Step 1: Determine Racial Ethnicity:
North America was a blended continent full of people from all over the world. Those who survived may have lost something of their culture, but such things tend to survive. In any case while most people area blend of many ethnicities, some show traits of one or more predominately. This table helps determine this if you don’t have a clear idea. Roll 1d100 and consult the table below.
- 01-05% Japanese/Korean
06-10% Pacific Islander
11-20% Polish, Slovak, Russian, Czech, Serbian, Croatian
21-30% Chinese/Southeast Asian
26-40% Black
41-55% Anglo
56-70% Hispanic
71-75% South European (Greek, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese)
76-80% North European (Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish)
81-85% Central European (French, German, Austrian, etc)
86-90% Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic
91-95% Indian, Pakastani
95-00% Roll twice, combine.
Step 2: Determine Background Origin and Social Status.
Roll 1d100 or choose where you are from.
- 01-05% Refugee
06-15% Iron Heart
16-35% Free Quebec
36-45% Chi-Town (Illinois)
56-55% Chi-Town (Iowa)
56-60% Mercenary or Bandit
61-70% Missouri
71-74% Whykin
75-77% Fort Eldorado
78-80% Newtown
81-98% Lone Star
99-00% Independent Town or Village
Parents
Some origins specifically mention what happens to your parents. Some do not. Those that do not, you may optionally roll on or choose a result from the following table.
- 01-70% Both Parents are living.
71-00% Something has happened to one or both parents- 01-10% Your parent(s) died in warfare.
11-20% Your parent(s) died in an accident.
21-30% Your parent(s) were murdered.
31-40% Your parent(s) have amnesia and don’t remember you.
41-50% You never knew your parent(s).
51-60% Your parent(s) are in hiding to protect you.
61-70% You were left with relatives for safekeeping.
71-80% You grew up on the street and never had parents.
81-90% Your parent(s) gave you up for adoption.
91-00% Your parent(s) sold you for money.
- 01-10% Your parent(s) died in warfare.
These tables do not preclude the option of having siblings. Note that having siblings does not necessarily make them your biological siblings. You may have up to 6 brothers/sisters.
Roll 1d10. 1-6 is the number of siblings you have. 7-10 means you are an only child.
If your background includes time in an orphanage, simply ignore the only child result, and (optionally) add 5 to the roll. This represents the children that have made an impact (for good or ill) on your early life.
For each sibling, roll 1d100. On an even result, the sibling is male, on an odd result the sibling is female.
Roll age, relative to yourself.
- 01-50% Older
51-95% Younger
96-00% Twin
- 01-20% Sibling dislikes you.
21-40% Sibling likes you.
41-60% Sibling is neutral.
61-80% Sibling hero-worships you.
81-00% Sibling hates you!
Refugee
Non-Citizen
01-14% Homeless Some come to the military because they have a sense of duty driving them. For others, its simply better than sleeping in the streets, or dodging from one derelict building to the next. This is how you grew up. On the plus side, you really appreciate where you are now, and what you have. You’re also good at making due with minimal resources.
15-49% ‘Burbie – You grew up in the ‘burbs surrounding one of the megacities. You know what it is to struggle. You joined the military to get you and yours into the city as a citizen. The only way to get the benefits is to serve the State faithfully for your allotted time. You spent your childhood life on the street. You are illiterate.
50-79% Worker Whether it’s a shop keep in a small town, a factory worker in the ‘burbs, or a wandering operator on the roads, the life of a non-citizen can be rough. You joined to better your lot and life.
80-89% War Orphan Your family was killed in some military action or another. You were taken in as a ward of the state. You grew up in a government or private orphanage, and you learned quickly that it was better to get out and into the military than it was into the streets. If you are psychic, you were sent to a Psychic Registration Program Orphanage and may choose to receive Psi-Battalion Training as a bonus school during Training. If you are a minor Psychic, you may choose instead to become a major psychic.
90-00% Criminal Not everyone can be a law abiding citizen, or even just a citizen. Whether out of boredom, a desire for more wealth, or falling in with the wrong crowd, you grew up in the underbelly of the megacities, or among the black market in the surrounding towns. Either way, such a life can color your perceptions. Joining the army was a good way out of the life, or a good way to make connections to make such a life more bearable again at a later date.
CS Citiy-States
Iron Heart, Free Quebec, Chi-Town (Illinois/Iowa), Missouri, Fort Eldorado, Lone Star.
01-02% Corporate Owner Your family owned one of the large manufacturing or servicing firms that hold government contracts for a variety of goods and services. Despite what the plebeians think, nothing is free, and someone has to profit from it. You are on the fast track for real rank in the military, but you can just as easily get into the family business, if you’re really motivated. You are on the fast track for real rank in the military, but you can just as easily get into the family business, of you’re really motivated. You are considered one of the Elite of C.S. society.
03-04% Corporate Manager The owners of the big companies have long moved past the day to day running of their holdings, and like the stewards of medieval society, the managers are the real power in the local sense. It is their heads on the chopping block when things are going bad, and their pockets that get lined when things are going well. Your family held this position. Some may call you middle men, but you prefer to think of the job as that of a facilitator.
05-09% Corporate Technician Your family was highly skilled, and you grew up in a well to do, though not rich lifestyle. You wanted for no necessity, but you didn’t always get what you wanted either. You’re used to making due with what you have, but not to the point of fixing something that is broken beyond service.
10-44% Non-Citizen
01-14% Homeless Some come to the military because they have a sense of duty driving them. For others, its simply better than sleeping in the streets, or dodging from one derelict building to the next. This is how you grew up. On the plus side, you really appreciate where you are now, and what you have. You’re also good at making due with minimal resources.
15-49% ‘Burbie You grew up in the ‘burbs surrounding one of the megacities. You know what it is to struggle. You joined the military to get you and yours into the city as a citizen. The only way to get the benefits is to serve the State faithfully for your allotted time.
50-79% Worker Whether it’s a shop keep in a small town, a factory worker in the ‘burbs, or a wandering operator on the roads, the life of a non-citizen can be rough. You joined to better your lot and life.
80-89% War Orphan Your family was killed in some military action or another. You were taken in as a ward of the state. You grew up in a government or private orphanage, and you learned quickly that it was better to get out and into the military than it was into the streets. If you are psychic, you were sent to a Psychic Registration Program Orphanage and may choose to receive Psi-Battalion Training as a bonus school during Training. If you are a minor Psychic, you may choose instead to become a major psychic. You still lived as above, but you have other options later in life. You are illiterate.
90-00% Criminal Not everyone can be a law abiding citizen, or even just a citizen. Whether out of boredom, a desire for more wealth, or falling in with the wrong crowd, you grew up in the underbelly of the megacities, or among the black market in the surrounding towns. Either way, such a life can color your perceptions. Joining the army was a good way out of the life, or a good way to make connections to make such a life more bearable again at a later date.
45-74% Citizen
01-14% Criminal Not everyone can be a law abiding citizen. Whether out of boredom, a desire for more wealth, or falling in with the wrong crowd, you grew up in the underbelly of the megacities, or among the black market in the surrounding towns. Either way, such a life can color your perceptions.
15-44% City Blue Collar Worker Whether it was a factory worker, construction worker, mechanic, or any of a host of other manual and lightly skilled labor jobs, your family made due with dirty, but rewarding work. Time off was spent enjoying as best you could. You didn’t have the nice things, but you had good enough “toys”, and you know how to have a good time with nothing but a bonfire and a bunch of friends.
45-74% Farmer/Rancher/Fisherman Your family provided the food to feed the masses, and while the work was hard, the family unit was tight. Maybe you joined out of duty; maybe you joined so you could see more than your family’s farm before you died. Whatever the reason, you left that world behind. Still, you know how to have a good time with nothing but a bonfire and a bunch of friends.
75-89% Small Town Worker Not everyone grows up in the megacities. Sometimes you just live in a small town, and your family might run the local operator’s shop, or perhaps your parents are carpenters. Either way, you knew everyone, and how things would happen. Not a bad life, but it can be boring.
90-00% City White Collar Worker Your family worked in one of the lower paying, but still nice jobs like being merchants, low grade technicians, medical and business professionals, and more. Long hours were rewarded with decent pay, and time off that was cram packed with activities. Still there are definitely worse ways to live.
75-84% Military Enlisted Your family was one of the many thousands of day to day soldiers who make up the Coalition Military. For their tours you never saw them, but you loved them that much more when they were there – or at least you tried to. The life of enlisted families can be harsh sometimes.
85-89% Military Technician/Officer Your family was highly skilled and well positioned in the CS Military, and you grew up in a well to do, though not rich lifestyle. You wanted for no necessity, but you didn’t always get what you wanted either. You’re used to making due with what you have, but not to the point of fixing something that is broken beyond service.
90-94% Military Command You grew up on a military base, with one or more of your parents in a command position. You know the headaches associated with command, but you also know the benefits. You’ve never needed anything in your life, but you’ve wanted plenty. Still, it was hardly a bad youth, if it was a bit transient.
95-98% Political Elite Your family are among the movers and shakers of Coalition Society. No one understands the world you come from, nor can they. They only see the privilege, they don’t see how cut throat and ruthless it can be, always maneuvering and dodging. You may be on the fast track for real rank in the military, but you will have to fight your way there. You are considered one of the Elite of C.S. society.
99-00% Choose one.
Mercenary
Non-Citizen
01-14% Homeless Some come to the military because they have a sense of duty driving them. For others, its simply better than sleeping in the streets, or dodging from one derelict building to the next. This is how you grew up. On the plus side, you really appreciate where you are now, and what you have. You’re also good at making due with minimal resources.
15-49% ‘Burbie You grew up in the ‘burbs surrounding one of the megacities. You know what it is to struggle. You joined the military to get you and yours into the city as a citizen. The only way to get the benefits is to serve the State faithfully for your allotted time..
50-79% War Orphan Your family was killed in some military action or another. You were taken in as a ward of the state. You grew up in a government or private orphanage, and you learned quickly that it was better to get out and into the military than it was into the streets. If you are psychic, you were sent to a Psychic Registration Program Orphanage and may choose to receive Psi-Battalion Training as a bonus school during Training. If you are a minor Psychic, you may choose instead to become a major psychic.
80-84% Criminal Not everyone can be a law abiding citizen, or even just a citizen. Whether out of boredom, a desire for more wealth, or falling in with the wrong crowd, you grew up in the underbelly of the megacities, or among the black market in the surrounding towns. Either way, such a life can color your perceptions. Joining the army was a good way out of the life, or a good way to make connections to make such a life more bearable again at a later date.
85-91% Mercenary Technician/Officer Your family was highly skilled and well positioned in a mercenary organization, and you grew up in a well to do, though not rich lifestyle. You wanted for no necessity, but you didn’t always get what you wanted either. You’re used to making due with what you have, but not to the point of fixing something that is broken beyond service.
92-00% Mercenary Command You grew up in a mercenary band, with one or more of your parents in a command position. You know the headaches associated with command, but you also know the benefits. You’ve never needed anything in your life, but you’ve wanted plenty. Still, it was hardly a bad youth, if it was a bit transient.
Whykin/Newtown
Non-Citizen
01-02% Corporate Owner Your family owned one of the large manufacturing or servicing firms that hold government contracts for a variety of goods and services. Despite what the plebeians think, nothing is free, and someone has to profit from it. You are on the fast track for real rank in the military, but you can just as easily get into the family business, if you’re really motivated. You are considered one of the Elite of C.S. society.
03-04% Corporate Manager The owners of the big companies have long moved past the day to day running of their holdings, and like the stewards of medieval society, the managers are the real power in the local sense. It is their heads on the chopping block when things are going bad, and their pockets that get lined when things are going well. Your family held this position. Some may call you middle men, but you prefer to think of the job as that of a facilitator.
05-09% Corporate Technician Your family was highly skilled, and you grew up in a well to do, though not rich lifestyle. You wanted for no necessity, but you didn’t always get what you wanted either. You’re used to making due with what you have, but not to the point of fixing something that is broken beyond service.
10-14% Homeless Some come to the military because they have a sense of duty driving them. For others, its simply better than sleeping in the streets, or dodging from one derelict building to the next. This is how you grew up. On the plus side, you really appreciate where you are now, and what you have. You’re also good at making due with minimal resources.
15-29% ‘Burbie You grew up in the outskirts of Whykin. You know what it is to struggle. You joined the military to get you and yours into the city as a citizen. The only way to get the benefits is to serve the State faithfully for your allotted time.
30-49% Worker Whether it’s a shop keep in a small town, a factory worker in the ‘burbs, or a wandering operator on the roads, the life of a non-citizen can be rough. You joined to better your lot and life.
50-79% Farmer/Rancher/Fisherman Your family provided the food to feed the masses, and while the work was hard, the family unit was tight. Maybe you joined out of duty; maybe you joined so you could see more than your family’s farm before you died. Whatever the reason, you left that world behind. Still, you know how to have a good time with nothing but a bonfire and a bunch of friends.
80-89% War Orphan Your family was killed in some military action or another. You were taken in as a ward of the state. You grew up in a government or private orphanage, and you learned quickly that it was better to get out and into the military than it was into the streets. If you are psychic, you were sent to a Psychic Registration Program Orphanage and may choose to receive Psi-Battalion Training as a bonus school during Training. If you are a minor Psychic, you may choose instead to become a major psychic.
90-94% Criminal Not everyone can be a law abiding citizen, or even just a citizen. Whether out of boredom, a desire for more wealth, or falling in with the wrong crowd, you grew up in the underbelly of the megacities, or among the black market in the surrounding towns. Either way, such a life can color your perceptions. Joining the army was a good way out of the life, or a good way to make connections to make such a life more bearable again at a later date.
95-98% Political Elite Your family are among the movers and shakers of Whykin Society. No one understands the world you come from, nor can they. They only see the privilege, they don’t see how cut throat and ruthless it can be, always maneuvering and dodging. You may be on the fast track for real rank in the military, but you will have to fight your way there.
99-100% Player Choice
Independant Town/Village
Non-Citizen
01-14% Homeless Some come to the military because they have a sense of duty driving them. For others, its simply better than sleeping in the streets, or dodging from one derelict building to the next. This is how you grew up. On the plus side, you really appreciate where you are now, and what you have. You’re also good at making due with minimal resources.
15-49% ‘Burbie You grew up in the ‘burbs surrounding one of the megacities. You know what it is to struggle. You joined the military to get you and yours into the city as a citizen. The only way to get the benefits is to serve the State faithfully for your allotted time.
50-79% Worker Whether it’s a shop keep in a small town, a factory worker in the ‘burbs, or a wandering operator on the roads, the life of a non-citizen can be rough. You joined to better your lot and life.
80-89% War Orphan Your family was killed in some military action or another. You were taken in as a ward of the state. You grew up in a government or private orphanage, and you learned quickly that it was better to get out and into the military than it was into the streets. If you are psychic, you were sent to a Psychic Registration Program Orphanage and may choose to receive Psi-Battalion Training as a bonus school during Training. If you are a minor Psychic, you may choose instead to become a major psychic.
90-00% Criminal Not everyone can be a law abiding citizen, or even just a citizen. Whether out of boredom, a desire for more wealth, or falling in with the wrong crowd, you grew up in the underbelly of the megacities, or among the black market in the surrounding towns. Either way, such a life can color your perceptions. Joining the army was a good way out of the life, or a good way to make connections to make such a life more bearable again at a later date.