Backstories

Backstories define the skills and restrictions of the colonist in question and may either enhance or impair the colonist's competence regarding specific skills.

Summary[edit]

All colonists will have a childhood backstory, but only colonists generated at age 20 or older will have an adulthood backstory. Teenage colonists that age naturally to 20 years old will not gain an adulthood backstory. Currently there are 36 childhood backstories and about 85 adult backstories. Several adult backstories are not available in the character creation phase, but can randomly appear on raiders and wanderers.

It was possible to buy an addon that allowed the addition of a backstory or character into the game. As a result, some backstories are always together, in a colonist that always has the same name. This can have the unintended situation of the same person returning to life multiple times.

These characters can be found at List of Player-created Pawns.

There are 301 such backstories, and they can be found here

The wiki cannot display them all on a single page due to technical reasons.

All of the generic backstories are displayed below, however individual sets of backstories can be found here, ordered by their file structure:

Random vs player-generated[edit]

The mechanism for selecting whether a given generated pawn will use a randomly selected set of backstories (a "shuffledBio") or use one of the player generated characters (a "solidBio") is complex.

First it checks what type of pawn it is. If its a regular pawn, there is a 25% chance it will attempt to give it a solidBio. If its a faction leader, it will always attempt to give it a solidBio.

Then there's a 50/50 roll performed and it either:

Randomly shuffles the list of ALL pawnbios; or
Picks 20 pawn bios at random.

Once it has either list it then goes looking for one that (in this order):

Is the right gender (if one is specifically set as required)
It has the right last name (if required),
If the pawn to be created is a faction leader - that the bio has the pirateKing tag. Only pirateKings can be faction leaders.
That it has the correct backstoryCategories for the pawn its attempting to generate (i.e. Pirate, Offworld, ImperialRoyal etc.)
That the bio hasn't been used already (to prevent duplicate Humps running around)
That the backstories don't disable any workTags tagged as required (if any are so tagged)

If this fails for all the pawnBios in whichever list it chose, then it defaults back to the shuffledBios.

If it succeeds and it picks Tynan's solidBio, then it attempts to pick a different bio 50% of the time, and if it rolls that 50% but fails to pick a new one, it just defaults a shuffledBio.

Backstory List[edit]

Generic adult backstories[edit]

Title (Short Title)	Description	Skill Modifications	Work types	Traits	Bodytype
House Servant (Servant)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a low-level servant in a royal house. [PAWN_pronoun] cleaned rooms and moved items as directed by the senior staff, while attempting to remain invisible to the lords and ladies of the house.	Cooking: +3 Construction: +3 Mining: +4	+ManualDumb	-
Head Butler (Butler)	[PAWN_nameDef] was the head servant in a royal house. [PAWN_pronoun] managed the other servants to ensure the lord's will was done, even before the lord knew what it was.	Social: +4 Cooking: +3 Crafting: +2	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled +Social	-
Royal Masseuse (Masseuse)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a massage artist for an extended royal house. [PAWN_pronoun] serviced many members of the royal family, and their guests. [PAWN_nameDef] occasionally offered something extra, if the lord or lady was in the mood. Advancing in this line of work meant having refined social skills.	Social: +6	-	Beautiful
Menagerie Keeper (Zookeeper)	[PAWN_nameDef] managed the royal menagerie of a powerful family at their estate. [PAWN_nameDef]'s job saw [PAWN_pronoun] feeding elephants, tranquilizing lions, and training birds to display their plumage to titled visitors.	Animals: +8	+Animals	Beautiful
Ballet Dancer (Dancer/Ballerina)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a dancer in a traditional ballet troupe. [PAWN_pronoun] mastered the ancient motions and entertained thousands.	Social: +3 Melee: +3	+Social	Nimble
Ornament Maker (Ornamenter)	[PAWN_nameDef] crafted watches, medals, machined jewelry and other complex curios for royal patrons.	Crafting: +5 Artistic: +5	+Artistic +ManualSkilled	-
Royal Cook (Cook)	[PAWN_nameDef] made meals for [PAWN_possessive] aristocratic patrons. Only the finest food was acceptable, so [PAWN_nameDef] tended a small garden on the mansion grounds to get the freshest herbs and vegetables. [PAWN_pronoun] fell in love with the food [PAWN_objective]self.	Cooking: +7 Plants: +2	+Cooking +PlantWork	Gourmand
Imperial Priest (Priest/Priestess)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a priest in the imperial church. [PAWN_pronoun] spent half [PAWN_possessive] time studying books to understand the relationship between God's aspects and the facets of [PAWN_possessive] society. The other half was spent preaching the evils of sloth and drink.	Social: +5 Intellectual: +5	+Social +Intellectual	Teetotaler
Imperial Inquisitor (Inquisitor/Inquisitress)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an inquisitor in the imperial church's anti-heresy school. [PAWN_nameDef] hunted unorthodox thoughts wherever they could be found - art, music, code, even private conversations. Upon finding deviance, [PAWN_pronoun] exposed it to bring on the punishment of the collective. And [PAWN_pronoun] could always find the deviance if [PAWN_pronoun] looked hard enough.	Social: +4 Intellectual: +4	+Social +Intellectual	Abrasive
Church Psychic (Psychic)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a psychic in the imperial church's psychic school. [PAWN_nameDef] trained [PAWN_possessive] mind to sense the collective emotions and impressions of the people. It was a way to touch the spirit of the empire. It was also a way to root out heretical trends in thought.	Social: +3 Intellectual: +5	+Social +Intellectual	Psychically Hypersensitive
Corporate Drone (Drone)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked in a very large office complex along with thousands of other suited drones. The work itself consisted of endless organizational drudgery and pointless meetings, punctuated by the occasional performance review.	Social: +2 Intellectual: +4	+Intellectual	-
Corporate Manager (Manager)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked in a massive open-plan office, ensuring that [PAWN_possessive] assigned team of workers stayed mostly on-task. The job was intensely political. In order to advance, [PAWN_nameDef] learned how to arrange things so [PAWN_pronoun] could take credit for work done by almost anyone.	Social: +6 Intellectual: +2	+Social	-
Corporate Fixer (Fixer)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a fixer for an energy corporation. [PAWN_pronoun] work required knowing when to push, when to pull, when to back down and when to strike. The job fit [PAWN_possessive] natural lack of empathy. While violence was unusual, [PAWN_nameDef] stayed prepared for anything.	Social: +4 Shooting: +3 Melee: +3	+Social +Violent	Psychopath
Planetary Miner (Miner)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a mining engineer for a major planetary mining corporation. [PAWN_pronoun] work kept [PAWN_objective] underground for weeks at a time, and [PAWN_pronoun] grew to appreciate the darkness.	Mining: +8	+Mining	Undergrounder
Mailman/Mail Carrier (Mailman/Mailwoman)	[PAWN_nameDef] carried mail on [PAWN_possessive] assigned routes. Sometimes [PAWN_pronoun] was even sent to deliver special packages to stylish corporate offices or mansions. [PAWN_nameDef] got pretty good at avoiding and fighting off angry dogs.	Melee: +4	-	Nimble
Assembler (Assembler)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked on factory assembly lines, putting together products with the help of robots.	Crafting: +7	+ManualSkilled	-
Builder (Builder)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked on construction sites, building everyday structures according to [PAWN_possessive] boss' instructions.	Construction: +7	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled	-
Crop Farmer (Farmer)	[PAWN_nameDef] ran a crop farm. [PAWN_pronoun] analyzed soil, agricultural equipment, weather patterns, and price trends to optimize the planting and harvesting of massive crop fields.	Plants: +8	+PlantWork	-
Livestock Farmer (Farmer)	[PAWN_nameDef] ran a livestock farm. [PAWN_pronoun] analyzed animal genetics, feed types, birth and slaughter methods, and price trends to optimize the raising of huge animal herds.	Animals: +7	+Animals	-
Line Infanteer (Infanteer)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an ordinary infanteer in an imperial battalion. Conscripted at a young age to add bodies the army, [PAWN_nameDef] learned the methods of fighting well enough to satisfy [PAWN_possessive] officers. However, [PAWN_pronoun] never quite understood what was going on around [PAWN_objective] enough to really believe in it.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +3	+Violent	-
Pious Soldier (Pious Soldier)	When not training or combat, [PAWN_nameDef] was often at the chaplain's side. [PAWN_pronoun] dedicated [PAWN_possessive] life to serving both [PAWN_possessive] lord and [PAWN_possessive] religion.	Shooting: +6 Melee: +4	+Violent	-
Infantry Engineer (Engineer)	Despite being in an infantry battalion, [PAWN_nameDef] rarely fired a gun. [PAWN_possessive] specialty was the rapid construction of defenses, traps, defensive installations, and sapping tunnels.	Construction: +6 Mining: +4	-	-
Infantry Medic (Medic)	[PAWN_nameDef] treated the combat wounds of [PAWN_possessive] fallen comrades.	Medicine: +7	-	-
Military Cook (Army Cook)	They say an army marches on its stomach. [PAWN_nameDef]'s job was to prepared chow to keep [PAWN_possessive] unit marching, no matter the conditions. The job required [PAWN_objective] to pay attention to both the nutritional and psychological needs of the troops.	Cooking: +7 Shooting: +2	+Cooking	-
Loyal Janissary (Janissary)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a janissary in a great lord's army. Even more than the other troops, [PAWN_pronoun] felt a sense of duty, and [PAWN_pronoun] drew [PAWN_possessive] life's meaning from the effort [PAWN_pronoun] put to fulfilling [PAWN_possessive] duty.	Shooting: +7 Melee: +4	+Violent	Industrious
Recon Sniper (Sniper)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a professional military sniper. [PAWN_pronoun] was trained to rapidly reach into unexpected firing positions, snipe key targets, and escape before enemies could pinpoint [PAWN_possessive] location.	Shooting: +9	+Violent	Jogger
Shipcracker (Shipcracker)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s role was to launch through the vacuum of space, land on the enemy ship's hull, punch holes to the interior, and conquer it in room-to-room combat. [PAWN_pronoun] became very good at wielding heavy cataphract weapons to cut both steel and flesh. [PAWN_pronoun] also developed a taste for the drugs [PAWN_pronoun] used to cope with the overwhelming stress.	Shooting: +3 Melee: +5 Mining: +4	+Violent	Chemical Interest
Broken Soldier (Soldier)	[PAWN_pronoun] was a strong soldier in a long war of succession. In [PAWN_possessive] final battle, [PAWN_possessive] unit was sacrified to cover a retreat. [PAWN_nameDef] watched [PAWN_possessive] comrades die and was the only survivor. The experience broke [PAWN_objective] inside, leaving [PAWN_objective] without the coping strategies to moderate [PAWN_possessive] emotions. [PAWN_nameDef] learned to draw in the hospital.	Artistic: +2	+Violent −Violent	Volatile
Intelligence Agent (Intel)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a high-ranking counterintelligence agent tasked with thwarting enemy spies.	Intellectual: +6 Social: +3	+Social +Intellectual	-
Deserter (Deserter)	After countless battles for a cause [PAWN_pronoun] did not believe in, [PAWN_nameDef] threw down [PAWN_possessive] arms and deserted. [PAWN_nameDef] lived in isolation, hunted by those [PAWN_pronoun] had deserted.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +2 Crafting: +2	+Violent	-
Warmonger (Warmonger)	[PAWN_nameDef] revelled in bloodshed. Soldiers who served with [PAWN_objective] were terrified of [PAWN_possessive] ferocity. They rarely socialized with [PAWN_nameDef], and [PAWN_pronoun] did not mind the isolation.	Shooting: +7 Melee: +4 Social: +-3	+Violent −Caring	Bloodlust
Infantry Officer (Officer)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an officer in an imperial battalion. [PAWN_pronoun] developed the social and combat skills to do [PAWN_possessive] job well and was respected by the men.	Social: +4 Shooting: +5	+Violent	-
Disgraced Officer (Officer)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an officer in an imperial battalion. [PAWN_pronoun] developed the social and combat skills to do [PAWN_possessive] job well and was respected by the men. When [PAWN_possessive] unit came under direct fire for the first time, [PAWN_nameDef] fled to a bunker and hid. [PAWN_pronoun] was demoted and never escaped the disgrace.	Social: +4 Shooting: +5	+Violent	Wimp
Military Commissar (Commissar)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an internal spymaster in an imperial army battalion. [PAWN_pronoun] made sure that the men were loyal, and did not fall back unless ordered. This made [PAWN_objective] unpopular, but [PAWN_pronoun] gained great skill at detecting the slightest dishonesty.	Shooting: +3 Social: +6	+Social +Violent	-
Artilleryman/Artillerywoman (Artilleer)	[PAWN_nameDef] loaded shells and aimed artillery to pound [PAWN_possessive] army's enemies from afar.	Shooting: +6 Melee: +1	+Violent	-
Demolitionist (Demolitionist)	[PAWN_nameDef] manufactured and planted explosives used to breach enemy defenses. Dealing with explosives every day taught [PAWN_objective] to keep a level head and steady hand.	Shooting: +4 Crafting: +4	+Violent	Steadfast
Firebomber (Firebomber)	[PAWN_nameDef] piloted a small fighter-bomber design specialized in spreading incendiary gel on flammable targets. Conditioned to love the sight of a target lighting up, [PAWN_pronoun] grew to love fire in all its forms - war, cooking, and even for cauterizing wounds in the hospital.	Shooting: +3 Cooking: +3 Medicine: +2	+Violent	Pyromaniac
Military Chaplain (Chaplain)	[PAWN_nameDef] stayed with the troops in training and in combat, administering to the dying and reinforcing the faith of the living. Like all imperial chaplains, [PAWN_pronoun] vowed never to fight [PAWN_objective]self. However, [PAWN_pronoun] acted as a medic and treated the wounded.	Medicine: +6 Intellectual: +2	+Caring +Intellectual −Violent	-
Royal Guard (Guard)	[PAWN_nameDef] guarded the personal palace of a powerful lord. While violence was rare, palace intrigue was constant. [PAWN_nameDef]'s work taught [PAWN_pronoun] to handle both words and guns.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +3 Social: +3	+Violent +Social	-
Propagandist (Propagandist)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a skilled artist and military propagandist. [PAWN_pronoun] created works of art depicting [PAWN_possessive] lords and armies fovourably.	Artistic: +6 Social: +2	+Artistic	-
Warmaster (Warmaster)	[PAWN_nameDef] was warmaster to a mid-level royal house. [PAWN_pronoun] oversaw military aspects of the family's strategy. On the rare occasion a battle occurred, [PAWN_nameDef] directed the military commanders.	Shooting: +2 Melee: +2 Social: +4 Intellectual: +4	+Violent	-
Regent (Regent)	When [PAWN_nameDef]'s family's ally was killed, and his young son inherited his throne, [PAWN_nameDef] was appointed as regent to rule in the child's stead. [PAWN_pronoun] oversaw diverse matters of house and title, from finances to war to greedy relatives intent on usurping the throne. [PAWN_nameDef] himself never abused [PAWN_possessive] position.	Social: +5 Intellectual: +4	Work types	-
Beastmaster (Beastmaster)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s family had more children than they had proper titles to inherit. Being of low rank in the birth order, [PAWN_nameDef] was given the honorary title of beastmaster. [PAWN_nameDef] managed the family's extensive menagerie. While [PAWN_pronoun] never worked hands-on with the beasts, [PAWN_pronoun] connected with them. Few others appreciated [PAWN_objective] the way they did.	Animals: +8	+Animals	-
Arts Patron (Patron)	[PAWN_nameDef] managed [PAWN_possessive] family's investments in the arts. [PAWN_pronoun] chose artists to patronize and worked with them to produce the expressions that most glorify [PAWN_possessive] family, the Imperial church, and the Empire itself.	Social: +5 Artistic: +5	+Social	Nimble
Spymaster (Spymaster)	As soon as [PAWN_pronoun] was old enough, [PAWN_nameDef] was given the post of spymaster for [PAWN_possessive] house. [PAWN_possessive] cold, calculating nature made [PAWN_objective] a natural at the arts of blade, poison, and betrayal.	Social: +4 Shooting: +3 Melee: +3	+Social +Violent	Psychopath
Landworker (Landworker)	[PAWN_nameDef] held the position of landworker in [PAWN_possessive] royal house. [PAWN_pronoun] managed the family's lands and all the resources on them - both agricultural and mineral. Though [PAWN_pronoun] would never work the machines [PAWN_objective]self, managing these enterprises required learning the methods of farming and mining in detail.	Plants: +6 Mining: +6	+PlantWork +Mining	-
Navy Scientist (Scientist)	Interstellar warfare is won by technology, so glitterworld navies are always at the peak of modern research. Even better, they occasionally find archotechnological artifacts floating in space. [PAWN_nameDef] worked in a navy lab.	Intellectual: +8	+Intellectual	-
Glitterworld Empath (Empath)	[PAWN_nameDef] found it easy to relate to others and mediate conflict. [PAWN_pronoun] was selected to train as an empath. The training intensified [PAWN_possessive] natural abilities, but [PAWN_pronoun] became unable to cause others pain.	Social: +8 Medicine: +2	+Social −Violent	−Psychopath
Glitterworld Surgeon (Surgeon)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked as a surgeon on a world mostly free of disease and human suffering, so [PAWN_possessive] job focused on elaborate and creative cosmetic surgeries. [PAWN_pronoun] understands human biology, deeply, but has never had to remove a tumour — or a bullet.	Artistic: +5 Medicine: +3 Social: +1	+Caring +Artistic	-
Novelist (Novelist)	[PAWN_nameDef] lived on a glitterworld, penning wildly successful novels. [PAWN_pronoun] lived a carefree lifestyle, spending [PAWN_possessive] days writing and [PAWN_possessive] nights partying - and has never done a day's manual labour in [PAWN_possessive] life.	Construction: −5 Mining: −5 Artistic: +8	+Intellectual −ManualDumb −Social	-
Charity Worker (Altruist)	Glitterworlds are havens of comfort for those lucky enough to live there, but [PAWN_nameDef] could not ignore the nearby trashworlds where the people suffered and starved. [PAWN_pronoun] spent [PAWN_possessive] life appealing for donations and supporting those in need.	Social: +6 Mining: −3	+Caring +Social −Violent	−Psychopath
Glitterworld Officer (Officer)	Though glitterworlds are peaceful places, they often remain prepared for war. [PAWN_nameDef]'s unit rarely saw any real action. Though [PAWN_pronoun] pursued [PAWN_possessive] artistic hobbies, [PAWN_possessive] subordinates preferred to entertain themselves by brawling, so [PAWN_nameDef] got good at breaking up fights.	Melee: +6 Artistic: +4	+Violent −ManualDumb	-
Biosphere Manager (Botanist)	[PAWN_nameDef] lived on a peaceful glitterworld where all menial work was done by robots, while the people mostly devoted themselves to leisure. [PAWN_pronoun] managed the plant and animal life of a sprawling park, where citizens came to admire nature's beauty.	Shooting: −4 Animals: +6 Plants: +6	+Artistic −ManualDumb −Crafting −Cooking	-
VR Designer (Game Dev)	[PAWN_nameDef] designed virtual reality simulations for glitterworld citizens. [PAWN_pronoun] put great effort into the details of [PAWN_possessive] virtual worlds, learning all [PAWN_pronoun] could about plant life to make [PAWN_possessive] landscapes as realistic as possible.	Construction: +3 Plants: +4 Artistic: +5	+Artistic −ManualDumb	-
Architect (Architect)	[PAWN_nameDef] designed the construction of buildings. On [PAWN_possessive] glitterworld home, the technical aspect of architecture was handled by an AI, whilst the labour was done by robots. This freed [PAWN_objective] up to push the artistic limits of his craft, but also meant [PAWN_pronoun] never had to get [PAWN_possessive] hands dirty.	Construction: +5 Artistic: +7 Crafting: −3	+Intellectual −ManualDumb	-
Sculptor (Sculptor)	[PAWN_nameDef] started off sculpting person-sized artworks, but [PAWN_pronoun] soon began to think bigger. With the help of mining robots, [PAWN_pronoun] learned how to carve huge monuments out of cliffsides. Soon the parks of the glitterworld where [PAWN_pronoun] lived were full of giant stone figures.	Plants: −4 Mining: +4 Artistic: +9	+Artistic −ManualDumb −Crafting −Cooking	-
Medieval Farm Oaf (Oaf)	Tilling, hoeing, guiding ox carts, pushing wheelbarrows. Digging ditches, planting seeds, predicting the harvest.\n\nMedieval-level farmers aren't educated in the usual sense, but they know a lot about growing plants without technology. That said, such a life leaves one essentially incapable of participating in intellectual, technology-driven activities.	Plants: +8 Mining: +3	+ManualDumb +PlantWork +Mining −Intellectual	-
Medieval Lord (Noble)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a lord on a preindustrial planet. [PAWN_pronoun] went to parties, managed the underlings, and even learned some swordplay.\n\n[PAWN_possessive] soft hands did not hold a work tool during that entire time. [PAWN_pronoun] considers manual labor to be beneath [PAWN_objective].	Social: +7 Melee: +5 Shooting: +5	+Social −ManualDumb −ManualSkilled	-
Medieval Minstrel (Minstrel)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a traveling entertainer on a medieval world.\n\n[PAWN_pronoun] could always be found telling stories or singing songs, and is capable of protecting [PAWN_objective]self from the dangers of the road. However, [PAWN_pronoun] was always conspicuously absent whenever there was hard labour to be done.	Social: +4 Artistic: +3 Melee: +2	−ManualSkilled −Hauling	-
Taster (Taster)	As the taster for a medieval king, any dish served at the royal table had to be sampled first by [PAWN_nameDef]. [PAWN_pronoun] lived a decadent lifestyle at court, getting fat and doing very little work.	Cooking: +7 Construction: −4 Crafting: −4	+Cooking −ManualDumb	-
Blacksmith (Blacksmith)	As a smith on a medieval world, [PAWN_nameDef] gained a reputation for the high quality of [PAWN_possessive] work. [PAWN_pronoun] wasn't bad at using the swords [PAWN_pronoun] forged either.	Shooting: −5 Melee: +4 Crafting: +6	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled −Intellectual	-
Message Carrier (Messenger)	On a medieval world, the fastest way to send a message is to give it to somebody on a horse and hope they survive the journey. [PAWN_nameDef] was that somebody.	Melee: +3 Animals: +4	−Intellectual	-
Medieval Doctor (Quack)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked as a doctor on a medieval planet. [PAWN_pronoun] firmly believes that most ailments can be cured with a little bloodletting.\n\n[PAWN_pronoun] was also a master anaesthetist, developing a specialty technique that involved a heavy blow to the head.	Melee: +6 Medicine: +1	+Caring	-
Herbalist (Herbalist)	[PAWN_nameDef] lived in the forest near a village. Though many of the villagers feared [PAWN_objective], sick villagers would come to [PAWN_objective] to purchase salves and poultices made from the herbs [PAWN_pronoun] grew in [PAWN_possessive] garden. [PAWN_pronoun] was happy to help them — for a price.	Plants: +4 Medicine: +4 Social: −2	+Caring +PlantWork	-
Medieval Sailor (Sailor)	[PAWN_nameDef] explored the oceans on a wooden ship, seeking out plant and animal specimens from exotic places, and occasionally fending off pirates. [PAWN_pronoun] loved the sea so much [PAWN_pronoun] refused to do all but the barest minimum of work on land, except to sell the treasures [PAWN_pronoun] collected.	Melee: +4 Social: +4 Animals: +4	+ManualDumb −ManualSkilled	-
Policeman/Policewoman (Policeman/Policewoman)	[PAWN_nameDef] kept the peace as a line officer in a municipal police force. [PAWN_pronoun] was trained in de-escalation, physical control, shooting, and other police skills.	Social: +3 Shooting: +4 Melee: +3	+Social +Violent	-	-
Chef (Chef)	[PAWN_nameDef] ran a high-class restaurant. [PAWN_pronoun] was famous among patrons for [PAWN_possessive] creative culinary specialties, and infamous among kitchen workers for [PAWN_possessive] casual disdain for grunt work.	Cooking: +6 Social: +2	+Cooking −Cleaning −ManualDumb	-
Housemate/Housewife (Housemate/Housewife)	As an adult, [PAWN_nameDef] kept house and cared for children while [PAWN_possessive] spouse worked.	Cooking: +3 Medicine: +3 Crafting: +2	+ManualDumb	-
Inventor (Inventor)	On [PAWN_possessive] homeworld, [PAWN_nameDef] worked as a moderately successful inventor. [PAWN_pronoun] developed several minor technologies.	Crafting: +5 Intellectual: +2	+Intellectual +Crafting	-
Teacher (Teacher)	[PAWN_nameDef] was educated in the liberal arts and taught at a public school. [PAWN_pronoun] was widely knowledgeable and well-liked by [PAWN_possessive] students.	Intellectual: +3 Social: +4	+Intellectual +Social	-
Civil Servant (Bureaucrat)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked as a low-ranking administrator for a moribund government bureaucracy. [PAWN_pronoun] is most at home filling out complicated paperwork and playing office politics.	Social: +3 Intellectual: +3 Construction: −2	-	-
Bartender (Barkeep)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked as a bartender in a seedy establishment. The job was one part drink-mixing, one part diplomacy, and one part head-bashing.	Social: +4 Melee: +2 Cooking: +2	+Social +Cooking	-
Conceptual Artist (Artist)	[PAWN_nameDef] was well-known in art circles on [PAWN_possessive] home world for [PAWN_possessive] unique and creative conceptual artworks. Nobody was sure exactly what [PAWN_pronoun] was trying to communicate, but [PAWN_possessive] pieces were highly valued by collectors.	Artistic: +8 Crafting: +1	+Artistic −Social −Caring −Hauling	-
Evangelist (Evangelist)	As a youth, [PAWN_nameDef] experienced a religious awakening. [PAWN_pronoun] decided to spend the rest of [PAWN_possessive] life spreading the word of [PAWN_possessive] deity, the beauty of its culture, and its unusual medical tradition.	Social: +4 Artistic: +4 Medicine: −3	+Social +Caring	-
Ascetic Priest (Priest)	After taking a vow of silence, [PAWN_nameDef] joined a monastery to spend [PAWN_possessive] days in quiet contemplation. [PAWN_pronoun] found happiness growing vegetables in the garden and making cheese in the monastery cellars.	Plants: +4 Medicine: +2 Cooking: +2	+PlantWork +ManualDumb −Violent −Social	Ascetic
Escaped Convict (Escapee)	[PAWN_nameDef] denies involvement in the crimes that brought about [PAWN_possessive] incarceration in a brutal penal colony. [PAWN_pronoun] escaped by tunneling beneath the perimeter using modified cutlery.	Mining: +4 Crafting: +2	+Violent −Caring	-
Nurse (Nurse)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked in a hospital, doing routine work such as changing bandages and taking temperatures. It was a busy job, but [PAWN_pronoun] could always find time for a chat with a patient.	Social: +4 Medicine: +5	+Caring −Violent	-
House Servant (Servant)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a domestic servant to wealthy homeowners. [PAWN_pronoun] got to know the kitchens and basements of [PAWN_possessive] master's mansion well, but never did any work outside.	Cooking: +4 Plants: −3 Mining: −3	+ManualDumb +Cleaning −Intellectual	-
Bodyguard (Bodyguard)	[PAWN_nameDef] protected whoever paid [PAWN_objective]. [PAWN_pronoun] gained proficiency in many different combat forms, and was known for [PAWN_possessive] ruthlessness against those who crossed [PAWN_objective].	Shooting: +4 Melee: +4	+Violent −Social	-
Mathematician (Math Prof)	[PAWN_nameDef] did mathematical research at a university. [PAWN_pronoun] spent much of [PAWN_possessive] spare time immersed in shooting simulations, though [PAWN_pronoun] was frequently ridiculed by other players for [PAWN_possessive] terrible aim.	Shooting: −3 Intellectual: +8	+Intellectual −ManualDumb	-
Paramedic (Paramedic)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s job was to respond rapidly to medical emergencies. [PAWN_pronoun] is used to dealing with severe injuries with only limited medical supplies. [PAWN_pronoun] treated so many gunshot wounds over the years that even seeing a gun made [PAWN_objective] uncomfortable.	Shooting: −5 Medicine: +6	+Caring +Violent	-
Gardener (Gardener)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked at the mansion of a powerful family, tending the lavish gardens as part of a team of servants.	Plants: +8	+ManualDumb +PlantWork −Intellectual −Crafting	-
Torturer (Torturer)	Working for a tyrannical dictator, [PAWN_nameDef] earned a reputation as an expert in 'persuasion.' Any prisoner who went down into the dungeons left with no secrets - and with [PAWN_nameDef]'s smile scarred permanently into their nightmares.	Melee: +6	+Violent −Social −Caring	Psychopath
Defector (Defector)	Early in [PAWN_possessive] adulthood, [PAWN_nameDef] decided to leave the oppressive dictatorship where [PAWN_pronoun] lived. [PAWN_possessive] defection was not well-received, and agents were sent out after [PAWN_objective]. [PAWN_pronoun] spent years on the run, treating [PAWN_possessive] own wounds so no doctor could betray [PAWN_objective]. The ordeal made [PAWN_objective] bitter and untrusting	Shooting: +5 Social: −4 Medicine: +3	+Violent +Caring −Artistic	-
Construction Engineer (Builder)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a construction worker. [PAWN_pronoun] lead a team which built everything from office blocks to cathedrals. [PAWN_possessive] busy job and numerous nearby fast-food outlets meant [PAWN_pronoun] never cooked for [PAWN_objective]self.	Construction: +8 Plants: −3	+ManualSkilled −Intellectual −Cooking	-
Rancher (Rancher)	[PAWN_nameDef] owned and operated a successful ranch where [PAWN_pronoun] raised animals for meat and wool. [PAWN_pronoun] refused to do any dumb labour [PAWN_pronoun] could pay someone else to do for [PAWN_objective].	Animals: +8 Cooking: −4 Mining: −4	+Animals −ManualDumb	-
Low-Wage Worker (Grunt)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked a variety of casual jobs to support [PAWN_possessive] family, gaining a set of basic hands-on skills.	Cooking: +4 Plants: +3 Crafting: +3	+ManualDumb +Cleaning	-
Model (Model)	[PAWN_nameDef] modelled clothes and jewellery for advertisers, and was also used as a physical blueprint for characters in virtual reality simulations.	Social: +5 Artistic: +6	+Social +Artistic −ManualDumb −Intellectual −ManualSkilled −Caring	Beautiful
Geologist (Geologist)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked with miners and cave-diggers, identifying rock types and natural formations. During [PAWN_possessive] years underground [PAWN_pronoun] also gained experience repairing drilling machines and other technical equipment.	Mining: +8 Crafting: +3	+Intellectual	-
Jailbird (Jailbird)	[PAWN_nameDef] spent most of [PAWN_possessive] life in prisons, where [PAWN_pronoun] was put to work in the kitchens. [PAWN_pronoun] had a habit of getting into fights, and developed an aggressive way of speaking.	Melee: +5 Cooking: +3	+Violent −Social −Caring	-
Actor (Actor)	[PAWN_nameDef] travelled with a company of actors, playing to packed theatres and loving audiences everywhere. [PAWN_pronoun] was a perfectionist, and made [PAWN_possessive] own props and costumes rather than use the ones [PAWN_pronoun] was given.	Social: +8 Crafting: +3	+Social −ManualDumb	-
Veterinarian (Vet)	[PAWN_nameDef] treated sick and injured animals for a living. Seeing their suffering affected [PAWN_possessive] stance on the practice of eating meat, and for many years [PAWN_pronoun] lived as a vegetarian.	Animals: +4 Medicine: +4 Cooking: −4	+Caring	-
Explosives Expert (Blaster)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an explosive engineer employed in mines. [PAWN_pronoun] took [PAWN_possessive] job very seriously and was well-versed in the technicalities - so much so that [PAWN_pronoun] refused to demean [PAWN_objective]self by helping with the clean-up once [PAWN_possessive] carefully-calculated explosion was complete.	Mining: +5 Intellectual: +5	+Violent −ManualDumb	-
Counselor (Counselor)	A terrifying trauma when [PAWN_nameDef] was a young adult caused [PAWN_objective] to develop a serious eating disorder. With counseling [PAWN_pronoun] learned to have a healthier relationship with food, and decided to put [PAWN_possessive] new skills to use helping others overcome their emotional problems.	Social: +9	+Social −Cookingtypes	-
Recruiter (Recruiter)	[PAWN_nameDef] was part of a revered order of martial artists, infamous both for their skill in combat and for their practice of refusing to treat their wounded. [PAWN_pronoun] travelled [PAWN_possessive] homeworld, judging the young people [PAWN_pronoun] met to determine if they might be suitable for training.	Melee: +5 Social: +5	+Social −Caring	-
Drifter (Drifter)	[PAWN_nameDef] never figured out what to do with [PAWN_possessive] life. [PAWN_pronoun] travelled often, taking up casual work wherever [PAWN_pronoun] found it. [PAWN_pronoun] also occasionally worked on a novel that [PAWN_pronoun] knew would be a bestseller - just as soon as [PAWN_pronoun] could find a publisher who was interested	Cooking: +3 Construction: +3 Artistic: −4	-	-
Machine Collector (Collector)	[PAWN_nameDef] was obsessed with old machines and arcane pieces of technology. [PAWN_pronoun] obtained them wherever [PAWN_pronoun] could, and loved taking them apart to see how they worked. [PAWN_pronoun] had a habit of talking about [PAWN_possessive] collection long after people around [PAWN_objective] had stopped listening.	Social: −3 Crafting: +6 Intellectual: +6	+Crafting	-
Con Artist (Con Artist)	[PAWN_nameDef] never created anything in [PAWN_possessive] life. [PAWN_pronoun] did, however, prove to be a natural at getting others to give [PAWN_objective] what they had created.	Social: +10	+Social −Violent	-
Factory Worker (Worker)	[PAWN_nameDef] did menial, unskilled work in an industrial factory. [PAWN_possessive] job also included caring for the mules and horses which transported the goods.	Animals: +3 Construction: +3 Crafting: +2	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled +Animals −Intellectual −Artistic −Cooking	-
Psychiatric Patient (Patient)	[PAWN_nameDef] spent most of [PAWN_possessive] adult life in an insane asylum. [PAWN_possessive] industrial homeworld had a poor understanding of mental illness, and [PAWN_pronoun] was treated more like an animal than a person. Though [PAWN_pronoun] eventually recovered and was released, [PAWN_possessive] experience dampened many of [PAWN_possessive] basic life skills.	Cooking: −2 Crafting: −2	−Social −Caring −Violent	-
Human Computer (Computer)	[PAWN_nameDef] turned out to have an excellent memory and a gift for performing complex calculations in [PAWN_possessive] head. An industrial-world dictator decided to employ [PAWN_nameDef] to keep track of [PAWN_possessive] state's finances and expenditure.	Shooting: +3 Intellectual: +7	+Intellectual −Artistic	-
Sheriff (Sheriff)	[PAWN_nameDef] was the law enforcer in an isolated industrial town. [PAWN_pronoun] dealt with petty crime, dispute resolution, and the occasional drunken saloon shootout.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +4 Social: +4	+Violent	-
Urbworld Entrepreneur (Entrepreneur)	In the urbworlds, most suffer. But someone has to run the corporations. [PAWN_nameDef] learned the skills of the trade - greasing palms and technical analysis. [PAWN_pronoun] is a sociointellectual machine.	Social: +6 Intellectual: +3	+Social	-
Joywire Artist (Joywirer)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked in an urbworld lab developing cutting-edge joywire software to maximize user pleasure. When the local government imposed harsh restrictions on joywire manufacturing, [PAWN_pronoun] began selling [PAWN_possessive] products on the black market.	Artistic: +3 Intellectual: +2 Medicine: +2	+Intellectual −ManualDumb	-
Mafia Boss (Boss)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a high-ranking member of an urbworld crime syndicate. [PAWN_pronoun] bribed officials, maintained the loyalty of [PAWN_possessive] subordinates, and extracted overdue payments - by any means necessary.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +3 Social: +4	+Social −ManualDumb −Caring −Cooking	-
Urbworld Drone (Drone)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked as a mindless construction drone on a massive urbworld. Though [PAWN_pronoun] is now freed from the brutal social experiments to which [PAWN_pronoun] was subjected, [PAWN_pronoun] remains incapable of creative thought and leadership.	Construction: +5 Mining: +4 Social: −2	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled −Artistic −Intellectual	-
Urbworld Rebel (Rebel)	Most of the people on [PAWN_nameDef]'s world gave up their individuality to join together in an online hivemind. [PAWN_nameDef] joined a rebel faction that rejected technology entirely.	Melee: +3 Construction: +3 Mining: +2	+ManualDumb −Intellectual −Crafting	-
Caveworld Illuminator (Illuminator)	Among tunnel-dwellers, those with vision as strong as [PAWN_nameDef]’s are revered as sages. [PAWN_pronoun] would lead the way, marking spots to dig with bioluminescent fungus and warning others of impending danger.	Mining: +3 Social: +2	+Mining +ManualSkilled	Undergrounder
Colony Settler (Settler)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a settler on a new colony world. Such a life requires a jack-of-all trades at basic hands-on tasks.	Construction: +4 Plants: +4 Mining: +4	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled	-
Deep Space Miner (Miner)	[PAWN_nameDef] did the sweaty, grimy work of pulling metal out of asteroids on a deep space rig. [PAWN_pronoun] used [PAWN_possessive] hands-on industrial skills daily - and wasn't bad in a bar fight either.	Mining: +7 Construction: +3 Melee: +2	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled	-
Starship Janitor (Janitor)	While other passengers pass the years between star systems in cryptosleep sarcophagi, [PAWN_nameDef] had to wake up at periodic intervals to perform inspections, check the navigation systems, and to oil the mechanoids.	Construction: +2 Crafting: +3	+ManualDumb +ManualSkilled	-
Castaway (Castaway)	[PAWN_nameDef] was the only survivor of a ship crash on an unhabited animal world. For many years until [PAWN_possessive] rescue [PAWN_pronoun] scrounged an existence out of whatever [PAWN_pronoun] could find. [PAWN_possessive] survival skills became razor-sharp, but spending so long alone severely dampened [PAWN_possessive] conversatial^[sic] abilities.	Melee: +5 Animals: +3 Construction: +4	+ManualDumb +PlantWork −Intellectual −Social −Artistic	-
Taxonomist (Taxonomist)	[PAWN_nameDef] travelled between star systems, studying and classifying the plant and animal life [PAWN_pronoun] found in the hopes of creating a complete catalogue.	Animals: +5 Plants: +5	+Intellectual −Violent	-
Space Tactician (Tactician)	[PAWN_nameDef] joined the space navy in an unstable system, fraught with large-scale interplanetary wars. [PAWN_pronoun] turned out to have a sharp mind for battle, and became adept at commanding combat units to great effect.	Shooting: +4 Intellectual: +4	+Intellectual −Social −Artistic	-
Hermit (Hermit)	Worn out by the pressures of social interaction, [PAWN_nameDef] left [PAWN_possessive] crowded city to live a simple life in the wilderness. There, [PAWN_pronoun] spent [PAWN_possessive] days alone, tending [PAWN_possessive] garden and crafting the simple tools [PAWN_pronoun] needed to survive.	Plants: +4 Crafting: +3 Construction: +1	+PlantWork +ManualDumb +Crafting −Social	Ascetic
Space Pirate (Pirate)	Piracy appears everywhere that governments are weak and society spread thin. [PAWN_nameDef] was part of this age-old part of human existence, extorting and smashing peaceful trade ships for profit.	Melee: +4 Shooting: +4	+Violent	-
Pit Brawler (Brawler)	[PAWN_nameDef] was nine years old when [PAWN_pronoun] got in [PAWN_possessive] first fight. [PAWN_pronoun] won, but more important was the enjoyment of [PAWN_possessive] audience. Pit fighting turned out to be a lucrative career for those who could survive it. And it was even mostly legal.	Melee: +8	+Violent −Intellectual −Caring	Brawler
Illegal Shipwright (Shipwright)	There is a law that says that you're not allowed to put terawatt-range grasers on a cargo scow. Especially if you hide them under what looks like a communications dish for better ambush potential. [PAWN_nameDef] discovered that there is great profit to be made, however, from those who are uninterested in these laws.	Construction: +7	+ManualSkilled	-
Gigolo/Courtesean^[sic] (Gigolo/Courtesean^[sic])	[PAWN_nameDef] was used for [PAWN_possessive] body by hundreds of customers in brothels on several planets. [PAWN_pronoun] gained some mental marks and a special kind of street smarts.	Social: +8 Melee: +3	+Social −ManualDumb −ManualSkilled	Beautiful
Space Marine (Marine)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a warrior in an Imperial navy. [PAWN_possessive] job was to punch into enemy starships, gun down the crew, and capture the ship intact. And [PAWN_pronoun] was good at it.	Melee: +5 Shooting: +7	+Violent	-
Assassin (Assassin)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a professional assassin. [PAWN_pronoun] was cold, calculating, and made a good profit. In this business, an utter lack of empathy was an asset.	Melee: +10 Shooting: +10	+Violent −Intellectual −ManualDumb −ManualSkilled −Social −Caring	Psychopath
Hunter (Hunter)	[PAWN_nameDef] tracked, trapped and killed animals for their meat and leather. [PAWN_nameDef] used both ranged and melee weapons. Sometimes, [PAWN_pronoun] hunted alongside animals.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +3 Animals: +2	+Violent +Animals	-
Logger (Logger)	[PAWN_nameDef] chopped trees and hauled their lumber back to the tribe. [PAWN_pronoun] wielded [PAWN_possessive] axe with the finesse of an artist and the force of a charging muffalo.	Plants: +6 Melee: +3	+PlantWork	-
Gatherer (Gatherer)	Using [PAWN_possessive] knowledge of plants, roots, and berries, [PAWN_nameDef] could find food in even the most barren landscapes. [PAWN_pronoun] stayed away from animals.	Plants: +8 Animals: −2	+PlantWork	-
Digger (Digger)	[PAWN_nameDef] carved living spaces and mined minerals from the sides of hills and mountains. [PAWN_pronoun] learned to feel at home picking through rock and shoring up cave walls.	Mining: +6 Construction: +2	+Mining	Undergrounder
Weaver (Weaver)	[PAWN_nameDef] was an expert at working wool, plant fibers and natural dyes into beautiful clothing for [PAWN_possessive] kin. [PAWN_possessive] handicrafts were traded frequently with other settlements.	Crafting: +6 Plants: +2	+Crafting	-
Framer (Framer)	[PAWN_nameDef] was responsible for erecting structures for [PAWN_possessive] fellow tribespeople to live in. This included both temporary structures for nomadic travel, and permanent settlements. Gathering building materials from local plant life was part of the job.	Construction: +6 Plants: +2	+ManualSkilled	-
Stew Keeper (Stewkeeper)	[PAWN_nameDef] prepared meals from the plants and animals brought in by gatherers, farmers, and hunters of [PAWN_possessive] tribe. [PAWN_pronoun] had to make sure it was calorie-efficient, long-lasting, and healthy. [PAWN_pronoun] often processed and sometime^[sic] gathered plants [PAWN_objective]self.	Cooking: +6 Plants: +2	+Cooking	-
Tamer (Tamer)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s role in [PAWN_possessive] tribe was to connect with the natural world around - especially the world of animals. In addition to fulfilling a spiritual role, [PAWN_pronoun] also tamed wild beasts and cared for them as they served the tribe.	Animals: +6 Social: +2	+Animals	-
Carver (Carver)	[PAWN_nameDef] carved artworks for [PAWN_possessive] tribe from wood, stone, and occasionally, more exotic materials. The work was sometimes sold, and sometimes kept to beautify settlements and provide a focus for rituals.	Artistic: +7	+Artistic	-
Healer (Healer)	After [PAWN_possessive] tribe’s elder healer was killed in a raid, [PAWN_nameDef] took on the role. [PAWN_pronoun] spent [PAWN_possessive] days scrounging up herbs and mineral compounds from the nearby area to use in surprisingly effective remedies.	Medicine: +5 Plants: +3	+Caring	-
Hearth Tender (Tender)	While the others were out hunting and foraging, [PAWN_nameDef] would stay at home to cook and take care of the young and sick.	Cooking: +4 Medicine: +3 Crafting: +2	-	Undergrounder
Warrior (Warrior)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a fearsome warrior, proficient with many weapons. [PAWN_pronoun] participated in many battles.	Melee: +4 Shooting: +4	+Violent	-
Archer (Archer)	[PAWN_nameDef] fought for [PAWN_possessive] tribe. [PAWN_pronoun] and specialized in the use of bows, pila, and other ranged weapons.	Melee: +2 Shooting: +7	+Violent	-
Brave (Brave)	[PAWN_nameDef] wielded ikwa, axes, clubs, and other close-ranged weapons in battles for [PAWN_possessive] tribe.	Melee: +7 Shooting: +2	+Violent	-
Scout (Scout)	Since [PAWN_possessive] tribe made contact with local outlanders, [PAWN_nameDef] contracted [PAWN_possessive] services out as a guide. Frequent contact with ancient technology made [PAWN_objective] comfortable with the lost machines.	Shooting: +2 Intellectual: +2 Social: +2	+Violent	Jogger
Vengeful Hunter (Vengeful)	Following the death of a close friend by animal attack, [PAWN_nameDef] hunted the beast responsible. [PAWN_pronoun] tracked it to a nearby village, only to find one of the villagers wearing its pelt.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +6	+Violent −Animals	-
Muffalo Shaman (Shaman)	Because of [PAWN_possessive] quiet wisdom and great strength, [PAWN_nameDef] became the spiritual guide for [PAWN_possessive] tribe. [PAWN_pronoun] had a special connection with the great spirit of the muffalo.	Melee: +5 Social: +2	-	-
Lore Keeper (Keeper)	[PAWN_nameDef] was one of a long line of lore keepers in [PAWN_possessive] tribe. Every night around the fire, [PAWN_pronoun] would pass on ancient knowledge and helpful wisdom through stories.	Intellectual: +2 Social: +3 Artistic: +2	+Intellectual	-
Loner (Loner)	[PAWN_nameDef] never much liked the tribal council or the yearly festivals. [PAWN_pronoun] preferred the open plain and the whistle of wind through the rocks. [PAWN_pronoun] visited [PAWN_possessive] tribe from time to time, but mostly took care of [PAWN_objective]self using [PAWN_possessive] own survival skills.	Shooting: +3 Melee: +2 Plants: +5 Construction: +1	−Social	-
Banished (Banished)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s tribe banished [PAWN_objective] following a bloody dispute. [PAWN_pronoun] survived in the wilds alone for a long time.	Melee: +3 Shooting: +2 Plants: +4	−Social	-
Malingerer (Malingerer)	[PAWN_nameDef] often feigned sickness in order to avoid [PAWN_possessive] responsibilities. While resting in the sick hut, [PAWN_pronoun] told stories to the children.	Intellectual: +2 Social: +5	−ManualDumb	-

Generic childhood backstories[edit]

Title (Short Title)	Description	Skill Modifications	Work types	Traits	Bodytype
Tribe Child (Tribal)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up in a tribe, running around the village, moving with the muffalo herds, learning essential skills from [PAWN_possessive] parents.\n\n[PAWN_pronoun] never learned to read and never saw a machine that wasn't an ancient ruin.	Plants: +2 Melee: +2 Shooting: +2 Intellectual: −3	-	-	-
Abandoned Child (Abandoned)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born sickly. Thinking that [PAWN_pronoun] would only burden the tribe, [PAWN_possessive] parents exposed [PAWN_objective] to the elements. Somehow, [PAWN_pronoun] survived.	Melee: +3 Crafting: +3 Social: −2	-	-
Reclusive Child (Reclusive)	[PAWN_nameDef] didn't learn to speak until [PAWN_pronoun] was nearly five years old. Even then [PAWN_pronoun] preferred to keep to [PAWN_objective]self. To the chagrin of [PAWN_possessive] caretakers, [PAWN_pronoun] made a habit of wandering off to live in the wilderness for weeks at a time.	Melee: +4 Crafting: +3	−Social	-	-
Herder (Herder)	[PAWN_nameDef] tended the muffalo herds, keeping them safe from predators and treating sick animals. It was quiet work, but [PAWN_pronoun] enjoyed being away from people.	Medicine: +3 Melee: +3 Social: −2	-	-	-
Scavenger (Scavenger)	[PAWN_nameDef] spent [PAWN_possessive] childhood escaping grunt work to go digging through wrecks and ruins for treasures. [PAWN_possessive] natural curiosity got [PAWN_objective] into a lot of trouble, but it also yielded many interesting finds.	Mining: +3 Intellectual: +3	−ManualDumb	-	-
Cave Child (Cave Child)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up in a large and intricate cave complex that extended deep into a mountainside. [PAWN_pronoun] helped the adults maintain and improve the deep caves.	Mining: +3 Construction: +3	-	Undergrounder	-
Sole Survivor (Survivor)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s entire tribe was wiped out in a raid. Though [PAWN_pronoun] was adopted by another group, [PAWN_pronoun] was emotionally scarred, and preferred to stay near home, cooking and tending crops.	Plants: +3 Cooking: +3	−Violence	-	-
Vengeful Child (Vengeful)	As a child, [PAWN_nameDef] returned to [PAWN_possessive] village to find that it had been wiped out by bandits. [PAWN_pronoun] swore revenge on the attackers and began a violent rampage across the wilderness.	Melee: +3 Shooting: +3	−Caring	-	-
Fire Keeper (Firekeep)	[PAWN_nameDef] was responsible for keeping the tribe's fire going. [PAWN_pronoun] took this responsibility very seriously.	Crafting: +2 Cooking: +2	-	-	-
Hideaway (Hideaway)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s overprotective parents encouraged [PAWN_objective] to stay at home nearly every day. Though [PAWN_pronoun] had a lot of time to read and pursue crafting hobbies, [PAWN_pronoun] never developed normal social skills.	Intellectual: +3 Crafting: +3 Social: −2	-	-	-
Crash Baby (Crashbaby)	As a baby, [PAWN_nameDef] was the only survivor of a deadly spacecraft crash. A passing tribe discovered [PAWN_objective] in the wreckage and adopted [PAWN_objective].	Social: +3 Intellectual: +2	-	-	-
Budding Artist (Artist)	[PAWN_nameDef] had a knack for art. Traders and collectors from many different societies sought to buy [PAWN_possessive] creations.	Artistic: +5	-	-	-
Bully (Bully)	[PAWN_nameDef] tormented other children for fun. To keep [PAWN_objective] busy, an elder assigned [PAWN_objective] to a hunting party at an early age.	Melee: +2 Shooting: +3	−Caring	-	-
Bookworm (Bookworm)	Rather than socialize with the other children, [PAWN_nameDef] preferred to get lost in literature. [PAWN_pronoun] taught [PAWN_objective]self to read at an early age with books bought from passing traders.	Intellectual: +6 Artistic: +2 Social: −3	−ManualDumb	-	-
Industrial Orphan (Orphan)	[PAWN_nameDef] never knew [PAWN_possessive] parents. [PAWN_possessive] earliest memories were of drudgery in the mines and workhouses of [PAWN_possessive] industrial world. Because of this, [PAWN_pronoun] never received a proper education.	Crafting: +3 Mining: +3 Intellectual: −2	-	-	-
Urbworld Urchin (Urchin)	The urbworlds - ancient and deep industrial cityscapes bursting with humanity and poison. [PAWN_nameDef] grew up in the dark, unwanted reaches of such a place. [PAWN_pronoun] had to fight for every scrap of food.	Melee: +4 Shooting: +2	-	-	-
Test Subject (Testee)	On the most corrupt urbworlds, scientists without a moral compass commit unspeakable atrocities in the name of research. [PAWN_nameDef] was kept alone in a sealed facility from birth and subjected to a variety of behavioural experiments in an attempt to turn [PAWN_objective] into a perfect super-soldier.	Shooting: +4	−Social −Caring −Firefighting	-	-
Wreckage Explorer (Explorer)	[PAWN_nameDef] was tasked with watching [PAWN_possessive] family's herds, but often shirked [PAWN_possessive] duties to go exploring the crashed warships scattered around the planet.	Animals: +3 Intellectual: +3	-	-	-
Apocalypse Survivor (Survivor)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born during a time of unrest on [PAWN_possessive] homeworld, as climate change threatened mass starvation and flooding. As [PAWN_pronoun] grew up the situation worsened - billions died and peaceful states descended into anarchy. [PAWN_nameDef] and [PAWN_possessive] parents did whatever they had to to survive.	Shooting: +4 Artistic: −3 Intellectual: −3	-	-	-
Caveworld Tender (Cave Kid)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up in cave complex deep beneath the surface of an inhospitable world. [PAWN_pronoun] worked with the other children tending the tribe’s fungus crops.	Plants: +4 Mining: +2 Shooting: −3	-	Undergrounder	-
Caveworld Tunneler (Tunneler)	[PAWN_nameDef] worked as a digger in the massive underground cave complex. [PAWN_pronoun] knows rock so well that [PAWN_pronoun] can almost navigate caves by smell.	Construction: +1 Mining: +6 Shooting: −2	−Intellectual −Crafting	Undergrounder
Scout (Scout)	Born to the administrators of a rimworld colony, [PAWN_nameDef] was enrolled in a youth program that taught military scouting skills. [PAWN_pronoun] learned to survive in the wilderness, to obey, and not to ask questions.	Shooting: +3 Crafting: +2 Construction: +1	−Artistic −Intellectual	-	-
Shelter Child (Shelterkid)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up in a shelter deep beneath a toxic world. [PAWN_pronoun] received a comprehensive education, but had no opportunity to do physical labour.	Intellectual: +3 Medicine: +3 Social: +2 Construction: −2 Mining: −2	-	-	-
Vatgrown Soldier (Vatgrown)	[PAWN_nameDef] wasn't made as a person, but as an instrument of destruction. Grown in a bioweapons facility and taught combat during [PAWN_possessive] accelerated growth, [PAWN_nameDef] still has a proclivity for combat of all kinds and an aversion to human contact.	Melee: +4 Shooting: +4	−Social −Caring	-	-
Sickly Child (Patient)	As a child, [PAWN_nameDef] suffered from a rare disease. Quarantined in a hospital, [PAWN_pronoun] had minimal human contact and got little physical exercise. In the sterile hospital environment, however, [PAWN_pronoun] became very familiar with science and medicine.	Intellectual: +4 Medicine: +5 Melee: −2 Social: −2 Construction: −2	-	-	-
Frightened Child (Scared)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up with a laundry list of phobias and neuroses. [PAWN_pronoun] feared, among other things, doctors and foodborne pathogens. As a result, [PAWN_pronoun] learned to cook and care for [PAWN_objective]self, but many of [PAWN_possessive] fears dog [PAWN_objective] in adulthood.	Medicine: +3 Cooking: +3	−Violent	-	-
Coma Child (Coma Child)	A childhood accident put [PAWN_nameDef] into a coma. [PAWN_pronoun] didn’t wake up until [PAWN_pronoun] was in [PAWN_possessive] late teens. [PAWN_possessive] body never recovered from the years of inactivity, but people tend to take pity on [PAWN_objective] when they hear [PAWN_possessive] story.	Social: +4 Construction: −2 Mining: −2	-	-
Pyromaniac (Pyro)	From an early age, [PAWN_nameDef] had an unhealthy fascination with fire. [PAWN_pronoun] would set refuse heaps ablaze and become so entranced by the flames [PAWN_pronoun] would absent-mindedly burn [PAWN_objective]self. One day while playing with matches, [PAWN_pronoun] carelessly burned down [PAWN_possessive] home.	Social: −3 Cooking: −2 Artistic: +3	−Firefighting	Pyromaniac	-
Mute (Mute)	[PAWN_nameDef] was greatly affected by a traumatic event early in [PAWN_possessive] life. For many years [PAWN_pronoun] refused to speak to people, preferring instead to play with [PAWN_possessive] household's numerous pets.	Animals: +5	−Social	-	-
War Refugee (Refugee)	War broke out in [PAWN_nameDef]'s home when [PAWN_pronoun] was a baby. [PAWN_possessive] parents fled with [PAWN_objective], seeking safety wherever they could find it. [PAWN_nameDef]'s earliest memories are of being taught how to defend [PAWN_objective]self. The violence and destruction [PAWN_pronoun] witnessed left [PAWN_objective] scarred for life.	Cooking: +2 Crafting: +2	−Violent	-	-
Musical Kid (Musician)	As a child, [PAWN_nameDef] had a talent for playing musical instruments and singing. [PAWN_pronoun] was given expert training and loved to perform in recitals and concerts, though the lavish praise [PAWN_pronoun] received made [PAWN_objective] a little self-obsessed.	Social: −2 Artistic: +5	-	-	-
Child Star (Star)	[PAWN_nameDef] was well-known throughout [PAWN_possessive] homeworld as a child actor in films and TV shows. [PAWN_possessive] fame put [PAWN_objective] in contact with many different kinds of people, but also tended to get in the way of [PAWN_possessive] education.	Social: +3 Artistic: +3 Intellectual: −2	−ManualDumb	-	-
Child Spy (Spy)	Children are presumed innocent, which makes them excellent spies. [PAWN_nameDef] was trained in the art of infiltration when [PAWN_pronoun] was just a small child. [PAWN_possessive] years undercover gave [PAWN_objective] experience with social manipulation and lying, but [PAWN_pronoun] never had a normal education.	Social: +4 Intellectual: −2	-	-	-
Shop Kid (Shopkid)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s mother was often ill, and it fell to [PAWN_objective] to run the store which was their only source of income. [PAWN_pronoun] learned a little about the exotic artifacts which [PAWN_pronoun] sold, and a lot about the art of the deal.	Social: +4 Intellectual: +2	-	-	-
Organ Farm (Organ Farm)	[PAWN_nameDef] was raised in an illegal underground organ farm. [PAWN_possessive] body was used to grow organic implants for wounded mercenaries. Though [PAWN_possessive] upbringing has left [PAWN_objective] haunted, it has also given [PAWN_objective] a unique understanding of human biology.	Medicine: +5	−Violent	-
Medical Assistant (Medic)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born during a catastrophic war in which both sides used incendiary weapons. [PAWN_pronoun] grew up helping [PAWN_possessive] parents in an infirmary, treating the cascade of horrific burns from the battlefields. [PAWN_pronoun] was left with a lifelong fear of fire.	Medicine: +5	−Firefighting	−Pyromaniac	-
Cult Child (Cult Kid)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born into a powerful cult which shunned advanced technology and believed that all illness could be cured by cleansing the soul through sacred art. After [PAWN_possessive] first glimpse of the outside world, [PAWN_pronoun] decided to run away.	Medicine: −3 Artistic: +5	−Intellectual	-	-
Story Writer (Writer)	As a child, [PAWN_nameDef] was addicted to reading. [PAWN_pronoun] would spend all day in [PAWN_possessive] local library with [PAWN_possessive] nose in a book. When budget cuts forced the library to close, [PAWN_nameDef] was distraught. [PAWN_pronoun] decided to fill the gap by writing [PAWN_possessive] own stories instead.	Artistic: +4 Intellectual: +3	-	-	-
Medieval Slave (Slave)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up pulling carts and digging holes on a medieval world. Simple manual labor is [PAWN_possessive] oldest companion - along with the master's lash. [PAWN_pronoun] didn't learn to read until age nine.	Plants: +2 Construction: +2 Mining: +2 Intellectual: −3	-	-	-
Medieval Lordling/Lady (Lordling/Lady)	[PAWN_nameDef] was a minor noble in an old kingdom on a medieval world. [PAWN_pronoun] grew up in a manor made of stone, served by bowing lowerclassmen. Such a life teaches no technical skills and instils a lifelong aversion to manual labor - but [PAWN_nameDef] learned early the ways of social manipulation.	Social: +4 Construction: −1 Mining: −1 Plants: −1	−ManualDumb	-	-
Convent Child (Illicit)	The child of an illicit affair, [PAWN_nameDef] was bought up by nuns in a medieval convent. [PAWN_pronoun] learned the value of hard work and submission, but was taught that technology is heretical.	Construction: +3 Plants: +3	−Intellectual −Violent	-	-
Country Lordling/Lady (Field Lord/Lady)	[PAWN_nameDef] grew up in a noble family's manor in the outer country. [PAWN_possessive] early years were full of lessons in horseback riding, politics, and religion. [PAWN_nameDef] and [PAWN_possessive] friends found many ways to break the rules and have fun in the fields and forests.	Plants: +2 Animals: +3 Social: +1	-	-	-
Urban Lordling/Lady (City Lord/Lady)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born to a royal house with a grand manor in a great city. [PAWN_pronoun] spent [PAWN_possessive] youth in lessons on politics. Whenever [PAWN_pronoun] could, [PAWN_pronoun] would escape with [PAWN_possessive] friends to explore the half-built substructure of the metropolis.	Construction: +3 Social: +2	-	-	-
Shipbound Lordling/Lady (Ship Lord/Lady)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s family held their power base on a grand, ancient starship. Born and raised on the ship, [PAWN_nameDef] learned all about the rigors of shipboard life, and the politics and methods of interstellar battle and orbital invasion. [PAWN_pronoun] learned to feel most at home with strong walls close on all sides and the gentle hiss of atmosphere regulators.	Shooting: +2 Construction: +2	-	Undergrounder	-
Pampered Lordling/Princess (Pampered)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s parents did not want another heir. Fearing a succession fight, they decided to neutralize [PAWN_objective] early. They pampered [PAWN_nameDef] from birth, preventing [PAWN_objective] from developing the grit or knowledge necessary to be a threat to their favored son. [PAWN_nameDef] learned little more than how to manipulate the royal staff to get more food	Social: +2	−ManualDumb	-	-
Unwanted Survivor (Survivor)	[PAWN_nameDef]'s noble family did not want [PAWN_objective], but could not afford to be seen directly assassinating [PAWN_objective] either. They attempted to get [PAWN_objective] killed by assigning [PAWN_objective] dangerous training without proper protection at too young an age. Against all odds, [PAWN_nameDef] survived the jousting contests, horsewar matches, riverrun competitions and warzones. In the end, it only made [PAWN_objective] stronger.	Melee: +3 Shooting: +2 Cooking: +2 Medicine: +2	−ManualDumb	Tough, Iron-Willed	-
Ship Boy/Girl (Ship Boy/Girl)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born to low-ranked servants on an ancient starship. The ship's machine persona was like a third parent to [PAWN_objective], and the parts crafting crew [PAWN_pronoun] worked for was like a second family. [PAWN_nameDef] rarely saw plants or animals, and still finds them unnerving to touch.	Crafting: +6	−Animals −PlantWork	-	-
Military Cadet (Cadet)	[PAWN_nameDef] was levied from [PAWN_possessive] family at a young age to become a soldier. [PAWN_pronoun] lived in barracks with other military kids, learning about duty, weapons, pain, and victory. The trainers sometimes let the kids escape the base to enjoy the wider world. They wanted soldiers who can think independently.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +3	−Animals −PlantWork	-	-
Political Captive (Captive)	[PAWN_nameDef] was kidnapped by a rival family and held for ransom. To pass the time in captivity, [PAWN_pronoun] read books and practiced martial arts. [PAWN_nameDef] had few opportunities to develop [PAWN_possessive] social skills.	Melee: +3 Intellectual: +3	−Social	-	-
Delinquent (Delinquent)	[PAWN_nameDef] spent most of [PAWN_possessive] childhood behind bars. Following an unsuccessful escape attempt, [PAWN_pronoun] was pressed into the military.	Shooting: +1 Melee: +4	+Violent −Animals −PlantWork	-	-
Rich Kid (Rich Kid)	[PAWN_nameDef] came from a wealthy and influential bloodline. [PAWN_possessive] expensive education included lessons on dueling, leadership, and military strategy.	Melee: +2 Shooting: +2 Intellectual: +2	-	-	-
Street Rat (Street Rat)	[PAWN_nameDef] belonged to a gang of street thieves. [PAWN_possessive] days were spent picking pockets, settling disputes over territory, or high on whatever drugs [PAWN_pronoun] could get [PAWN_possessive] hands on.	Melee: +5 Intellectual: −1	+Violent	Chemical Interest	-
Soldier's Kid (Soldier Kid)	[PAWN_nameDef] was raised on the ancient starship where [PAWN_possessive] parents were stationed. [PAWN_pronoun] learned the basics of firearm operations and maintenance from the soldiers on board. [PAWN_nameDef] became accustomed to a strict routine and frequent discipline.	Shooting: +4 Melee: +2	+Violent −Animals −PlantWork	Neurotic	-
Machinist (Machinist)	[PAWN_nameDef] had a knack for machinery. [PAWN_pronoun] supplemented [PAWN_possessive] family's income by repairing and modifying black market weapons.	Crafting: +3 Intellectual: +2 Shooting: +1	-	-	-
Serving Boy/Girl (House Boy/Girl)	[PAWN_nameDef] was the child of house servants, and was trained to carry on the family duty. [PAWN_pronoun] carried things and polished silverware, but was never allowed into the lords' part of the house.	Cooking: +2 Construction: +1	-	-	-
Royal Bastard (Bastard)	[PAWN_nameDef] the child of a lord and a prostitute. [PAWN_possessive] father's line was secure and his holdings strong. Nobody ever came to [PAWN_nameDef] to endorse a bid for the title. [PAWN_pronoun] earned [PAWN_possessive] bread cleaning the brothel, but always felt [PAWN_pronoun] deserved much more.	Social: +2 Artistic: +2	-	Greedy	-
War Bastard (Bastard)	[PAWN_nameDef] was born nine months after [PAWN_possessive] mother's town was conquered by enemy soldiers. The child of violence with no acknowledged father, [PAWN_nameDef] grew up at the bottom of the social pyramid. [PAWN_possessive] mother instilled her bitterness towards men and war into [PAWN_nameDef]. [PAWN_possessive] pet rabbit offered more warmth than any human in [PAWN_possessive] life.	Animals: +3	−Violent	Misandrist	-

Version history[edit]

0.3.410 - Pawns now spawn with backstories from appropriate spawn category for their faction.
Alpha 16 - Backstories became translatable, although translated backstories appeared first in Alpha 17.
1.1.0 - Added a bunch of new backstories across multiple categories, including a variety of new tribal backstories.
1.3.3066 - Fix: Typos in backstories.
1.4.3523 - Converted backstories to use the def system for better moddability and expandability.
1.4.3555 - Fix: Teenagers getting random backstories on save/load.