Backgrounds

The following list is backgrounds that are original to the Far-Star Victoria setting:

Fog Touched

You survived a close encounter with the mysterious Utility Fog—perhaps during a “miracle,” a malfunction, or a forbidden experiment. The experience left you changed, with strange insights and sometimes unpredictable results around technology or magic.

Ability Boosts: Intelligence or Wisdom, and Constitution
Trained Skill: Occultism
Additional Lore: Utility Fog Lore
Feat: Dubious Knowledge
Special: Once per day, you can make a DC 17 flat check to avoid a single technological or magical hazard before rolls are made.

Steamworks Scion

You grew up in the shadow of Steam refineries, airship hangars, or busy foundries, learning the rhythms of industry and the value of ingenuity. Whether child of a machinist, an airship rigger, or a streetwise scavenger, you know how to survive where gears and Steam rule.

Ability Boosts: Intelligence or Dexterity, and Strength
Trained Skill: Crafting
Additional Lore: Steam Technology Lore
Feat: Quick Repair
Special: You can always find a basic tool or improvised gadget in urban or industrial areas.

Insurgent Courier

You served as a messenger for a resistance cell, smuggling secrets and goods through the tunnels and checkpoints of Erebus—or among outlaw settlements on Elysium. You’re an expert at avoiding notice and reading coded signals.

Ability Boosts: Dexterity or Wisdom, and Constitution
Trained Skill: Stealth
Additional Lore: Underworld Lore
Feat: Streetwise
Special: Once per day, you can automatically pass a simple coded message to an ally without detection (as long as you can speak or write).

Concordian Black Market Fixer

You spent your formative years working deals in the bustling, illicit bazaars of Concordia’s markets or hidden cove dens. You know how to spot a good deal, where to find forbidden wares, and how to judge who can be trusted (if anyone).

Ability Boosts: Charisma or Intelligence, and Dexterity
Trained Skill: Deception
Additional Lore: Black Market Lore
Feat: Bargain Hunter
Special: Once per day, you can secure a rare or illegal item (of your level or lower) in a major settlement or port, given enough time and contacts, though you may attract some unwanted attention.

Bureau Custodian Trainee

You were recruited or volunteered as a field assistant or apprentice to the Bureau of Unusual Affairs, trained to investigate and contain the strange and the supernatural.

Ability Boosts: Wisdom or Intelligence, and Dexterity
Trained Skill: Occultism
Additional Lore: Bureau of Unusual Affairs Lore
Feat: Recognize Spell
Special: You always know the general direction of the nearest exit, portal, or escape route in a building or settlement (GM’s discretion).

Sky Pirate Runaway

You once served (willingly or not) aboard a notorious pirate airship, learning the ways of the sky’s outlaws before escaping or defecting. You know how to spot a trap, sense betrayal, and talk your way off a plank.

Ability Boosts: Dexterity or Charisma, and Strength
Trained Skill: Acrobatics
Additional Lore: Airship Lore
Feat: Cat Fall
Special: If you fall from an airship or other height, you can attempt a DC 15 flat check to grab a rope, net, or ledge (if present) as a reaction.

Virtue Militant Initiate

You have completed the first steps of training as a Virtue Militant, learning discipline, doctrine, and the basics of enforcing church law.

Ability Boosts: Strength or Charisma, and Wisdom
Trained Skill: Religion
Additional Lore: Holy Church of Revelation Lore
Feat: Intimidating Glare or Group Coercion (choose one)
Special: In settlements where the Church is respected, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to requests for shelter or basic aid.

Bedlam Junkyard Scavenger

You grew up picking through the wrecks and ruins of the Bedlam Dominions, learning to spot useful salvage, avoid mutant beasts, and jury-rig broken tech.

Ability Boosts: Intelligence or Dexterity, and Constitution
Trained Skill: Survival
Additional Lore: Salvage Lore
Feat: Forager
Special: Once per day, you can find or cobble together a common adventuring gear item from trash or salvage in a junkyard, scrapheap, or ruin.