# Converting Cairn Backgrounds to OSE // B/X
**URL:** https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/t/converting-cairn-backgrounds-to-ose-b-x/3140
**Category:** Theory
**Created:** [July 22, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/t/converting-cairn-backgrounds-to-ose-b-x/3140 "2025-07-22T14:38:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@IwarTheHomeless](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/u/IwarTheHomeless)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2025, 2:38pm UTC](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/t/converting-cairn-backgrounds-to-ose-b-x/3140/1 "2025-07-22T14:38:08Z")
I am currently working on a mini setting zine, that I hope to finalize soon. I have been designing it for Cairn 2e, but as system neutral as possible. One of the elements of the zine are six new backgrounds.
Seeing as I’m a fan of OSE as well I would like to make an OSE version as well. The one thing I don’t know what to do with are the Cairn backgrounds I already created.
Has anyone here dealt or thought about this issue?
For me there are several ways to go.
- Make backgrounds into full blown classes - good but demanding
- Make backgrounds equipment packages for selected classes
- Make them into something like a 2e Kit for OSE classes.
Would be interested in your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.
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### Author:  [@yochaigal](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/u/yochaigal)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/t/converting-cairn-backgrounds-to-ose-b-x/3140/2 "2025-07-22T14:55:16Z")
Couldn’t you make two versions? One for Cairn and one for B/X (perhaps in a starting gear sort of format?).
In case you haven’t seen it:
> **[Creating Backgrounds](https://cairnrpg.com/second-edition/wardens-guide/creating-backgrounds/)**
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### Author:  [@IwarTheHomeless](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/u/IwarTheHomeless)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/t/converting-cairn-backgrounds-to-ose-b-x/3140/3 "2025-07-22T15:14:37Z")
Thanks for sharing I have already seen it thought as well as made the backgrounds before. Actually, backgrounds are one of the key things that I like in creating for Cairn specifically. It’s a low threshold way to create some definitions to a character. I do intend to make two versions one for Cairn and one for OSE.
I already have my Cairn 2e classes ready. My question is what to do with the backgrounds I created (just realized my original post is missing a crucial verb. Sorry about the confusion caused). Making them into fullblown B/X classes seems like a lot of work and play testing would be required. But maybe I’m overlooking something? Or there is something I haven’t considered (like the class kit option). Also curious if anyone tackled the same problem ever.
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### Author:  [@ktrey](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/u/ktrey)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://discourse.rpgcauldron.com/t/converting-cairn-backgrounds-to-ose-b-x/3140/4 "2025-07-22T17:09:10Z")
We tend to use Backgrounds in our OSE and B/X games. I even have a table that Players can Roll/Choose from here: [Character Backgrounds & Prior Vocations](https://blog.d4caltrops.com/2019/05/character-backgrounds-prior-vocations.html).
To me, the purpose of a Background is far more compelling when it isn’t boiled down to a series of Mechanical Bonuses or little Numerical Details. The only change we make is there’s another line on the Character Sheet where you can fill in your “Prior Vocation.”
Virtually all “sub-classes” fit **very comfortably** within the archetypes provided by the Core Classes provided by B/X without anything other than maybe a slight bit of re-skinning in the fiction. I mainly just ask myself "Does this Class solve problems through direct application of physical effort? (Fighter!) or are they more into indirect applications (Thief) Do they rely on Magic to directly address Challenges? (Magic-User) Or is there Magic more _indirect_ in nature? (Cleric!) I try to view the Classes as **less vocational** and more as just a _suite of Tools_ that are provided to Characters to address some of the more **common challenges** found in these games. You can write whatever you want in that box, but “under the hood” we’ll just use the same XP Progressions, HD, Weapon/Armor Restrictions, Saving Throws as one of the conventional Core Classes.
However, filling in that Background can represent a wealth of _information_ though: It’s a multitude of Skills, Talents, Specialized Knowledges, Unusual Knacks, and even sometimes more physical features. Rather than having to reference a big list, or have the Players actions guided more by what they can and can’t accomplish mechanically based on the Skills listed on their Sheet, we just have a single line for Background to encompass all this stuff.
It’s very simple: The Background just adds another layer of Competency for related tasks. If prior to becoming an Adventurer, you were a **Sailor** then I’m not going to make you roll the dice to tie a complex knot, swim in normal circumstances, locate North by the Stars, scale a fish, or mend a net. If you get in a grog drinking or sea shanty contest with others, you will have better chances at succeeding than someone without this background, etc.
I tend to Play with pretty mature people, so other the occasional humorous joke, I don’t see a lot of attempts to _exploit_ this system. We do acknowledge that sometimes these Backgrounds might be able to be leveraged in **Unusual** or **Interesting** ways though. A Character who is a former **Blacksmith** can easily make a Horseshoe, keep a Fire lit for a long time, etc. but when it comes to grabbing a white-hot Metal Idol from a Dias…they might end up suffering _less harm_ than others due to their Calloused Hands by invoking that past history of working with very hot objects.
So when adopting this principle to a B/X style game, I’d really lean more on the Equipment Packages option of the ones you’ve listed. Gear can be a very powerful **Problem Solver** in these games. B/X doesn’t really make a lot of provisions for highly specialized Skills outside of the normal Dungeoneering/Exploration x-in-6 Checks (Stealth = Surprise, Listen = Hear Noise, Search, Hunting/Foraging, Open Doors…and the oft overlooked Tinderbox Check.) I don’t really consider the Special Class Abilities of the Thief Class to be quite the same, as those abilities are more to define their niche within the context of Teamwork (like a Magic User’s Spells, only with less limitations in terms of Resources.)