Character Creation Rules
This section of the document describes rules related to creating and advancing a player character.
Character Creation¶
Sorry there are a lot of changes
Starting Level¶
We'll be starting the campaign at level 1
Classes¶
- Homebrew and third-party classes are permitted on a case by case basis.
Races¶
Pick one of each of the following:
These rules are heavily inspired by Tales of the Valiant Alpha Release by Kobold Press.
Normally, you should refer to your race as <Heritage> <Lineage>. e.g., City Elf, Grove Tiefling, or Nomad Halfling.
Background¶
- Any background that did not already grant a feat will allow the player to choose a flavourful feat.
Ability Scores¶
- Roll 2d4+10 for 3 different ability scores. Roll 2d4+3 for 2 ability scores. 17 is the remaining score.
- Add the modifier from your lineage to your ability scores.
- Add the modifier from your heritage to your ability scores.
- Add +2 to one ability score of your choice, other than any ability score modified by your lineage or heritage.
- In order to increase an ability score that is 20 or higher, you must use both points of an ability score increase and it will only increase by one point.
Proficiencies¶
Small or smaller creatures gain +2 to stealth for each category smaller than Medium. Large or larger creatures take -2 to stealth for each category larger than Medium. In addition to the proficiencies you receive from your class and background, you gain additional proficiencies based on your intelligence score. Each of these proficiencies are chosen by you freely from the category of proficiencies granted. Eg. languages, tools, or skills.
| Intelligence Score |
Additional Proficiencies |
|---|---|
| < 8 | Inability to read any language |
| 8 - 11 | - |
| 12 - 13 | Proficiency with one additional language |
| 14 - 15 | Proficiency with one additional language and one additional tool |
| 16 - 17 | Proficiency with one additional language, one additional tool, and one additional skill |
| 18 - 19 | Proficiency with two additional languages, one additional tool, and one additional skill |
| 20 - 21 | Proficiency with two additional languages, two additional tools, and one additional skill |
| > 21 | Proficiency with two additional languages, two additional tools, and two additional skills |
Feats¶
Player characters get one feat at level 1 if their background doesn't already grant them a feat (the same feat described under the Background heading), and a feat at every fourth character level in addition to the ability score increases indicated in your classes. You cannot exchange ability score increases for feats.
Equipment¶
See Homebrew Rules/Magic Items.
Character Description¶
A character's motivations are core to telling a great story. A party of misfits with tendencies to act on their own probably wouldn't stay a party for very long.
Traits, Bonds, and Flaws¶
- Make a character that is both
- willing to work with others
- and willing to put themselves in danger for the sake of the party. They do not need to be willing to do it out of the goodness of their own hearts. They could want to do it out of greed or fear of dying, for example.
Backstory¶
- Should be no less than 3 paragraphs.
- Should be no more than 7 paragraphs. Feel free to write more, just don't expect me to remember it.
- Free feat of your choice upon submission.
- In order to help the player characters naturally form into a cohesive party, include how your character established a strong relationship with one of the following:
- Another player character
- L'Arc Chantante, a remarkably tall, ancient, and world famous cathedral dedicated to the goddess Arcundus, located 7 days walk from the western coast of the Great Alliance of the Wounded Coast.
- The goddess Arcundus (ark-OOND-us), a deity of the Sun, the Moon, architecture, and the movement of celestial bodies, or the pantheon of deities that she allies herself with.
- One or more of the staff at the cathedral. For example:
- Mother Wilhelmina Yrstrone of the Monastic Order of the Arches, beloved leader of the cathedral's multidenominational priesthood.
- Acolyte Jensen (YEN-sen), a minor noble from a nearby coastal city-state who had to run away from some trouble he was facing in the city-state of Lippelend (LIP-el-end), some 7 days to the northwest.
- The savant named Yves (EEV) who is the official artist of L'Arc Chantante.
- The nearby town of Ybbrinth (YIB-brinth) is a bustling hillside town, bordered by a river to the south, and by a forest to the north. On the opposite side of the river, there is a pair of 200 or so foot tall cliffs that form the shape of a v, from the cusp of which, the ground slopes quickly down the hill to meet the river. Between these two cliffs, at the top of the hill is where L'Arc Chantante sits. The people of the town are genial and know little of famine, war, or strife.
- Come up with a reason why your character ends up staying within the walls of L'Arc Chantante the night before the festival. Some example reasons could be:
- Your character works at the cathedral as an acolyte, janitor, hunter, healer, or even a salesperson trying to hawk wares. A church as massive and famous as this one is a centre of commerce by it's very nature.
- You are poor enough, injured badly enough, or sick enough to need to beg for solace there, where you would naturally be accepted.
- You are seeking penance, sanctuary, or confession, but it's too busy for the priesthood to attend to you. Therefor, you have been given a room for the night.
- You are here to celebrate the Sunspark Festival, a sacred holiday around the world for adherents of Arcundus, but also a widely beloved regional holiday, as the festival celebrates the summer solstice, at which point, for one hour every year, the crystalline window at the focal point of the titular arch of L'Arc Chantante is illuminated, bathing the whole cathedral in incredible shimmering light. Thousands are expected to be present on the day of the solstice. It is even said that Arcundus herself is always physically present at the hour of illumination, but hides herself among the throngs.
- You are here to hawk goods or services at the festival, and are in good standing with the church, so you've been permitted to camp out on the grounds and are given food and cover from any rain if you need it.
Joining After Level 1¶
- Any character that joins the campaign at a level higher than 1 will be granted a budget for purchasing items and may purchase items from the Sane Magical Prices document (see Equipment).