I had this idea for a more "real" world character generation, with a lot more randomness into the process. I kind of think of this as a "can't choose your parents" sort of thing, and I intend for it to be fully optional (see the first option).
My only worry is that my "compensation" mechanic may be (a) too powerful or (b) not powerful/useful enough.
(copy-pasted from Word)
There are three methods of character generation for the new campaign of D and D 5th Edition:
1. Choose Your Destiny
2. Choose Your Path
3. Let The Fates Decide
Choose Your Destiny
Under this generation method, you get to select everything about your character. You generate ability scores using the point buy method, you select your race and background, as well as your class.
Choose Your Path
Under this generation method you get a random set of ability scores, generated using the point buy method, your race and background are selected randomly, though you do get to choose your class. For allowing the Fates a little influence in your life, you gain a special feature – Touched By Fate.
Let the Fates Decide
Should you select this character generation method, you get a random set of ability scores, generated under the point buy method, a random race, background and class. For allowing everything up to destiny, you get the Touched By Fate power, as well as the Unknown Destiny feature.
Understandably, the Fates are fickle, and should a player using either Choose your Path or Let the Fates Decide doesn’t like one of the random effects, he may permanently give up the power granted to him by the Fates to change either his Ability Score draw, his Background draw, his Race draw or (if applicable) his Class draw.
My only worry is that my "compensation" mechanic may be (a) too powerful or (b) not powerful/useful enough.
(copy-pasted from Word)
There are three methods of character generation for the new campaign of D and D 5th Edition:
1. Choose Your Destiny
2. Choose Your Path
3. Let The Fates Decide
Choose Your Destiny
Under this generation method, you get to select everything about your character. You generate ability scores using the point buy method, you select your race and background, as well as your class.
Choose Your Path
Under this generation method you get a random set of ability scores, generated using the point buy method, your race and background are selected randomly, though you do get to choose your class. For allowing the Fates a little influence in your life, you gain a special feature – Touched By Fate.
Touched By Fate (minor ability)
Once per Long Rest you may roll an additional D20 that you keep as a “reserve” number, you may spend this reserve dice whenever you wish, before knowing the result of the roll you are changing, or in place of making a roll. This ability can only be used on D20 throws you make yourself, and using it counts as your reaction for the round, preventing you from using other reaction abilities until the start of your next turn.
Let the Fates Decide
Should you select this character generation method, you get a random set of ability scores, generated under the point buy method, a random race, background and class. For allowing everything up to destiny, you get the Touched By Fate power, as well as the Unknown Destiny feature.
Unknown Destiny (major ability)
Once per Long Rest, you may roll two D10’s. These two dice may be spent to modify any dice throw made in the game. You may use these dice as either a bonus to a roll, for yourself, or half the value as a bonus to someone else. You can use one of the dies to subtract from a roll you make, or half the value to another target. Using either of these abilities counts as a reaction, and you recover your reaction at the start of your next turn.
Understandably, the Fates are fickle, and should a player using either Choose your Path or Let the Fates Decide doesn’t like one of the random effects, he may permanently give up the power granted to him by the Fates to change either his Ability Score draw, his Background draw, his Race draw or (if applicable) his Class draw.