Backgrounds Based On Kingdoms

[samwise7]

I'm in the process of statting up my Marth Ice World with Novus right now, and I think I'm going to Backgrounds differently for this setting.  For my Burning Heaven setting I based the Backgrounds mainly on the races, but in this setting I'm going to base them on what Kingdom your character comes from.  Since much of the setting is very similar in landscape (everything is covered in ice and snow) I figured this would be a good way to have a little variety to Backgrounds.

[Fidoric]

I think it's a good way to go as backgrounds are mostly a cultural thing rather than biological. A sylvan elf gets his ranks in woodcraft or stealth because in comes from a hunter society IMO. On the other hand, I can see some cases where this is not so clear. Do the elves get their affinity with magic because of an magic-rich upbringing or because it is something imbedded in their DNA ?

More to the point, I think cultures mainly evolve in response of environmental factors. Philosophical or religious trends may also inflect the way a given culture evolves but basically, any rural living people in most kingdoms should have similar cultures and skills.

I would be interested in seeingbwhatnyou propose for your Marth background. I have not read much about it but the ice age it is undergoing is likely a leveling cultural factor.

[samwise7]

I think they will help me as well flesh out the various kingdoms as well.  It will give each one a bit more flavor.  "Well, this kingdom has more ranks in magical lore, so that needs to be represented if I ever run a game in that kingdom."

The nature vs. nurture questions seem to be represented via Races & Backgrounds in Novus.  I haven't deliniated which kingdoms prefer the worship of one of the gods over another, and I should do that as well.

World building takes a lot of time and thought, but that's also why I like it.