SamuraiHanson.Background

Birthplace
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 * Samuel "Samurai" Hanson
 *  Villis Subsector, Edinina
 * Small ( <500 permanent residents, <50,000 total population
 * Geography: Artificial dome on a rocky planet without atmosphere.
 * Weather: Artificial
 * Industry: Mining
 * Sam grew up as one of the permanent residents of Edinina. His parents ran a local supply shop. Sam spent his time alternating between exploring side tunnels and fixing spare equipment where he learned to repair simple gadgets and radios. He was always fascinated by the starships that came to port and the stories he found on the educational reels about explorers fed his imagination until he was old enough to enlist and see more of the galaxy.

Professions & Crafts
Sam started off mining, and repairing small devices.   Anything, even something small, can change you in major ways and lead to interesting game play. You can always look at your personality traits and come up with reasons why you’re that way (an example: your Primary Motivator is Liberation because you were sold into slavery until you managed to kill your owner in the night, swearing that you would forever help free anyone in bondage). The possibilities are endless.
 * Significant past events**

Family-related events

 * Did your father tell you a dark family secret?
 * Any unusual problems, deaths, illnesses, or trauma? E.g. did the landlord throw your family into the street? Were your parents or yourself taken into slavery?
 * Or did something of great fortune happen?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Were you taken far away from your family for some reason?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Were there any interesting traditions, celebrations, or holidays in your family?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you ever fall in love or have a serious relationship?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Do you have a spouse or any children of your own? Where are they now?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 22px;">Personal events

 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Were you ever really sick or injured?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What kind of education did you have, if any?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Were you ever betrayed?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you find a magic item buried in the woods? Or did a rabbit suddenly start talking to you?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Were you ever dirt poor or filthy rich for a brief time?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you ever commit any crimes, or be falsely accused of one?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did something happen that revealed an unusual talent?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you do anything interesting, like travel with a performing troupe, join the military, serve the local nobility, or jump a trading ship for a year?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Were you ever active in a church, religion, cult, or secret order?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you ever have a chance to show leadership, such as leading a local rebellion, founding a school or animal sanctuary, being elected mayor of your small village, etc.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did anything really funny ever happen to you? Embarrasing stories can make for great tavern entertainment.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 22px;">Notable individuals

 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Any strangers come through town that gave you an unusual gift?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did a fortune teller predict something strange and unlikely?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Was there a nearby hermit that taught you about herbs or other lore?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Any local clergy to influence your religion?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you ever have any mentors or patrons before adventuring?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you form any close friendships while growing up or in early adulthood? Is there anyone out there that you can really trust or look to for help?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 30px;">Mysteries
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Mysteries are great opportunities for role-playing and help keep your character interesting. They can provide the GM with ideas for sub-plots or even whole adventures, so be sure to let her know what you come up with. The ol’ amnesia hook is discouraged unless you can come up with a really good story to support it. Some good mysteries could be: 
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Who murdered my best friend?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Who is my real mother?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I had a strange vision when I was ten—what did it mean?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why do I keep having recurring nightmares about a flaming sword?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">One morning I woke up with this strange mark on my chest
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why does the full moon fill me with dread?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What did that cryptic prophesy given by an oracle mean?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why did the king grant 100 acres of land to my father 20 years ago without an explanation?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Every now and then I think I see strange creatures out of the corner of my eye—what are they?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Just before he disappeared, my father gave me a magical box that I can’t open.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A black cloak appeared one day in my room; I don’t know who put it there or what it’s about
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I was drinking one night at the local tavern and the next thing I remember I was alone, naked, and lying on a stone altar in an outdoor temple dozens of miles away

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 30px;">Existing Conflicts
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">It is possible to have ongoing conflicts in your character’s life. Such conflicts are often between individuals, but they can also be between groups and institutions (such as another village, church, guild, school, family, or the law). You can add other details, like if you are mainly out to get them, or they you, or if the antagonism is mutual. If you choose to have a pre-existing or ongoing conflict, create the circumstances surrounding it: 
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Who exactly is the conflict with?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why does the conflict exist? What happened?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Why can’t it be worked out?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">How do you think it will end?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What are the emotions surrounding it—hate, jealousy, vengefulness, grief, bitterness, regret, fear?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 30px;">What triggered adventuring?
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Even if you don’t answer many other questions about your background, this is a good one to know. Again, look to your personality traits to get ideas for your triggers, especially the Primary Motivator. Also, any of the background items above can act as your adventuring trigger. But if you’re still not sure, here are some ways to explore the essential question—how did you happen to take up a sword, lockpick, or spell book and go looking for trouble? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Think about it this way—if the very first place you get to on your adventure is a pub and someone asks “so, what brings you here?” an honest answer to this hypothetical question would be based on your trigger.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Was it a thoughtful decision to go adventuring or did circumstances compel you? Why did you make that decision or what circumstances pushed you into it?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you left home, what set you off? Are you looking for something? Or…
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">trying to accomplish anything? Or…
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">was it wanderlust? Or…
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">seeking fame and fortune? Or…
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">trying to walk in a parent’s or sibling’s footsteps?
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you are a fighter, you must have some minimal training with a sword—where did you get it and how did you learn to use it (friend, a job, parent, military)? Or if you have a knack for picking pockets, how did you learn the ropes? If you are a cleric, did you get “the call” from a deity, or were you indoctrinated into a religion?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 22px;">Initial possessions
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Do you own anything other than what you are wearing and what’s in your backpack? Do you have a family home, or own land? Also, don’t just think about adventuring equipment—look at your hobbies, quirks, and craft skills above and think if you might have items related to those things.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 22px;">Bound duties
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Are there any outstanding obligations or oaths that you need to fulfill? Any unusual debts? Is anyone looking for you for deserting service or a contract, or for some other reason? Did you make a promise to your family or friends? 

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: Bitter,Georgia,serif; font-size: 30px;">Quests
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Like the adventure trigger, this is the other background area that should be known for a well-played character. If you have filled out a good portion of the other background areas, then it is likely your quests are already known—they can come from anything in the Events, Mysteries, or Conflicts sections, for example (your trigger can also be a quest). You should add more quests as you continue to adventure. Having short and long term quests is a good idea—developing both can allow you to accomplish things sooner rather than later while still retaining something that drives you. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">When working on your quests, think in terms of clearly defined goals—e.g. to become rich is a motivation, not a quest, but to obtain Brad’s Chest of Neverending Gold from the Cave of Certain Death is. Here are some basic ideas—remember, it works best if you can develop quests that collaborate with your personality traits: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Again, the possibilities are endless. It might be worthwhile to work with the DM on coming up with quests that fit within the game world.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Revenge
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Solve a mystery
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Resolve a conflict
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Fulfill an oath
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Deliver a message or package
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Find or save someone or something that was lost or taken
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Discover a mythical place
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Solve a crime
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Remove a curse
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Provide a suitable person as a physical vehicle for your deity
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Earn membership in an exclusive organization
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Kill every last troll in the Brashduk Clan
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Open the portal to the Fifth Dimension
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Depose the local baron
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Fix the terrible mistake I made long ago
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #141412; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Obtain Brad’s Chest of Neverending Gold from the Cave of Certain Death