Question about theme and class skills

[Oni Shogun]

The way theme reads with the level 1 ability it seems if your class has that themes skill as a class skill then you get a further plus 1 to your themes stat AND a +1 to that skill?

So a Vesk Soldier Mercenary would get another +2 to str, starting at 14 str before they even put any points into it?

[Deadmanwalking]

No. Everyone gets +1 to the stat and only +1. They get +1 to the skill only if it's already a Class Skill.

So a Vesk Mercenary Soldier starts with a 13 Str and +1 to their Athletics on top of other bonuses.

[McAllister]

Here's how to apply a theme to a level 1 Character -

Step 1A: is the Theme skill already a class skill? If so, it gets +1 untyped forever.

Step 1B: if not, it's a class skill now

Step 2: +1 to a stat, bringing it up to 11 (or 9 or 13, if racial adjustments apply)

Step 3: easier Culture DCs to know about relevant things