As part of the character creation process, I add some additional detail in the form of specifying awards, medals, licenses, endorsements, titles, and so on. I do this to increase investment on the player’s part, and to give me additional hooks for future story and contacts.
This is about a character’s “permanent record.” What were the highest levels the character was promoted to in each career? I have players jot those down in a separate little space somewhere. In rolled Events did a character ever receive an award, win a medal, write a paper, or anything like that? I have them write that down too. Then I tell them to ponder the stuff their character has done; what permits, licenses, decorations, letters, endorsements, titles, and other things of this nature make sense?
I give the following list to players, but help them work through it all:
- If you went to college, you have a BS or BA ( pick one that seems to fit )
- If you’re Soc characteristic is 10+, you could be a titled noble:
- 10 – Lady or Gentleman
- 11 – Dame or Knight
- 12 – Baronetess or Baronet
- 13 – Baroness or Baron
- If your EDU is 11+ you have an advanced degree of some kind. What makes sense?
- Former military or Scouts? A cop? You have a “Class C weapons permit”
- Have Pilot-1 or higher? You have a license.
- Is it current…? You decide.
- Broker-1, Investigate-1, Medic-1, Steward-1 or higher? … same thing.
- Science-2 or higher? Advanced degree
- Were you ever in jail? You have a criminal record.
- Niiice. On one planet in particular, or Imperial?
- If you were injured and got augmented, or you ( when we get to stuff ) decide to buy an augmentation you may have a license for that. How legit was the clinic?
- If you have any skill at 3 you probably have some kind of award in that field. If you have it at a 4 you almost certainly do. Let’s talk about that.
- Membership in the Travellers Aid Society is an award