Creating a Character (Heroes)
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— Mariah Carey
This is not a process you have to do quietly, by yourself. Talk to the other players, share connections to villagers, strategize about trait ranks, and so on. You're not keeping anything secret here and the game will play better if everyone works together from the start.
In a few places you will be asked to rank some things in order of importance to you. In all cases, a 1 means least important and a 6 means most important. Higher numbers will be more useful to you in the game.
Contents |
Name
You have to make up a NAME for your character. This is hard for some players and easy for others. When in doubt, choose a simple name like Michael or Jennifer.
Traits
Heroes are defined by a handful of traits.
- STRONG
- FRIENDLY
- SMART
- SKILLED
- HOLY
- BRAVE
There are six traits ranked 1 to 6. Number them in order of least to most important. The trait you assign a 1 is your least important trait and the trait you assign a 6 is the most important to you. High scores are better than low scores, so a 6 Strong means your character is very powerful while a 1 Strong means your character is a weakling.
Background
Who are you? What is your normal life?
You should choose a PROFESSION (something you do for a living) and keep in mind that you may be apprenticed to someone older.
You should write a couple sentences about your PERSONALITY. What things bother you? What things inspire you?
Connections
Who do you know? Who can help you prepare for your journey? You must invent a number of villagers with whom your character will interact during the game. You can use a villager from another player's character sheet with that player's permission.
FAMILY: Write down the names of 6 people in your extended family. These are people with whom your character has a blood tie. Rank them from 1 to 6 in order of least to most important. A 1-2 means they don't want to help you much. A 3-4 means they will help a little. A 5-6 means they want very much to help you.
TEACHERS: Write down the names of 6 people who can teach you a lesson. These might be school teachers, wise mages, priests, or experienced soldiers. Invent people who naturally would have some specialized knowledge to impart to you. Rank them 1 to 6, as you did with family.
FRIENDS: Write down the names of 6 people who you consider your friends. Do not include other player's characters here. Rank them 1 to 6.
Example
I make up a character. I chat with the other players and we think a Germanic concept is cool. I immediately fall upon a cool-sounding name:
- NAME: Willem Bladsmit
Now traits. I want him to be strong but not too bright. He's friendly, but not very holy. He's brave, but not very skilled. I decide to rank his stats as follows:
- 6 FRIENDLY
- 5 STRONG
- 4 BRAVE
- 3 HOLY
- 2 SKILLED
- 1 SMART
I decide that his family name means 'bladesmith.' His profession, therefore, is the family profession.
- PROFESSION: Blacksmith
I describe my ideas for Willem with the rest of the players and I decide to make him easy going and fun. The other players are all making intense and serious characters.
- PERSONALITY: Willem is easy going, the life of every party. He doesn't take much seriously except his fun. He shirks work and study and thus hasn't learned much about smithing from his father. Willem doesn't want to go on this dragonhunting quest because it seems like too much responsibility. He also doesn't think he's smart enough.
I start thinking about relationships. His father will be an important connection. He may have some drinking buddies he fools around with and some of those will be other player characters (and not statted relationships). Wilhelm should have a frustrated teacher of some kind, maybe a priest.
- FAMILY
- Johan Bladsmit, father. Wants Wilhelm to be a smith.
- Tina Bladsmit, mother. Overprotective of Wilhelm.
- Maura Bladsmit, grandmother, dad's mom. Encourages Wilhelm to enjoy life.
- Hrothgar Bladsmit, older brother. Taunts Wilhelm for being dumb. Is an expert smith.
- Sarina Bladsmit, younger sister. Sweet and smart. Wilhelm protects her.
- Beltrand Bladsmit, uncle, dad's brother. Drunkard. Encourages Wilhelm to enjoy life.
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