Characters
Characters are the primary participants in the game's narrative. Players create characters which serve as their avatars in the game world.
Last updated
Characters are the primary participants in the game's narrative. Players create characters which serve as their avatars in the game world.
Last updated
Characters may be people, spirits or other supernatural entities, beasts and monsters, vehicles or industrial equipment, or advanced computer systems.
Players are responsible for creating the characters that will act as their persona in the game world. The host is responsible for creating non-player characters to fill the game world with the people and things players interact with during gameplay.
MANAGING CHARACTERS
There are a variety of tools you can use to create and manage characters. You can use software to make your character digitally, use paper index cards or graph paper, or use our printable character sheets.
The same character elements are used for modeling player and non-player characters, so the creation process is the same for both players and the host.
Four core elements define characters.
ASSETS: Distinctive elements that characters leverage to perform actions. Assets are assigned a dice rating from D4 to D12 to represent their respective quality and utility. During gameplay, players can choose up to 3 relevant assets for their characters to help them succeed when performing actions.
CONDITIONS: Conditions are the dynamic and diverse set of disabilities, hindrances and drawbacks that can impact the performance of a character.
FEATURES: Characteristics or capabilities that make characters special and unique. They are used to express aspects of a character that are uncommon and extraordinary. This can include unique talents, powers, magic, cybernetic augmentations, or enhanced technology.
RESOURCES: Tracks the level of intangible resources like experience points or wildcards or tangible resources like currency, provisions, or materials.
CHARACTER EXAMPLES
You can find examples in the Toolkit section for inspiration when creating characters.
Characters are built using a point-buy system. Players are awarded starting points to create new characters at the beginning of a campaign. The following table defines the cost of upgrading character assets and adding features.
| CHARACTER ELEMENT | COST |
|---|---|
Asset upgrade from D4 to D6 | 1 point |
Asset upgrade from D6 to D8 | 2 points |
Asset upgrade from D8 to D10 | 3 points |
Asset upgrade from D10 to D12 | 4 points |
Add a Feature | 4 points |
The number of points awarded to players for character creation will determine their overall starting power tier. Power tiers measure the relative ability level of a character to ordinary or average within the game world. The host should select a starting amount to fit the story and setting. Below are some suggested standard character tiers you can use as a reference.
| TIER | DESCRIPTION | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
Common | Characters are unremarkable. Starting assets can only be upgraded to a D6. Ex: 6 assets (D6), 1 feature | 10 |
Adventurer | Characters are above average. Starting assets can only be upgraded to a maximum of D8. Ex: 6 assets (D6), 2 assets (D8), 2 features | 20 |
Hero | Characters are highly capable. Starting assets can only be upgraded to a maximum of D8. Ex: 6 assets (D6), 4 assets (D8), 5 features | 38 |
Champion | Characters are powerful. Starting assets can only be upgraded to a maximum of D10. Ex: 6 assets (D6), 4 assets (D8), 2 assets (D10), 5 features | 50 |
Legend | Characters are heroic. Starting assets can be upgraded to a maximum of D12. | 80 |
