Character Creation

Racial Choice

The GM must decide what races are allowed for the story before players decide on one. Some stories may require players to be the same or similar races, and the campaign starting location may also heavily impact racial decisions.

At GM discretion, the following races are available for land-based campaigns: Human, Elf, Dwarf, Orc, Half-Orc, Tidewalker Merfolk, any Vargan Beastkin, or any Softclaw Beastkin.

At GM discretion, the elite Merfolk lineages are available for underwater campaigns.

Some races start with special 'Language' or 'Size' perks, or have the option of taking them for free.

Assign Skill Ranks

PCs start at level 1. Players choose where to distribute the following ranks between their skills:

• The four best skills (trained stats) start at ranks 4, 3, 2, and 1. These are allowed to exceed the level cap.
• The five worst skills (dump stats) start at ranks -5, -4, -3, -2, and -1.
• Remaining skills start at rank 0.

Choose Starting Upgrades

PCs acquire each of the following upgrades at level 1:

• 1 Chi Power or 1 Sorcery Power of their choice. Includes all bundled sub-powers.
• 1 Mana
• 1 Chamber

NPC Creation

NPCs have different rules for character creation.

Heroic NPCs:

• 1% of the population is 'Heroic'.
• Heroic NPCs follow the same rules as PCs for character creation and leveling.
• Important characters with major roles are usually considered Heroic.

Gifted NPCs:

• 9% of the population is 'Gifted'.
• Gifted NPCs don't start with magical upgrades, but can level up magic to similar limits through study and effort.
• Gifted NPCs often fill important roles, but are less likely to be central figures in the world.

Common NPCs:

• 90% of the population is 'Common'.
• Common NPCs have no recognizable magical affinities.
• They do not start with magical upgrades during character creation, and don't receive it when leveling up.
• It is not impossible for Common NPCs to learn some form of magic, but the vast majority never do.