One of the main goals when creating Nessus was to create a setting that allowed players as much creative freedom as possible in a structured RPG. With this being the case there are only a few limitations placed on character backgrounds.
#1: No Gods, DemiGods, or other "omnipotent" beings. The reason for this should be obvious. Fairplay. If a person wants to say he's viewed as a God or worshipped as one on his homeworld, I don't care. But, she/he can not actually be divine or a "real" God in Nessus.
#2: No offspring, relatives, friends, etc.. of Gods, DemiGods, or other "omnipotent" beings. Your allowed to be kings, archmages, master thieves and just about anything you want, but I draw the line when divinity starts rearing its ugly head. Satisfy your fantasies of greatness or specialness using mortal tools. I strongly dislike Gods and just about everything that involves them. They will be strictly monitored and controlled.
#3: Characters may not be from worlds presented by any other game. Also obvious reasons. If someone wants to play a character from those worlds he should play those games. I.E. If I want to use my favorite drawf character that I used to play Forgotten Realms, I could not say he is a Red Wizard of Thay from the world of Toril in his background. This does not mean that the character cant be used. The player just needs to change some names. He could be a Blue Mage of Gertel from the world of Lorin or something. This shouldn't effect a characters personality or background much. What is in a name? Would not a rose by any other name smell just as sweet?
#4: Characters from worlds presented by this game (when they are created) must conform to the world as it is presented. I have no intention of changing things in an existing work because a player wants to do something different. If a player wants something different they should create a world of their own design and have it placed in the Freelance Worlds list. i.e. If there is a world called Ferol and it has information about a kingdom called Lomalia, ruled by a king named Horis, a player can not decide that he is King Horis' son and proclaim himself Prince of Lomalia.. Nor could he proclaim he is Horis' arch enemy, most trusted advisor, or any thing else of importance. He could be from that world but not be someone important enough to change anything. Players should not attempt to hinder an authors creative freedom to satisfy their need to be someone important. They should use their own ceative freedom to satisfy that need.
#5 Characters may not be from the city of Nessus itself. Noone (including GM's and NPC's) has lived in the city for more than 5 years. Malek of Soren has ruled only 4 years. The time before then is a mystery. There are no life time residents.
#6 Characters my not be guards in the city. All hired soldiers are NPC's or GM's.
Those are the rules for now. More may be added later. This game allows extreme freedom in this area, but I realize some people can't handle freedom. Basically what it comes down to is this: Background is used as a tool to define a characters personality and add depth. It is not a tool to give a character an advantage over others. Nor is it a tool to give a character an advantage in the game. All characters are equal regardless of background. As it says on the main page. "Being a king, arch mage, or master thief doesn't mean jack in the grand scope of the universe." Those that think it does will be given a rude awakening. What I giveth, I can taketh away. Use the freedom you are given wisely.
�2001 Joe Pombo