Backgrounding-as opposed to foregrounding - not Backgrounds

[Hussar]

I have a neat game called Chronica Feudalis. Fun little RPG that includes a very interesting mechanic called backgrounding. This is not the same as your character backgrounds and has nothing to do with that. Instead, this is about gameplay.

[/b]: allows the DM and the players to choose elements regarding their characters and the game that are true but, will not be included as part of regular play. For example, if you placed your family as Background, then no plots would ever center around your family. You would have it, it would be true in game that you have a family, and, you could visit with them and interact with them, and whatnot, but, the DM wouldn't use them as part of the plot of the game. The players are expected not to abuse this - no hiding from the law with your family and then claiming that because they are part of the Background, the police cannot find you, that sort of thing.[/div][/ul]

So, with that in mind, I propose the following element to be part of the Background:

Weapons and Armor: Yes, it doesn't make much sense that you are walking around Candlekeep day in and day out, reading books and perusing the library in a suit of plate mail with a two handed sword strapped to your back. OTOH, I know that most players would rather chew off their own left nipple than give up their weapons and armor. So, I propose that Weapons and Armor, while in Candlekeep, are in the Background. If there comes a time when you need to be geared up, you are. It will simply be presumed that for whatever reason, if you need to be armed and armored, you will be, while in Candlekeep. Note, there might be some exceptions to this - say you are placed in prison for some reason, so, you've have your equipment taken from you - but, barring very, very corner cases, you can simply assume that you have the equipment that you own whenever you wish.

[Hussar]

Post Reserved for possible further Backgroundings.

[stormwarden]

I like what you're trying to do with this. It solves a lot of game problems. To me, it feels a bit like a hand waive, and that creates story problems. Part of the fun of a city campaign is the fact that you can't just walk around in full arms and armor all the time and need to figure out good workarounds. So is there another way to deal with arms and armor that isn't quite such a hand waive?

Do we really need all our arms and armor on us at all times within Candlekeep's walls, or do we just need ready access to them? That changes the nature of the solution needed. Does it need to be equipped? On your person? Or just retrievable within a reasonable amount of time? It can be fun to play that moment when your stuff isn't at the ready and to figure out how to make it work. Do we chase the guy now or go get our gear and hunt him down later?

Several of us don't need a workaround (or not much of one at least) - my wizard, the barbarian who doesn't wear armor and whose primary weapon is his heavy staff, the paladin's armor is incorporated in his body (and he could fight with a dagger or quarterstaff if needed), and the bard has concealable weapons (a folding hand crossbow if you allow it) and heavy leather clothing that serves as armor. The artificer is a little tougher to deal with (bow and armor are tougher to conceal), but with her wings she could at least flit out of harms way in a worst case scenario.

Are Candlekeep rules totally restrictive? Do they have to be? Are weapons forbidden, or do they just require formal impediments like peace knots to limit their use? Is armor forbidden or just frowned upon? A chain shirt or breastplate on Merk is pretty innocuous unless it is strictly forbidden.

The sages could provide us with a couple of minor magic items to offset the restrictions. A bag of holding (which Merk can make at 2nd level) can provide reasonable access to gear for the whole party - not instant access, but we could get all our stuff within a round or two. A Ring of Armory would allow someone to treat their armor or weapon similar to a pact weapon, popping it on or off with an action. Those are pretty minor items, and they solve the issue without the need for a hand waive.

What do you think? Do any of those ideas help?