Quickleaf
Legend
Thinking of trying something new with my group during character creation...
A character’s birth is surrounded by signs which indicate what their strength and weaknesses will be. For each stat with a positive modifier, a character must have an associated sign (e.g. a PC with +3 Wisdom modifier might select “Early Winter”), and likewise for each stat with a negative modifier.
A birth sign is fluff with a unique benefit and hindrance that rarely comes into play or has only a minor effect on mechanics.
Some sample positive birth signs below. I'd love your thoughts...
Thrush Song [Intelligence +]
Thrushes erupted into acrobatic song during the PC’s birth, or the PC’s mother was approached by singing thrushes during pregnancy. The PC gains Animal Empathy toward thrushes, but can’t stand inactivity, becoming shaken for a scene if inactive for longer than a few minutes (e.g. waiting to ambush).
Early Winter [Wisdom +]
An early winter hit the day of the PC’s birth, and the PC has some premature mark of old age, like whitening hair or wrinkled eyes. The PC prefers the cold months, gaining +1 Wisdom and Cold Resistance during winter. However the PC ages twice as fast.
Kiss of the Selkies [Charisma +]
A selkie kissed the newborn PC or the PC’s mother prior to or during birth. All selkies recognize this bond, and their initial response to the PC is favorable, but sailor’s lore holds the “selkie’s kiss” is bad luck on a ship.
Sacrificial Bull [Constitution +]
A bull was sacrificed at the time of the PC’s birth, signifying how their fortitude will bring the community abundance. +2 professional Wealth checks when working for a community; -2 professional Wealth checks when working for self-interest.
Gray Fox Appears [Dexterity +]
A gray fox appeared along a nearby ridge around the time of the PC’s birth, and maybe even stole the PC’s umbilical cord or created some other mischief. Gray foxes will appear, occasionally leading the PC to a secret place or helping the PC when lost. However, the authorities (and lawful folks in general) have an unfavorable initial response to the “shifty” PC.
Oak Hollow [Strength +]
Shortly after the PC’s birth, they were placed in the hollow of an oak tree (perhaps as a superstitious rite or to hide them from the enemy?). The PC gains an empathic sense for the oak tree and its grove (knowing its condition), and when within 300 yards of the tree gains an extra +2 Strength as long as their feet touch the ground.
A character’s birth is surrounded by signs which indicate what their strength and weaknesses will be. For each stat with a positive modifier, a character must have an associated sign (e.g. a PC with +3 Wisdom modifier might select “Early Winter”), and likewise for each stat with a negative modifier.
A birth sign is fluff with a unique benefit and hindrance that rarely comes into play or has only a minor effect on mechanics.
Some sample positive birth signs below. I'd love your thoughts...
Thrush Song [Intelligence +]
Thrushes erupted into acrobatic song during the PC’s birth, or the PC’s mother was approached by singing thrushes during pregnancy. The PC gains Animal Empathy toward thrushes, but can’t stand inactivity, becoming shaken for a scene if inactive for longer than a few minutes (e.g. waiting to ambush).
Early Winter [Wisdom +]
An early winter hit the day of the PC’s birth, and the PC has some premature mark of old age, like whitening hair or wrinkled eyes. The PC prefers the cold months, gaining +1 Wisdom and Cold Resistance during winter. However the PC ages twice as fast.
Kiss of the Selkies [Charisma +]
A selkie kissed the newborn PC or the PC’s mother prior to or during birth. All selkies recognize this bond, and their initial response to the PC is favorable, but sailor’s lore holds the “selkie’s kiss” is bad luck on a ship.
Sacrificial Bull [Constitution +]
A bull was sacrificed at the time of the PC’s birth, signifying how their fortitude will bring the community abundance. +2 professional Wealth checks when working for a community; -2 professional Wealth checks when working for self-interest.
Gray Fox Appears [Dexterity +]
A gray fox appeared along a nearby ridge around the time of the PC’s birth, and maybe even stole the PC’s umbilical cord or created some other mischief. Gray foxes will appear, occasionally leading the PC to a secret place or helping the PC when lost. However, the authorities (and lawful folks in general) have an unfavorable initial response to the “shifty” PC.
Oak Hollow [Strength +]
Shortly after the PC’s birth, they were placed in the hollow of an oak tree (perhaps as a superstitious rite or to hide them from the enemy?). The PC gains an empathic sense for the oak tree and its grove (knowing its condition), and when within 300 yards of the tree gains an extra +2 Strength as long as their feet touch the ground.
