Character Creation

Background Bonus
Characters have the opportunity to bonuses to their skills.

Effect
Each character gains access to one of the following bonuses when they are created:
 * A miscellaneous +2 bonus to two different skills
 * Training in any one skill

Rationale
Provide extra customization in line with PHB2 suggestions, without the restrictions imposed by the handbooks. Also gives an opportunity to get training in a non-class skill to give characters unique talents outside of the normal for their class.

Heirloom Item
Characters have access to one magical item at character creation.

Effect
Characters have access to one magical item at character creation. The power of this item should be variable such that its usefulness scales up with the character as that character levels up. This could take the form of an enhancement bonus an accuracy bonus, a skill bonus, etc.

Rationale
Create a custom magical item of significance to a character's backstory, enable earlier character strategies that rely on a magical item, and assurance of being able to get magical items that might not be found while adventuring (e.g., enchanted longswords are common, but enchanted throwing knives might be less common).