johnsemlak
First Post
Our group usually spends at least a session or 4-5 hours on character generation, and often it doesn't get done then.
Character Creation Time?
- Thread starter JoeGKushner
- Start date
The Shaman
First Post
PCs or major (heroic) NPCs -
Step 1. Character background: one to two hours - tends to run to the long end for Modern characters, as I research details as a I go (for example, for a heroic NPC I wanted to know the history of Italian paratroops in action during WWII so that I could get the events in his background correct).
Step 2. Stats: thirty minutes to one hour - higher level characters take more time.
Step 3. Editing: one to two hours - usually spread over several days or a week, as I will look at the character sheet, make a couple of small changes, and put it down about a half-dozen times before s/he's ready to run.
Minor (ordinary) NPCs -
Step 1. Stats: five to fifteen minutes - usually stas come first as they are created to fit a particular need, and I'll create stats for a whole group of characters to share (for example, all of the legionnaires and legionnaires first-class are Str2/Tou1 and have the same stats).
Step 2. Editing: five minutes - a relatively simple step.
Step 3. Character background: five to ten minutes - a quick sketch of background and personality traits that might become relevant to the PCs if they are interacting with the ordinary NPC (for example, born and raised in Hamburg, HY AA artillerist during WWII, worked as cab driver after war, joshing sense of humor, close friends with Willi Dinter).
For Wing and Sword, I spent about four hours creating ordinary NPC character sketches for a platoon of thrty-plus paratroopers (all Ordinaries), two hours on their platoon leader (Heroic) and another four hours each on their company CO and XO (both Heroic) - the latter NPCs took longer than the platoon leader as they are both older and more experienced (the XO is ninth level, the CO is eleventh level).
Step 1. Character background: one to two hours - tends to run to the long end for Modern characters, as I research details as a I go (for example, for a heroic NPC I wanted to know the history of Italian paratroops in action during WWII so that I could get the events in his background correct).
Step 2. Stats: thirty minutes to one hour - higher level characters take more time.
Step 3. Editing: one to two hours - usually spread over several days or a week, as I will look at the character sheet, make a couple of small changes, and put it down about a half-dozen times before s/he's ready to run.
Minor (ordinary) NPCs -
Step 1. Stats: five to fifteen minutes - usually stas come first as they are created to fit a particular need, and I'll create stats for a whole group of characters to share (for example, all of the legionnaires and legionnaires first-class are Str2/Tou1 and have the same stats).
Step 2. Editing: five minutes - a relatively simple step.
Step 3. Character background: five to ten minutes - a quick sketch of background and personality traits that might become relevant to the PCs if they are interacting with the ordinary NPC (for example, born and raised in Hamburg, HY AA artillerist during WWII, worked as cab driver after war, joshing sense of humor, close friends with Willi Dinter).
For Wing and Sword, I spent about four hours creating ordinary NPC character sketches for a platoon of thrty-plus paratroopers (all Ordinaries), two hours on their platoon leader (Heroic) and another four hours each on their company CO and XO (both Heroic) - the latter NPCs took longer than the platoon leader as they are both older and more experienced (the XO is ninth level, the CO is eleventh level).
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I have found both as a player and a DM 1-2 hours with a background history to be best. As a DM the background can lead to some interesting storylines and as a player, I could come up with reasons why my human character knows how to spaek draconic or anciaent elven. For me, it's all about the details!
eris404
Explorer
Wow, I hate to be really vague, but it really depends on whether I have a good idea of what character I want to play. For example, one session I didn't realize we were starting a new campaign (I thought we were playing a different DM's game), and I needed a new character quick. I already had the basic character concept, so I think it took about a 1/2 hour of actual creation time. But since I tend to talk a lot, I think it took me longer than that because I got distracted. 
In a higher level game (15th level), I decided to take my time and make a character around a theme and that took me about 2 hours. I made wish lists of feats, spells, skills, etc. and narrowed them down to what I thought was essential, what represented parts of her past, her personality, her hobbies and her goals, and wrote them into a detailed background. That was a fun exercise that satisfied both the gamer and the writer in me.
But if I'm not feeling inspired, it can take forever.
In a higher level game (15th level), I decided to take my time and make a character around a theme and that took me about 2 hours. I made wish lists of feats, spells, skills, etc. and narrowed them down to what I thought was essential, what represented parts of her past, her personality, her hobbies and her goals, and wrote them into a detailed background. That was a fun exercise that satisfied both the gamer and the writer in me.
But if I'm not feeling inspired, it can take forever.
shilsen
Adventurer
If we're talking player character (not NPC), then actually statting one up takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, if one includes equipment, spells, etc. I'm usually throwing around ideas for PCs in my head long before they ever see the light of day, so I've got concept, background, stats and the like close to ready to go when I start putting them down on paper.
It depends on the characters' intended purpose.
If we are talking about a character I intend to play (which doesn't really ever happen) or an important NPC; It takes around an hour (including basic background brainstorming and designing a basic feat chain that will allow me the abilities and prestige classes I want for the character).
If we are talking about a character I intend to use in an encounter in one of the games I run... I'm going to guess from 10 to 30 minutes depending on level and importance to the adventure.
If we are talking about a character I intend to play (which doesn't really ever happen) or an important NPC; It takes around an hour (including basic background brainstorming and designing a basic feat chain that will allow me the abilities and prestige classes I want for the character).
If we are talking about a character I intend to use in an encounter in one of the games I run... I'm going to guess from 10 to 30 minutes depending on level and importance to the adventure.
der_kluge
Adventurer
I've spent about a week working on a character before, but I wouldn't say that's typical. My current character I fleshed out at the gaming table in about 30 minutes. Of course, his history is quite lacking, and I've changed his focus a little bit. So, I think having history and focus helps me role-play.
I usually just start with a concept "gnome cleric that likes to tinker" or "sorcerer based on cold spells" and go from there. One of these days I'm gonna get that Central Casting book off eBay. It can really help flesh out a character's history. Anyone know of an online resource that works like this?
I usually just start with a concept "gnome cleric that likes to tinker" or "sorcerer based on cold spells" and go from there. One of these days I'm gonna get that Central Casting book off eBay. It can really help flesh out a character's history. Anyone know of an online resource that works like this?
ThirdWizard
First Post
A PC can take me 3-4 hours to work up, then I'll tweak, add things, and change things around until the first gaming session, at which point, I'll leave as is. That's assuming 1st level PC starting out. I'd say about half of that is background and the other half is mechanics, although less time on the mechanics if I already have a solid idea beyond race/class combo.
For NPCs the PCs will interact with I can take around 45-60 minutes. I like all my NPCs to have something that sets them apart and something about them that can lead to adventure for the PCs. Things will happen with the NPCs even if the PCs have no direct involvement and I like to know where they are going. I might go into too much detail, but I think it pays off in the end. I curb this if I really don't expect the PCs to interact with them, for example, the archer in a bandit ambush, cutting that time down to 5-20 or so minutes depending on level.
For NPCs the PCs will interact with I can take around 45-60 minutes. I like all my NPCs to have something that sets them apart and something about them that can lead to adventure for the PCs. Things will happen with the NPCs even if the PCs have no direct involvement and I like to know where they are going. I might go into too much detail, but I think it pays off in the end. I curb this if I really don't expect the PCs to interact with them, for example, the archer in a bandit ambush, cutting that time down to 5-20 or so minutes depending on level.
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