Choose one of the following backgrounds to begin play with (no need to pay xp to gain it). These are also added to the list of advancements you may take from experience.
Adventurer
 Note: this background should be taken only by NPCs since PCs in Meskellian already have either it or its equivalent.
You gain competency with a weapon of your choice and specialize in checks made to negotiate pay for a job.
 In addition, you have the professional lingo, clout, and networking to both find out where the local adventurer hangouts are in any city of the Dodekapolis and find jobs at those hangouts.
Alchemist
You are competent with either alchemy or herbalism.
 In addition, once per session you can ignore Reflex stress that would cause you to lose balance, drop, or spill something.
Bureaucrat
You can get yourself and up to five other people into any facility or event without having to make a check of any kind unless one of those people actively sabotages the attempt (which they can also do without a check). This only gets you in the front door however; if you run into another access point (anything from a locked door to an unguarded area where only certain people are explicitly allowed), you’ll need to figure it out on your own.
 In addition, once per in-game week you can force an NPC to do something that is within their normal responsibilities without making a check. This action will not reduce that NPCs disposition towards you below Unfriendly.
Calculator
You are competent with abacuses and specialize in arcana checks made regarding mathematics.
 You also have 3 logic points which can be restored with a long rest. You can spend a point to gain advantage on a Curiosity check before it is rolled.
Chirurgeon
You are competent with butchery and weaving.
 In addition, you have resistance to stress from common diseases.
Engineer
You are competent in two crafts of your choice chosen from carpentry, masonry, and smithing, and have the siege weaponry specialty in either carpentry or smithing.
Noble
You have competency with social checks made against members of nobility and royalty.
 Choose a city. You are a minor member of a noble family in that city; work with your referee to determine the power, size, and disposition of this family.
 In addition, you may secure lodging for yourself and any companions in the home of any lesser nobility in your family, or among the citizenry of your city. You may also bill expenses to your family treasury. Note that abusing these powers may have dire consequences on your noble standing.
Researcher
You specialize in perception (Curiosity) checks made in dedicated places of study and research.
 Choose arcana, history, medicine, nature, psykana, or religion. Your training time for specialties in that skill are halved.
Savant
Choose arcana, history, medicine, nature (choose a plane), psykana, or religion. You have competency in that skill, and once per session can reroll a check for that skill.
Scribe
You are fluent in two common languages of your choice and have competency in calligraphy.
 Your writing times are halved.