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Towards a Story Now 4e
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<blockquote data-quote="AbdulAlhazred" data-source="post: 7440846" data-attributes="member: 82106"><p>[h=1]<span style="color: #8b4513">Character Generation</span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"></span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513">When a player desires to create a player character, the following procedure can be followed. Note that at times GMs may decide to make modifications to this process to reflect differences in genre or setting in a particular game. It may also be that a higher than level 1 PC is desired. In that case the player and GM will need to determine what boons the character has. The Worlds & Play book has some guidelines that the GM may choose to follow in this case. </span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"></span></p><p> [h=3]<span style="color: #8b4513">Generate Ability Scores</span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"></span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513"><strong>Standard Array:</strong> The simplest way to do this is to take the standard sequence of bonuses, +3, +2, +1, +1, +1, +1 and apply them in any order to your character. Another option is to use the point system outlined below</span></p><p> <span style="color: #8b4513"><strong>Point Value:</strong> Start with 9 points. Each point of ability score modifier costs one point. A character could be Strong in 3 areas and poor in the other 3, or any other combination adding up to 9 points of modifiers.</span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"></span></p><p> <span style="color: #8b4513">Remember, your character will probably receive a racial bonus to at least one ability score. Using this system you can produce a character with potentially up to a +5 starting bonus in a given ability value, although this will probably limit the character significantly in other areas. Consider applying a 'well rounded character' rule when using point buy. This limits all starting attributes to at most +3 (which allows for a +4 with most common racial bonuses). Doing so makes +5 an aspirational goal instead of an optimum starting bonus.</span></p><p></p><p>I think I skipped the ability score rule in the character rules before because it really wasn't anything super radical, but I am just dealing with 'ability bonus' in 4e terms, and not bothering with the pretense of the 3-18 scores. I don't have to slavishly maintain obsolescent constructs in my game merely to be nice to tradition! </p><p></p><p>So the question is how would this section become part of a more 'narrative' approach to character generation? How about if we were to start off with the question of the character's origin, and then use that to suggest race, class, and ability scores? I think ability score would almost be the last major decision we'd make, then the numbers would get filled in. Maybe I'll just try writing a replacement chapter over the next couple days and see how that goes. Anyway, I won't recapitulate the minor details, except we get down to an interesting part after we pick race and class, picking the backgrounds mentioned in the previous section! </p><p></p><p>Currently it just says "pick up to 5 background elements", one of each type. Sure can make THAT more narrative! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p> </p><p>[h=3]<span style="color: #8b4513">Calculate Hit Points and Vitality</span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"></span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513">Note the hit point base amount provided by your race, add 10 plus your CON to this. This is your hit point total. Divide this number by 4, rounding down; this is your Healing Value. You start with 8 vitality points.</span></p><p> [h=3]<span style="color: #8b4513">Choose Starting Boons</span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513">Each character may start the game with 3 major boons, selected from those available to the character's class, race, and background. You may select one from each, or any other combination which totals 3 boons. Additionally the GM may allow characters to pick one or more of these from any other boons that are available to level 1 characters. Characters automatically receive any minor boons provided by their class, race, or background as listed.</span></p><p> [h=3]<span style="color: #8b4513">Pick Skills</span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513">Note which skills your character's race, class, and background make them eligible to be trained in. Pick 3 skills from this list, the character has training in these 3 skills; certain boons may provide additional skill training, record these as well.</span></p><p> [h=3]<span style="color: #8b4513">Pick Proficiencies</span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513">Most classes define certain weapon and implement proficiencies that the character gains. Some backgrounds, races, and boons may also offer proficiency with various types of equipment. Select your proficiencies and record them.</span></p><p> [h=3]<span style="color: #8b4513">Character Traits</span>[/h] <span style="color: #8b4513">Devise three character traits for your character, a strength, a weakness, and a goal. Note that your character will start the first session of the game with Inspiration.</span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"> </span><span style="color: #8b4513"></span></p><p><span style="color: #8b4513"></span>Notice that hit points really doesn't vary by class. There's a theme here, classes are a bit mechanically less significant than they are in 4e. Still important though. </p><p></p><p>Boons are basically mentioned for the first time here. Much more will be presented on that subject at a later time!</p><p></p><p>Note that everyone gets 3 skills (though getting a 4th one is not at all hard, I assume most characters have 4-5 skills when all is said and done, but you could be stuck with 3 if you're really determined not to pick any boons that help with that). </p><p></p><p>Traits are pretty straightforward. You can actually pick other things. I think I want to actually lead with this subject and elaborate on it, then use it to drive the rest of the design process. </p><p></p><p>I'm going to skip the rest of this section, it is just basically explaining how the numbers work and where to write them on your sheet. Defenses, etc pretty much work as we would expect, so not much to tell.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The final piece of the basic character rules is advancement, which I will touch on next time!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AbdulAlhazred, post: 7440846, member: 82106"] [h=1][COLOR=#8b4513]Character Generation [/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]When a player desires to create a player character, the following procedure can be followed. Note that at times GMs may decide to make modifications to this process to reflect differences in genre or setting in a particular game. It may also be that a higher than level 1 PC is desired. In that case the player and GM will need to determine what boons the character has. The Worlds & Play book has some guidelines that the GM may choose to follow in this case. [/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][h=3][COLOR=#8b4513]Generate Ability Scores [/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513][B]Standard Array:[/B] The simplest way to do this is to take the standard sequence of bonuses, +3, +2, +1, +1, +1, +1 and apply them in any order to your character. Another option is to use the point system outlined below[/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513][B]Point Value:[/B] Start with 9 points. Each point of ability score modifier costs one point. A character could be Strong in 3 areas and poor in the other 3, or any other combination adding up to 9 points of modifiers. [/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]Remember, your character will probably receive a racial bonus to at least one ability score. Using this system you can produce a character with potentially up to a +5 starting bonus in a given ability value, although this will probably limit the character significantly in other areas. Consider applying a 'well rounded character' rule when using point buy. This limits all starting attributes to at most +3 (which allows for a +4 with most common racial bonuses). Doing so makes +5 an aspirational goal instead of an optimum starting bonus.[/COLOR] I think I skipped the ability score rule in the character rules before because it really wasn't anything super radical, but I am just dealing with 'ability bonus' in 4e terms, and not bothering with the pretense of the 3-18 scores. I don't have to slavishly maintain obsolescent constructs in my game merely to be nice to tradition! So the question is how would this section become part of a more 'narrative' approach to character generation? How about if we were to start off with the question of the character's origin, and then use that to suggest race, class, and ability scores? I think ability score would almost be the last major decision we'd make, then the numbers would get filled in. Maybe I'll just try writing a replacement chapter over the next couple days and see how that goes. Anyway, I won't recapitulate the minor details, except we get down to an interesting part after we pick race and class, picking the backgrounds mentioned in the previous section! Currently it just says "pick up to 5 background elements", one of each type. Sure can make THAT more narrative! :) [h=3][COLOR=#8b4513]Calculate Hit Points and Vitality [/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]Note the hit point base amount provided by your race, add 10 plus your CON to this. This is your hit point total. Divide this number by 4, rounding down; this is your Healing Value. You start with 8 vitality points.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][h=3][COLOR=#8b4513]Choose Starting Boons[/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]Each character may start the game with 3 major boons, selected from those available to the character's class, race, and background. You may select one from each, or any other combination which totals 3 boons. Additionally the GM may allow characters to pick one or more of these from any other boons that are available to level 1 characters. Characters automatically receive any minor boons provided by their class, race, or background as listed.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][h=3][COLOR=#8b4513]Pick Skills[/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]Note which skills your character's race, class, and background make them eligible to be trained in. Pick 3 skills from this list, the character has training in these 3 skills; certain boons may provide additional skill training, record these as well.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][h=3][COLOR=#8b4513]Pick Proficiencies[/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]Most classes define certain weapon and implement proficiencies that the character gains. Some backgrounds, races, and boons may also offer proficiency with various types of equipment. Select your proficiencies and record them.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][h=3][COLOR=#8b4513]Character Traits[/COLOR][/h][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513]Devise three character traits for your character, a strength, a weakness, and a goal. Note that your character will start the first session of the game with Inspiration.[/COLOR] [COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR][COLOR=#8b4513] [/COLOR]Notice that hit points really doesn't vary by class. There's a theme here, classes are a bit mechanically less significant than they are in 4e. Still important though. Boons are basically mentioned for the first time here. Much more will be presented on that subject at a later time! Note that everyone gets 3 skills (though getting a 4th one is not at all hard, I assume most characters have 4-5 skills when all is said and done, but you could be stuck with 3 if you're really determined not to pick any boons that help with that). Traits are pretty straightforward. You can actually pick other things. I think I want to actually lead with this subject and elaborate on it, then use it to drive the rest of the design process. I'm going to skip the rest of this section, it is just basically explaining how the numbers work and where to write them on your sheet. Defenses, etc pretty much work as we would expect, so not much to tell. The final piece of the basic character rules is advancement, which I will touch on next time! [/QUOTE]
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