City of Eternal Shadows Character Creation

- Main Page; City of Eternal Shadows

- Characteristics:

Start with average characteristics:

STR 10
CON 10
SIZ 13
INT 13
POW 10
DEX 10
CHA 10

Start with 24 points to buy characteristic increases. STR, CON, SIZ, POW, and CHA cost 1 each. INT and DEX cost 3 each. You may lower characteristics to get points to spend elsewhere at the same exchange rate: a SIZ of 10 will get you 3 extra points to work with, while an INT of 10 will get you 9 points to work with. An INT of 10 is barely functional in society, so think hard before cashing in there!

- Secondary Characteristics:

Calculate HP (hit points) = (CON+SIZ)/2 and use hit locations1
Calculate FP (fatigue points) = STR+CON2
Calculate MP (magic points) = POW3
Experience bonus = INT/2
1 We'll use hit location hit points only as thresholds for a limb being incapacitated or "goin' missin'" in a single hit, but won't track hit points per location.
2 Fatigue is only a threshold to keep you from trying to carry too much gear, especially armor, while trekking in the wild. If everything is reasonable from my point of view, we'll most likely ignore it.
3 BRP class these as Power Points, but I'd like to use Magic Points just so we don't confuse them with the actual Power characteristic. It fits the genre.

- Skills:

We're using the Skill Category Bonuses from p31, but with one change. Using CHA instead of APP means that the Communication Bonus uses CHA as primary and INT, POW as secondary. If you prefer, I'll calculate these for you.

Skill points: 325 + INT x 15

Spread these amongst skills as you desire. Add them to skill base values. No starting skills may go beyond 90% (before figuring in skill category bonus).

Split attack and parry skills for weapons. When you spend skill points you get both, but bonuses will make them different. For example, if I am building a hoplite, I might spend 50% up for spear, giving me 50 Attack/50 Parry in spear. Then I still have 275% to spend on other skills.

Every character starts with Native Language (name it) of INT x 5. Every character also starts with INT x 3 of a Pidgeon Trade Language by default.

You must separately purchase literacy for each language if you want it. Literacy is rare.

If you want to run an old scholar with lots of esoteric skills in specific areas (languages, lores, etc.) let me know and we'll make sure it works out. I really don't have a problem with someone loading up on 5 detailed lores at 90% each that may come up once in play for basically free. Just be reasonable here, and it'll work out fine. Plus, such a character makes for a great way for me to hook the party into more adventures!

Combat: Per Weapon table: Base % for weapon

Other skills are either 0% + skill points spent, or unavailable due to era.

- Powers and Special Abilities:

If your character uses Magery, you may start with INT/2 (round down) powers at INTx1% and build those up with your skill points.

If you character uses Sorcery, pick INT/2 (round down) starting spells.

You may pick a special magical mutation if you wish. This is a gift of the gods or something that makes you stand out. Warning: standing out isn't always best for someone who's being looked for.

There are no minimum requirements to use magic. INT determines a cap on number of spells or rituals known. POW determines a cap to the power of the user.

Other magic is fine too. Just run it by me and we'll figure it out.

- Setting Equipment:

Discuss and determine what you want for your characters. The world's level of technology will reflect what the players choose for it. Note: heavy armor and obvious weapons won't always be practical in this game, so think carefully about how you choose weapons.

- Main Page; City of Eternal Shadows