Daggerfall:Background

These background questions generate additional characteristics of your character. After choosing your class, you can either answer these questions or have the game randomly answer them for you. Each question gives you items, skills, or reputation; some even give you a small disadvantage. Note that some classes might not have some of the answers available, even though they are listed as having the question.

For custom character classes, you will get the questions from a class that matches your skills the most.

The answers you choose will also be reflected on your character's personal history. 

Questions
What motivates you into a life of adventure?
(All classes)

a. Riches
:GP +500

b. Fame
:Reputation with Underworld +10
:Reputation with Scholars +10

c. Knowledge
: A Book

d. Fun
:Skill Etiquette +3
:Skill Streetwise +3

e. Helping Others
:Reputation with Commoners +10

----
As a child, your nickname was ___.
(All classes)

a. Rabbit
:Skill Jumping +6

b. Guppy
:Skill Swimming +6

c. Quicksilver
:Skill Running +6

d. Scrapper
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +6

e. Monkey
:Skill Climbing +6

----
What god, if any, do you worship?
(All classes)

a. None
:Reputation with Scholars +5

b. Arkay, Birth and Death God
: Reputation Arkay +5

c. Zenithar, God of Commerce
: Reputation Zenithar +5

d. Mara, the Mother Goddess
: Reputation Mara +5

e. Dibella, Goddess of Beauty
: Reputation Dibella +5

f. Julianos, God of Logic
: Reputation Julianos +5

g. Akatosh, God of Time
: Reputation Akatosh +5

h. Stendarr, God of Mercy
: Reputation Stendarr +5

i. Kynareth, Goddess of Air
: Reputation Kynareth +5

----
Of all disagreeable types, you have the most personal hatred for ___.
(Archer, Battlemage, Healer, Mage, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Spellsword, Thief) (Doesn't do anything).

a. Sanctimonious priests

b. Diabolic wizards

c. Stupid peasants

d. Power-mad robber barons

e. Immoral assassins

----

You are friendlier than most with ___.
(Barbarian, Bard, Battlemage, Healer, Knight, Mage, Monk, Nightblade, Ranger, Sorcerer, Spellsword, Thief, Warrior)

a. the savage Harpies
: Harpy Skill +6

b. the simple Giants
: Giantish Skill +6

c. the glorious Dragons
: Dragonish Skill +6

d. the immodest Nymphs
: Nymph Skill +6

e. the infernal Daedra
: Daedric Skill +6

f. the bucolic Spriggans
: Spriggan Skill +6

g. the primitive Centaurs
: Centaurian Skill +6

h. the   Imps
: Impish Skill +6

----
Since childhood, you have saved  ___.
(Archer, Barbarian, Bard, Knight, Monk, Ranger (Also gets 8 arrows and an iron shortbow regardless of choice), Thief, Battlemage, Healer, Mage, Sorcerer, Spellsword)

a. 100 gold pieces
:GP +100

b. A favorite book
:A random book

c. A dozen arrows
:12 Arrows

d. A cuirass
:An Iron Cuirass

e. An amulet
: An Amulet

f. A pearl
:A Pearl

g. A round shield
:A round shield of steel quality

h. A katana
:An Iron Katana

----

You have a certain degree of training with ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Bard, Rogue)
: a. Short-bladed weapons

:Short Blade Skill +6

:Elven Tanto/Short Sword

b. Hand-to-hand combat

:Hand-to-Hand Skill +6

:Iron Gauntlets

c. Axe fighting 

:Skill Axe +6

:Steel Axe

d. Blunt weapons

:Skill Blunt Weapon +6

:Steel Staff

e. Archery

:Skill Archery +6

:Steel Shortbow and 6 Arrows

f. Longblade

:Skill Long Blade +6

:Steel Longsword

----

What thieving skill have you been studying the longest?
(Acrobat, Assassin, Bard, Burglar, Nightblade, Rogue)

a. Dodging
:Skill Dodging +6

b. Stealth
:Skill Stealth +6

c. Backstabbing
:Skill Backstabbing +6

d. Lockpicking
:Skill Lockpicking +6

e. Pickpocketing
:Skill Pickpocket +6

f. Climbing
:Skill Climbing +6

g. Critical-Striking
:Skill Critical Strike +6

h. Running
:Skill Running +6

i. Jumping
:Skill Jumping +6

----
Your preferred criminal method is ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Burglar, Rogue) (Doesn't do anything.)

a. catburglary

b. mugging

c. pickpocketing

d. swindling

e. smuggling

f. bankrobbing

----

Given your choice of reward, you would most likely choose ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Bard, Rogue)

a. 200 gold pieces
:GP +200

 b. An ebony dagger
:An Ebony Dagger

c. An interesting book
:A Book

d. A ruby
:A Ruby

e. A silver staff
:Silver Staff

f. An amulet
:An Amulet

g. A pearl
:A Pearl

----
One of the most important survival skills you picked up was how to ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Rogue)

a. Mend simple wounds
:Skill Medical +6

b. Ingratiate yourself
:Skill Etiquette +6

c. Boss people around
:Skill Streetwise +6

d. Haggle with merchants
:Skill Mercantile +6

e. Fight with a knife
:Skill Short Blade +6

----
You were an active child, ___ than anyone else your age.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Burglar, Rogue)

a. faster
:Skill Running +6

b. sneakier
:Skill Stealth +6

c. a better climber
:Skill Climbing +6

d. a better swimmer
:Skill Swimming +6

e. a better brawler
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +6

----
You can get most of the things you want by stealing from ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Burglar, Rogue)

a. Rich Nobles
:A Bracelet

b. Scholar Types
:A Book

c. Established Temples
:Holy Water

d. Diversified Merchants
:A Torc

----
The one skill you could not work without must be ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Burglar, Rogue, Thief)

a. Lockpicking
:Skill Lockpicking +6

b. Pickpocketing
:Skill Pickpocket +6

c. Stealthy Movement
:Skill Stealth +6

d. Dodging
:Skill Dodging +6

e. Climbing
:Skill Climbing +6

f. Backstabbing
:Skill Backstabbing +6

----
Your frail health as a child has made you ___.
(Acrobat, Assassin, Burglar, Rogue)

a. Less resistant to poisons
:Poison Resistance -5%

b. Less resistant to disease
:Disease Resistance -5%

c. Easily tired
:Fatigue -5

d. Less resistant to magic
:Magic Resistance -5%

----
Which of the following skills have you been studying the longest?
(Archer, Barbarian, Knight, Monk, Ranger, Warrior)

a. Dodging
:Skill Dodging +6

b. Stealth
:Skill Stealth +6

c. Backstabbing
:Skill Backstabbing +6

d. Lockpicking
:Skill Lockpicking +6

e. Pickpocketing
:Skill Pickpocket +6

f. Climbing
:Skill Climbing +6

g. Critical-Striking
:Skill Critical Strike +6

h. Running
:Skill Running +6

i. Jumping
:Skill Jumping +6

----
You have an unusually high affinity with ___.
(Archer)

a. the savage Harpies
:Skill Harpy +6

b. the simple Giants
:Skill Giantish +6

c. the glorious Dragons
:Skill Dragonish +6

d. the immodest Nymphs
:Skill Nymph +6

e. the infernal Daedra
:Skill Daedric +6

f. the bucolic Spriggans
:Skill Spriggan +6

g. the primitive Centaurs
:Skill Centaurian +6

h. the mischevious Imps
:Skill Impish +6

----

You have the most trouble ___.
(Archer, Barbarian, Knight, Monk, Ranger, Thief, Warrior)

a. Resisting poisons
:Poison Resistance -10%

b. Staying awake and alert
:Fatigue -5

c. Getting along with others
:Reaction Roll -5

d. Avoiding diseases
:Disease Resistance -5%

e. Resisting spells
:Magic Resistance -5%

f. Fighting and parrying
:To Hit -5

----
You have the most trouble ___.
(Bard, Battlemage, Healer, Mage, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Spellsword)

a. Resisting poisons
:Poison Resistance -10%

b. Staying awake and alert
:Fatigue -5

c. Getting along with others
:Reaction Roll -5

d. Avoiding diseases
:Disease Resistance -5%

e. Resisting magic
:Magic Resistance -5%

f. Fighting without magic
:To Hit -5

----
You feel most comfortable ___.
(Archer)

a. On stable ground
:Skill Running +4

b. In the water
:Skill Swimming +4

c. On a ledge or tree
:Skill Climbing +4

d. Anywhere dark
:Skill Stealth +4

e. With other people
:Skill Etiquette +2
:Skill Streetwise +2

----
Given 200 gold pieces as a reward, You decided to ___.
(Archer, Barbarian, Knight, Monk, Ranger)

a. Save it. 
:GP +200

b. Buy an ebony dagger
:An Ebony Dagger

c. Buy a rare book
: A Random Book

d. Buy a ruby
: A Ruby

e. Buy a silver staff
: A Silver Staff

----
You spend any free time you have training with ___.
(Archer, Barbarian, Knight, Monk, Ranger, Spellsword, Warrior)

a. Short-bladed weapons
:Skill Short Blade +6

b. Hand-to-hand combat
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +6

c. Axe fighting
:Skill Axe +6

d. Blunt weapons
:Skill Blunt Weapon +6

e. Archery
:Skill Archery +6

f. Longblade
:Skill Long Blade +6

----
You are intimate friends with ___.
(Archer, Barbarian, Bard, Battlemage, Healer, Knight, Mage, Monk, Ranger, Sorcerer, Spellsword, Warrior) (Doesn't do anything.)

a. a Monk

b. a Mage

c. a Rogue

d. a Warrior

e. an Assassin

----

You are most fond of using ___.
(Barbarian, Knight, Ranger, Warrior)

a. Short-bladed weapons
:Skill Short Blade +12
:An Iron Short Sword

b. Hand-to-hand combat
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +12
:An Iron Gauntlets

c. Axe fighting
:Skill Axe +12
:An Iron War Axe

d. Blunt weapons
:Skill Blunt Weapon +12
:An Iron Warhammer

e. Archery
:Skill Archery +12
:An Iron Shortbow
:6 Arrows

f. Longblade
:Skill Long Blade +12
:An Iron Longsword

----
You were loaned and later allowed to keep ___.
(Barbarian, Knight, Monk, Ranger, Warrior)

 a. 200 gold pieces 
:GP +200

b. A great book 
:A Random Book

c. A cuirass 
:Iron Cuirass

d. Pauldrons 
:Iron Left Pauldron
:Iron Right Pauldron

e. A dai-katana 
:Steel Dai-Katana

----

What school of magic have you been studying the most?
(Bard, Mage, Nightblade, Sorcerer)

a. Destruction
:Skill Destruction +6

b. Restoration
:Skill Restoration +6

c. Illusion
:Skill Illusion +6

d. Alteration
:Skill Alteration +6

e. Thaumaturgy
:Skill Thaumaturgy +6

f. Mysticism
:Skill Mysticism +6

----
Whenever you had a chance growing up you liked to spend time ___.
(Bard)

a. socializing with aristocrats
:Skill Etiquette +6
:Reputation with Nobility +5
:Reputation with Commoners -5

b. learning streetsmarts
:Skill Streetwise +6
:Reputation with Commoners +2
:Reputation with Underworld +3
:Reputation with Nobility -5

c. practicing acrobatics
:Skill Jumping +2
:Skill Dodging +2
:Skill Running +2

d. learning economics
:Skill Mercantile +6

e. swimming
:Skill Swimming +6

f. sparring
:Skill Critical Strike +6

----
After the College of Destruction, what school of magic have you been studying the second longest?
(Battlemage, Spellsword) (All answers give +12 Destruction)

a. Restoration
:Skill Destruction +12
:Skill Restoration +6

b. Illusion
:Skill Destruction +12
:Skill Illusion +6

c. Alteration
:Skill Destruction +12
:Skill Alteration +6

d. Thaumaturgy
:Skill Destruction +12
:Skill Thaumaturgy +6

e. Mysticism
:Skill Destruction +12
:Skill Mysticism +6

----
In between formal study, you spent your time ___.
(Battlemage, Healer, Mage, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Spellsword)

a. socializing with aristocrats
:Skill Etiquette +6
:Reputation with Nobility +5
:Reputation with Commoners -5

b. learning streetsmarts
:Skill Streetwise +6
:Reputation with Commoners +2
:Reputation with Underworld +3
:Reputation with Nobility -5

c. practicing acrobatics
:Skill Jumping +2
:Skill Dodging +2
:Skill Running +2

d. trespassing
:Skill Stealth +6

e. learning economics
:Skill Mercantile +6

f. swimming
:Skill Swimming +6

g. sparring
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +6

----
As you grew older, you received additional magical training in ___.
(Battlemage, Healer, Mage, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Spellsword)

a. The School of Destruction
:Skill Destruction +6

b. The School of Restoration
:Skill Restoration +6

c. The School of Illusion
:Skill Illusion +6

d. The School of Alteration
:Skill Alteration +6

e. The School of Thaumaturgy
:Skill Thaumaturgy +6

f. The School of Mysticism
:Skill Mysticism +6

----
At an early age, your family considered it important that you learn how to ___.
(Burglar)

a. Mend simple wounds
:Skill Medical +6

b. Ingratiate yourself
:Skill Etiquette +6

c. Boss people around
:Skill Streetwise +6

d. Haggle with merchants
:Skill Mercantile +6

e. Fight with a knife
:Skill Short Blade +6

----
Though certainly not due to hard work, you happen legitimately to own ___.
(Burglar)

a. Over 200 gold pieces
:GP +200
b. An ebony dagger
:An Ebony Dagger
c. A book
:A Random Book
d. A ruby
:A Ruby
e. A silver staff
:A Silver Staff
f. Some holy water
:Holy Water

----
Where is your expertise in combat?
(Burglar, Thief, Nightblade)

a. Short-bladed weapons
:Skill Short Blade +6
:Iron Gauntlets

b. Hand-to-hand combat
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +6
:Iron Cuirass

c. Axe fighting
:Skill Axe +6
:Iron Axe

d. Blunt weapons
:Skill Blunt Weapon +6
:Iron Mace

e. Archery
:Skill Archery +6
:Iron Left Pauldron

----
After the School of Restoration, what magic have you been studying the longest?
(Healer) (All answers give +12 Restoration)

a. Destruction
:Skill Destruction +6
:Skill Restoration +12

b. Illusion
:Skill Illusion +6
:Skill Restoration +12

c. Alteration
:Skill Alteration +6
:Skill Restoration +12

d. Thaumaturgy
:Skill Restoration +12
:Skill Thaumaturgy +6

e. Mysticism
:Skill Restoration +12
:Skill Mysticism +6

----
In gratitude for services rendered, the Emperor gave you ___.
(Healer, Mage, Sorcerer, Spellsword, Thief)

a. Over 200 gold pieces
:GP +200

b. An ebony dagger
:An Ebony Dagger

c. A book
:A Random Book

d. A ruby
:A Ruby

e. A silver staff
:A Silver Staff

f. An elven flail
:An Elven Flail

g. A suit of armor
:Iron Cuirass
:Iron Greaves
:Iron Left Pauldron
:Iron Right Pauldron

f. An amulet
:An Amulet

----
Your favored weapon type is ___.
(Monk)

a. Short-bladed weapons
:Skill Short Blade +12
:A Silver Wakazashi

b. Axe fighting
:Skill Axe +12
:An Iron War Axe

c. Blunt weapons
:Skill Blunt Weapon +12
:An Iron Warhammer

d. Archery
:Skill Archery +12
:An Iron Longbow
:6 Arrows

e. Longblade
:Skill Long Blade +12
:An Iron Katana

----
Before you set out for the Imperial City, your mother gave you ___.
(Nightblade, Thief)

a. 100 gold pieces
:GP +100

b. Her favorite book
:A Random Book

c. A cuirass
:An Iron Cuirass

d. A pearl
:A Pearl

e. A buckler
:A Buckler of Steel Quality

f. Gauntlets
:Iron Gauntlets

----
Scrounging through an alley, you came upon ___.
(Warrior)

a. Two hundred gold pieces.
:GP + 200

b. A book
:A Random Book

c. A ruby
:A Ruby

d. A silver flail
:A Silver Flail

e. An amulet
:An Amulet

----
Besides the bow and arrow, you are best at ___.
(Archer) (All answers give +9 Archery)

a. Short-bladed weapons
:Skill Archery +9
:Skill Short Blade +3
:Iron Short Sword

b. Hand-to-hand combat
:Skill Archery +9
:Skill Hand-to-Hand +3
:Iron Gauntlets

c. Axe fighting
:Skill Archery +9
:Skill Axe +3
:Iron War Axe

d. Blunt weapons
:Skill Archery +9
:Skill Blunt Weapon +3
:Iron Warhammer

e. Longblade
:Skill Archery +9
:Skill Long Blade +3
:Iron Longsword

Notes
The questions "Of all disagreeable types", "Your preferred criminal method", and "You are intimate friends with" would have most likely been used to give your character enemies and friends related to their background. In the BIOG files, for these questions, you can find commands like "AE M 8 2 +4", where the second number refers to a class related to your answer. This is further supported by the Burglar history, which features an old lady that trains the character into your selected criminal method, and suggests they should visit her later in the Iliac Bay. This is, of course, unimplemented in the released game.