The following is a list of the steps to create a background. Each step is a series of random tables the program recurively goes through to build a story. As you step through each random table, you will see the new information first in a green title barred box, and underneath will the complete background. Breaking it down step by step allows you to see the progression of the character and eases the burden on the server. It also allows you to stop at anytime and skip to the end. If you don't want to have significant events in adulthood, hit Done and move to the end, for example. I added more navigation options so that you easily start over and skip to the end.
A character's social standing is deeply influenced by their family's status within their culture. You can think of it as a subculture within a larger society. While the core values and skills of the main culture still apply, they are adapted and filtered through the lens of one's social class.
This social status acts as a modifier for future life events. It's also an indicator of a character's family wealth, which can eventually become their own fortune—or lack thereof. A character's social status isn't fixed; it can change for better or worse throughout their life due to various events.
For new characters, social standing directly impacts their starting funds. A wealthy character will typically begin with more money than a poor one.
Birth legitimacy is a social custom that allows a society to officially track a family's lineage, typically through the institution of marriage. In patriarchal societies, this lineage is determined by the father's side through a recognized spouse.
An illegitimate child, often called a "bastard," is one born to a woman who is not married to the father and is not later adopted by his family.
How a society views legitimacy is heavily influenced by its culture. For instance, in some cultures, so-called "love children" are more common but may not be accepted into the family. Conversely, many primitive cultures don't see legitimacy as an issue at all, and most children are considered legitimate members of the community.