Mano a Mano:Make a Character

Make a Character - Character Generation Example

This example explains how to make a playable character. Consult the game-specific rules or the Game Master (GM) to find out what Templates and how many Character Points (CP) you can use to make characters. (See Character Creation.) The player starts generating the character by getting a partially-filled out character sheet called a "template." Which template he uses depends on what kind of character he is making.

Choose the Type of Character You Want to Make

Here we'll assume that we are allowed to use 1000 extra CP to make a single character whose Template is "Human" (with a total CP of 3150.) (See Game Design/Make a Template.) Therefore we are using a Human Template to make this character: human, 75 kg, 1.7 m height, medium variability, 155 CP
1 speed, 0 agility, 3 strength, 5 toughness, 5 running
2 hands (hand)
2 feet We decide to create an average-sized male Human named Steven. We record the name, sex, age, template and build on the character sheet. We record the CP value of the Human template (2150 CP) as the Template CP on Steven's character sheet. This leaves us with 1OOO extra CP to customize Modre later.

Dimensions, Modifiers and Abilities from the Template

Now we look at Steven's Template to see how it affects his dimensions and modifiers. Steven is a Human, so his height will be between 1.36 m and 2.04 m. We decide to make Steven a short-and-stocky tough guy. Steven will be 1.6 m tall and 95 kg. We give him 3 extra points of toughness modifier. Steven's agility (3), speed (1), power (2-4) will remain unchanged from the Human template.

Natural Weapons

We are happy with the natural weapons of the Human template for the purposes of creating our Steven character.

Use the Remaining CP to Customize the Character

The next step is to make Steven more competent and interesting by distributing the CP remaining after subtracting Steven's Template CP (2700 CP) from the CP allowance (4000 CP). Steven has 1300 CP remaining for enhancements. Steven does not have any other unusual features like missing limbs.

The rest of the CP allowance (1300 CP) will be distributed among Steven's abilities and other attributes (200 CP for extra health, and 1100 CP for extra ability modifiers.) We'll give him an extra one-handed weapons ability modifier of 2 (300 CP.) Steven's total one-handed weapons modifier is the same as his extra ability modifier (+2) because the Human template does not have a template one-handed weapons modifier. We use 300 CP to give Steven +2 extra Craftsmanship ability modifier. We use the remaining 200 CP to give Steven an extra Natural Weapons ability modifier of 1 (which enhances is natural weapon combat bonus on the character sheet as well,) and an extra fishing ability modifier of 1.

The combat bonus of his primary limb, secondary limb, and "head and legs" is his agility plus his total natural weapons ability modifier (3 + 1 = 4.)

Occupation and Equipment

Steven meets the minimum qualifications to be a Robber. We decide this suits the personality we envision for Steven, so we make his occupation "Robber".

Steven has made a "machete" (see Character Developing/Making Equipment/Equipment Generation Example.)

Item Name	Special Modifiers	CP	Mass	Heft	Reach	Power	Shp	Cvr	Abs
machete	(no special modifiers)	2400	0.5 kg	8	1.0 m	3-6	S	0	0

To put this weapon onto Steven's character sheet:

• First we copy the item name, mass, heft and sharpness from the weapon listing to the character sheet.
• Steven only has one Ice Blade, so we make it's quantity (Qty) 1.
• Steven's machete has a combat modifier of 5: Steven's agility (3) plus Steven's one-handed weapons ability modifier (2).
• Steven's machete has 1.5 m reach (his primary limb reach plus the machete's reach.)
• Because the machete's power is higher than Steven's power, Steven's machete power is the same as the machete's power (3-6).
• Since Steven has no other equipment, the machete is not heavy enough to change his encumbrance.
• The machete has no cover, absorption or other modifiers.

Movement, Encumbrance and Toughness

Steven's lack of swimming ability modifier (0) is multiplied by his 1 speed to give him 0 meters of water movement. Steven has no running ability or lame disability modifier, so his stride is 0 and his ground movement is 1 meter. Steven's climbing movement is 1 meter: the reach of his primary limb (1 m) multiplied by his speed (1). We leave air movement blank because Steven cannot fly.

Steven's power stays the same as the Human's power. We find Steven's carrying capacity (CC) from his power and the CC table. Steven's CC is 3 kg, so Steven's movement is reduced by 1 meter for every 3 kg of equipment he carries.

We add two extra points to his toughness, so Steven has 8 toughness. Steven's toughness/2 is 4 (half of his toughness, rounded up.)

Steven, adult male human robber, 95 kg, 1.6 m height, 201 CP
1 speed, 0 agility, 3 strength, 7 toughness, 14 stamina, 5 running
2 unarmed combat, 4 one-handed weapons, 2 craftsmanship
2 hands (hand, 3 power, 2 attack, 12 defense)
2 feet (3 power, 2 attack, 12 defense)
1 machete (sharp, 0.5 kg, 3 heft, 5 power, 4 attack, 14 defense)
14 melee defense, 10 missile defense, 13 grapple defense, 3 grapple attack
0 best absorption, 0 total cover, ____ stun, ____ damage