IMPORTANT NOTE: For those that downloaded the 0.2 version between 12/6/20 and today, 12/8/20, please do the following to get the mod working:
Take the .zip file you downloaded, and add "mod_" in front of the file name. Nexus renamed the file when I uploaded and the name is important in order to get the load order of the files correct. Sorry for the inconvenience!! :(

Hello all and welcome to the Expanded Backgrounds mod! 
Check out the changelog here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wBVYUALv970jR2Fop7JY4DkzUpVaXJv7W-KrxPdrE-I/edit?usp=sharing

There are three versions to tailor the experience to your own tastes!

Features:

• 36 new backgrounds to hire
• 55 new events
• 3 new custom starts 
• 2 new legendary weapons with custom art
• 2 new stat systems to make hiring more interesting and finding standout brothers of all backgrounds more viable
  

Planned/Upcoming Features:

• More legendary items to hunt for and lategame events and encounters to use them on
• More starts as the ideas come to me
• More events to continue fleshing out the personality behind some backgrounds
  

Detailed Feature Description
Please see the following articles I have written about the mod to get more idea of the features currently available!

Inspiration and Explanation of the Systems
https://www.nexusmods.com/battlebrothers/articles/56

List of New Events
https://www.nexusmods.com/battlebrothers/articles/55

List of New Backgrounds
https://www.nexusmods.com/battlebrothers/articles/54

Contact
Join the mod development Discord Server here:
https://discord.gg/wnWyMyk

Follow me on Twitch:
twitch.tv/a_cleverfool

Requirements:
This mod requires mod_hooks in order to work.
This mod requires all DLC up to and including Blazing Deserts for the optimal experience. It is NOT intended to support versions of this game without DLC.

Installation:
Simply take the zip file and drop it in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Battle Brothers\data folder, or wherever you have your Battle Brothers data folder. Keep in mind you also need hooks in order for this mod to work.

Compatibility:
The mod should be compatible with the following mods:

• Named Item Chance
• Event Frequency
• Combat Log Open
• Extensive Tryout
• Faster
• Frenzy Red Eyes
• Show Enemy Stats
• Settlement Tooltips [some situations that add backgrounds add additional new backgrounds that aren't listed in the tooltip]
• Stronger Retinues
• Nimble Tooltip
  

This mod will have issues with anything that modifies:

• player.nut
• Attached locations or settlements
• Config/characterbackgrounds.nut
  

This mod is known to be incompatible with the following mods:

• The Elite Few - Master Bros Mod"
  

FAQ:
Q: How stable is this mod?
A: As of this first alpha release, the worst thing that I know of that can happen is if an event has a bug in it. It could break the event generator which would potentially prevent events from firing until you restart the game. I sadly cannot test every single event in for every single scenario; I have tested many events and most of them work but there could always be something slipping under the radar. If you haven't gotten events in your game in a long time check the log file (Documents > Battle Brothers > log.html) and look for errors.

You should be able to open it up and see an error message that has the name of the event file that is failing (for example blacksmith_repairs_armor_event.nut). Copy that file and post in the discord linked on this page and I will fix the error ASAP (and credit you for finding the bug! ^_^).

The quick fix for your own game would be to remove that event. You can go into the mod's zip file, scripts > events > events > <eventfilename.cnut> and just delete it. DO NOT DO THIS WHILE YOUR GAME IS RUNNING. Close out the game first. Restarting the game after that should restart the event generator and remove the custom event from the event pool.

Q: Is this mod compatible with Legends?
A: Yes and no. The majority of this mod adds completely new content, with some minor tweaks to a few files to get backgrounds appearing in city locations and to get a couple mechanics working. As of now they will not work together, but I am fairly certain the gifted guys over at Legends could potentially get some kind of compatibility going. I may work in the future to get a Legends compatible version out once Legends itself is updated to BD. Sadly I do not have too much knowledge of the extent of their modifications.

Q: Do I need a new save to begin using this mod?
A: I would highly recommend beginning a new save. Once new backgrounds appear in your draft list, you will need to keep a version of the mod installed to continue using the save. Because the mod currently is not 100% stable I would recommend keeping backups of your existing saves and only use this mod with fresh starts.

Credits
Thank you to everyone that has supported me and contributed towards the release of this project! This is by no means a complete list, and please let me know if you'd like to be credited by something other than your Discord handle:

• shkimmilk, for excellent art for a large number of legendary weapons and background icons
• pixelprofligate, also for excellent art for the Gae Buidhe and Leper icon
• Wyoian and JerekKruger for helping me test some things and mod discussion
• LITFAMWOKE, for the Pirate, Falconer, Town Watchman, and an early Outlander icon
• AxFairy - icons for Fletcher, Cartographer, and Blacksmith
• [Someone] - icon for the Bounty Hunter. Try as I might I cannot find who did this one for me, I am very sorry and please contact me if you would like to be listed here
• Early supporters and testers like Tigran_Petrosjan, j4j, Debatoo, Yeekbacca
• Twitch supporters like Mattagon, rancidz for putting up with my horrible excuse for a stream schedule.
• Rulez and Poss, for being incredibly helpful back when I was first getting my toes wet with BB modding, as well as inspiring me to create my own content mod with their great Legends Mod. :)
• FilthyRobot for introducing me to such a great gem of a strategy game.
• Players like you!