Level 0 rules

[Olgar Shiverstone]

With just the background mechanics this does seem to be an attractive option.

Could you develop a system that starts with race & background, then adds theme, then evolves to class?

 

[Abstruse]

With just the background mechanics this does seem to be an attractive option.

Could you develop a system that starts with race & background, then adds theme, then evolves to class?

Should be the other way around. Class is what you do, while theme is how you do it. A fighter is a martial warrior, but a slayer is someone who pumps out massive amounts of damage. A rogue is a skillful dirty fighter, but a thief is someone who hides in the shadows and uses his nimble fingers to swipe things that don't belong to him.