Character Creation

Written by RiverFang

This article is for those that may need assistance with the process of making a D&D character. If you already know how to create a character, check out the Characters in Isekai article for information on the playable races in our world.

Table of Contents

How to Create a D&D 5e Character in the World of Isekai in Six Steps

Step 1: Choose a Race

Your race contributes a lot to your character's identity by establishing things such as general appearance and natural talents that come from culture and ancestry. A character's race grants traits such as special senses, some proficiencies with weapons, tools and skills, and the ability to use minor spells.

The world of Isekai allows access to many of the races in D&D 5e with some additions or changes. Many of these races also have subraces that can be chosen. Check out Races & Cultures of Isekai to learn more about the various races, their place in Isekai, and the statblocks to be used for character creation.

Standard 5e Races

• Aarakocra
• Aasimar
• Dragonborn
• Duergar
• Dwarf
• Drow
• Eladrin
• Centaur
• Changeling
• Elf
• Half-Elf
• Halfling
• Half-Orc
• Human
• Goliath
• Genasi

• Firbolg
• Kenku
• Kobold
• Lizardfolk
• Loxodon
• Minotaur
• Phorcydes (Renamed aquatic version of the Vedalken race)
• Tabaxi
• Tiefling
• Tortle
• Triton
• Warforged

Homebrew from the D&D Community

• Merfolk (Created by the Great Gamemaster)
• Mousefolk (Created by Skyler Davis)
• Otterfolk (Homebrew race by Jeff Stevens)
• Clawfane (Created by the Great Gamemaster)

Our Homebrew

• Deep Fairy (Homebrew race by Shiftrex)
• Fairy (Homebrew race by Shiftrex)
• Ursakin (Homebrew race by Shiftrex)

Step 2: Choose a Class

Classes describe the vocation that a character has and also grants a number of benefits called class features. These can give your character special abilities, increased proficiencies, and spellcasting.
The world of Isekai allows access to many of the classes in D&D 5e with some additions or changes. All classes have special archetypes that can be chosen at specific levels. Check out Professions of Isekai to learn more about the various classes, their place in Isekai, and the statblocks to be used for character creation.

Standard 5e Classes

• Barbarian
• Bard
• Cleric
• Druid
• Fighter (Gunslinger archetype (homebrew created by Matt Mercer) only useable by humans)
• Monk
• Paladin
• Ranger
• Rogue
• Sorcerer
• Warlock
• Wizard

Homebrew from the D&D Community

• Alchemist (Created by DawnforgedCast)
• Blood Hunter (Homebrew class by Matt Mercer)
• Channeler (Homebrew class by "Don't Stop Thinking")
• Cook (Homebrew class by Samuel Hooper)
• Shaman (Homebrew class by DawnforgedCast)
• Pugilist (Homebrew class by Benjamin Huffman)
• Spiritualist (Homebrew class by Benjamin Huffman)
• Magus (Homebrew class by Benjamin Huffman)
• Swordmage (Homebrew class by the Arcane Athenaeum)
• Spellbinder (Homebrew class by Kate Holden)
• Keeper (Homebrew class by Jeremy Melloul)

Our Homebrew

• Dark Knight (Homebrew class by Shiftrex)
• Geomancer (Homebrew class by Shiftrex)
• Red Mage (Homebrew class by Shiftrex)
• Rune Mage (Permanent Script archetype only useable by elves. Homebrew class by Shiftrex)
• Witch (Homebrew class by Shiftrex)

Step 3: Determine Ability Scores

What characters are able to do within the game is based upon the six ability scores:

Strength

Dexterity

Constitution

Intelligence

Wisdom

Charisma

You generate the six ability scores randomly, by rolling 6-sided dice. Roll four 6-sided dice and record the total of the highest three dice on a piece of scratch paper. Do this five more times, so that you have six numbers.
Now take your six numbers and write each number beside one of your character’s six abilities to assign scores to Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Afterward, make any changes to your ability scores as a result of your race choice.
Based upon your ability score, your character will have a specific ability score modifier that will help determine other numbers for your character later. Check the table in the sidebar to determine these modifiers.

Step 4: Describe Your Character

Now that you have the basic game aspects of the character complete, now is the chance to begin describing the character by choosing personality traits and a background.
Backgrounds describe where your character comes from, their previous occupation, or their place in the world. There are a variety to choose from in the world of Isekai, and each can often be customized to your character's story.

• Acolyte
• Anthropologist
• Archaeologist
• Charlatan
• City Watch/Investigator
• Clan Crafter
• Cloistered Scholar
• Courtier
• Criminal/Spy
• Entertainer/Gladiator
• Dead
• Failed Merchant
• Carnival Performer

• Falconer
• Far Traveller
• Fisher
• Folk Hero
• Gambler
• Guild Artisan/Guild Merchant
• Hermit
• Knight of the Order
• Marine
• Mercenary Veteran

• Noble/Knight
• Outlander
• Sage
• Sailor/Pirate
• Shipwright
• Smuggler
• Soldier
• Storyteller
• Urban Bounty Hunter
• Urchin
• Academic

Items like personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws can be chosen from the charts that are found in the Lives of Isekai or can be made up, depending on how you wish to describe your character. Feel free to use a mixture of the provided material and your own ideas to describe your character. Also, pick your character's alignment during this step. Consult the table in the sidebar for help with alignments.
A specialty of Isekai is that the gods and pantheons of the world matter a great deal. These deities have walked the land of Isekai, and who your character worships can change what parts of history you can learn in certain places or the help you may find throughout your travels. There are a variety of deities in the world, so pick the one that you think your character best aligns with.

Step 5: Choose Equipment

Your character's class and background will determine what equipment they will start with. These will also dictate the amount of gold you start with.
In most cases, the lists of equipment in your class will allow you to choose between specific items to customize your character as much as you want. When choosing equipment, you should keep in mind your weapons and armor proficiencies from your class and race as these will give you bonuses on attacks and damage. Also, melee weapons use your Strength modifier for attack and damage rolls while ranged weapons use your Dexterity modifier.

Step 6: Finishing Details

This could mean meeting up with your party and figuring out how your characters met, or it could just be adding details to your character. Feel free to flesh out the character as much or as little as you want. As they level up and gain adventuring experience, things may change and you may find yourself adding details to your character as the campaign progresses. The main goal is to just have fun with the character that you just created!

Need More Information?

Variant Rules for Spellcasters

Ability Score Modifiers

Score	Modifier
1	-5
2-3	-4
4-5	-3
6-7	-2
8-9	-1
10-11	+0
12-13	+1
14-15	+2
16-17	+3
18-19	+4
20	+5

Alignments

Lawful Good(LG)	Neutral Good(NG)	Chaotic Good(CG)
Lawful Neutral(LN)	Neutral(N)	Chaotic Neutral(CN)
Lawful Evil(LE)	Neutral Evil(NE)	Chaotic Evil(CE)

Pantheons

Additional Character Creation Resources

New to Isekai?

An Introduction to Isekai

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Create Your Character

World Anvil Heroes

How to Create a Character on World Anvil

Information on character creation, classes, races, backgrounds, and other information related to Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition belongs to Wizards of the Coast, unless otherwise noted. We claim no ownership of the content we did not create.