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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chris_Nightwing" data-source="post: 5998483" data-attributes="member: 882">Someone had an idea upthread that I mulled over, so I have a proposal. I don't agree that skill usage is as narrow as some have described - I think that if you're a pirate and climbed rigging a lot, you're also going to be quite capable of climbing fences and walls. I think if you've haggled with merchants before, you've learnt something you can apply to negotiating with orcs to release prisoners, though you're probably not capable of inspiring a warband before battle.Your background consists of 4 elements as follows:WHO you regularly interacted with before you became an adventurer, the people you are used to dealing with, whose customs and practices you understand.WHAT you did in your background, the typical tasks and challenges you encountered everyday and learnt how to deal with.WHERE you were during your background, which might include being itinerant, not just where you lived but where you felt comfortable and at home.BONUS trait, the cute little things we've seen so far in backgrounds like having a shop or retainers.For any given skill check, you get a +1 if you are dealing with the right people (something overlaps with your WHO), a +1 if a task is something you've done or are familiar with (your WHAT) and a +1 if a task is in a location you a familiar with (your WHERE). Obviously if you were used to dealing with merchants, and your background regularly involved haggling, and you are at your local market, you'll get +3, but if you have to negotiate with orcs to release prisoners you'll likely only get a +1.Example: ArtisanWHO - merchants, craftsmen and one of nobles (fancy goods), soldiers (weapons/armor), mages (books), commoners (food/drink)WHAT - crafting, tradingWHERE - your home town, major cities nearby for trade fairs, marketsBONUS - you have a workshop etc.Example: Bounty HunterWHO - law enforcement, criminalsWHAT - tracking, gathering information, alertness, athleticsWHERE - your home area and either the wilderness or the urban underworldBONUS - bounty boardThoughts?</blockquote>

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