Implementing Certain Background Abilities

[Kathorus]

So, some backgrounds have features that have a list to pick from or allow choices, much like bonds or ideals. What is the best way to implement these so that they are required to determine when you pick that background? Thanks in advance.

 

[Elindor]

I'm guessing you're looking at something like the Pirate option for Sailor? I'd create separate backgrounds - Pirate and Sailor, and have their special abilities created as well. Then create the bonds, flaws and ideals, pointing them at both backgrounds.

 

[Kathorus]

Actually, things like Favorite Schemes.

 

[Aaron]

You could do that as an array of choices on the background (1-6 and one more for choose your own), or you could just have the background show a user text field next to the name. The most complicated way (not sure if you'd think it was important enough to do this), would be to have the background bootstrap what is called a Configurable, which creates its own tab with tables based on how you set it up. You could then create each of those 6 schemes (or more!) and associate them with the Configurable you created.

Edit: Err, just remembered that backgrounds don't show as a pick in a table, so the Array/text field option would have to be through a bootstrapped racial special instead.

 

[Frodie]

I am working on the backgrounds. I have no problems so far, but my question is, can I share it with the community? I know we can share mechanics, but most of the backgrounds are text. So I am not sure what we can do.

 

[daplunk]

Re-write them... differently... like when you were writing year 10 essays but you couldn't copy from the source book so you had to change the sentence structure around so that it said the same thing... but differently

I need the same thing to release the Feat file.

 

[Frodie]

Well, uhm... Well that is a lot of text to re-write. IDK. I'll have to think of something else. Maybe delete the text and just leave the title.

 

[seffer]

or you could just have the background show a user text field next to the name.

How do you do this? I'm trying to add a table for "Guild Business" under the Guild Artisan background, and I don't see a straightforward way to do this.

I'm just starting out with Hero Lab, and kind of hating the experience. I expected things to not be complete, but I also expected an up-to-date manual and more helpful tutorials.

Thanks.

 

[BDrazgon1209]

You could do that as an array of choices on the background (1-6 and one more for choose your own), or you could just have the background show a user text field next to the name. The most complicated way (not sure if you'd think it was important enough to do this), would be to have the background bootstrap what is called a Configurable, which creates its own tab with tables based on how you set it up. You could then create each of those 6 schemes (or more!) and associate them with the Configurable you created.

Edit: Err, just remembered that backgrounds don't show as a pick in a table, so the Array/text field option would have to be through a bootstrapped racial special instead.

Aaron, Is there a way to add a custom drop down list to the "Background Features" or selection method (much like the Personality Traits, Bonds, Flaws, and Ideal). If so, could you provide a step by step method, without specific copyrighted etc labels.

I am relatively new to creating custom content, and this could serve as a lesson in some of the advanced features of the Hero Lab editor.

 

[BDrazgon1209]

Aaron, Is there a way to add a custom drop down list to the "Background Features" or selection method (much like the Personality Traits, Bonds, Flaws, and Ideal). If so, could you provide a step by step method, without specific copyrighted etc labels.

I am relatively new to creating custom content, and this could serve as a lesson in some of the advanced features of the Hero Lab editor.

I figured it out. I simply name the Custom ability (Favorite Scheme, etc) under the "Special Abilities" section of the "Backgrounds" tab, and then add the menu options under the "Background Custom Ability" tab just like the tabs for Ideals, Personality Traits, etc.

 

[Asandir]

I figured it out. I simply name the Custom ability (Favorite Scheme, etc) under the "Special Abilities" section of the "Backgrounds" tab, and then add the menu options under the "Background Custom Ability" tab just like the tabs for Ideals, Personality Traits, etc.

Not sure I follow entirely.

So I have a Background, Alchemists Apprentice. In addition to the Bonds, Flaws, Ideals, and Personality traits, there is a pick list of 10 items associated with it about what your specialty is for apprenticing.

I have Alchemists Apprentice setup on the Background Tab, and it sounds like I add the 10 item list under Background Custom ability, but where am I tying them together so I have a choice on the character?

 

[Aaron]

Not sure I follow entirely.

So I have a Background, Alchemists Apprentice. In addition to the Bonds, Flaws, Ideals, and Personality traits, there is a pick list of 10 items associated with it about what your specialty is for apprenticing.

I have Alchemists Apprentice setup on the Background Tab, and it sounds like I add the 10 item list under Background Custom ability, but where am I tying them together so I have a choice on the character?

On the Alchemists Apprentice Background, scroll to "Custom Ability Count" and enter "1".

On each Background Custom Ability, click on "Available to Background" and check the box next to "Alchemists Apprentice", and choose the Roll that gives you that result.

 

[Asandir]

Thank You Aaron!

 

[culhwch1066]

On the Alchemists Apprentice Background, scroll to "Custom Ability Count" and enter "1".

On each Background Custom Ability, click on "Available to Background" and check the box next to "Alchemists Apprentice", and choose the Roll that gives you that result.

Not that there's more than one of these background lists in the official backgrounds, but can "Custom Ability Count" be higher than one? If so, would choosing the same roll for different abilities properly split the lists? Or some other flag in the Custom Ability?

 

[Aaron]

You could put the number of slots higher than 1, but I wouldn't try to fit two different lists into the same table.

 

[seffer]

Thanks, Aaron! I've got this working.