Character Creation

Step One: Concept

Think about the kind of character that you want to play and a basic template of that individual in your mind.

Step Two: Species

Your Game Setting will have a list of available Species that you can choose for your character. Each Species has a vibrant and unique culture, as well as benefits and drawbacks of playing a member of that Species.

Step Three: Stats

All your Stats begin at 3. You have 13 points to distribute among your 4 Stats. Since you are supposed to be a heroic sort, only one of your Stats may be lower than 5. Keep in mind that some Species have minimum Stat ratings in order to play a member of that Species.

Step Four: Skills

You have 20 Skill Points to purchase Skills with. Raising a Skill from 1-3 costs one Skill Point per level, but purchasing a 4^th or 5^th level in a skill costs 2 Skill Points per level. Therefore, if you wanted a 4 in a Skill, it would cost 5 Skill points total, and if you wanted a 5 in a Skill, it would cost 7 Skill Points total. Reaching those levels of mastery in a skill aren’t cheap! At character creation, you may only have one Skill at 5.

Step Five: Edges

You may choose 5 Edges at character creation.

Step Six: Odds and Ends

Hit Points: You begin play with 10 Hit Points per level of Vigor that you have. Someone with a Vigor score of 0 begins play with 5 Hit Points.

Defense: Your Defense is equal to 10 + Agility OR Smarts Modifier + Armor Modifier + Shield Modifier + Bonus Modifier.

Luck: You begin play with 3 points of Luck.

Wealth: You begin play with 1,000 Units of Wealth to purchase weapons, armor and equipment for your adventures.

Languages: You can speak your native Species tongue, as well as the Universal tongue of your setting. You gain a number of extra languages in addition to this equal to your Smarts Modifier. Therefore, someone with a Smarts score of 8 (+3 modifier) would know 5 Languages (their native tongue, the Universal language of their area, and 3 bonus languages for them being such a smartypants). For ease of use, the languages of Nezdriodel are listed below.

Nezdriod: The Common tongue of the Continent of Nezdriodel.
High Valt*: The formal tongue of the Noble Humans and Priests.
Low Valt*: The less formal Human Tongue of Human Peasants.
Gladetongue: The musical language of the Elves and other primal beings.
Dwaric**: The complex and intricate language of the Dwarves.
Gnomish: The rapid-fire and expressive language of the Gnomes.
Firbaz: The gutteral native tongue of the Firbolg people.

*High Valt and Low Valt are the same language with minor differences akin to English and Olde English. All Humans can understand and speak Low Valtun, but only Humans with the Mystical Blood or Status Edges have been educated in the proper manner of speaking, and get High Valt as a free bonus language. Someone who speaks Low Valt can certainly understand what someone who speaks High Valt is basically saying, however.

**Dwaric is a very complicated language that makes use of exceedingly long words. As such, it costs 2 experience points or Bonus Language Slots for non Dwarves to learn this language instead of 1.

Speed: Your Speed is determined by your Species. The Mobility Edge can increase your Speed as well.

Step Seven: Character Flair (Optional)

Your Character should be so much more than just a basic concept and a set of numbers and statistics. They should have a personality and unique style all their own. By answering the following questions, you can begin to flesh out your character and make it more than just an assemblage of numbers. Completing this step is not vital (as some players prefer to start with a vague concept and fill in the blanks as they get comfortable playing), but completing this step will net you 3 extra Experience Points and an extra 500 Units of staring Wealth to give you a bit of a head start in your adventuring career!

1. Describe your Character’s personality in three words.

Stay away from the obvious, here. If your character has 8 Vigor, we can already deduce that they are strong and sturdy. Don’t just repeat their highest Skills or Stats. Really think about how they act before you answer this.

2. Give your Character a unique trait or interest.

Remember, you’re playing a Hero, here, the main character of a movie or epic tale. They shouldn’t be boring! Pick an interesting trait for your character, whether that be a catch phrase that they say often, a strange hobby that they enjoy, or a physical mannerism that sets them apart from everyone else.

3. Give your Character a weakness.

Not even heroes are perfect. Maybe your Character is exceedingly vain and complains every time they get dirty. Maybe they are a bit full of themselves and brag about their deeds all the time. Your Character’s weakness shouldn’t be something crippling or un-heroic (For instance, they shouldn’t be complete cowards who turn tail and run at the first sign of conflict—They are in the ADVENTURING business, after all…), but it should add some drama to their personality and story.

4. Name your Character’s primary weapon.

This seems like a simple step, but can really add to your Character. A Barbarian type who uses a big ass club in battle is all well and good, but a mighty warrior who wields the brutal club Skullknocker is truly to be feared!

5. Give your Character a Home Town.

The Setting link has an in depth look at some of the cities and settlements in Nezdriodel. Choose a place that your Character considers their Home Town. Maybe they were born there, or spent the majority of their life there, or merely have an attachment to that particular place for whatever reason. If none of the described locations in the Setting section catch your interest or fit your character, then make up a town name and give a brief description of it.

6. Give your character a basic backstory.

I don’t mean a long, ten page essay on their exploits. After all, they may be brave and daring Adventurers, but their careers have just started. They have led an interesting life up to this point, but their greatest deeds are yet to be told! Write up a paragraph or two about what they have been up to thus far.