diff --git a/src/act.wizard.c b/src/act.wizard.c
index 22a7d20..c9ccb6a 100644
--- a/src/act.wizard.c
+++ b/src/act.wizard.c
@@ -1237,6 +1237,7 @@ static void do_stat_character(struct char_data *ch, struct char_data *k)
   }
 
   send_to_char(ch, "D-Desc:\r\n %s", k->player.description ? k->player.description : "<None>\r\n");
+  send_to_char(ch, "Background:\r\n %s", k->player.background ? k->player.background : "<None>\r\n");
 
   if (!IS_NPC(k)) {
     char buf1[64], buf2[64];
diff --git a/src/db.c b/src/db.c
index 4154177..16e427d 100644
--- a/src/db.c
+++ b/src/db.c
@@ -589,10 +589,12 @@ void destroy_db(void)
       free(mob_proto[cnt].player.name);
     if (mob_proto[cnt].player.short_descr)
       free(mob_proto[cnt].player.short_descr);
-    if (mob_proto[cnt].player.long_descr)
-      free(mob_proto[cnt].player.long_descr);
-    if (mob_proto[cnt].player.description)
-      free(mob_proto[cnt].player.description);
+  if (mob_proto[cnt].player.long_descr)
+    free(mob_proto[cnt].player.long_descr);
+  if (mob_proto[cnt].player.description)
+    free(mob_proto[cnt].player.description);
+  if (mob_proto[cnt].player.background)
+    free(mob_proto[cnt].player.background);
 
     /* free script proto list */
     free_proto_script(&mob_proto[cnt], MOB_TRIGGER);
@@ -1776,6 +1778,33 @@ void parse_mobile(FILE *mob_f, int nr)
       *tmpptr = LOWER(*tmpptr);
   mob_proto[i].player.long_descr = fread_string(mob_f, buf2);
   mob_proto[i].player.description = fread_string(mob_f, buf2);
+  mob_proto[i].player.background = NULL;
+
+  /* Optional background block signaled by a leading 'B' marker */
+  {
+    int letter;
+
+    do {
+      letter = fgetc(mob_f);
+      if (letter == EOF)
+        break;
+    } while (letter == '\n' || letter == '\r');
+
+    if (letter == 'B') {
+      mob_proto[i].player.background = fread_string(mob_f, buf2);
+
+      /* consume trailing newlines before numeric section */
+      do {
+        letter = fgetc(mob_f);
+        if (letter == EOF)
+          break;
+      } while (letter == '\n' || letter == '\r');
+
+      if (letter != EOF)
+        ungetc(letter, mob_f);
+    } else if (letter != EOF)
+      ungetc(letter, mob_f);
+  }
 
   /* Numeric data */
   if (!get_line(mob_f, line)) {
@@ -3393,6 +3422,8 @@ void free_char(struct char_data *ch)
       free(ch->player.long_descr);
     if (ch->player.description)
       free(ch->player.description);
+    if (ch->player.background)
+      free(ch->player.background);
     for (i = 0; i < NUM_HIST; i++)
       if (GET_HISTORY(ch, i))
         free_history(ch, i);
@@ -3413,6 +3444,8 @@ void free_char(struct char_data *ch)
       free(ch->player.long_descr);
     if (ch->player.description && ch->player.description != mob_proto[i].player.description)
       free(ch->player.description);
+    if (ch->player.background && ch->player.background != mob_proto[i].player.background)
+      free(ch->player.background);
     /* free script proto list if it's not the prototype */
     if (ch->proto_script && ch->proto_script != mob_proto[i].proto_script)
       free_proto_script(ch, MOB_TRIGGER);
@@ -3655,6 +3688,7 @@ void init_char(struct char_data *ch)
   ch->player.short_descr = NULL;
   ch->player.long_descr = NULL;
   ch->player.description = NULL;
+  ch->player.background = NULL;
 
   GET_NUM_QUESTS(ch) = 0;
   ch->player_specials->saved.completed_quests = NULL;
diff --git a/src/dg_mobcmd.c b/src/dg_mobcmd.c
index ba5e25d..1ded8cb 100644
--- a/src/dg_mobcmd.c
+++ b/src/dg_mobcmd.c
@@ -948,6 +948,8 @@ ACMD(do_mtransform)
       tmpmob.player.long_descr = strdup(m->player.long_descr);
     if(m->player.description)
       tmpmob.player.description = strdup(m->player.description);
+    if(m->player.background)
+      tmpmob.player.background = strdup(m->player.background);
 
     tmpmob.script_id = ch->script_id;
     tmpmob.affected = ch->affected;
diff --git a/src/genmob.c b/src/genmob.c
index b02d531..9d7ea51 100644
--- a/src/genmob.c
+++ b/src/genmob.c
@@ -123,6 +123,10 @@ static void extract_mobile_all(mob_vnum vnum)
         if (ch->player.description && ch->player.description != mob_proto[i].player.description)
           free(ch->player.description);
 				ch->player.description = NULL;
+				
+        if (ch->player.background && ch->player.background != mob_proto[i].player.background)
+          free(ch->player.background);
+        ch->player.background = NULL;
     
         /* free script proto list if it's not the prototype */
         if (ch->proto_script && ch->proto_script != mob_proto[i].proto_script)
@@ -201,6 +205,8 @@ int copy_mobile_strings(struct char_data *t, struct char_data *f)
     t->player.long_descr = strdup(f->player.long_descr);
   if (f->player.description)
     t->player.description = strdup(f->player.description);
+  if (f->player.background)
+    t->player.background = strdup(f->player.background);
   return TRUE;
 }
 
@@ -214,6 +220,8 @@ int update_mobile_strings(struct char_data *t, struct char_data *f)
     t->player.long_descr = f->player.long_descr;
   if (f->player.description)
     t->player.description = f->player.description;
+  if (f->player.background)
+    t->player.background = f->player.background;
   return TRUE;
 }
 
@@ -227,6 +235,8 @@ int free_mobile_strings(struct char_data *mob)
     free(mob->player.long_descr);
   if (mob->player.description)
     free(mob->player.description);
+  if (mob->player.background)
+    free(mob->player.background);
   return TRUE;
 }
 
@@ -253,6 +263,8 @@ int free_mobile(struct char_data *mob)
       free(mob->player.long_descr);
     if (mob->player.description && mob->player.description != mob_proto[i].player.description)
       free(mob->player.description);
+    if (mob->player.background && mob->player.background != mob_proto[i].player.background)
+      free(mob->player.background);
     /* free script proto list if it's not the prototype */
     if (mob->proto_script && mob->proto_script != mob_proto[i].proto_script)
       free_proto_script(mob, MOB_TRIGGER);
@@ -377,12 +389,18 @@ int write_mobile_record(mob_vnum mvnum, struct char_data *mob, FILE *fd)
 {
   char ldesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
   char ddesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
+  char bdesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
   char buf[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
 
   ldesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
   ddesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
+  bdesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
   strip_cr(strncpy(ldesc, GET_LDESC(mob), MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1));
   strip_cr(strncpy(ddesc, GET_DDESC(mob), MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1));
+  if (GET_BDESC(mob))
+    strip_cr(strncpy(bdesc, GET_BDESC(mob), MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1));
+  else
+    bdesc[0] = '\0';
 
   int n = snprintf(buf, MAX_STRING_LENGTH,
                    "#%d\n"
@@ -390,13 +408,16 @@ int write_mobile_record(mob_vnum mvnum, struct char_data *mob, FILE *fd)
                    "%s%c\n"
                    "%s%c\n"
                    "%s%c\n"
+                   "%s%c\n"
+                   "B\n"
                    "%s%c\n",
                    mvnum,
                    GET_NAME(mob), STRING_TERMINATOR,
                    GET_KEYWORDS(mob), STRING_TERMINATOR,
                    GET_SDESC(mob), STRING_TERMINATOR,
                    ldesc, STRING_TERMINATOR,
-                   ddesc, STRING_TERMINATOR);
+                   ddesc, STRING_TERMINATOR,
+                   bdesc, STRING_TERMINATOR);
 
   if (n >= MAX_STRING_LENGTH) {
     mudlog(BRF, LVL_BUILDER, TRUE,
diff --git a/src/genmob.h b/src/genmob.h
index 971fbaa..e32a0fd 100644
--- a/src/genmob.h
+++ b/src/genmob.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ int write_mobile_mobprog(mob_vnum mvnum, struct char_data *mob, FILE *fd);
 #define GET_SDESC(mob)	((mob)->player.short_descr)
 #define GET_LDESC(mob)	((mob)->player.long_descr)
 #define GET_DDESC(mob)	((mob)->player.description)
+#define GET_BDESC(mob)  ((mob)->player.background)
 #define GET_ATTACK(mob)	((mob)->mob_specials.attack_type)
 
 #endif /* _GENMOB_H_ */
diff --git a/src/genolc.c b/src/genolc.c
index 66a4249..dd6a419 100644
--- a/src/genolc.c
+++ b/src/genolc.c
@@ -594,22 +594,31 @@ static int export_mobile_record(mob_vnum mvnum, struct char_data *mob, FILE *fd)
 
   char ldesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
   char ddesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
+  char bdesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
 
   ldesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
   ddesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
+  bdesc[MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1] = '\0';
   strip_cr(strncpy(ldesc, GET_LDESC(mob), MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1));
   strip_cr(strncpy(ddesc, GET_DDESC(mob), MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1));
+  if (GET_BDESC(mob))
+    strip_cr(strncpy(bdesc, GET_BDESC(mob), MAX_STRING_LENGTH - 1));
+  else
+    bdesc[0] = '\0';
 
   fprintf(fd,	"#QQ%02d\n"
 		"%s%c\n"
 		"%s%c\n"
 		"%s%c\n"
+		"%s%c\n"
+    "B\n"
 		"%s%c\n",
 	mvnum%100,
 	GET_KEYWORDS(mob), STRING_TERMINATOR,
 	GET_SDESC(mob), STRING_TERMINATOR,
 	ldesc, STRING_TERMINATOR,
-	ddesc, STRING_TERMINATOR
+	ddesc, STRING_TERMINATOR,
+	bdesc, STRING_TERMINATOR
   );
 
   fprintf(fd, "%d %d %d %d %d %d %d %d %d E\n"
diff --git a/src/interpreter.c b/src/interpreter.c
index 908dc61..6686e57 100644
--- a/src/interpreter.c
+++ b/src/interpreter.c
@@ -1803,6 +1803,41 @@ case CON_QCLASS:
         }
       }
 
+      if (!GET_BACKGROUND(d->character) || !*GET_BACKGROUND(d->character)) {
+        write_to_output(d,
+          "\r\nBefore stepping into Athas, share a bit of your character's background.\r\n"
+          "Guideline: aim for at least four lines that hint at where they came from,\r\n"
+          "who shaped them, and why they now walk the Tyr region. Touch on things like:\r\n"
+          "  - The city-state, tribe, or caravan that claimed them.\r\n"
+          "  - Mentors, slavers, or patrons who left a mark.\r\n"
+          "  - A defining hardship, triumph, oath, or secret.\r\n"
+          "  - The goal, vengeance, or hope that drives them back into the wastes.\r\n"
+          "\r\nExample 1:\r\n"
+          "   Raised beneath the ziggurat of Tyr, I learned to barter gossip between\r\n"
+          "   templars and gladiators just to stay alive. Freedom came when Kalak fell,\r\n"
+          "   but the slave-scar on my shoulder still aches. I now search the desert\r\n"
+          "   for the relic my clutch mates died protecting, hoping to buy their kin peace.\r\n"
+          "\r\nExample 2:\r\n"
+          "   I rode caravan outrider routes from Balic until giants shattered our train.\r\n"
+          "   Two nights buried in silt taught me to whisper with the wind and trust only\r\n"
+          "   my erdlu. I hunt the warlord who sold us out, yet coin and company on the\r\n"
+          "   road must come first.\r\n"
+          "\r\nExample 3:\r\n"
+          "   Born outside Raam, I was tempered by obsidian shards and psionic murmurs.\r\n"
+          "   A defiler ruined our oasis, so I swore to hound such spell-scars wherever\r\n"
+          "   they bloom. Rumor of a hidden well near Tyr is the lone hope that guides me.\r\n"
+          "\r\nType your background now. Use '/s' on a blank line when you finish.\r\n"
+          "If you'd rather keep it secret, just save immediately and we'll note the mystery.\r\n\r\n");
+        d->backstr = NULL;
+        if (GET_BACKGROUND(d->character) && *GET_BACKGROUND(d->character))
+          d->backstr = strdup(GET_BACKGROUND(d->character));
+        d->str = &d->character->player.background;
+        d->max_str = PLR_DESC_LENGTH;
+        STATE(d) = CON_PLR_BACKGROUND;
+        send_editor_help(d);
+        return;
+      }
+
       /* Proceed into the world */
       load_result = enter_player_game(d);
       send_to_char(d->character, "%s", CONFIG_WELC_MESSG);
diff --git a/src/medit.c b/src/medit.c
index f8537b9..76e7a09 100644
--- a/src/medit.c
+++ b/src/medit.c
@@ -191,6 +191,7 @@ static void medit_setup_new(struct descriptor_data *d)
   GET_SDESC(mob) = strdup("the unfinished npc");
   GET_LDESC(mob) = strdup("An unfinished npc stands here.\r\n");
   GET_DDESC(mob) = strdup("It looks unfinished.\r\n");
+  GET_BACKGROUND(mob) = strdup("No background has been recorded.\r\n");
   SCRIPT(mob) = NULL;
   mob->proto_script = OLC_SCRIPT(d) = NULL;
 
@@ -412,10 +413,12 @@ static void medit_disp_menu(struct descriptor_data *d)
 {
   struct char_data *mob;
   char flags[MAX_STRING_LENGTH], flag2[MAX_STRING_LENGTH];
+  const char *background;
 
   mob = OLC_MOB(d);
   get_char_colors(d->character);
   clear_screen(d);
+  background = GET_BACKGROUND(mob) ? GET_BACKGROUND(mob) : "<None>\r\n";
 
   write_to_output(d,
     "-- Mob Number:  [%s%d%s]\r\n"
@@ -442,11 +445,12 @@ static void medit_disp_menu(struct descriptor_data *d)
 	  "%s8%s) Default   : %s%s\r\n"
 	  "%s9%s) Attack    : %s%s\r\n"
     "%s0%s) Stats Menu...\r\n"
-    "%s-%s) Skills Menu...\r\n"
+	  "%s-%s) Skills Menu...\r\n"
 	  "%sA%s) NPC Flags : %s%s\r\n"
 	  "%sB%s) AFF Flags : %s%s\r\n"
-    "%sS%s) Script    : %s%s\r\n"
-    "%sW%s) Copy mob\r\n"
+    "%sC%s) Background:-\r\n%s%s\r\n"
+	  "%sS%s) Script    : %s%s\r\n"
+	  "%sW%s) Copy mob\r\n"
 	  "%sX%s) Delete mob\r\n"
 	  "%sQ%s) Quit\r\n"
 	  "Enter choice : ",
@@ -458,7 +462,8 @@ static void medit_disp_menu(struct descriptor_data *d)
 	  grn, nrm,
 	  grn, nrm, cyn, flags,
 	  grn, nrm, cyn, flag2,
-          grn, nrm, cyn, OLC_SCRIPT(d) ?"Set.":"Not Set.",
+          grn, nrm, yel, background,
+	  grn, nrm, cyn, OLC_SCRIPT(d) ?"Set.":"Not Set.",
           grn, nrm,
 	  grn, nrm,
 	  grn, nrm
@@ -686,6 +691,18 @@ void medit_parse(struct descriptor_data *d, char *arg)
       OLC_MODE(d) = MEDIT_AFF_FLAGS;
       medit_disp_aff_flags(d);
       return;
+    case 'c':
+    case 'C':
+      OLC_MODE(d) = MEDIT_BACKGROUND;
+      send_editor_help(d);
+      write_to_output(d, "Enter mob background:\r\n\r\n");
+      if (OLC_MOB(d)->player.background) {
+        write_to_output(d, "%s", OLC_MOB(d)->player.background);
+        oldtext = strdup(OLC_MOB(d)->player.background);
+      }
+      string_write(d, &OLC_MOB(d)->player.background, MAX_MOB_DESC, 0, oldtext);
+      OLC_VAL(d) = 1;
+      return;
     case 'w':
     case 'W':
       write_to_output(d, "Copy what mob? ");
@@ -990,6 +1007,11 @@ void medit_parse(struct descriptor_data *d, char *arg)
     mudlog(BRF, LVL_BUILDER, TRUE, "SYSERR: OLC: medit_parse(): Reached D_DESC case!");
     write_to_output(d, "Oops...\r\n");
     break;
+  case MEDIT_BACKGROUND:
+    cleanup_olc(d, CLEANUP_ALL);
+    mudlog(BRF, LVL_BUILDER, TRUE, "SYSERR: OLC: medit_parse(): Reached BACKGROUND case!");
+    write_to_output(d, "Oops...\r\n");
+    break;
 
   case MEDIT_NPC_FLAGS:
     if ((i = atoi(arg)) <= 0)
@@ -1181,6 +1203,7 @@ void medit_string_cleanup(struct descriptor_data *d, int terminator)
   switch (OLC_MODE(d)) {
 
   case MEDIT_D_DESC:
+  case MEDIT_BACKGROUND:
   default:
      medit_disp_menu(d);
      break;
diff --git a/src/modify.c b/src/modify.c
index 8b270bc..ffd8bd3 100644
--- a/src/modify.c
+++ b/src/modify.c
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ static char *next_page(char *str, struct char_data *ch);
 static int count_pages(char *str, struct char_data *ch);
 static void playing_string_cleanup(struct descriptor_data *d, int action);
 static void exdesc_string_cleanup(struct descriptor_data *d, int action);
+static void background_string_cleanup(struct descriptor_data *d, int action);
 
 /* Local (file scope) global variables */
 /* @deprecated string_fields appears to be no longer be used.
@@ -217,6 +218,7 @@ void string_add(struct descriptor_data *d, char *str)
       { CON_TEDIT  , tedit_string_cleanup },
       { CON_TRIGEDIT, trigedit_string_cleanup },
       { CON_PLR_DESC , exdesc_string_cleanup },
+      { CON_PLR_BACKGROUND , background_string_cleanup },
       { CON_PLAYING, playing_string_cleanup },
       { CON_HEDIT, hedit_string_cleanup },
       { CON_QEDIT  , qedit_string_cleanup },
@@ -302,6 +304,27 @@ static void exdesc_string_cleanup(struct descriptor_data *d, int action)
   STATE(d) = CON_MENU;
 }
 
+static void background_string_cleanup(struct descriptor_data *d, int action)
+{
+  if (d->character) {
+    if (!GET_BACKGROUND(d->character) || !*GET_BACKGROUND(d->character)) {
+      if (GET_BACKGROUND(d->character))
+        free(GET_BACKGROUND(d->character));
+      GET_BACKGROUND(d->character) = strdup("This character prefers to keep their past unspoken.\r\n");
+      if (action == STRINGADD_ABORT)
+        write_to_output(d, "Background entry canceled. We'll note that your past remains a mystery.\r\n");
+      else
+        write_to_output(d, "No background submitted. We'll note that your past remains a mystery.\r\n");
+    } else if (action == STRINGADD_ABORT)
+      write_to_output(d, "Background entry canceled.\r\n");
+    else
+      write_to_output(d, "Background saved.\r\n");
+  }
+
+  write_to_output(d, "%s", CONFIG_MENU);
+  STATE(d) = CON_MENU;
+}
+
 /* By Michael Buselli. Traverse down the string until the begining of the next
  * page has been reached.  Return NULL if this is the last page of the string. */
 static char *next_page(char *str, struct char_data *ch)
diff --git a/src/oasis.h b/src/oasis.h
index c7a21fd..e55a2fd 100644
--- a/src/oasis.h
+++ b/src/oasis.h
@@ -258,38 +258,39 @@ extern const char *nrm, *grn, *cyn, *yel;
 #define MEDIT_S_DESC                    3
 #define MEDIT_L_DESC                    4
 #define MEDIT_D_DESC                    5
-#define MEDIT_NPC_FLAGS                 6
-#define MEDIT_AFF_FLAGS                 7
-#define MEDIT_CONFIRM_SAVESTRING        8
-#define MEDIT_STATS_MENU                9
-#define MEDIT_SKILL_MENU                10
-#define MEDIT_SKILL_EDIT                11
+#define MEDIT_BACKGROUND                6
+#define MEDIT_NPC_FLAGS                 7
+#define MEDIT_AFF_FLAGS                 8
+#define MEDIT_CONFIRM_SAVESTRING        9
+#define MEDIT_STATS_MENU                10
+#define MEDIT_SKILL_MENU                11
+#define MEDIT_SKILL_EDIT                12
 
 /* Numerical responses. */
-#define MEDIT_NUMERICAL_RESPONSE	       12
-#define MEDIT_SEX			                13
-#define MEDIT_NUM_HP_DICE		          14
-#define MEDIT_SIZE_HP_DICE		          15
-#define MEDIT_ADD_HP			             16
-#define MEDIT_POS			                17
-#define MEDIT_DEFAULT_POS		          18
-#define MEDIT_ATTACK			             19
-#define MEDIT_LEVEL			             20
-#define MEDIT_ALIGNMENT			          21
-#define MEDIT_DELETE                    22
-#define MEDIT_COPY                      23
-#define MEDIT_STR                       24
-#define MEDIT_INT                       25
-#define MEDIT_WIS                       26
-#define MEDIT_DEX                       27
-#define MEDIT_CON                       28
-#define MEDIT_CHA                       29
-#define MEDIT_SAVE_STR                  30
-#define MEDIT_SAVE_DEX                  31
-#define MEDIT_SAVE_CON                  32
-#define MEDIT_SAVE_INT                  33
-#define MEDIT_SAVE_WIS                  34
-#define MEDIT_SAVE_CHA                  35
+#define MEDIT_NUMERICAL_RESPONSE	       13
+#define MEDIT_SEX			                14
+#define MEDIT_NUM_HP_DICE		          15
+#define MEDIT_SIZE_HP_DICE		          16
+#define MEDIT_ADD_HP			             17
+#define MEDIT_POS			                18
+#define MEDIT_DEFAULT_POS		          19
+#define MEDIT_ATTACK			             20
+#define MEDIT_LEVEL			             21
+#define MEDIT_ALIGNMENT			          22
+#define MEDIT_DELETE                    23
+#define MEDIT_COPY                      24
+#define MEDIT_STR                       25
+#define MEDIT_INT                       26
+#define MEDIT_WIS                       27
+#define MEDIT_DEX                       28
+#define MEDIT_CON                       29
+#define MEDIT_CHA                       30
+#define MEDIT_SAVE_STR                  31
+#define MEDIT_SAVE_DEX                  32
+#define MEDIT_SAVE_CON                  33
+#define MEDIT_SAVE_INT                  34
+#define MEDIT_SAVE_WIS                  35
+#define MEDIT_SAVE_CHA                  36
 
 /* Submodes of SEDIT connectedness. */
 #define SEDIT_MAIN_MENU              	0
diff --git a/src/players.c b/src/players.c
index f438442..811aaba 100644
--- a/src/players.c
+++ b/src/players.c
@@ -334,7 +334,8 @@ int load_char(const char *name, struct char_data *ch)
 	break;
 
       case 'B':
-	     if (!strcmp(tag, "Badp"))	GET_BAD_PWS(ch)		= atoi(line);
+        if (!strcmp(tag, "Back"))     ch->player.background   = fread_string(fl, buf2);
+	else if (!strcmp(tag, "Badp"))	GET_BAD_PWS(ch)		= atoi(line);
 	else if (!strcmp(tag, "Bank"))	GET_BANK_GOLD(ch)	= atoi(line);
 	else if (!strcmp(tag, "Brth"))	ch->player.time.birth	= atol(line);
 	break;
@@ -585,6 +586,11 @@ void save_char(struct char_data * ch)
     strip_cr(buf);
     fprintf(fl, "Desc:\n%s~\n", buf);
   }
+  if (ch->player.background && *ch->player.background) {
+    strcpy(buf, ch->player.background);
+    strip_cr(buf);
+    fprintf(fl, "Back:\n%s~\n", buf);
+  }
   if (POOFIN(ch))				fprintf(fl, "PfIn: %s\n", POOFIN(ch));
   if (POOFOUT(ch))				fprintf(fl, "PfOt: %s\n", POOFOUT(ch));
   if (GET_SEX(ch)	     != PFDEF_SEX)	fprintf(fl, "Sex : %d\n", GET_SEX(ch));
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index 51c13c0..977c2eb 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -338,6 +338,7 @@
 #define CON_PREFEDIT     30 /**< OLC mode - preference edit */
 #define CON_IBTEDIT      31 /**< OLC mode - idea/bug/typo edit */
 #define CON_MSGEDIT      32 /**< OLC mode - message editor */
+#define CON_PLR_BACKGROUND 33 /**< Entering a new character background */
 #define CON_GET_PROTOCOL 33 /**< Used at log-in while attempting to get protocols > */
 
 /* OLC States range - used by IS_IN_OLC and IS_PLAYING */
@@ -880,6 +881,7 @@ struct char_player_data
   char *short_descr;             /**< PC / NPC short description */
   char *long_descr;              /**< PC / NPC long description */
   char *description;             /**< PC / NPC main descriptions */
+  char *background;              /**< PC / NPC background / history text */
   byte sex;                      /**< PC / NPC sex */
   byte chclass;                  /**< PC / NPC class */
   byte level;                    /**< PC / NPC level */
diff --git a/src/utils.h b/src/utils.h
index 8575190..83d09f0 100644
--- a/src/utils.h
+++ b/src/utils.h
@@ -517,6 +517,9 @@ do                                                              \
 /** Appearance-based description for displays (e.g. short look text). */
 #define GET_SHORT_DESC(ch)  ((ch)->player.short_descr)
 
+/** Character background / history text. */
+#define GET_BACKGROUND(ch)  ((ch)->player.background)
+
 /** Safe name for room messages. */
 #define GET_DISPLAY_NAME(ch) (GET_NAME(ch) && *GET_NAME(ch) ? GET_NAME(ch) : "someone")