim	Item that boosts physical stats	Information	+1	Degree or society, DC 26

UNDERWORLD BACKGROUND

The underworld offers few chances for formal recognition (reflected by the relatively high recognition check DCs in this background), although some criminal syndicates have ranks and titles. The notion of underworld recognition may not be appropriate for every setting.

Each activity in this background is associated with a particular skill — the one mentioned first in the entry's Skills column. A character's ranks in that skill provide a bonus on recognition checks.

Table: Underworld Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Gather Info = Gather Information; Know = Knowledge. Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the campaign.
01-12	Street crime	Rogue	Deft Hands, Dodge	Escape Artist, Tumble, Sleight of Hand, Move Silently, Hide	Wondrous item that aids movement	Information	+0	Rank, DC 32
13-23	Protection racket	Rogue	Combat Expertise, Improved Feint	Intimidate, Sense Motive, Bluff, Diplomacy, Search	Weapon	Influence	+½	Rank, DC 30
24-32	Gambling	Rogue	Negotiator, Persuasive	Bluff, Sense Motive, Intimidate, Gather Info, Forgery	Magic item based on gem or jewelry	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 30
33-44	Assassination	Rogue or assassin1	Improved Critical, Stealthy	Hide, Move Silently, Tumble, Climb, Jump	Weapon	Skill	+1	Rank, DC 30
45-57	Burglary	Rogue or assassin1	Nimble Fingers, Acrobatic	Climb, Open Lock, Hide, Move Silently, Search, Balance	Wondrous item that aids stealth	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 30
58-70	Robbery	Rogue	Weapon Finesse, Quick Draw	Intimidate, Disguise, Bluff, Use Rope, Hide	Weapon	Information	+½	Rank, DC 28
71-81	Con games	Rogue or bard	Deceitful, Persuasive	Bluff, Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Forgery, Disguise	Wondrous item that creates illusion	Influence	+1f2	Rank, DC 28
82-90	Fence	Rogue	Diligent, Negotiator	Appraise, Sense Motive, Bluff, Know (local), Gather Info	Any	Influence	+1	Rank, DC 30
91-100	Street fighting	Fighter or rogue	Quick Draw, Combat Reflexes	Intimidate, Sleight of Hand, Bluff, Tumble, Spot	Armor	Skill	+0	Rank, DC 32

WILDERNESS BACKGROUND

Table: Wilderness Background Activities

d%	Activity	Class	Feats	Skills	Gear	Contacts	Rep	Recognition
Sp Focus = Spell Focus; Know = Knowledge. Indicates a prestige class. Only available if the class is allowed in the campaign.
01-12	Hunter-gatherer	Barbarian	Track, Self-Sufficient	Survival, Spot, Listen, Climb, Swim	Weapon	Skill	+0	Chieftain, DC 28
13-25	Nature guardian	Druid	Natural Spell, Combat Casting	Concentration, Spot, Survival, Spellcraft, Know (nature)	Armor	Information	+½	—
26-36	Game hunter	Ranger	Weapon Focus, Improved Critical	Survival, Spot, Listen, Hide, Move Silently	Weapon	Skill	+0	—
37-47	Explorer	Ranger or horizon walker1	Alertness, Endurance	Survival, Know (nature), Spot, Listen, Know (geography)	Wondrous item that aids movement	Information	+1	—
48-56	Hermit	Druid or sorcerer	Sp Focus (Illus), Sp Focus (Ench)	Survival, Concentration, Spellcraft	Staff or wand	Skill	+0	—
56-66	Wandering minstrel	Bard	Alertness, Endurance	Perform, Survival, Know (geography), Know (nature), Spot	Weapon	Influence	+½	—
67-79	Nature worshiper	Druid	Sp Focus (Trans), Sp Focus (Conj)	Know (nature), Know (religion), Survival, Spellcraft, Concentration	Staff or wand	Information	+0	—
80-90	Highwayman	Rogue	Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm	Survival, Intimidate, Hide, Move Silently, Bluff	Armor	Information	+½	—
91-100	“I walk the earth.”	Barbarian or monk	Endurance, Combat Reflexes	Survival, Climb, Hide, Move Silently, Swim	Wondrous item that protects	—	+0	—

Customizing Backgrounds