Yes I agree with what you're saying about a separate layer. I agree that reactions based on things like race, gender, class, etc. should be separate from background-based reactions. I'm adding my idea to yours, essentially.
I’d say generally yes, but some combinations could just be incompatible. You probably couldn’t have a Githyanki being in the upper class of Baldurs Gate society for instance.
That's a good point. Some types of backgrounds would indeed not be suitable for certain types of characters. Hmmmm ....
So then you would have to have exclusions on each background relative to race/class. Somewhat more complicated, but still doable. It just comes down to whether you think this complex a system is worth the resources. For me, that's a definite 'yes,' because the extent to which I am able to customize my own PC determines the extent to which I am able to identify with my PC, which determines the extent to which I feel immersed in the world and connected to the story of the game. So my entire chain of enjoyment of and fulfillment from the game begins with my being able to create and customize my own PC. The origin characters just don't give me that. But I cannot abide a situation where my custom PC is in any way "lesser" than an origin PC or where I won't get the "full" roleplaying and interactivity experience from my custom PC that I would've got from an origin PC.
