Creating a Character

Character Creation

Start with a concept for your character, perhaps based on a character from a novel or a movie, or some specific concept such as an High Elven Mage, or an ex-assassin seeking redemption but haunted by ghosts, or the reincarnation of a loyal battle dog, or a fallen angel, or perhaps a more mundane blacksmith who hates violence and loves an adventurous yet troublesome rogue. Player characters (PCs) should be exceptional and interesting. They could very easily find success in less exciting situations than those that come their way as PCs. You must figure out why your character is going to keep getting involved in dangerous things. If you don’t, the GM is under no obligation to go out of her way to make the game work for you—she’ll be too busy with other players who made characters that have a reason to participate.

Next write down your character concept's three key aspects: a High Concept that briefly defines your key features, then something about your Background or development as a person, and lastly a central Trouble that continues to interfere with your ambitions or desires.

Next comes three lesser aspects that describe what has happened to you recently. You briefly describe two Stories, each where your character met one or more of the other player characters and had a shared experience. Lasty a Hindrance that will impede you but may well be overcome and replaced with something else as you play.

High Concept

This is a defining statement about who your character and should guide your choices in skills, abilities and advantages.

An example could be…
Anthra is a rare but potent elemental mage who seeks to expand and refine their control over elements.
Paula is an orphan who seeks fame and fortune as a dancer and entertainer.
Jordan has seen so much death and defeat that his devotion to the sword is what keeps him going.

Trouble

While a trouble may be part of your high concept, this is a specific statement of how you have been struggling against X, to escape Y, to overcome Z. This should influence your character's choices and may help to provide motivation to join the party.

An example could be…
Anthra’s fear of losing control to powerful elemental spirits makes them want to balance their use of the elementals.
Paula will do almost anything if she thinks it will enhance her reputation or pay well.
Not all those Jordan has defeated were nameless or forgotten… he keeps a low profile to avoid those bent on revenge.

Background

This describes training, early life experience, ancestry or anything to help flesh out your character. It may be reflected in the skills and advantages you choose.

An example could be…
Anthra’s travels while training under Urtha Mina exposed them to many places dedicated to the study of magic.
Paula spent her early years with a group of entertainers who traveled seeking employment and renown.
Jordan was raised by his aunt and uncle who taught him how to hunt and survive in the hostile Golan waste.

Stories

Work with other players to develop two short stories (a few sentences should suffice) about two shared experiences, events, or adventures.

An example could be…
Anthra met Jordan in Cairthen when he helped Anthra escape two trackers sent to retrieve a stolen tome.
Paula saw that Jordan and Anthra were trying to leave town quickly so helped them join an entertainers caravan hoping that they could help with performances of magic and swordplay.

Hinderance

This is a current challenge or situation that may change over time.

An example could be…
Anthra took a book of elemental secrets from the Library of Flame and Ice and needs to fully understand it before they are forced to return it.
Paula is desperate to wow crowds and spread rumors about her rival Mandal to counteract the cruel lies Mandal spreads about her.
In an unfortunate coincidence in Cairthien Jordan now has a bounty on his head.