If desired, a player may choose a background for their character. Backgrounds represent important skills and information gained during formative years prior to becoming an adventurer. Only one background may be chosen and once picked it may not be changed. The available backgrounds and the benefits they grant are as follows:
You are a member (possibly illegitimate) of a noble family.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge (nobility and royalty), and Sense Motive. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You were a poor wretch dependent on the generosity (or gullibility) of others.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Bluff, Knowledge (local), Profession (beggar), and Survival. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You are a member of the literate class.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Decipher Script, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (religion), and Profession (accountant, lawyer, scribe, or student). Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You were a farmer or laborer.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Craft, Handle Animal, Profession, and Ride. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You were an outlaw.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Hide, Intimidate, Move Silently, and Sleight of Hand. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You were a professional performer.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Diplomacy, Knowledge (local), and Perform (any two). Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You lived a solitary life of religious contemplation.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Craft (any), Knowledge (any), Survival, and any one skill of your choice. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You are a skilled forester.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Knowledge (nature), Listen, Spot, and Survival. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You are a member of the knightly class.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Handle Animal, Knowledge (nobility and royalty), Ride, and Survival. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You are a common soldier or mercenary.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Intimidate, Listen, Spot, and Profession (soldier)l. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You belonged to a religious order of wandering friars.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Diplomacy, Knowledge (religion), Heal, and Perform (oratory). Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You sold goods for a living.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Appraise, Bluff, Gather Information, and Sense Motive. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You have trained in the lay priesthood of the Church of the Five
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Decipher Script, Diplomacy, Knowledge (history), and Knowledge (religion). Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.
You patrolled the streets of a town.
Benefit: At 1st-level you gain 4 skill points to divide as you wish among Gather Information, Knowledge (local), Listen, Spot. Each level beyond 1st-level, you gain 1 additional skill point to place in any one of these skills. These are always class skills for you. These skill points replace the bonus skill points for being human.