UA:Character Background: Maritime Background

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Maritime Background

Characters with maritime backgrounds indulge in the same passions as everyone else- war, trade, and larceny- but they do it with a ship's deck beneath their feet (unless they've been shipwrecked, which is one possible activity in this background).

A character's time spent on the high seas provide a bonus on recognition checks; each time the maritime background is selected for this character, the bonus is increased by 1.

Example Maritime Ranks

Every navy has its own ranking system, and few ships are at exactly their full complement of crew. The following system of ranks is a good starting point for most campaigns.

Maritime Ranks (Lowest to Highest): Ordinary hand, able hand, leading hand, petty officer, chief petty officer, sublieutenant, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander, captain, commodore, admiral, grand admiral.

Maritime Background Activities
d%ActivityClassFeatsSkillsGearContactsRepRecognition
01-12PirateRogueDodge, MobilityBalance, Jump, Tumble,Bluff, SwimWeaponInformation+1/2Rank, DC 22
13-24Military NavyFighterLeadership, Weapon FocusProfession (sailor), Swim, Use RopeWeaponInfluence+1/2Rank, DC 24
25-34Sea traderRogue or bardNegotiator, Deft HandsAppraise, Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Swim, Profession (sailor)Wondrous item that aids interactionSkill+0Rank, DC 26
35-44Ship's MarineFighterPower Attack, Improved SunderSwim Climb, JumpLight armorSkill+0Rank, DC 26
45-52StowawayRogueStealthy, DeceitfulSwim, Hide, Move Silently, Disguise, BluffItem that aids stealthInfluence+0-
53-62ShipwreckedBarbarianTrack, Self-SufficientSwim, Survival, Craft (any), Spot, ListenSimple weapon or hand-crafted itemSkill+0-
63-72DeckhandRogue or fighterDodge, Weapon FocusSwim, Use Rope, Profession (sailor), Climb, JumpWeaponInformation+0Rank, DC 26
73-82NavigatorBard or wizardScribe Scroll, Spell Focus (Transmutation)Profession (sailor), Decipher Script, Knowledge (geography), Spellcraft, SwimScrollsSkill+0Rank, DC 24
83-90Wind-bringerDruid or sorcererSpell Focus (Transmutation), Spell Focus (Conjuration)Spellcraft, Concentration, Knowledge (geography), Swim, Profession (sailor)Item that affects weather or windInformation+0Rank, DC 24
91-100ChaplainClericAny metamagicHeal, Swim, Profession (sailor)Item that heals or curesInformation+0Rank, DC 24

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