Editing DS Manual (section)

==== Character History ====
History Points, what another set of stats? I thought this was roleplaying. Okay, hear me out, these points are just used for character creation. You have six history points to spend in each of four categories: 

* Family: your family life, standing, general upbringing
* Academia: how you fared in school, trade, or something similar
* Social: your social nature, circle of friendships, charismatic standings
* Flaw: a character flaw (or flawlessness) determined by the DM or a rolling table

[[Image:History_Points.png|center|800px|''Figure 1 - History Points'']]

===== Academic Specialties =====
This is typical for my own setting, but my list of specialties include:

* History & Lore
* Engineering
* Practical Magic
* Pure Magic
* Physicking (Medicine)
* Music, Culture & Languages
* Husbandry, Agriculture

I intentionally will not define the subjects further than that, but I leverage these specialties in character history to allow players to do extraordinary things they perhaps would not have thought of on their own. E.g. using their Engineering knowledge to pick a lock even though they may not be the thief-type character, their knowledge of Practical Magic to manipulate the inner workings of a magic-assisted elevator, or their Physicking prowess to make a healing spell more effective. I try to encourage and reward roleplaying and engagement wherever possible, so this whole “History Points thing” is a route that could simply end up as a footnote in someone’s character sheet, or allow a player to get more engrossed in their character. Entirely optional, but I encourage it.