Background - Revision history

Hailmur at 17:17, 29 October 2026

2026-10-29T17:17:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 29 October 2026
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	==Significance==		==Significance==
	Making a background for your character is arguably the single most important part of character creation - who you are and what you want to do in the world will usually be more important than your character's skills and abilities. This is because there are thousands of characters at each event - so what really matter is not what you can do but ''what you want to do''.		Making a background for your character is arguably the single most important part of character creation - who you are and what you want to do in the world will usually be more important than your character's skills and abilities. This is because there are thousands of characters at each event - so what really matter is not what you can do but ''what you want to do''.
			__TOC__
			In traditional fantasy literature, the story will often focus on events that have happened in the character's past or on circumstances of their birth or upbringing that make them unique. Commonly this results in a story where all sorts of things happen as a result of this unusual past; only at the very end will the hero or heroine suddenly take decisive action to resolve the plot.

	In traditional fantasy literature, the story will often focus on events that have happened in the character's past or on circumstances of their birth or upbringing that make them unique. Commonly this results in a story where all sorts of things happen as a result of this unusual past; only at the very end will the hero or heroine suddenly take decisive action to resolve the plot.
	~~__TOC__~~
	This model is nothing like the stories that happen in a fest game like Empire. At our events, the details of your character's past are rarely that important, and events won't simply happen as a result of your past allowing you to wait for the action to begin before you respond. Instead the focus is very much on the actions you choose to take as your character from the outset.		This model is nothing like the stories that happen in a fest game like Empire. At our events, the details of your character's past are rarely that important, and events won't simply happen as a result of your past allowing you to wait for the action to begin before you respond. Instead the focus is very much on the actions you choose to take as your character from the outset.

Hailmur at 17:17, 29 October 2026

2026-10-29T17:17:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 29 October 2026
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	<div ~~style="~~float~~:right; width: 750px; clear: right;"~~>{{CaptionedImage\|file=Backgrounds Page.jpg\|caption=Backgrounds are reviewed by the plot team, who may offer advice on helping you integrate yours with [[the setting]] of the game.\|align=right\|width=750}}</div>		<div {{float}}>{{CaptionedImage\|file=Backgrounds Page.jpg\|caption=Backgrounds are reviewed by the plot team, who may offer advice on helping you integrate yours with [[the setting]] of the game.\|align=right\|width=750}}</div>
	==Overview <sup>[[Setting_FAQ#Backgrounds\|FAQ]]</sup>==		==Overview <sup>[[Setting_FAQ#Backgrounds\|FAQ]]</sup>==
	Your character's background is a synopsis of who they are and what motivates them. It is a vital part of character creation that will serve to distinguish you from the other characters attending the event. If you are coming to the event with friends then it is also a really good idea to create a common group background.		Your character's background is a synopsis of who they are and what motivates them. It is a vital part of character creation that will serve to distinguish you from the other characters attending the event. If you are coming to the event with friends then it is also a really good idea to create a common group background.

Twiggy: /* What to Avoid */

2026-08-26T14:54:04Z

What to Avoid

Matt: /* Amending a background */

2026-04-16T13:00:03Z

Amending a background

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 16 April 2026
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	==Amending a background==		==Amending a background==
	You cannot use the website to change a character background once you have played your character at an event or a group background once a character has joined the group. If you need to change any details on a background then email [mailto:backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk] with any changes you want to make.		You cannot use the website to change a character background once you have played your character at an event or a group background once a character has joined the group. If you need to change any details on a background then email [mailto:backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk] with any changes you want to make.

	{{Player Rules Links}}		{{Player Rules Links}}

Hailmur: Not a suggestion, the field can only hold 2000 characters

2026-03-12T13:37:05Z

Not a suggestion, the field can only hold 2000 characters

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:37, 12 March 2026
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	==Creating a Personal Background==		==Creating a Personal Background==
	*'''A personal background is a brief biography of your character'''		*'''A personal background is a brief biography of your character'''
	*'''A personal background ~~should~~ be ~~no more than~~ 2000 characters in length (including spaces)'''		*'''A personal background can be up to 2000 characters in length (including spaces)'''
	*'''Please contact us at [mailto:backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk] if you want additional help or information when writing your background'''		*'''Please contact us at [mailto:backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk backgrounds@profounddecisions.co.uk] if you want additional help or information when writing your background'''
	*'''Please spellcheck your background before submitting it'''		*'''Please spellcheck your background before submitting it'''

Twiggy at 21:32, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T21:32:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:32, 4 March 2026
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	*'''Please spellcheck your background and oath before submitting them'''		*'''Please spellcheck your background and oath before submitting them'''

	A group background ~~summarizes~~ the history of your group, how it came into being and what it has done since its founding. Creating a group background can help develop a sense of what your group is, how the characters in the group relate to each other as well as provide you all with objectives and activities for fun at events. Detailed information about the campaign setting is presented on the Empire wiki and should provide a number of possible group types for each nation that might be very applicable to your group - some of these have their own pages that discuss how to create that type of group.		A group background summarises the history of your group, how it came into being and what it has done since its founding. Creating a group background can help develop a sense of what your group is, how the characters in the group relate to each other as well as provide you all with objectives and activities for fun at events. Detailed information about the campaign setting is presented on the Empire wiki and should provide a number of possible group types for each nation that might be very applicable to your group - some of these have their own pages that discuss how to create that type of group.

	===What to include===		===What to include===

Matt: /* What to Avoid */

2025-01-07T14:44:25Z

What to Avoid

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 7 January 2025
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	*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.		*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.
	*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. While the characters may not know of a relationship or link, the players should.		*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. While the characters may not know of a relationship or link, the players should.
	*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_In-character\|inappropriate references]]''' - ~~Themes~~ not ~~appropriate for Empire~~ include non-consensual sex~~; please do not include these references~~ in your background.		*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_In-character\|inappropriate references]]''' - do not include any references to non-consensual sex or sex with minors in your background; these are not appropriate for Empire.
	*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.		*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.
	*'''Law and Order''' - The Empire is an orderly place. Our NPC magistrates are equally happy to prosecute crimes that players have written into their character backgrounds as they are crimes they have committed on the field - there have been some high profile cases in which characters were executed for murders committed in their backgrounds.		*'''Law and Order''' - The Empire is an orderly place. Our NPC magistrates are equally happy to prosecute crimes that players have written into their character backgrounds as they are crimes they have committed on the field - there have been some high profile cases in which characters were executed for murders committed in their backgrounds.

Matt: /* What to Avoid */

2025-01-07T14:43:13Z

What to Avoid

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 7 January 2025
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	* '''Arranged marriages''' - People may marry for political reasons, but the idea that someone might feel they had the right to force someone to marry someone else against their will is laughable, and also a crime.		* '''Arranged marriages''' - People may marry for political reasons, but the idea that someone might feel they had the right to force someone to marry someone else against their will is laughable, and also a crime.
	* '''Death in childbirth''' - The Empire has very good [[Technology#Medicine\|medicine]], and while it's not unknown it's quite rare for someone to die in childbirth. It's also a subject that should be treated sensibly.		* '''Death in childbirth''' - The Empire has very good [[Technology#Medicine\|medicine]], and while it's not unknown it's quite rare for someone to die in childbirth. It's also a subject that should be treated sensibly.
	*'''[[Highguard_lineage_and_species_attitudes\|Highguard attitude to lineage]]''' - While Highguard "is not a generous nation to the less than fully human" it is not an oppressive state.
	*'''Longer backgrounds''' - we do not accept longer backgrounds by email. The limit is there for a reason.		*'''Longer backgrounds''' - we do not accept longer backgrounds by email. The limit is there for a reason.

Dre at 11:50, 29 January 2024

2024-01-29T11:50:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 29 January 2024
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	*'''Lineage''' - [[Lineage\|lineage]] is not a genetic inheritance and can occur in many ways. Individual lineages are passed on in different ways.		*'''Lineage''' - [[Lineage\|lineage]] is not a genetic inheritance and can occur in many ways. Individual lineages are passed on in different ways.
	*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.		*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.
	*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. ~~while~~ the ~~Characters~~ may not know of a relationship or link the players should.		*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. While the characters may not know of a relationship or link, the players should.
	*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_In-character\|inappropriate references]]''' - Themes not appropriate for Empire include non-consensual sex; please do not include these references in your background.		*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_In-character\|inappropriate references]]''' - Themes not appropriate for Empire include non-consensual sex; please do not include these references in your background.
	*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.		*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.
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	*'''Any shared identity, common purpose, or secrets that your group might have'''		*'''Any shared identity, common purpose, or secrets that your group might have'''

	Usually the most important part of a group background is a description of the community that you are from. Most groups will be the ~~defacto~~ leaders of a place - be it a Wintermark hall, a Highborn [[chapter]] or similar. This is particularly true if you are creating your own community that isn't marked on the map - but it is often possible to play the leaders of one of the smaller towns or settlements that is shown on the map if you talk to us first. Being a part of the world in this way can be really helpful if giving your characters a shared identity and a common purpose.		Usually the most important part of a group background is a description of the community that you are from. Most groups will be the de facto leaders of a place - be it a Wintermark hall, a Highborn [[chapter]] or similar. This is particularly true if you are creating your own community that isn't marked on the map - but it is often possible to play the leaders of one of the smaller towns or settlements that is shown on the map if you talk to us first. Being a part of the world in this way can be really helpful if giving your characters a shared identity and a common purpose.

	It's useful to include a short group history that describes any key events, but it's usually better to keep these events simple and focused on the key things that happened rather than going into too much detail. If your group has any important secrets, any common identity, or shared purpose then those are crucial details to include.		It's useful to include a short group history that describes any key events, but it's usually better to keep these events simple and focused on the key things that happened rather than going into too much detail. If your group has any important secrets, any common identity, or shared purpose then those are crucial details to include.

Spoondog at 11:32, 29 January 2024

2024-01-29T11:32:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 29 January 2024
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	*'''Lineage''' - [[Lineage\|lineage]] is not a genetic inheritance and can occur in many ways. Individual lineages are passed on in different ways.		*'''Lineage''' - [[Lineage\|lineage]] is not a genetic inheritance and can occur in many ways. Individual lineages are passed on in different ways.
	*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.		*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.
			*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. while the Characters may not know of a relationship or link the players should.
	*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_In-character\|inappropriate references]]''' - Themes not appropriate for Empire include non-consensual sex; please do not include these references in your background.		*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_In-character\|inappropriate references]]''' - Themes not appropriate for Empire include non-consensual sex; please do not include these references in your background.
	*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.		*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 26 August 2026
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	There are some common assumptions and errors about the Empire setting that are worth being aware of when you are creating your background so that you can avoid them.		There are some common assumptions and errors about the Empire setting that are worth being aware of when you are creating your background so that you can avoid them.

	*'''Language''' - ~~the~~ common tongue of the Empire, and the surrounding region, is called Imperial, which is phys-repped by the English language.		*'''Language''' - The common tongue of the Empire, and the surrounding region, is called Imperial, which is phys-repped by the English language.
	*'''Inheritance''' - ~~the~~ Empire is a meritocracy where there are no important titles that are inherited and where inheritance of wealth and property is rarely significant.		*'''Inheritance''' - The Empire is a meritocracy where there are no important titles that are inherited and where inheritance of wealth and property is rarely significant.
	*'''Lineage''' - [[Lineage~~\|lineage~~]] is not a genetic inheritance and can occur in many ways. Individual lineages are passed on in different ways.		*'''Lineage''' - [[Lineage]] is not a genetic inheritance and can occur in many ways. Individual lineages are passed on in different ways.
	*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.		*'''The Throne''' - Personal relationships with previous incumbents of the Throne are not appropriate background material.
	*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. While the characters may not know of a relationship or link, the players should.		*'''Other Player Characters''' - Personal relationships with other player characters should be cleared with the player in question before being included. While the characters may not know of a relationship or link, the players should.
	*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#~~Behaviour_while_In-character~~\|inappropriate references]]''' - do not include any references to non-consensual sex or sex with minors in your background; these are not appropriate for Empire.		*'''Avoid [[Playing_the_game#Behaviour_while_IC\|inappropriate references]]''' - do not include any references to non-consensual sex or sex with minors in your background; these are not appropriate for Empire.
	*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.		*'''Orphans''' - Please consider the [[Children#Guidelines_for_all_adults\|way children are raised and treated]] in the Empire when writing your background.
	*'''Law and Order''' - The Empire is an orderly place. Our NPC magistrates are equally happy to prosecute crimes that players have written into their character backgrounds as they are crimes they have committed on the field - there have been some high profile cases in which characters were executed for murders committed in their backgrounds.		*'''Law and Order''' - The Empire is an orderly place. Our NPC magistrates are equally happy to prosecute crimes that players have written into their character backgrounds as they are crimes they have committed on the field - there have been some high profile cases in which characters were executed for murders committed in their backgrounds.
Line 62:		Line 62:
	* '''Arranged marriages''' - People may marry for political reasons, but the idea that someone might feel they had the right to force someone to marry someone else against their will is laughable, and also a crime.		* '''Arranged marriages''' - People may marry for political reasons, but the idea that someone might feel they had the right to force someone to marry someone else against their will is laughable, and also a crime.
	* '''Death in childbirth''' - The Empire has very good [[Technology#Medicine\|medicine]], and while it's not unknown it's quite rare for someone to die in childbirth. It's also a subject that should be treated sensibly.		* '''Death in childbirth''' - The Empire has very good [[Technology#Medicine\|medicine]], and while it's not unknown it's quite rare for someone to die in childbirth. It's also a subject that should be treated sensibly.
	*'''Longer backgrounds''' - we do not accept longer backgrounds by email. The limit is there for a reason.		*'''Longer backgrounds''' - We do not accept longer backgrounds by email. The limit is there for a reason.

	It is particularly important to stress that you should think very carefully about including capital crimes that you have committed or are party to in your background. While such details might make your character seem special, if any evidence of your crimes comes to light in play then your character is very likely to be arrested and executed for the actions they took. Empire is a very legal society, and our NPC magistrates are equally happy to prosecute crimes that players have written into their character backgrounds as they are crimes they have committed on the field - there have been some high profile cases in which characters were executed for murders committed in their backgrounds.		It is particularly important to stress that you should think very carefully about including capital crimes that you have committed or are party to in your background. While such details might make your character seem special, if any evidence of your crimes comes to light in play then your character is very likely to be arrested and executed for the actions they took. Empire is a very legal society, and our NPC magistrates are equally happy to prosecute crimes that players have written into their character backgrounds as they are crimes they have committed on the field - there have been some high profile cases in which characters were executed for murders committed in their backgrounds.