Outside the box PC backgrounds

jedion357's picture
jedion357
July 2, 2013 - 6:44pm
We're so use to the classic PC start in many RPGs where the PCs start as nobodies with nothing much to distinguish them.

In D&D it was low starting hit points
In SF it was just two starting skills and no equipment to speak of.

So the recent discovery of this book: http://www.amazon.com/Redshirts-A-Novel-Three-Codas/dp/1469298279 got me thinking about unexpected or out side the box PC backgrounds because the red shirts were disposable and making them the hero was unexpected.

so how what would expand the possibilities of PC starting background and be outside the box?

One idea would be to use a set of faction rules (like in Stars Without Number) and let a player start with a young inexperienced character that just inherited a corporation. This would especially work if the character concept was of a millionare playboy/adventurer.
I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!
Comments:

jedion357's picture
jedion357
July 2, 2013 - 7:06pm
Another unusual one would be the butler as in the butler from Around the World in 80 days.

PC is the butler keeping the NPC 'master' out of trouble and saving him from himself.

Clearly the player would need to trust the referee and be willing to roll with what he does with the NPC and how the referee might drive the adventure in the beginning with the NPC to set the stage. Once the stage of the adventure was set though a strong player would need to take over and drive the action since the story is about the PC saving the NPC from himself.
I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!