For use in Gryphonstone Academy setting
You have played Runeball in school or as part of a local club / team. By taking up one of the many positions, you have put your heart and soul into the game in your youth and it certainly had an effect on the skills you developed.
You may now hope to push yourself further in your Academy years or have just learned the lessons from the hours of training and game time through your younger years.
- Skill Proficiencies: You may choose 1 skill from the following list as having full proficiency and another from the list as having half proficiency. (Due to system limitations, you will have to add the half proficiency yourself on your character sheet after selecting this background). Acrobatics, Athletics, Sleight of Hand, Perception, Intimidation
- Languages: Play Calling - You've learned a few hand signals and gestures and can communicate using these with another who understands Play Calling also. (Due to system limitations, you will have to add the Play Calling language yourself on your character sheet after selecting this Background)
- Equipment: A Runeball, a lucky charm or past trophy, a set of your old team's kit (clothes, costume).
There are a lot of positions to choose from in Runeball, from Caster, to Blocker, or Runner. Roll or choose from the options in the Position table to determine the position in which you play.
| d8 | Position |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rune Caster - In charge of casting the Runeball and making the plays, usually a team Captain |
| 2 | Blocker - Large and in charge, they protect the Runecaster |
| 3 | Interferer - A spell slinger in their own right, they are tasked with knocking any casted Runeballs from the sky |
| 4 | Runner - A sturdy runner, able to make their way down the field with Runeball in hand, and often taking large hits in the process. |
| 5 | Catcher - Quick on their feet they would often find themselves running down the field to catch slung balls. |
| 6 | Charger - Quick off the mark, like a Minotaur in a Porcelain store, they hit hard and aim to cause pain. |
| 7 | Shielder - A sharpshooter with their spells, they try to stop spells knocking the Runeball off course sent by an Interferer |
| 8 | Cannoneer - A specialised Runeball caster who can blast the ball far down field. |
You have won a few games in your time and have made both friends and rivals during your time in the junior Runeball leagues of Acorn Bay. As such you can often find a friendly coach or player in small game fields around the community, or perhaps a coach who thinks you cost them "The Big Game". You also know your stats and have a vivid memory for great Runeball players of old, you also gain advantage on checks to recall information about Runeball games.
If seeking out help on a Runeball field or from other players, your DM rolls 1d4.
On a 1 - 3 you find a friendly face who will offer you help, on a 4 you find a less-than-happy individual who may try to mislead you or chase you away.
Suggested Characteristics
Competition can forge strong bonds between teammates and rivals or ignite bitter feuds that can long linger. Runeball players often apply lessons from their training to their lives in general.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I feel most at peace during physical exertion, be it exercise or battle. |
| 2 | I don’t like to sit idle. |
| 3 | I have a daily exercise routine that I refuse to break. |
| 4 | Obstacles exist to be overcome. |
| 5 | When I see others struggling, I offer to help. |
| 6 | I love to trade banter and gibes. |
| 7 | Anything worth doing is worth doing best. |
| 8 | I get irritated if people praise someone else and not me. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Competition. I strive to test myself in all things. (Chaotic) |
| 2 | Triumph. The best part of winning is seeing my rivals brought low. (Evil) |
| 3 | Camaraderie. The strongest bonds are forged through struggle. (Good) |
| 4 | People. I strive to inspire my spectators. (Neutral) |
| 5 | Tradition. Every game has rules, and the playing field must be level. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Growth. Lessons hide in victory and defeat. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | My teammates are my family. |
| 2 | I will overcome a rival and prove myself their better. |
| 3 | My mistake got someone hurt. I’ll never make that mistake again. |
| 4 | I will be the best for the honor and glory of my home. |
| 5 | The person who trained me is the most important person in my world. |
| 6 | I strive to live up to a specific hero’s example. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I indulge in a habit that threatens my reputation or my health. |
| 2 | I’ll do absolutely anything to win. |
| 3 | I ignore anyone who doesn’t compete and anyone who loses to me. |
| 4 | I have lingering pain from old injuries. |
| 5 | Any defeat or failure on my part is because my opponent cheated. |
| 6 | I must be the captain of any group I join. |
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