Custom Backgrounds
The Background picker lists a Custom Background entry at the top. Choosing it opens the custom background builder, where a player builds a background from scratch. The counts the builder asks for come from Settings, and one setting removes the entry from the picker.
The builder
Section titled “The builder”The builder opens with a name and a description. A blank name falls back to a default. A summary of the selections is added above the description text.
Ability scores
Section titled “Ability scores”Each ability the system allows to be improved has a checkbox. The hint beside the heading shows how many to choose, the points to spend, and the cap per ability. Once enough boxes are checked, the rest lock.
Skill proficiencies
Section titled “Skill proficiencies”Every skill has a checkbox, and the rest lock once the required number is checked.
Tools and languages
Section titled “Tools and languages”Tools and languages each have a dropdown grouped by category. Each pick appears below as a removable chip, and a tool chip links to its item when the system has one. The dropdown locks once its count is reached. Either section is hidden when Settings grants none.
Origin feats
Section titled “Origin feats”Choose Feat opens the feat browser filtered to origin feats. The browser stays open for further picks and closes once the count is reached. Each chosen feat appears as a removable link. The section is hidden when Settings grants no feats.
Creating the background
Section titled “Creating the background”Create Background shows a warning listing what is missing until every section holds exactly its required count.
The background is saved to a world compendium named Hero Mancer 2, in a Custom Backgrounds folder. Only a GM can create that compendium, so build one custom background yourself before players use the builder. A player also needs the core Create Items permission to save one.
The generated summary links abilities and skills to their rules entries, and feats and tools to their items. Languages are plain text, and a last line lists the starting gold. The picker’s detail panel shows this description in place of a journal page.
The chosen abilities become an ability score improvement, which the player spends on the Advancements tab under the background’s name. The chosen skills, tools, and languages are granted outright, and each chosen feat is granted as an item. A custom background has no starting equipment, so its section on the Equipment tab offers only the starting gold.
Opening the builder clears the Background picker. Creating selects the new background, and cancelling leaves the picker empty.