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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dorian_Grey" data-source="post: 6856600" data-attributes="member: 6801878">Someone FAR up this thread had posted that you need the backgrounds in 5e in order to have alternative character concepts (instead of just a straight fighter). Although backgrounds are interesting, I don't think they are necessary. To show this, just using 2e I decided to put together two character concepts with nothing more than just the Player's Handbook. No Complete books. No Player's Options. My PHB is the recently released green cover one - which is the equivalent of the 1995 release.[sblock]Example 1: Fighter with a Religious Background in 2eQuinn TorrinLawful Good Human Fighter, Level 1Str: 13 | Int: 12Dex: 10 | Wis: 8Con: 15 | Chr: 9Weapon Prof (4)1. Short Sword2. Dagger3. Bow, Short4. HalberdNon-Weapon Prof (3 + 3)Heraldry (1 Slot) (Int 0)Etiquette (1 Slot) (Chr 0)Religion (2 Slots) (Wis 0)Reading/Writing (2 Slots) (Int +1)BackgroundQuinn was young when he was orphaned by one of the many plagues that ripped through the country side after the last orc war. From an isolated farm, he didn't know a contingent from the local temple had arrived to provide support - until it was to late. He packed what few possessions and left to go find help. Overwhelmed with sadness and exhaustion, he came to town barely able to put one foot in front of the other - unaware, in his grief, that he had also become sick. Collapsing in the center of town, the priests from the temple found him and were able to save his life.Now an orphan, the priests offered him a place with them. At first they thought he might train as a priest or cleric, but he did not have the attention span to master the deep mysteries. This was not uncommon, and although he would become a functionary - he was not invited to join those who wielded the power of the Gods. He did, however, do well in physical training and was offered a place in the Temple Guard. There he mastered the martial skills considered fundamental in a Guardsman. Yet, he also quickly picked up the skills often associated with the Court. His mastery of etiquette and heraldry made him invaluable to the Guard Captain, and he was promoted to the role of messenger. Now he wanders the country side at the behest of his Captain, carrying messages, speaking privately with those who were once well above his station, and on occasion, acting as a formal witness for the Temple.Example 2: Fighter with Criminal Background in 2eDyroc "The Uncouth" MarelNeutral Evil Human Fighter, Level 1Str: 13 | Int: 12Dex: 15 | Wis: 5Con: 12 | Chr: 10Weapon Prof (4)1. Broad Sword2. Dagger3. Crossbow, Light4. SpearNon-Weapon Prof (3 + 3)Rope Use (2 Slots) (Dex +1)Set Snares (2 Slots) (Dex 0)Gaming (2 Slots) (Chr +1)BackgroundDyroc (Dy to his friends), was a guardsman in the small port city near where the adventure begins. He was often considered foolish by most who knew him, but many figured that his joining the Guard was a good idea: the structure would provide the discipline he was sorely lacking on his own. Dy, however, would not be so easily deterred from fulfilling his desires. Although most of the time this manifested itself in compulsive gambling on the water front, followed by frequent visits with the ladies of the night that worked the same locations (and even quicker runs to the Temple for potions that would relieve the burning sensations), he also started making "friends". For small payments, or ignoring his gambling debts, Dyroc would look the other way when certain people sought to leave or enter the city that knew specific pass phrases.It wasn't long before he was caught. His new friends were caught by other Guard members and turned on him to seek leniency from the local Lord. When the guards went to find him, he had already fled - tipped off by friends he still owed money too. He left a number of traps behind, and the snares injured and harmed many of the guards who broke into his flat.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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