Norrathians: Character Creation
Contents
Restrictions
Only non-evil classes and races are available as starting options. This will be a game based on being heroes in the world of Norrath, fighting against the likes of the Heretics of Paineel and the shadow knights of Grobb’s Nightkeep.
Races
Use the information in the New Racial Information page. The racial traits and attribute adjustments are different than what appears in the EQrpg PHB. There are also new half-breed races that exist in the world. These are all, collectively, half elf and half human. As such, they all replace the information presented in the EQrpg PHB for the half elf race.
Background information for the playable races has not changed from the EQrpg PHB. The half-breed races do not have extensive background information presented, but mostly these characters are the product of their parent cultures.
Also, the vah shir are not a playable race, as the means to get to Luclin’s surface has not yet been discovered. Likewise, the frogloks are still a primitive race of monstrous humanoids who have not awakened into a strong enough peoples to be considered viable as a player race.
Racial Tradition
This feature is borrowed from the EQII online game. Your character will start with one racial tradition.
Ability Scores
Ability scores are purchased using the point buy system, with a pool of 23 points. All stats start at 8, and higher scores cost points one-for-one, up to 14. Higher scores have the following costs: 15 (8), 16 (10), 17 (13), 18 (16). Starting ability scores cannot be purchased lower or higher than this range.
While usually it is more efficient to have even-numbered ability scores, don’t worry about having an odd number. Your ability scores will frequently be altered by items and spells. Also, there are no "useless" ability scores. Even a troll warrior benefits a great deal from having a high Charisma score (even though you'll likely never find a troll warrior with even a passable Charisma score).
In addition to the racial ability score adjustments, characters gain ability score bonuses based on their first class level, as follows:
- Bard +2 Dex, +1 Cha
- Beastlord +2 Dex, either +1 Str or Con
- Cleric +2 Wis, either +1 Str or Con
- Druid +2 Wis, +1 Con
- Enchanter +2 Cha, +1 Int
- Hexblade +2 Dex, either +1 Int or Cha
- Magician +2 Int, +1 Con
- Monk +2 Dex, either +1 Str or Con
- Necromancer +2 Int, either +1 Dex or Con
- Paladin +2 Str, either +1 Con or Wis
- Ranger +2 Dex, either +1 Str or Wis
- Rogue +2 Dex, either +1 Str or Cha
- Shadow Knight +2 Str, either +1 Con or Cha
- Shaman +2 Wis, either +1 Con or Cha
- Warrior +2 Str, +1 Con
- Wizard +2 Int, +1 Con
Hit Points
As the class information states, you gain your maximum hit points for your first Hit Die. Each additional Hit Die is rolled. Results that are less than half of the total possible may be re-rolled until the result is at least half, but the first die result that is half or more must be accepted.
Level and Multiclassing
All characters will start at level 1. Multiclassing is allowed, however, once your character gains his or her first level in a class, the following 3 levels must be of the same class. Only after gaining 4 levels in a class will your character be ready to start learning a new path. All levels may be gained in any class, restricted only by your character’s ability to gain acceptance in the guilds which train members of the desired class.
Spells and Songs
If your character is a dedicated spellcaster, you will start with a spell/song book that contains 4 spells or songs that your guild has available. First level spells and songs are generally cheaper when purchased at your starting guild, but some guild stores will have spells and songs that others do not. It will pay to shop around and keep an eye out for spells which might interest you. Keep in mind that spells are generally fairly expensive and hard to come by, so it is wise to be selective.
Background Information
Your character has a real history in the world. He or she should be motivated to serve the best interests of god and guild. However, the character need not be a one-dimensional stereotype of your class or religion. Think through why your character has made the life decisions that have lead him or her to this point in life.
Aside from background information that defines your character’s motivations, you also need to create some secondary players in your character’s story. This is called a “4x4”. A 4x4 lists 4 contacts, 4 allies, 4 enemies, and 4 locations of your character. These contacts are capable people you know who will help you for a price. Your allies are close friends and family members who will help you out of a sense of loyalty – or they could be used as people who will call on you to do the same for them. Your character’s enemies are foes or rivals with whom your character has a history, and who are capable of being problematic opponents again in the future. The four locations are specific places not otherwise detailed in the setting information where your character has experienced something interesting. These could be towns where your character once lived, locations of a known treasure stash, a natural landmark where something significant happened, a village where a contact of yours can be found, etc.
Your 4x4 need not be limited to only four of each, and could have other information besides contacts, allies, enemies, and places. Other ideas include magical items, unique spells neverbefore heard of, or stories that illuminate the setting. This information will likely be used in plot points during the game, so don’t include information that mirrors highly personal elements of your own life, or subjects that you would feel uncomfortable discussing and dealing with in-game.
The 4x4 information is just as required as your starting stats, character’s name, class information, and purchased equipment. You don’t have a character without a 4x4.
Get Started!
Ready to get started? Great! Then head to this page and start filling out the information!
