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==Overview==
Each background ability is grouped into a type with similar abilities. Each of the studies represents a collection of book knowledge, for example, while each artisanal artisan background ability represents training in tools and the ability to create. Though they are grouped into types for conceptual and mechanical reasons, each background ability must be acquired separately. The individual background abilities follow the general rules presented here as well the any special rules associated with their type.
Each individual background ability possessed by a character has a grade associated with it that indicates how well the character can perform at it. This grade determines whether or not you need to make a check to complete a particular task, what your bonus on the check is, and how much more or less you can expect to earn should you work in the field during your downtime. The grade is generally advanced through the investment of downtime and an attribute check, though exceptions for higher leveled characters exist.
==Types==
===ArtisanalCraft===Artisinal background abilities Crafts represent acquired skill and knowledge aimed at the creation of a set of objects or creation from a set of materials. As there are many different materials and types of things to make, there are many different artisanal background abilities crafts in the world, and some may be more common in certain cultures.
A character that possesses an artisanal background ability a craft makes checks when attempting to create an item within their specialty. Generally a roll is only required when attempting to create items of a higher quality, as the bonuses are structured to allow the creation of grade appropriate items by taking 10.
If a character fails a background check with an artisanal ability a craft by less than 10 points, they have instead crafted an object of a lower grade. Grade II artisans attempting to create masterwork items don’t simply create junk when they fail the check they simply create a standard version of the item. They lose no materials other than fuel (if appropriate) and time; they may re-attempt the item by spending half as much as the normal creation time reworking it. Failing a background check by more than 10 indicates that the item is unusable and that half of the material used in its construction is damaged beyond salvage.
=====List of Artisanal Background AbilitiesCrafts=====The following list provides a number of example artisanal background abilities crafts as well as their time to improve, but it is by no means complete. The actual options available in game will depend on the campaign setting and culture.
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===LinguisticLanguage===Linguistic background abilities Languages represent acquired skill and vocabulary in a language. As there are a wide variety of creatures and cultures in the world, so too are there many languages to study and learn. Knowledge of the spoken words does not grant any ability to read or write the language however, and neither does literacy grant any ability to speak the language conversationally and understandably.
A creature that possesses the minimum grade in the spoken or written form of a language they is minimally proficient in it. They fail to understand almost all idioms and have a limited, if very functional, vocabulary. A creature that possesses a grade above the minimum is fluent in the language. While they may still miss the meaning of some idioms they otherwise converse or read and write in the language freely and have a large vocabulary. A creature that has attained the maximum grade in a spoken language is almost a native speaker of that language. Their accent is basically undetectable, they understand all but the most obscure or out of date idioms, and their vocabulary covers most of the topics in the language (though it may exclude technical jargon or obscure words that native speakers would need assistance with anyway). Note that some languages do not have a maximum spoken grade achievable by non-native speakers. These languages are spoken by beings with sufficiently different vocal apparatuses or conceptual frameworks as to make passing as a native speaker imposible.
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===OccupationalOccupation===Occupational background abilities Occupations represent a combination of academic knowledge and practical ability in fields that do not fit in one of the other types. It is a catch-all category that contains actors, clerks, farmers, torturers, valets, and many other skill sets that simply don’t fit well into the other groupings and don’t need or benefit from special rules.
Note that unlike the artisanal craft or studies background ability types, some of the occupational background abilities occupations have maximum grades less than IV. There are no Grade IV innkeepers, for example, as the skill set simply doesn’t support that level of refinement. The maximum grade of any particular occupational background ability is listed in its entry
=====List of Occupational Background AbilitiesOccupations=====The following list provides a number of example professional background abilities occupations as well as their time to improve, but it is by no means complete. The actual options available in game will depend on the campaign setting and culture.
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===ProficienciesProficiency===Proficiencies are background abilities that consist of knowledge and training in the proper way to wield a weapon or wear a suit of armor. While weapon and armor proficiencies are technically combat related and are handled by the class system, they are also extremely non-magical abilities that anyone of any level can potentially pick up with enough practice, which is a good fit with the other background abilities. The ability to wield them well is still strongly tied to level , of course.
To acquire a new proficiency, you simply spend the time required for each grade and make the appropriate checks. If you meet the prerequisites of a proficiency, you may skip the earlier grades and simply put in the time needed based on the final grade. For example, if you possessed a +2 base attack bonus and proficiency in a similar martial weapon you could skip Grades I and II when attempting to learn an exotic weapon. You would only need to put in the time and rolling that advancing from Grade II to Grade III requires.
