Soldier Bios-

Date of Birth: (Insert Date)

After ADVENT had successfully consolidated their power over the world, they created projects to help further strengthen their ranks. One of these projects involved culling humans from birth in order to instill complete obedience in them; [Insert Name Here] was one of these humans. All (his/her) life [Insert Name here}’s was taught to be grateful to and serve (his/her) alien masters. That was until XCOM forces stormed the facility (she/he) was being kept in. Now witnessing what ADVENT had done to (his/her) world, [Insert Name Here] wants nothing more than to show (his/her) former masters (his/her) “gratitude.”

Date of Birth: (Insert Date)

For [Insert Name here], life had always been simple. Being an international mercenary, money came easy; whether it was a politician that had to be silenced, or an entire government to overthrow, {Insert Name Here] skill’s always got the job done. Unfortunately life began to get complicated when earth was invaded and the new ADVENT administration was established. Business went south fast for [Insert Name Here], and (he/she) knew that in order to survive, (he/she) was going to have to find a new occupation. Now a part of XCOM, [Insert Name Here] fights to put an end to ADVENT so that (he/she) can go back to doing what (he/she) does best.


Date of Birth: (Insert Date)

Years ago when the invasion first hit, [Insert Name Here] and (his/her) squad were tasked with evacuating civilians from the warzones. While moving people out, (his/her) squad encountered a Sectoid. Acting cocking, (Insert Name Here) went in for the kill, but was quickly overcome by the alien psionic abilities. With a single command [Insert Name Here] was forced to murder all of (his/her) comrades. Though [Insert Name Here] managed to break free from the creature’s control, it was far too late for the others. Afterwards {Insert Name Here] left the military and went into seclusion, disgraced and haunted by their actions. After ADVENT was established and the last of humanities protectors crippled, [Insert Name Here] returned to the battlefield, to fight for mankind’s future, and to atone for the sins of the past.

Date of birth:

Right after the destruction of XCOM it was only a question of time before the discovery of EXAULT. Although the organisation put the human military under pressure and sabotaged many XCOM operations, the aliens wouldn´t allow any other organisation at their side. Many members left EXAULT during those days and probally continued their work under the authority of ADVENT.

[Name] was leader of a cell in [Nation]. [He/She] sympathized with the idea of evolving the human species, but not a government dominated by the invaders. [He/She] was able to contact the resistance a few years later. While [Name] is getting well with the other recruts, some of our soldiers don´t like [him/her] at all. Even today there a enough veterans left, remebering that the aliens weren´t the only enemy XCOM had to fight during the invasion.

Date of Birth: [Insert Date, preferably way pre-Invasion]

[Insert Name] had always been a kind of free bird: free of responsibility, free of obligations and free of care. But, as he said when arriving at the resistance dragging a dead alien with him, some disturbing things you see in your life tend to wake you up, and facing them together with other people is easier than facing them alone. Which things he meant, he never mentioned, and after a quick look at the alien body, nobody really felt inclined to dig deeper.


Date of Birth: [Insert Date]

[Insert Name] had been a loner for a long time. He had shut out society and any contact to the "outer world" to live in harmony with nature in the wilderness of [nation], away from the worries of the world. But as often is the case, isolation breeds some sorts of higher senses - what some might call "madness", and others "genius". As [Insert Name] broke out of his selfmade prison and joined the resistance, he showed them just how fine the line between both can be.


Date of Birth: [Insert Date]

Some called them invaders, others called them saviours. [Insert Name] called them an incredible chance for his dreams to come true. Having hoped for and at the same time dreaded a zombie apocalypse, the long-time gamer had prepared accordingly by practicing his body, with automatic and meele weapons, and of course his gaming skills. After the invasion had taken place, his first sad reaction about it being aliens instead of zombies was soon forgotten after fighting his way to the resistance and joining the ranks. Apparently, playing games for your whole life had indeed been no bad education for things to come.

A few more here... Wall of text in this post, but looks OK in notepad. Ready to copy & paste - just need to change the values in the [xx] and make a decision on whether the profanity goes back in...

------------------------------

;Zombieland Born Killers
strCharacterBackgroundMale[10]="Quote: Here's the deal: I'm not easy to get along with, and I'm sensing you're a bit of a bi--h.<BR><BR>At 21, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and his girlfriend were finally caught by the police for a string of over 52 barbaric and heinous killings across the US. The media frenzy around their incarceration and subsequent prime time interviews ended up causing a riot in the prison in which many more were killed and both fugitives escaped. Vowing never to kill again, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and his girlfriend settled down to live the RV life, have kids and avoid the spotlight.<BR><BR>The alien invasion brought a swift end to that, and the death of <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s girlfriend and children flipped the rather fragile switch holding him in check. Using only his nickname, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has blended in to the resistance quite well. As one trooper said when quiet enquiries were made as to his suitability because of his age… 'When <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> goes Hulk on an alien, he sets the standard for 'not to be fu----d with''.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> chose his nickname for a couple of reasons. The first is obviously to retain a degree of anonymity, but he also relies on nicknames to avoid getting to know anyone personally. Those people - well they tend to die. Because of this he comes across as decidedly frosty, and mostly just rude. Catch him in a maudlin moment in the bar though… and anything could happen."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[10]="Quote: Here's the deal: I'm not easy to get along with, and I'm sensing you're a bit of a bi--h.<BR><BR>At 21, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and her boyfriend were finally caught by the police for a string of over 52 barbaric and heinous killings across the US. The media frenzy around their incarceration and subsequent prime time interviews ended up causing a riot in the prison in which many more were killed and both fugitives escaped. Vowing never to kill again, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and her boyfriend settled down to live the RV life, have kids and avoid the spotlight.<BR><BR>The alien invasion brought a swift end to that, and the death of <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s boyfriend and children flipped the rather fragile switch holding her in check. Using only her nickname, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has blended in to the resistance quite well. As one trooper said when quiet enquiries were made as to her suitability because of her age… 'When <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> goes Hulk on an alien, she sets the standard for 'not to be fu---d with''.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> chose her nickname for a couple of reasons. The first is obviously to retain a degree of anonymity, but she also relies on nicknames to avoid getting to know anyone personally. Those people - well they tend to die. Because of this she comes across as decidedly frosty, and mostly just rude. Catch her in a maudlin moment in the bar though… and anything could happen."

;Vasquez & Drake
strCharacterBackgroundMale[10]="Quote: If you want something said, ask a woman; if you want something done, ask a man.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was in a juvenile detention centre when the aliens came. Someone must have alerted Advent to the existence of the place, because shortly after US capitulation, they arrived to take all the kids off for 'processing'. The warden wasn't having any of that and before he disappeared, he opened the gates to let the kids out and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> escaped to the country. A few years of robbing and stealing to survive worked out OK until he was picked up by an Advent patrol. On the way back to the city, the patrol was ambushed by a resistance unit and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> stuck with the unit for the next ten years.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is a tough soldier, fearful of very little save losing his friends. He's quiet and although he lacks the more common social graces, military life suits him down to the ground."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[10]="Quote: If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was in a juvenile detention centre when the aliens came. Someone must have alerted Advent to the existence of the place, because shortly after US capitulation, they arrived to take all the kids off for 'processing'. The warden wasn't having any of that and before he disappeared, he opened the gates to let the kids out and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> escaped to the country. A few years of robbing and stealing to survive worked out OK until she was picked up by an Advent patrol. On the way back to the city, the patrol was ambushed by a resistance unit and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> stuck with the unit for the next ten years.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is a tough soldier, fearful of very little save losing her friends. She's quiet and although she lacks the more common social graces, military life suits her down to the ground."

;Specialist
strCharacterBackgroundMale[10]="Quote: Run for it? Running's not a plan! Running's what you do, once a plan fails!<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up working in the country, far away from Advent controlled cities. Life was tough and by age 16 he was assisting his father in a local hospital trying to care for patients that refused the promise of miracle cures in the New cities. Those early years subsequent to the capitulation were very tough - then Advent came to the outlying towns. First it was cajolement, then people started to disappear. When the Resistance set up a small cell nearby and brought the injured to the hospital for patching up, he was the one to help them. Through talking to the soldiers he became aware of the lies and deception spun by Advent. With his skills he was a welcome addition to the Resistance. From there, it was only a small step to XCOM.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is a bright, intelligent, capable soldier who can handle a gun as well a syringe. He is highly valued by all those on board the Avenger."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[10]="Quote: Run for it? Running's not a plan! Running's what you do, once a plan fails!<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up working in the country, far away from Advent controlled cities. Life was tough and by age 16 she was assisting her father in a local hospital trying to care for patients that refused the promise of miracle cures in the New cities. Those early years subsequent to the capitulation were very tough - then Advent came to the outlying towns. First it was cajolement, then people started to disappear. When the Resistance set up a small cell nearby and brought the injured to the hospital for patching up, she was the one to help them. Through talking to the soldiers she became aware of the lies and deception spun by Advent. With her skills he was a welcome addition to the Resistance. From there, it was only a small step to XCOM.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is a bright, intelligent, capable soldier who can handle a gun as well a syringe. She is highly valued by all those on board the Avenger."

;Grizzled Vet
strCharacterBackgroundMale[10]="Quote: We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if little red riding hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the ♥♥♥♥♥.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> has its dark corners and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has seen them all. A veteran of more wars and skirmishes than he can remember, he's seen too many friends killed by both humans and aliens, and is sick of the death. If he commands any fire team, his primary objective is always to get 'may lads' safely back to the Skyranger. Only if the objective is truly momentous will he take risks.<BR><BR>Because of this, Command tend to let him lead rookie missions in relatively safe conditions. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> knows this, and accepts it as preferable to leading a suicide squad out. In a pickle though, he is an extremely experienced combat veteran and will more than likely see his team home safely with training and experience rather than plain good luck."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[10]="Quote: We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if little red riding hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the ♥♥♥♥♥.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> has its dark corners and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has seen them all. A veteran of more wars and skirmishes than she can remember, she's seen too many friends killed by both humans and aliens, and is sick of the death. If she commands any fire team, her primary objective is always to get 'my boys' safely back to the Skyranger. Only if the objective is truly momentous will she take risks.<BR><BR>Because of this, Command tend to let her lead rookie missions in relatively safe conditions. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> knows this, and accepts it as preferable to leading a suicide squad out. In a pickle though, she is an extremely experienced combat veteran and will more than likely see her team home safely with training and experience rather than plain good luck."

;Cowardly Custard
strCharacterBackgroundMale[10]="Quote: Never admit defeat. Just blame it on someone else.<BR><BR>There's no place for cowards on the Avenger, but circumstance makes strange bedfellows and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is not the most popular of troopers. Stories about his past vary from trooper to trooper indicating he is not the most honest of soldiers. He likes to complain about the food, the living conditions and most of all, about command decisions. Nothing is ever his fault, and his excuses for poor performance are paper thin. He's not great for morale, and command are aware that something will soon need to be done about him if murder is to remain non-existent on the Avenger.<BR><BR>CO Bradford recommends the firm hand of leadership or a swift boot out of the loading bay. He's not fussy either way."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[10]="Quote: Never admit defeat. Just blame it on someone else.<BR><BR>There's no place for cowards on the Avenger, but circumstance makes strange bedfellows and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is not the most popular of troopers. Stories about her past vary from trooper to trooper indicating she is not the most honest of soldiers. She likes to complain about the food, the living conditions and most of all, about command decisions. Nothing is ever her fault, and her excuses for poor performance are paper thin. She's not great for morale, and command are aware that something will soon need to be done about her if murder is to remain non-existent on the Avenger.<BR><BR>CO Bradford recommends the firm hand of leadership or a swift boot out of the loading bay. He's not fussy either way."

;Happy-go-lucky
strCharacterBackgroundMale[10]="Quote: If you can't dazzle them with style, riddle them with bullets.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> reckons there's not a lot can't be achieved with a Mag rifle and a good pair of aviators. Raising a smile wherever he walks in the halls of the Avenger, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is easygoing, light-hearted and popular with his squad mates. Growing up post-capitulation, he's never known a truly free world, but is nonetheless a free spirit who is convinced of the XCOM project's success.<BR><BR>Rumour has it that he even made Central smile once when he winked at him."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[10]="Quote: If you can't dazzle them with style, riddle them with bullets.<BR><BR><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> reckons there's not a lot can't be achieved with a Mag rifle and a good pair of aviators. Raising a smile wherever she walks in the halls of the Avenger, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is easygoing, light-hearted and popular with her squad mates. Growing up post-capitulation, she's never known a truly free world, but is nonetheless a free spirit who is convinced of the XCOM project's success.<BR><BR>Rumour has it that she even made Central smile once when she winked at him."

I've got three I think are of publishable quality here. I have quite a few more saved, and I'll find them again in a bit. I try to keep them at around 500 chars each, to allow people to edit them.

__

Date of Birth: [Insert Date]

As a part of the ill-fated and short-lived [Nation] Extraterrestrial Defence Taskforce, [firstname]’s father succeeded in singlehandedly destroying numerous alien convoys, before being captured and executed after [Nation] capitulated. [Firstname] and the rest of [his/her] family were hidden by a nascent resistance cell. It was this cell which recently referred [firstname] to XCOM, [he/she] having become a formidable field operative in their own right over the years.

__

Date of Birth: [Insert Date]

Up until 2031, [firstname] was a ‘journalist’ in the ADVENT propaganda machine. [His/Her] transition from collaborator to rebel came when a bureaucratic error had [firstname] sent off to interrogation for anti-ADVENT sedition. Although found innocent, the trauma of the experience destroyed [his/her] belief in [his/her] work and ADVENT’s benevolence. [Firstname] fled to the underground, where they proved to be a capable operative and were referred to XCOM.

__

Date of Birth: [Insert Date]

[firstname] enjoyed several years of academic success on writing about the history of [nation]. Then ADVENT began its Year Zero programme in 2030, and works and artefacts deemed to be ‘culturally reactionary’ were destroyed, and the work of historians had to face extensive censorship. After having all of their work whitewashed or burned, [firstname] fled to the underground and took up arms to defend freedom of expression and their heritage.

__

Date of Birth: [Insert Date]

[firstname] took up arms when [his/her] spouse* went missing and later ended up on the sedition roll on the propaganda broadcasts. In the short time [firstname] has fought to avenge their beloved, [he/she] has shown considerable talent in operations in numerous resistance cells; enough to be forwarded by one to XCOM. A skilled artist, [firstname] entertains the other soldiers by sketching any and all scenes and portraits [he/she] is challenged to draw.


*No idea if this is something you can do, but if it can change with gender, then you could do [wife/husband] if the soldier is a male or a female respectively.

__

Date of Birth: [Insert Date, if possible 15+ years pre-invasion]

[Firstname] never had much of a social life prior to the invasion; their life consisted of them playing video games, watching Japanese cartoons, and posting about video games and Japanese cartoons on imageboards. ADVENT did not tolerate those who didn’t contribute to Elder’s struggle to liberate mankind. [firstname] found themselves forced into a communal work programme with [his/her] precious love pillow burned by a detachment of ADVENT peacekeepers. Fleeing manual labour and the horror of a productive life, [firstname] found [him/her]self joining the resistance, and became a skilled operative.

[Firstname] is just a stowaway on the Avenger. We couldn't excalty kill [him/her], so we instead decided to give [him/her] a gun and start hopping that the aliens do the job. So far, this test has been unsuccessful.

I was being creative today and felt I'd like to share. I tried to use a simple style like the default game's while being as interesting and unique as possible.


[Jane] was an ADVENT Speaker groupie who dreamed of dating him one day. However, [she] was accused of spying for the resistance when ADVENT discovered illicit photographs of the Speaker in [her] room. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed, [Jane] vowed revenge and joined X-Com.


[John] lived [his] entire life in the mountains. The sword was [his] only companion and it protected [him] from the mountain beasts. After killing countless predators, [John] became one with the blade and descended from the mountains. Little did [he] know that a deadlier kind of predator awaited below.


[John] was a legendary operative from [Russia] who was placed in experimental cryogenic stasis after being diagnosed with an untreatable illness. Years later, X-Com recovered [him] from a deep underground bunker and cured [his] condition. Since then, [he] has been an invaluable asset in the fight against the aliens.


Born in the slums of [Russia], young [John] joined the local gangs to survive. One day, [his] gang ambushed ADVENT guards to steal their equipment. After uncovering the monstrosity beneath the armor, [John] and [his] friends fled in terror. Everyone was hunted down by ADVENT extermination squads, except for [John]. [He] alone survived and joined X-Com.


As a xenophobe of the highest degree, [John] found ADVENT's aim of coexisting with aliens intolerable. So when [he] heard about X-Com, [he] was ecstatic. During training, [John] learned to channel [his] fear of aliens into extreme prejudice. The disturbing glee with which [John] tears apart alien foes unnerves [his] squadmates to this day.


[John] brutally mutiliated one hundred people in [his] previous life. For this crime against humanity, [he] was cursed to suffer for eternity through reincarnation. The only way to redeem [himself] is to repay the crime tenfold by slaying 1000 evil beings. Luckily for [John], the current world is teeming with targets for retribution.


Long time ago, [Jane] was stranded in the wilderness with nothing to eat. There was a sudden blaze in the sky and a loud crash. [Jane] did not know at the time that X-Com had just shot down a UFO. Without thinking, [she] rushed to the site and noticed a charred smell. Let's just say that was when [she] acquired a taste for "exotic meat".


In the early days of ADVENT, the administration recruited from the local population before implementing genetically modified soldiers. [John] became an ADVENT Trooper during this time. During [his] first deployment...


[Jane] was born [princess/prince] to a small kingdom sequestered in a corner of the continent. Naturally, [she] knew nothing of the world and certainly nothing of the aliens. But when...


Feel free to edit and use these as you like. There is no need to credit me or anything.

Hm, don't know if you didn't complete some of those or if they were cut off.

And LOL at the stalker who joined XCOM, I could see that. :D

I've adapted some backgrounds from Lore friendly character pool and biographies[www.nexusmods.com] by Dfault for my own game.

Dfault's just given permission[forums.nexusmods.com] for me to submit those backgrounds for inclusion in this mod. I've also included the relevant entries from XComBirthdays.ini

; Adapted from Lore Friendly Character Pool

; resistance spy
strCharacterBackgroundMale[87]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used to be a spy for the resistance in several ADVENT cities. After a botched operation he was forced to flee and has had to avoid ADVENT cities ever since. He joined up with XCOM to take a more... direct role in fighting the alien forces."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[87]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used to be a spy for the resistance in several ADVENT cities. After a botched operation she was forced to flee and has had to avoid ADVENT cities ever since. She joined up with XCOM to take a more... direct role in fighting the alien forces."

; smuggler
strCharacterBackgroundMale[88]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used to be a member of a large smuggling ring operating throughout <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. His crew raided ADVENT supply convoys and provided resistance forces with much needed supplies. With a series of well coordinated attacks on the smuggling ring and its hideouts ADVENT destroyed the entire operation. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined up with XCOM to get revenge on the aliens."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[88]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used to be a member of a large smuggling ring operating throughout <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. Her crew raided ADVENT supply convoys and provided resistance forces with much needed supplies. With a series of well coordinated attacks on the smuggling ring and its hideouts ADVENT destroyed the entire operation. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined up with XCOM to get revenge on the aliens."

; resistance camp raid survivor
strCharacterBackgroundMale[89]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lost his entire family during an ADVENT raid on their resistance camp in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. The raid and the deaths splintered his mind and he became a drifter for many years, taking occasional jobs where he could and committing occasional crimes where he could not. After years on the road he found himself in another resistance camp and slowly the shards of his mind pulled back together. Hardened after his time on the road he joined XCOM to give his life a new meaning, even though he still remains haunted by those screams out of the past."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[89]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lost her entire family during an ADVENT raid on their resistance camp in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. The raid and the deaths splintered her mind and she became a drifter for many years, taking occasional jobs where she could and committing occasional crimes where she could not. After years on the road she found herself in another resistance camp and slowly the shards of her mind pulled back together. Hardened after her time on the road she joined XCOM to give her life a new meaning, even though she still remains haunted by those screams out of the past."

; resistance camp raid sole survivor
strCharacterBackgroundMale[90]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is the sole survivor of an ADVENT attack on a resistance camp in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. While ADVENT forces massacred everyone in the camp, he survived heavily wounded under the debris of a collapsed building and was found days after the attack. He has been waiting for payback ever since."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[90]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is the sole survivor of an ADVENT attack on a resistance camp in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. While ADVENT forces massacred everyone in the camp, she survived heavily wounded under the debris of a collapsed building and was found days after the attack. She has been waiting for payback ever since."

; ex-criminal
strCharacterBackgroundMale[91]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used to be part of a large underground criminal organization based in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. At some point during his 'career' he was captured by ADVENT and about to be transferred via a convoy to an unknown destination. Resistance forces attacked the convoy and freed the prisoners. When they found out about <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s background he was given a choice: live and fight for the resistance... or else. He has been an asset to the cause ever since."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[91]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used to be part of a large underground criminal organization based in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. At some point during her 'career' she was captured by ADVENT and about to be transferred via a convoy to an unknown destination. Resistance forces attacked the convoy and freed the prisoners. When they found out about <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s background she was given a choice: live and fight for the resistance... or else. She has been an asset to the cause ever since."

; idyllic life
strCharacterBackgroundMale[92]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lived an exceptionally peaceful life in a small, remote village in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. He had never seen any ADVENT troops or witnessed any violence until the day a large ADVENT force came into his village in search of a resistance member who was supposedly hiding there. When they could not find them ADVENT burned the village to the ground. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was hit hard by reality that day, he's been hitting back ever since."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[92]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lived an exceptionally peaceful life in a small, remote village in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. She had never seen any ADVENT troops or witnessed any violence until the day a large ADVENT force came into her village in search of a resistance member who was supposedly hiding there. When they could not find them ADVENT burned the village to the ground. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was hit hard by reality that day, she's been hitting back ever since."

; paranoid
strCharacterBackgroundMale[93]="Not much is known about <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s past, however his psychological profile is... unsettling. He shows symptoms of paranoia as well as several signs of severe psychological trauma. He has also been known to mumble to himself when alone and sometimes falls into a violent frenzy when in battle. Under normal circumstances he would be categorically unfit for duty. These are not normal circumstances."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[93]="Not much is known about <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s past, however her psychological profile is... unsettling. She shows symptoms of paranoia as well as several signs of severe psychological trauma. She has also been known to mumble to herself when alone and sometimes falls into a violent frenzy when in battle. Under normal circumstances she would be categorically unfit for duty. These are not normal circumstances."

; amnesiac
strCharacterBackgroundMale[94]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was found stumbling aimlessly through the wilderness by resistance forces in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. He apparently suffers from amnesia and cannot remember anything except his name. Interestingly, he has a large scar at the back of his head similar to Dr. Tygan's. We speculate that at one point <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> worked for ADVENT or was their prisoner and either removed the chip himself or it was forcibly removed, most likely this caused his amnesia."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[94]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was found stumbling aimlessly through the wilderness by resistance forces in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. She apparently suffers from amnesia and cannot remember anything except her name. Interestingly, she has a large scar at the back of her head similar to Dr. Tygan's. We speculate that at one point <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> worked for ADVENT or was their prisoner and either removed the chip herself or it was forcibly removed, most likely this caused her amnesia."

; slum child
strCharacterBackgroundMale[95]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up as an orphan in the slums of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> and was shaped by that harsh environment. He stole whatever he could get his hands on to get by and attracted all sorts of trouble.<BR>He trusts only himself and is a loud mouth and a misfit. But under the harsh, rude and loud surface lies a cunning and dependable operative. His street smarts is just what XCOM could use right now."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[95]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up as an orphan in the slums of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> and was shaped by that harsh environment. She stole whatever she could get her hands on to get by and attracted all sorts of trouble.<BR>She trusts only herself and is a loud mouth and a misfit. But under the harsh, rude and loud surface lies a cunning and dependable operative. Her street smarts is just what XCOM could use right now."

; ex-ADVENT loyalist
strCharacterBackgroundMale[96]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was born into a family of influential ADVENT loyalists. His entire life he was told that the aliens act in humanity's best interest. One fateful day and without warning, ADVENT kidnapped or killed almost every member of his family for reasons unknown. Realizing he had been living a lie he joined XCOM and is now out for blood."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[96]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was born into a family of influential ADVENT loyalists. Her entire life she was told that the aliens act in humanity's best interest. One fateful day and without warning, ADVENT kidnapped or killed almost every member of her family for reasons unknown. Realizing she had been living a lie she joined XCOM and is now out for blood."

; XCOM kid
strCharacterBackgroundMale[97]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s father was an XCOM soldier who fought and died during the alien invasion. His entire life he has tried to follow in his father's footsteps. When he heard that XCOM had reappeared from the shadows it was a dream come true. He is determined to honor his father's legacy and won't rest until the aliens have been defeated once and for all."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[97]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s father was an XCOM soldier who fought and died during the alien invasion. Her entire life she has tried to follow in his footsteps. When she heard that XCOM had reappeared from the shadows it was a dream come true. She is determined to honor her father's legacy and won't rest until the aliens have been defeated once and for all."

; survivalist survivor
strCharacterBackgroundMale[98]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was raised in an remote, survivalist community. Tired of a life of isolation, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> ran away and joined a resistance community. When he returned to his home several years later he found only charred ruins."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[98]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was raised in an remote, survivalist community. Tired of a life of isolation, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> ran away and joined a resistance community. When she returned to her home several years later she found only charred ruins."

; ram raider
strCharacterBackgroundMale[99]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is well known for his risky and unconventional methods. During his most (in)famous operation he targeted an ADVENT prison convoy: he rammed the entire convoy off the road with a heavily armored truck and single-handedly saved over twenty prisoners from an unknown fate. Inconsequentially, to him, he broke his arm and numerous other bones in the process. With his bravery and the will to risk his life for others he is a fine addition to XCOM."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[99]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is well known for her risky and unconventional methods. During her most (in)famous operation she targeted an ADVENT prison convoy: she rammed the entire convoy off the road with a heavily armored truck and single-handedly saved over twenty prisoners from an unknown fate. Inconsequentially, to her, she broke her arm and numerous other bones in the process. With her bravery and the will to risk her life for others she is a fine addition to XCOM."

; turncoat
strCharacterBackgroundMale[100]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is a former ADVENT spy who infiltrated a resistance cell in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. He believed ADVENT's propaganda and was convinced that the resistance presented a fundamental threat to Earth and its new order. But during his time with the resistance his eyes were opened to the horrible truth and he switched sides.<BR>Surprisingly not killed outright when he revealed himself, the local resistance passed him onto XCOM for judgment. In our judgment his new beliefs are real and his skills usable."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[100]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is a former ADVENT spy who infiltrated a resistance cell in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. She believed ADVENT's propaganda and was convinced that the resistance presented a fundamental threat to Earth and its new order. But during her time with the resistance her eyes were opened to the horrible truth and she switched sides.<BR>Surprisingly not killed outright when she revealed herself, the local resistance passed her onto XCOM for judgment. In our judgment her new beliefs are real and her skills usable."

; the tinkerer
strCharacterBackgroundMale[101]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in the dirty slums of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. Like so many others there, he eventually spiraled into a life of crime. But instead of resorting to crimes like robbery, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used his skills and became a weaponsmith. He built illegal weaponry from whatever scrap he could find and sold it for high prices to desperate souls. Now, years later, he has given up building weapons and now points them at ADVENT instead."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[101]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in the dirty slums of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. Like so many others there, she eventually spiraled into a life of crime. But instead of resorting to crimes like robbery, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> used her skills and became a weaponsmith. She built illegal weaponry from whatever scrap she could find and sold it for high prices to desperate souls. Now, years later, she has given up building weapons and now points them at ADVENT instead."

; /end Lore Friendly Character Pool

; Adapted from Lore Friendly Character Pool

; resistance spy
; no age set. 18 - 50

; smuggler
; no age set. 18 - 50

; resistance camp raid survivor
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=89, Min=19)

; resistance camp raid sole survivor
; no age set. 18 - 50

; ex-criminal
; no age set. 18 - 50

; idyllic life
; no age set. 18 - 50

; paranoid
; no age set. 18 - 50

; amnesiac
; no age set. 18 - 50

; slum child
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=95, Min=17, Max=25)

; ex-ADVENT loyalist
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=96, Min=17, Max=22)

; XCOM kid
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=97, Min=20, Max=31)

; survivalist survivor
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=98, Min=17, Max=31)

; ram raider
; no age set. 18 - 50

; turncoat
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=100, Min=25)

; the tinkerer
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=101, Min=17, Max=27)

; /end Lore Friendly Character Pool

Another set of backgrounds adapated from a character pool. This time Combine's Lore Friendly Character Pool.

....Combine.... has given permission to adapt his backgrounds for use in this mod, see his comment today in that mod's Comments section.

Also included are the relevant entries for XComBirthdays.ini

I've had to split this into multiple posts.

; gas station resistance warrior
strCharacterBackgroundMale[107]="Despite not having any formal training, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has proven to be a very capable operative. While serving with the resistance in one of the ruined towns of eastern <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, his squad was overwhelmed by a large pack of Chryssalids at a gas station. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> helped two of his squad mates to safety through a sewer hatch and set timed detonators behind them. He was reassigned to XCOM following the incident."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[107]="Despite not having any formal training, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has proven to be a very capable operative. While serving with the resistance in one of the ruined towns of eastern <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, her squad was overwhelmed by a large pack of Chryssalids at a gas station. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> helped two of her squad mates to safety through a sewer hatch and set timed detonators behind them. She was reassigned to XCOM following the incident."

; unlucky farmers
strCharacterBackgroundMale[108]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was growing up on a farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> when the invasion started and he first saw an alien up close in 2023 when ADVENT began construction of a prison near his village. His parents supplied the local resistance effort by purchasing weapons from a local underworld figure. Later that year the crime boss sensed a profit, his parents were sold out to ADVENT and imprisoned as collaborators."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[108]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was growing on a farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> when the invasion started and she first saw an alien up close in 2023 when ADVENT began construction of a prison near her village. Her parents supplied the local resistance effort by purchasing weapons from a local underworld figure. Later that year the crime boss sensed a profit, her parents were sold out to ADVENT and imprisoned as collaborators."

; street-fighting (wo)man
strCharacterBackgroundMale[109]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was fighting in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> when the battleships descended, severing communications with HQ. His company headed into the mountains and rendezvoused with local resistance fighters.<br>He was captured by ADVENT in 2034 and found by our soldiers in the back of a crashed prisoner transport with three dead guards."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[109]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was fighting in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> when the battleships descended, severing communications with HQ. Her company headed into the mountains and rendezvoused with local resistance fighters.<br>She was captured by ADVENT in 2034 and found by our soldiers in the back of a crashed prisoner transport with three dead guards."

; Gatecrasher calling
strCharacterBackgroundMale[110]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was recommended to XCOM two years into the invasion by the commander of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>'s remaining conventional forces. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had been busy organizing resistance efforts in North Africa and Southern Europe until he received an encoded message to rendezvous with us prior to Operation Gatecrasher."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[110]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was recommended to XCOM two years into the invasion by the commander of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>'s remaining conventional forces. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had been busy organizing resistance efforts in North Africa and Southern Europe until she received an encoded message to rendezvous with us prior to Operation Gatecrasher."

; Burnt offering
strCharacterBackgroundMale[111]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was raised by his grandparents on a secluded farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> with his twin. When he was 17 the farm was raided and burnt by ADVENT as they suspected them of harboring resistance fighters. Both siblings escaped and teamed up with a local resistance cell. After joining XCOM he has earned the respect of many of our more experienced officers."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[111]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was raised by her grandparents on a secluded farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> with her twin. When she was 17 the farm was raided and burnt by ADVENT as they suspected them of harboring resistance fighters. Both siblings escaped and teamed up with a local resistance cell. After joining XCOM she has earned the respect of many of our more experienced officers."

; strange planning
strCharacterBackgroundMale[112]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> studied urban planning at university in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> before the war.<br>He joined up with a battalion of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>'s ground forces after the UN surrendered. He worked in a number of support roles before he applied for combat duties in 2024, where he was quickly noticed as potential command material. He was transferred to a deep reconnaissance and direct action platoon in 2033 becoming its second in command, he then transferred to XCOM."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[112]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> studied urban planning at university in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> before the war.<br>She joined up with a battalion of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>'s ground forces after the UN surrendered. She worked in a number of support roles before she applied for combat duties in 2024, where she was quickly noticed as potential command material. She was transferred to a deep reconnaissance and direct action platoon in 2033 becoming its second in command, she then transferred to XCOM."

; something of a war hero
strCharacterBackgroundMale[113]="Back in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is known as something of a war hero for his exploits during the invasion. The two most famous being the destruction of an alien fuel dump with a single incendiary round and carrying an injured resistance officer for four days through hostile territory to safety. Now he's eager to put his skills back to use after three months in an ADVENT prison."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[113]="Back in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> is known as something of a war hero for her exploits during the invasion. The two most famous being the destruction of an alien fuel dump with a single incendiary round and carrying an injured resistance officer for four days through hostile territory to safety. Now she's eager to put her skills back to use after three months in an ADVENT prison."

; army then drugs then XCOM
strCharacterBackgroundMale[114]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> completed one tour of Afghanistan before the invasion and then fought in the ultimately doomed defense of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, until the aliens all but annihilated his battalion. He spent the next few years working as a mercenary for an underground drug lord hunting aliens for money, before joining the resistance to kill them for a reason.<br>His methods are unorthodox but he gets the job done."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[114]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> completed one tour of Afghanistan before the invasion and then fought in the ultimately doomed defense of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, until the aliens all but annihilated her battalion. She spent the next few years working as a mercenary for an underground drug lord hunting aliens for money, before joining the resistance to kill them for a reason.<br>Her methods are unorthodox but she gets the job done."

; solid operator
strCharacterBackgroundMale[115]="Born and raised in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> learned to fight on the streets as a child and joined the army at eighteen, completing his training just in time to find himself thrust into the doomed defense of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> against vastly superior forces. His fellow soldiers attest to his steadfast personality and sense of duty. He seems like just the kind of soldier XCOM needs."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[115]="Born and raised in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> learned to fight on the streets as a child and joined the army at eighteen, completing her training just in time to find herself thrust into the doomed defense of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> against vastly superior forces. Her fellow soldiers attest to her steadfast personality and sense of duty. She seems like just the kind of soldier XCOM needs."

; Chrysallid nightmare
strCharacterBackgroundMale[116]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was the son of a biotech CEO from <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. While on a business trip with his family to Uganda in 2018 an alien transport landed near the busy road they were on, the aliens fired an EMP and then unleashed a swarm of Chrysallids at the resulting gridlock. He was rescued from the car before his parents turned thanks to the desperate actions of a local resistance cell.<br>Despite their heavy losses the resistance cell adopted <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>, first as something of a mascot and then as a fellow fighter."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[116]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was the daughter of a biotech CEO from <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. While on a business trip with her family to Uganda in 2018 an alien transport landed near the busy road they were on, the aliens fired an EMP and then unleashed a swarm of Chrysallids at the resulting gridlock. She was rescued from the car before her parents turned thanks to the desperate actions of a local resistance cell.<br>Despite their heavy losses the resistance cell adopted <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>, first as something of a mascot and then as a fellow fighter."

; XCOM badass
strCharacterBackgroundMale[117]="Although the records of his service have now been destroyed, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had over twenty confirmed kills before the attack on XCOM HQ, after which he returned to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> to help organize resistance cells. He found his own way to the Avenger following a rumor that resistance fighters had discovered and repaired an old alien vessel."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[117]="Although the records of her service have now been destroyed, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had over twenty confirmed kills before the attack on XCOM HQ, after which she returned to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> to help organize resistance cells. She found her own way to the Avenger following a rumor that resistance fighters had discovered and repaired an old alien vessel."

; family connections
strCharacterBackgroundMale[118]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> comes from a family with a long military history and graduated officer training with very high commendations. Since the invasion he has been leading from the front, fighting the length and breadth of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> and its neighboring countries, always inspiring his soldiers onward."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[118]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> comes from a family with a long military history and graduated officer training with very high commendations. Since the invasion she has been leading from the front, fighting the length and breadth of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> and its neighboring countries, always inspiring her soldiers onward."

; military trainer
strCharacterBackgroundMale[119]="Born and raised in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the army after failing to qualify for university.<br>Following the alien's arrival, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was deployed to Thailand to train volunteers for the UN-organized Pan-Asian Defense Force. A soldier without a home after the defeat of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> he started recruiting, training and leading resistance fighters and has not stopped."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[119]="Born and raised in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the army after failing to qualify for university.<br>Following the alien's arrival, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was deployed to Thailand to train volunteers for the UN-organized Pan-Asian Defense Force. A soldier without a home after the defeat of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> she started recruiting, training and leading resistance fighters and has not stopped."

; UFO shooter
strCharacterBackgroundMale[120]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in the hinterlands of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, his parents were both militia fighters and he became an adept guerrilla fighter during his teenage years. He joined XCOM after they assisted his group in grounding and destroying a UFO which had been abducting and experimenting on local people."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[120]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in the hinterlands of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, her parents were both militia fighters and she became an adept guerrilla fighter during her teenage years. She joined XCOM after they assisted her group in grounding and destroying a UFO which had been abducting and experimenting on local people."

; Fenrir
strCharacterBackgroundMale[121]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a military family, joining the army in 2005 and rising to the rank of lieutenant before accepting a transfer to XCOM.<br>He was a member of Operation Ragnarök, the doomsday plan which spread XCOM operatives around the world to train and organize resistance cells after the fall of XCOM HQ."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[121]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a military family, joining the army in 2005 and rising to the rank of lieutenant before accepting a transfer to XCOM.<br>She was a member of Operation Ragnarök, the doomsday plan which spread XCOM operatives around the world to train and organize resistance cells after the fall of XCOM HQ."

; Fisher(wo)man
strCharacterBackgroundMale[122]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> made a living fishing in a remote community in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>.<br>He was arrested for the destruction of two patrol vessels after placing homemade explosives around the entrance to an ADVENT cargo dock. He was sent to a holding facility that, luckily for him, was attacked by the resistance a week after he was incarcerated. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the resistance along with most of the other escapees."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[122]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> made a living fishing in a remote community in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>.<br>She was arrested for the destruction of two patrol vessels after placing homemade explosives around the entrance to an ADVENT cargo dock. She was sent to a holding facility that, luckily for her, was attacked by the resistance a week after she was incarcerated. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the resistance along with most of the other escapees."

; ADVENT myth-take
strCharacterBackgroundMale[123]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> does not remember much from before the war, his family were poor but scraped enough together to get by. Mostly.<br>His mother taught him to read from a book of ancient Greek myths and he has treasured it ever since.<br>The last time he saw his family was when they were arrested by ADVENT for hiding two 'terrorists', his cousins. He joined the resistance almost immediately after."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[123]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> does not remember much from before the war, her family were poor but scraped enough together to get by. Mostly.<br>Her mother taught her to read from a book of ancient Egyptian myths and she has treasured it ever since.<br>The last time she saw her family was when they were arrested by ADVENT for hiding two 'terrorists', her cousins. She joined the resistance almost immediately after."

; ex-XCOM
strCharacterBackgroundMale[124]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a lieutenant before he accepted a transfer to XCOM in 2015. Following the fall of XCOM HQ, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> made his way across the broken world he'd pledged to defend training volunteers in guerrilla warfare and giving ADVENT hell."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[124]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a lieutenant before she accepted a transfer to XCOM in 2015. Following the fall of XCOM HQ, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> made her way across the broken world she'd pledged to defend training volunteers in guerrilla warfare and giving ADVENT hell."

; ex-Cop
strCharacterBackgroundMale[125]="Originally a weapons specialist in an anti-organized crime task force in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was well suited for his new role when he joined XCOM following a Chrysallid attack on his police station. He managed to barricade some civilians into the holding cells and used his pistol to hold off the swarm until the Skyranger arrived."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[125]="Originally a weapons specialist in an anti-organized crime task force in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was well suited for her new role when she joined XCOM following a Chrysallid attack on her police station. She managed to barricade some civilians into the holding cells and used her pistol to hold off the swarm until the Skyranger arrived."

; head-hunter
strCharacterBackgroundMale[126]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was only a child when the invasion started, his father was a soldier who fell to a Sectopod's Wrath Cannon while trying to carry an unconscious civilian to safety.<br><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has not received much formal training but he has honed his skills hunting ADVENT alone in the ruins of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. He leaves the decapitated heads of the ADVENT soldiers he has killed displayed on exposed rebar as both a warning and a promise."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[126]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was only a child when the invasion started, her father was a soldier who fell to a Sectopod's Wrath Cannon while trying to carry an unconscious civilian to safety.<br><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> has not received much formal training but she has honed her skills hunting ADVENT alone in the ruins of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. She leaves the decapitated heads of the ADVENT soldiers she has killed displayed on exposed rebar as both a warning and a promise."

; XCOM survivalist
strCharacterBackgroundMale[127]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was recommended to XCOM based on his front line experience but he turned down the the transfer from the armed forces of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> in favor of serving his country directly. After hearing of XCOM's exploits he re-applied and was transferred to XCOM a month before the fall of XCOM HQ. On a wilderness survival exercise at the time, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> returned home to train volunteers in guerrilla warfare."
strCharacterBackgroundMale[127]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was recommended to XCOM based on her front line experience but she turned down the the transfer from the armed forces of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> in favor of serving her country directly. After hearing of XCOM's exploits she re-applied and was transferred to XCOM a month before the fall of XCOM HQ. On a wilderness survival exercise at the time, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> returned home to train volunteers in guerrilla warfare."

; Farm-army-XCOM-resistance
strCharacterBackgroundMale[128]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up on a farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. He joined the army, finishing his training a few months before the invasion. He transferred to the XCOM project when the aliens began bombing civilian targets in November 2015. After the rise of ADVENT he returned to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> to guard the resistance refuge where his family lived."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[128]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up on a farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. She joined the army, finishing her training a few months before the invasion. She transferred to the XCOM project when the aliens began bombing civilian targets in November 2015. After the rise of ADVENT she returned to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> to guard the resistance refuge where her family lived."

; Muton killer
strCharacterBackgroundMale[129]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> spent much of his childhood on a farm suffering under ADVENT occupation. He and his family joined the resistance after secretly taking in a pair of children who had escaped from ADVENT and stumbled upon their farmstead. During his time in the resistance he proved himself to be a capable warrior, even single-handedly killing a Muton at the age of fifteen."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[129]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> spent much of her childhood on a farm suffering under ADVENT occupation. She and her family joined the resistance after secretly taking in a pair of children who had escaped from ADVENT and stumbled upon their farmstead. During her time in the resistance she proved herself to be a capable warrior, even single-handedly killing a Muton at the age of fifteen."

; school kid
strCharacterBackgroundMale[130]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was the child of a lawyer and a business executive. He was attending a select school when an alien division landed and took the city's defenders by surprise. His class was being loaded into an alien transport when a group of local police found the landing site and saved them from captivity. He joined the resistance later that month with a group of his surviving classmates."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[130]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was the child of a lawyer and a business executive. She was attending a select school when an alien division landed and took the city's defenders by surprise. Her class was being loaded into an alien transport when a group of local police found the landing site and saved them from captivity. She joined the resistance later that month with a group of her surviving classmates."

; construction worker
strCharacterBackgroundMale[131]=strCharacterBackgroundFemale[131]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents were killed in a car crash when he was three. He grew up on his grandparents' farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, where he picked up survival skills and a DIY attitude. He was running a construction and maintenance company in a city near to his grandparents' farm when the invasion began, his company experienced a major increase in customers following the alien bombings. He joined the resistance in 2025 and has since taken on a less constructive approach to architecture."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[131]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents were killed in a car crash when she was three. She grew up on her grandparents' farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, where she picked up survival skills and a DIY attitude. She was running a construction and maintenance company in a city near to her grandparents' farm when the invasion began, her company experienced a major increase in customers following the alien bombings. She joined the resistance in 2025 and has since taken on a less constructive approach to architecture."

; drone killer
strCharacterBackgroundMale[132]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> studied at university for a year before joining the army in 2013. After distinguishing himself during an alien raid in 2016, he was recommended to XCOM. Early in the invasion his squad destroyed an alien drone, that drone's wreckage proving fundamental in the development of our own Gremlin units. His VTOL was shot down in 2022, but he was pulled from the wreckage by a local resistance group."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[132]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> studied at university for a year before joining the army in 2013. After distinguishing herself during an alien raid in 2016, she was recommended to XCOM. Early in the invasion her squad destroyed an alien drone, that drone's wreckage proving fundamental in the development of our own Gremlin units. Her VTOL was shot down in 2022, but she was pulled from the wreckage by a local resistance group."

; explosive Cop
strCharacterBackgroundMale[133]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had only recently joined the police force when the invasion began. A year later an alien ship landed near his town and began abducting people. Following numerous calls for help <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and his fellow officers eventually acted, sneaking onto the ship at night and rescuing the abductees. They were seen by a squad of Mutons and were forced to retreat, but not before planting enough C4 to disable the ship."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[133]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had only recently joined the police force when the invasion began. A year later an alien ship landed near her town and began abducting people. Following numerous calls for help <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and her fellow officers eventually acted, sneaking onto the ship at night and rescuing the abductees. They were seen by a squad of Mutons and were forced to retreat, but not before planting enough C4 to disable the ship."

political prisoner
strCharacterBackgroundMale[134]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s mother was a US Navy helicopter pilot who settled down in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> to do charity work. He grew up to be quite a political activist in his early twenties as government ministers worldwide began mysteriously voting in favor of surrender. He was imprisoned after an anti-ADVENT rally in 2024 but a lone resistance hacker deactivated the laser grids, prison wide, just long enough for him and twenty five other eager recruits to escape."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[134]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s mother was a US Navy helicopter pilot who settled down in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> to do charity work. She grew up to be quite a political activist in her early twenties as government ministers worldwide began mysteriously voting in favor of surrender. She was imprisoned after an anti-ADVENT rally in 2024 but a lone resistance hacker deactivated the laser grids, prison wide, just long enough for her and twenty five other eager recruits to escape."

; cargo freighter orphan
strCharacterBackgroundMale[135]="After the crippling defeat of the Sri Lankan armed forces <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s father sold their home and paid the captain of a cargo freighter to take the family to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>.<br>Tired of living as a refugee <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the resistance as soon as he turned sixteen, against his family's wishes."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[135]="After the crippling defeat of the Iranian armed forces <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s father sold their home and paid the captain of a cargo freighter to take the family to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>.<br>Tired of living as a refugee <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the resistance as soon as she turned sixteen, against her family's wishes."

; ex-Riot Cop
strCharacterBackgroundMale[136]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a riot police officer in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> when the invasion began and he remained in law enforcement throughout the tumultuous period leading up to his country's surrender. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> dropped off the grid to avoid arrest by ADVENT troops searching for people like him with firearms training. Nothing was heard of <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> until rumors began to spread through local resistance channels a few years later of a mysterious figure in a gas mask killing aliens and disappearing into the night."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[136]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a riot police officer in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> when the invasion began and she remained in law enforcement throughout the tumultuous period leading up to her country's surrender. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> dropped off the grid to avoid arrest by ADVENT troops searching for people like her with firearms training. Nothing was heard of <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> until rumors began to spread through local resistance channels a few years later of a mysterious figure in a gas mask killing aliens and disappearing into the night."

; scavenger
strCharacterBackgroundMale[137]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was born in the year of the invasion and carved out a meager living with his family scavenging machinery and old electronics in the ruins of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>'s cities. While scavenging in 2033 he found a small alien device buried in the rubble which he collected to sell on the black market, but the device began sending a homing signal forcing him to flee his home for fear of arrest by ADVENT."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[137]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was born in the year of the invasion and carved out a meager living with her family scavenging machinery and old electronics in the ruins of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>'s cities. While scavenging in 2033 she found a small alien device buried in the rubble which she collected to sell on the black market, but the device began sending a homing signal forcing her to flee her home for fear of arrest by ADVENT."

; breakout leader
strCharacterBackgroundMale[138]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents sold their family home and moved to a small rural town three weeks before their former home was leveled during the invasion. Some years later ADVENT surrounded the small rural town and began taking children for re-education. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> led a group of young children though a gap in the enemy's security perimeter and took them to a resistance haven where he joined the struggle."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[138]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents sold their family home and moved to a small rural town three weeks before their former home was leveled during the invasion. Some years later ADVENT surrounded the small rural town and began taking children for re-education. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> led a group of young children though a gap in the enemy's security perimeter and took them to a resistance haven where she joined the struggle."

; forklift operator
strCharacterBackgroundMale[139]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a forklift operator working at an airport when the aliens began their first major offensive against <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. An elerium bomb was dropped in the city center followed by a fleet of agile landing craft, too fast for the city's missile defenses. The city was lost within hours but <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and two fellow civilians managed to escape to an army checkpoint in a stolen news helicopter where the three of them joined the fledgling resistance movement."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[139]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a forklift operator working at an airport when the aliens began their first major offensive against <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. An elerium bomb was dropped in the city center followed by a fleet of agile landing craft, too fast for the city's missile defenses. The city was lost within hours but <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and two fellow civilians managed to escape to an army checkpoint in a stolen news helicopter where the three of them joined the fledgling resistance movement."

; army massacre survivor
strCharacterBackgroundMale[140]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the army straight out of school and was quickly recognized as an exceptional marksman before the war. His battalion was massacred while defending the capital city's main rail line, but their sacrifice saved nearly a hundred thousand lives. He's spent the years since hunting aliens in the wilderness and hinterlands of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[140]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the army straight out of school and was quickly recognized as an exceptional marksman before the war. Her battalion was massacred while defending the capital city's main rail line, but their sacrifice saved nearly a hundred thousand lives. She's spent the years since hunting aliens in the wilderness and hinterlands of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."

; resistance smuggler
strCharacterBackgroundMale[141]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a small fishing village and has spent much of his life under alien occupation. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and his father secretly ferried refugees out of the country and smuggled weapons and resistance operatives in. He's seen his share of firefights along the way and is eager for the chance to take the fight to ADVENT."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[141]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a small fishing village and has spent much of her life under alien occupation. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and her father secretly ferried refugees out of the country and smuggled weapons and resistance operatives in. She's seen her share of firefights along the way and is eager for the chance to take the fight to ADVENT."

; miner
strCharacterBackgroundMale[142]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a mining village. It was a quiet life until the invasion finally reached them. The aliens rounded up the survivors and put them to work in the mines, where they were worked until death and their bodies taken away for 'processing'. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> escaped from the mining camp and returned with a squad of militia to free the survivors."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[142]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a mining village. It was a quiet life until the invasion finally reached them. The aliens rounded up the survivors and put them to work in the mines, where they were worked until death and their bodies taken away for 'processing'. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> escaped from the mining camp and returned with a squad of militia to free the survivors."

; news anchor
strCharacterBackgroundMale[143]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> studied media and communications at university with hopes of one day becoming a news anchor. After graduating he got a job at a small, regional television station. As luck would have it, good luck or bad he is still not sure, he was covering an open day at a local military base when the aliens invaded and his footage catapulted him into the national consciousness.<br>He joined the resistance after witnessing the aliens attack his old university and massacre almost everyone there."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[143]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> studied media and communications at university with hopes of one day becoming a news anchor. After graduating she got a job at a small, regional television station. As luck would have it, good luck or bad she is still not sure, she was covering an open day at a local military base when the aliens invaded and her footage catapulted her into the national consciousness.<br>She joined the resistance after witnessing the aliens attack her old university and massacre almost everyone there."

; another breakout leader
strCharacterBackgroundMale[144]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lived quietly in one of the major cities of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> until news of other cities being bombarded to dust prompted the family to move to the country and live with relatives. Soon after moving ADVENT surrounded their new town and began taking children for re-education, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the resistance three days after narrowly escaping capture and leading a group of other residents to a nearby resistance haven."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[144]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lived quietly in one of the major cities of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> until news of other cities being bombarded to dust prompted the family to move to the country and live with relatives. Soon after moving ADVENT surrounded their new town and began taking children for re-education, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the resistance three days after narrowly escaping capture and leading a group of other residents to a nearby resistance haven."

; rubble rouser
strCharacterBackgroundMale[145]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up watching his parents waste away before his eyes, working grueling long hours in an electronics factory for a pittance. Determined that that would not happen to him he joined the military as soon as he could. Barely out of basic training <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was thrown into the one-sided fight against the aliens, first seeing combat in the shattered streets of the capital before the ultimate surrender of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> escaped into the rubble to continue his war singlehanded."
strCharacterBackgroundMale[145]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up watching her parents waste away before her eyes, working grueling long hours in an electronics factory for a pittance. Determined that that would not happen to her she joined the military as soon as she could. Barely out of basic training <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was thrown into the one-sided fight against the aliens, first seeing combat in the shattered streets of the capital before the ultimate surrender of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> escaped into the rubble to continue her war singlehanded."

; militia member
strCharacterBackgroundMale[146]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> first started training with a gun when his town started a militia in those nervous few weeks before the full invasion. The militia proved their worth when an alien harvester landed just outside of town in search of test subjects. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and the rest of the militia held off the alien's attack long enough for the townspeople to escape and hide in a nearby series of old mine shafts. The aliens were forced to retreat as reinforcements arrived from nearby towns, taking only the bodies of <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s fallen comrades."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[146]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> first started training with a gun when her town started a militia in those nervous few weeks before the full invasion. The militia proved their worth when an alien harvester landed just outside of town in search of test subjects. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and the rest of the militia held off the alien's attack long enough for the townspeople to escape and hide in a nearby series of old mine shafts. The aliens were forced to retreat as reinforcements arrived from nearby towns, taking only the bodies of <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s fallen comrades."

; would-be student
strCharacterBackgroundMale[147]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the military in order to pay his way into university, but once the aliens arrived his term was extended indefinitely under new national emergency laws. His first contact with the enemy was as part of the ill-fated force sent to investigate an alien landing zone in the east of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[147]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> joined the military in order to pay her way into university, but once the aliens arrived her term was extended indefinitely under new national emergency laws. Her first contact with the enemy was as part of the ill-fated force sent to investigate an alien landing zone in the east of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."

; Council member bodyguard
strCharacterBackgroundMale[148]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in one of the interchangeable suburbs of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> during the 90s and trained as a bodyguard in his early twenties. He joined XCOM after one of our squads saved <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and his employer (an XCOM council member) from abduction by Thin Men in the early months of the war."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[148]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in one of the interchangeable suburbs of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> during the 90s and trained as a bodyguard in her early twenties. She joined XCOM after one of our squads saved <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and her employer (an XCOM council member) from abduction by Thin Men in the early months of the war."

; kidnap investigator
strCharacterBackgroundMale[149]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had a good sense of humor from an early age and became the unofficial mascot of the police station where his mother worked as an inspector. He joined the police force himself and was tasked with responding to a reported kidnapping for his first assignment. When he arrived at the scene the only evidence remaining was a broken phone and a luminescent web of tough green gel."
strCharacterBackgroundMale[149]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had a good sense of humor from an early age and became the unofficial mascot of the police station where her mother worked as an inspector. She joined the police force herself and was tasked with responding to a reported kidnapping for her first assignment. When she arrived at the scene the only evidence remaining was a broken phone and a luminescent web of tough green gel."

; farmer with an ax
strCharacterBackgroundMale[150]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up on a farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> with his grandparents. He joined the resistance when he was forced to flee his home after killing two ADVENT troopers with an ax to stop them taking his younger brother to a re-education center."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[150]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up on a farm in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> with her grandparents. She joined the resistance when she was forced to flee her home after killing two ADVENT troopers with an ax to stop them taking her younger brother to a re-education center."

; ex-XCOM red shirt
strCharacterBackgroundMale[151]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a member of base security at XCOM HQ. He and a handful of his fellows held the doors during the final assault on XCOM HQ. Most of the other security personnel were killed but the aliens had to pull back and regroup giving <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and the few other remaining XCOM staff enough time to grab what they could and escape."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[151]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a member of base security at XCOM HQ. She and a handful of her fellows held the doors during the final assault on XCOM HQ. Most of the other security personnel were killed but the aliens had to pull back and regroup giving <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> and the few other remaining XCOM staff enough time to grab what they could and escape."

; bad pupil
strCharacterBackgroundMale[152]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> spent most of his teenage years under alien occupation. He was forcibly taken from his parents and sent to an ADVENT re-education center. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was never a model pupil and one night he set the center's kitchen ablaze, he and a number of his classmates escaped during the confusion and joined the resistance."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[152]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> spent most of her teenage years under alien occupation. She was forcibly taken from her parents and sent to an ADVENT re-education center. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was never a model pupil and one night she set the center's kitchen ablaze, she and a number of her classmates escaped during the confusion and joined the resistance."

; framed cop
strCharacterBackgroundMale[153]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lived his whole life in a small town in northern <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. He joined the town's police force and served with honor and distinction. Unlike a number of his fellow officers. After <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> uncovered evidence of their corruption they framed him and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was imprisoned. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was incarcerated until the prison was bombed during the invasion allowing him to escape and join the resistance."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[153]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> lived her whole life in a small town in northern <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. She joined the town's police force and served with honor and distinction. Unlike a number of her fellow officers. After <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> uncovered evidence of their corruption they framed her and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was imprisoned. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was incarcerated until the prison was bombed during the invasion allowing her to escape and join the resistance."

; militia survivor of Chryssalid attack
strCharacterBackgroundMale[154]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a small town in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, he joined the local militia which formed during the invasion and then joined XCOM after his town was overrun by Chryssalids. During the Chryssalid attack he was able to send a distress call and luckily one of our Skyrangers was close enough to extract him and the other survivors before they were overrun."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[154]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up in a small town in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, she joined the local militia which formed during the invasion and then joined XCOM after her town was overrun by Chryssalids. During the Chryssalid attack she was able to send a distress call and luckily one of our Skyrangers was close enough to extract her and the other survivors before they were overrun."

; sewer rat
strCharacterBackgroundMale[155]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a member of a special forces unit before being transferred to XCOM. After the rise of ADVENT <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> moved his cell into the cities, basing them in the ruins and the sewers underneath the streets. Ever since, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s cell has been conducting guerrilla operations and assisting civilians in escaping from underneath the ADVENT heel."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[155]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a member of a special forces unit before being transferred to XCOM. After the rise of ADVENT <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> moved her cell into the cities, basing them in the ruins and the sewers underneath the streets. Ever since, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s cell has been conducting guerrilla operations and assisting civilians in escaping from underneath the ADVENT heel."

; mechtoid killer
strCharacterBackgroundMale[156]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> volunteered for national service after the early alien incursions in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. Based on his mental and physical aptitude tests <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was recommended to XCOM. During his training <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> became an excellent marksman, single handedly killing a mechtoid in the ultimately doomed defense of XCOM HQ."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[156]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> volunteered for national service after the early alien incursions in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>. Based on her mental and physical aptitude tests <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was recommended to XCOM. During her training <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> became an excellent marksman, single handedly killing a mechtoid in the ultimately doomed defense of XCOM HQ."

; pyro pupil
strCharacterBackgroundMale[157]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> never saw his mother very much. His mother was a soldier who fought in the invasion and continued on in the resistance until her cell was exposed, leading to her arrest and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s transportation to an ADVENT re-education center. He escaped two years later by overloading the school generator and starting a fire, which distracted security. He joined the resistance later that year."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[157]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> never saw her mother very much. Her mother was a soldier who fought in the invasion and continued on in the resistance until her cell was exposed, leading to her arrest and <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s transportation to an ADVENT re-education center. She escaped two years later by overloading the school generator and starting a fire, which distracted security. She joined the resistance later that year."

; resistance leader
strCharacterBackgroundMale[158]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was one of XCOM's earliest recruits, light on his feet and deadly with any weapon, he rose quickly through the ranks before being given command of his own squad. After the fall of XCOM HQ he returned home to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, becoming one of the key leaders of the resistance in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[158]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was one of XCOM's earliest recruits, light on her feet and deadly with any weapon, she rose quickly through the ranks before being given command of her own squad. After the fall of XCOM HQ she returned home to <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, becoming one of the key leaders of the resistance in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."

; early volunteer
strCharacterBackgroundMale[159]="A military base was built near <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s hometown during the early weeks of the invasion, aiming to train and arm volunteers willing to take on the alien invaders. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> enlisted immediately after news arrived that the initial counter attack by the armed forces of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> had not only been repulsed but overrun. He joined the resistance after the newly-built base he was training in was itself attacked and overrun."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[159]="A military base was built near <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s hometown during the early weeks of the invasion, aiming to train and arm volunteers willing to take on the alien invaders. <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> enlisted immediately after news arrived that the initial counter attack by the armed forces of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> had not only been repulsed but overrun. She joined the resistance after the newly-built base she was training in was itself attacked and overrun."

; airport insecurity
strCharacterBackgroundMale[160]="Before the invasion, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was an air force special operative. In the weeks leading up to the invasion he was deployed to a small airport which had suddenly gone silent. His squad was ambushed by Mutons leaving him the sole survivor. He was dishonorably discharged after claiming that the rest of his squad were killed by aliens.<br> He went into a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol until he was vindicated by the first wave of the invasion when he threw off his dark thoughts and threw himself into the nascent resistance movement."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[160]="Before the invasion, <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was an air force special operative. In the weeks leading up to the invasion she was deployed to a small airport which had suddenly gone silent. Her squad was ambushed by Mutons leaving her the sole survivor. She was dishonorably discharged after claiming that the rest of her squad were killed by aliens.<br>She went into a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol until she was vindicated by the first wave of the invasion when she threw off her dark thoughts and threw herself into the nascent resistance movement."

; sewer child
strCharacterBackgroundMale[161]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had a tough childhood growing up in the dark sewers with only a ruined and devastated city above. He lived in a large resistance hideout hidden from ADVENT scanners by a thick layer of concrete and steel. It was home to only about sixty people at the time he left but has grown to become one of the main command centers for the resistance in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, housing a couple of hundred fighters and their families."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[161]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> had a tough childhood growing up in the dark sewers with only a ruined and devastated city above. She lived in a large resistance hideout hidden from ADVENT scanners by a thick layer of concrete and steel. It was home to only about sixty people at the time she left but has grown to become one of the main command centers for the resistance in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>, housing a couple of hundred fighters and their families."

; nature lover
strCharacterBackgroundMale[162]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents were a nature photographer and an entomologist who often took him on long camping trips into the wilderness. At school <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a passionate student of history. He fled to the forest with his parents to hide out the war; but a few years later, after an epiphany that ADVENT would not leave them alone forever, he ran away to join the resistance."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[162]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents were a nature photographer and an entomologist who often took her on long camping trips into the wilderness. At school <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a passionate student of history. She fled to the forest with her parents to hide out the war; but a few years later, after an epiphany that ADVENT would not leave them alone forever, she ran away to join the resistance."

; gas station resistance warrior
; no age set. 18 - 50

; unlucky farmers
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=108, Min=21, Max=38)

; street-fighting (wo)man
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=109, Min=40, Max=52)

; Gatecrasher calling
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=110, Min=38)

; Burnt offering
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=111, Max=30)

; strange planning
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=112, Min=38, Max=42)

; something of a war hero
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=113, Min=38, Max=52)

; army then drugs then XCOM
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=114, Min=42, Max=53)

; solid operator
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=115, Min=38, Max=40)

; Chrysallid nightmare
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=116, Min=23, Max=32)

; XCOM badass
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=117, Min=38, Max=53)

; family connections
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=118, Min=42, Max=52)

; military trainer
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=119, Min=39, Max=53)

; UFO shooter
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=120, Max=32)

; Fenrir
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=121, Min=48, Max=52)

; Fisher(wo)man
; no age set. 18 - 50

; ADVENT myth-take
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=123, Min=20, Max=27)

; ex-XCOM
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=124, Min=41, Max=46)

; ex-Cop
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=125, Min=40, Max=52)

; head-hunter
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=126, Min=22, Max=35)

; XCOM survivalist
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=127, Min=39)

; Farm-army-XCOM-resistance
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=128, Min=38, Max=40)

; Muton killer
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=129, Min=17, Max=25)

; school kid
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=130, Min=24, Max=32)

; construction worker
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=131, Min=40, Max=52)

; drone killer
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=132, Min=41, Max=42)

; explosive Cop
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=133, Min=37, Max=40)

; political prisoner
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=134, Min=39, Max=45)

; cargo freighter orphan
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=135, Min=17, Max=30)

; ex-Riot Cop
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=136, Min=38, Max=52)

; scavenger
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=137, Min=19, Max=21)

; breakout leader
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=138, Max=32)

; forklift operator
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=139, Min=36)

; army massacre survivor
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=140, Min=36)

; resistance smuggler
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=141, Min=21, Max=28)

; miner
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=142, Min=38, Max=52)

; news anchor
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=143, Min=38, Max=48)

; another breakout leader
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=144, Min=33, Max=52)

; rubble rouser
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=145, Min=38, Max=40)

; militia member
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=146, Min=38, Max=40)

; would-be student
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=147, Min=38, Max=42)

; Council member bodyguard
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=148, Min=43, Max=53)

; kidnap investigator
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=149, Min=38, Max=42)

; farmer with an ax
; no age set. 18 - 50

; ex-XCOM red shirt
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=151, Min=38, Max=54)

; bad pupil
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=152, Min=32, Max=36)

; framed cop
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=153, Min=40, Max=52)

; militia survivor of Chryssalid attack
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=154, Min=36, Max=52)

; sewer rat
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=155, Min=42, Max=54)

; mechtoid killer
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=156, Min=38, Max=54)

; pyro pupil
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=157, Min=17, Max=30)

; resistance leader
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=158, Min=38, Max=54)

; early volunteer
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=159, Min=36)

; airport insecurity
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=160, Min=40, Max=54)

; sewer child
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=161, Max=30)

; nature lover
+SoldierAges=(BackgroundIndex=162, Min=24, Max=40)

Special bonus, a couple of engineer and scientist backgrounds.

[Engineer X2CharacterTemplate]
;car mechanic
strCharacterBackgroundMale[20]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents ran a small car repair business where he learned about mechanics and circuitry while helping out at the shop in his teens.<br><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> enlisted at the outbreak of the war, and served with the army logistics division repairing vehicles and maintaining communications equipment until he and his unit joined the resistance following the fall of the conventional armed forces in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[20]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/>'s parents ran a small car repair business where she learned about mechanics and circuitry while helping out at the shop in her teens.<br><XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> enlisted at the outbreak of the war, and served with the army logistics division repairing vehicles and maintaining communications equipment until she and her unit joined the resistance following the fall of the conventional armed forces in <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/>."

; booby trapper
strCharacterBackgroundMale[21]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a civilian network engineer before the invasion, after which he enlisted in the military's Signal Corps thinking he could help in decrypting the aliens' communications. Instead he wound up fighting all over <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> with various resistance cells. Apparently he has survived for the past five years with his wife in the ruins of the capital using improvised traps and scavenged weapons."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[21]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> was a civilian network engineer before the invasion, after which she enlisted in the military's Signal Corps thinking she could help in decrypting the aliens' communications. Instead she wound up fighting all over <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> with various resistance cells. Apparently she has survived for the past five years with her husband in the ruins of the capital using improvised traps and scavenged weapons."

;car mechanic
+EngineerAges=(BackgroundIndex=20, Min=38)

; booby trapper
+EngineerAges=(BackgroundIndex=21, Min=40)

[Scientist X2CharacterTemplate]
; secret lab
strCharacterBackgroundMale[20]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up on a farm in south of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> and was always the top of his class. He moved to the capital to study and was at the university there when the invasion started. His class was evacuated by the military to a secret laboratory to assist with research on the aliens' technology, biology and psychology. The facility was bombed to ruins but <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> survived, repaired the radio equipment and was pulled from the rubble by a resistance squad he contacted."
strCharacterBackgroundFemale[20]="<XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> grew up on a farm in south of <XGParam:StrValue0/!CountryName/> and was always the top of her class. She moved to the capital to study and was at the university there when the invasion started. Her class was evacuated by the military to a secret laboratory to assist with research on the aliens' technology, biology and psychology. The facility was bombed to ruins but <XGParam:StrValue1/!FirstName/> survived, repaired the radio equipment and was pulled from the rubble by a resistance squad she contacted."

+ScientistAges=(BackgroundIndex=20, Min=38, Max=42)