These are pretty generic, there is only so much difference that one can define within a game system, but do a good job - I think- of setting a direction for a character's abilities, but also adding fuel to the concepts and history that should come with any good PC.
As always, I'm happy to hear your thoughts, and to take suggestions on any other Upbringings you might think would be appropriate for the system.
UPBRINGINGS
Much of what we perceive and understand comes from the influences we receive while still young. In Future Dawns, characters are also affected by these upbringings, guiding both moral and ethical decisions as well as encouraging (and in some cases restricting) personal interests and aptitudes.
Additionally, Upbringings paint a broad brush of a character’s childhood, and can act as guidelines that may help a player determine their character’s background and history.
UNDERCLASS
When one thinks of the typical lower class citizen, they imagine the thieves and thugs who’d rather prey on those weaker than themselves, or worse as the dregs of humanity who have given up any hope of holding their heads up high. But not all families are like this, perhaps you parent’s were immigrants (when such were able to come to the ‘land of the free’) who still dream of the future only America can offer or maybe, one of the growing number of moral and religious fundamentalists who enforces some sort of order in your corporate housing zone. Whatever your background, you were instilled with the virtues of honour and responsibility; where not trying to better oneself it the most heinous of crimes.
CRIMINAL
Why fight them when you can join them? Growing up in a world that rewards only those strong enough to grab what they desire, it was little wonder why you ended up where you did; taking from those who would not fight back. Perhaps your father made his way as a foot soldier for a local crime boss, or you mother a pick pocket, thug or burglar. However they operated, they knew that they lived that fine line of survival, where on false step could lead to imprisonment… or worse.
WHITE COLLAR
They called your dad a ‘Drone’ and your mother a ‘Dolly’. The type of people that work their entire lives in front of a computer screen, electronically shifting paper around the ether and never questioning – ‘just why?’. You might have grown up in the ever-shrinking suburbs or in one of the corporate high-rises that now dominant the cityscape, but wherever you come from, you have seen the best and worst mankind has to offer.
BLUE COLLAR
Perhaps your father was a mechanic, security guard or construction worker? Maybe your parents worked for the Army, Airforce or Navy? Wherever you grew up, your world has always been one of concrete and glass; a rough urban world; a place where while you might not win all your battles, but where self respect and loyalty is all that counts.
RURAL
The countryside was your home for as long as you could remember and although there seems to be no longer a place for the rural family anymore, you’ve always held onto that ‘connection’ between you and the land. In the end, perhaps you stayed there until the urge of the big city called you away or maybe your family was one of those driven from the land by the ever growing demand for more ‘efficient’ production of food.
Whatever the reason you eventually moved on, you’ve maintained you understanding of the earth and environment, and whether you’re hunting animals or caring for them, the lessons of mother earth always remain close to hand.
SURVIVALIST
In an ever growing age of oppression and change, it probably no surprise that many families decided that they had no choice but to look after themselves. Some went because of religious freedoms, others because of political of economic factors, while many just left because no one else was going to give a damn.
While you yourself might not agree with the choices your parents made, they have prepared you for the dangers that face the world outside of their village, compound or temple. You are self reliant and ready for anything.
SILVER SPOON
You were born to privilege. Your parents wanted for nothing, and saw to it that you had every opportunity possible. Growing up, you receiving the best education money could buy and spent much of your free time pursuing leisure activities that are far out of reach to most others. It is likely that you began life a little naïve on what was occurring in the ‘real world’, where the Greater Depression was destroyed the free market economy almost overnight, a turned millionaires into paupers and virtually destroyed the middle-class, but that soon changed.
BRAT PACKER
You were the rebel. Although you never needed for nothing while you grew up, you have always rebelled looking for the extra something. Perhaps you were the ringleader, or maybe just a follower in a circle of defiant friends, but whatever pack you ran with you seemed to be out for laughs and excitement, if not a bit of trouble.
