The different books give different options. You can easily play with the just the core stuff, but, for example, each country has a few specialist backgrounds that are only available to people from there.<br/><br/>If you're not familiar with the system and setting, grab the free pdfs from the first post in the other thread and have a read over them. You'll have a better idea where you stand then I think. If you are looking for a pre-emptive nautical salvage specialist, a Vesten raider or one of Elaines Sea Dogs (Avalonian) are solid choices.