Law Enforcement
Law enforcement personnel include uniformed police, state troopers, federal police, federal agents, SWAT team members, and military police.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, plus your choice of one from among Investigation, Perception and Acrobatics
- Armour Proficiencies: Light armour, medium armour
- Weapon Proficiencies: Two martial weapons of your choice
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of civilian vehicle, plus one of your choice
- Equipment: A pump-action shotgun or an autoloader pistol with 2 box magazines, plus 30 rounds appropriate to the weapon
- Wealth Bonus: +1
Feature: Enforcer's Eye
Your experience in enforcing the law, and dealing with lawbreakers, gives you a feel for local laws and criminals. You can easily find a local law enforcement agency or a similar organisation, and just as easily pick out the dens of criminal activity in a community, although you're more likely to be welcome in the former locations rather than the latter.
Suggested Characteristics
Justice and authority are key ideals to a law enforcer, and to most this is synonymous with the law of the land. They typically see great value in authority and stability.
Use the suggested characteristics for the the Soldier background in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Law Enforcement background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Variant Law Enforcer: Corrupt
As a corrupt law enforcer, you have habitually acted immorally or downright illegally throughout your career. Many corrupt officers simply turn a blind eye in return for cash, whereas others actively involve themselves in criminal activity.
You gain an additional +1 Wealth as a corrupt law enforcer, and you might use the suggested characteristics for the the Criminal background in the Player's Handbook.
Additionally, your Enforcer's Eye feature is altered to take into account your darker activities. You will naturally be more welcome in dens of criminal activity, though they may still treat you with some suspicion, and honest law enforcers may resent you if they know the truth about you.
Madcap
You have spent your life seeking thrills and unnecessary amounts of danger, maybe just for kicks or perhaps out of necessity
Madcaps include professional daredevils, big-game hunters, extreme sports enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, storm chasers, and all others called to face danger for a whatever reason.
- Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, plus your choice of one from among Athletics, Performance and Animal Handling
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of civilian vehicles, plus one of your choice
- Reputation Bonus: +1
- Wealth Bonus: +1
Feature: Adrenaline Junkie
Danger runs in your veins, and the threat to your life only spurs you on further. When performing planned out dangerous or showy tasks, you have a knack for coming out unscathed. Additionally, anyone who witnesses you succeed at an unnecessarily dangerous task or stunt is awed by your bravery, and will treat you much more favourably in the future.
Suggested Characteristics
Madcaps are usually defined by low impulse control and a headstrong attitude. Many rarely think plans fully through before executing them, though there are always exceptions.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Entertainer background in the Player's Handbook for a Madcap.
Military
Military covers any of the branches of the armed forces, including army, navy, air force, and marines, as well as the various elite training units such as Seals, Rangers, and Special Forces.
- Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, plus your choice of one from among Survival, Acrobatics and Perception
- Armour Proficiencies: All armour
- Weapon Proficiencies: Martial weapons
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of military vehicle, plus one of your choice
- Equipment: An assault rifle with a rifle box magazine or an autoloader pistol with 2 pistol box magazines, plus 30 rounds appropriate to the weapon
- Wealth Bonus: +1
Feature: Rank & Privilege
You have a rank from your career as a military officer. Active and former military officers still recognize your authority and influence, and they defer to you if they are of a lower rank. You can invoke your rank to exert influence over other officers and requisition simple equipment for temporary use. You can also usually gain access to events and locations where your rank is recognized.
Suggested Characteristics
Authority and discipline are drilled into military personnel, and they inevitable become core values to them. The majority of military personnel also have a strong sense of duty or patriotism.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Soldier or Sailor backgrounds in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Military background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Political
You are particularly involved in the politics of your chosen region, whether local or national. You may be working towards a significant change, or merely trying to keep the peace.
Politicians, campaigners, councilmen, and members of pressure groups and activists all fall within this category.
- Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, plus your choice of one from among Deception, Insight and History
- Tool Proficiencies: One of your choice
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Reputation Bonus: +1
- Wealth Bonus: +2
Feature: The System
Your knowledge of how bureaucracies function lets you gain access to the records and inner workings of many organisations and governments you may encounter. You know who the movers and shakers are, whom to go to for the favours you seek, and what the current intrigues of interest in the group are.
Suggested Characteristics
Politicians have a large range of personalities. Some work to serve an ideal they believe in, whereas others are only in it for personal gain. A large number of political figures come from privileged backgrounds.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Noble or Guild Artisan backgrounds in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Political background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Variant: Revolutionary
Some individuals become so disillusioned with the reigning political force in a region that they turn to more subversive means to further their cause. You are a member of such a cause, usually seeking some highly significant change.
You only gain a +1 Wealth as a revolutionary, and you might use the suggested characteristics for the the Soldier background in the Player's Handbook.
Feature: The Cause
Your passion for the cause helps you survive the most desperate circumstances and you have experience cautiously conveying that spark to someone else.
You are able to discern if person is sympathetic to your cause after having a short conversation with them. This may be facilitated by certain code phrases, or maybe a distinguishing tattoo.
People sympathetic to your cause will aid you and your friends by performing mundane tasks such as providing you a place sleep, giving you information on the local area or treating your wounds. This hospitality may end if you have shown yourself to be a danger to them or have asked them to do something obviously dangerous.
Your cause may have a base of operations which is relatively safe, and may include certain capabilities such as large-scale printing or manufacturing, a weapons store or a place to hide. Work with you GM to determine the capabilities of your particular cause.
Religious
Ordained clergy of all persuasions, as well as theological scholars and experts on religious studies fall within the scope of this starting occupation.
- Skill Proficiencies: Religion, plus your choice of one from among Insight, Arcana and History
- Tool Proficiencies: One of your choice
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Wealth Bonus: +2
Feature: Faith Community
You command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your order. You and your companions can expect to be received favourably at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith. Those who share your religion will offer their personal and financial support to a limited degree.
Suggested Characteristics
Religious figure are primarily driven by their faith and resolve, and many work very hard to further their doctrine or religion. Many have a thoughtful disposition, though this can be contrasted by moments of great passion.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Acolyte background in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Religious background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Variant: Cultist
Some individuals use religion and belief to manipulate people to amass power and wealth. This background covers individuals within the leadership of cults that manipulate underlings, and those relatively innocent people that have been manipulated into joining a cult.
You may still be a member of the cult, travelling out into the world to further the cult's doctrine, or you may be an ex-member, who left the cult after a particular event.
As a cultist, and you might use the suggested characteristics for the the Charlatan or Criminal backgrounds in the Player's Handbook.
Feature: Secret Symbolism
You know the secret signs which identify members of your cult. This may be in the form of a hand sign, a particular phrase, a specific tattoo or perhaps some form of ritual mutilation. Your cult may include some influential members, from whom you may be able to secure certain resources. Your cult may also have hidden cloisters scattered among different settlements, where you may be able to secure aid.
Rural
Farm workers, hunters, and others who make a living in rural communities fall under this category.
- Skill Proficiencies: Nature, plus your choice of one from among Survival, Animal Handling and Athletics
- Tool Proficiencies: Two of your choice
- Wealth Bonus: +1
Feature: Farm Wisdom
You have a feel for the countryside, and you can always recall the general layout of terrain, small towns, and other features around you. In addition, you can find food and fresh water for yourself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.
Suggested Characteristics
Most rural types pride themselves on their hardiness and perseverance, though they encompass a wide range of peoples. In the modern world, most people which live rurally do so by choice rather than necessity or circumstance.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Folk Hero, Hermit, or Outlander backgrounds in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Rural background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Student
A student can be in high school, college, or graduate school. They could be in a seminary, a military school, or a private institution. A college-age student could also pick a major field of study.
- Skill Proficiencies: Two of your choice
- Tool Proficiencies: Computers, plus one of your choice
- Languages: One of your choice
- Wealth Bonus: +1
Feature: Student ID
Your student ID gives you access to various services and discounts that are not available to the general public, as well as access to school resources, such as libraries, laboratories and conference spaces. This ID doesn't act as a no-bars pass, and there are likely certain resources which your educational institution will not permit immediate access to.
You have a working knowledge of your institution's personnel and bureaucracy, and you know how to navigate those connections with some ease.
Additionally, you are likely to gain preferential treatment at other educational institutions, as professional courtesy shown to a fellow scholar.
Suggested Characteristics
Students come from a huge range of different backgrounds, and they have a great range of different traits. Many share a love of knowledge and learning, but a great number of students merely see their education as a path into a career, or are even just stalling before they need to enter the real world. Students also often have great conviction in their beliefs.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Sage or Noble backgrounds in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Student background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Technician
This background covers a wide range of people with technical knowledge and skills.
Characterised by specialised knowledge or skills, this background include scientists, engineers, and professional programmers of all types.
- Skill Proficiencies: Perception, plus your choice of one from among Investigation, Nature and Medicine
- Tool Proficiencies: Electrical tools, mechanical tools or chemistry tools, plus one of your choice
- Languages: One of your choice
- Wealth Bonus: +3
Feature: Technical Tap
Electronic and mechanical devices just seem to work better when you’re around, but when they misbehave, sometimes all it takes is a swift kick in the right area to set things right.
Suggested Characteristics
Technical jobs are often lucrative, and that is certainly a big draw towards them, for those with the capability. Others are drawn to the careers through technical or scientific passion, or merely a high level of raw talent.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Sage or Guild Artisan backgrounds in the Player's Handbook for a character with the Technician background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
White Collar
Office workers and desk jockeys, lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, bank personnel, financial advisors, tax preparers, clerks, sales personnel, real estate agents, and a variety of mid-level managers fall within the scope of this background.
- Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, plus your choice of one from among Deception, History and Perception
- Tool Proficiencies: Computers, plus one of your choice
- Languages: One of your choice
- Wealth Bonus: +3
Feature: Corporate Chameleon
You are familiar with the etiquette and adherence to protocol that comes with working in an office environment. While in such an environment, no one questions your presence, and entry level workers are likely to respond in a submissive manner. Especially if you are carrying a clipboard.
Suggested Characteristics
White collar workers may hail from a middle-class background, simply following the expected career path before them. Alternatively, they might come from a poorer family, and are hoping to break out of their family history. Whatever their history, they display a wide range of personalities.
Use the suggested characteristics for the Noble or Guild Artisan backgrounds in the Player's Handbook for a character with the White Collar background, modifying them as necessary to suit your character.
Credits
Document and contents by Dylan Richards (Reddit: u/Altavus , Tumblr: decision-paralysis, Blogger: Decision Paralysis)
Art
Backgrounds
Vintage Police: Brad Scanlan on Pinterest (I couldn't find the original source, it seems that the web domain was sold. If anyone finds an original source, please let me know.) Meditation: snatti89 on DeviantArt
Source Material
"d20 Modern" role-playing game by Wizards of the Coast.
Built heavily upon "d20 Modern 5e Conversion" by Edward Wilson.