Tweak RPG/Character Creation1
From NexusCrossing
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[edit] Table of Contents
[edit] Character Creation
Here I will go over the basics of character creation. That is what much of this book will be about. The first step to character creation in the Tweak RPG system is to put away the dice...
No, really. You don't need them yet.
Don't worry, you will need them later. The only thing they will normally be used for during character creation is rolling for hit points and energy points. Character creation is point based so there is very little need for dice at this point, unless you just feel comfortable having them around.
[edit] Step 1: GM Discussion
This should be the first step of creating any character in any system. This is where you sit down with your GM and discuss what is allowed, what is not allowed, and what kind of character you want to play. Come up with a basic idea of who your character might be and how he or she will fit into the GM’s game world.
Another thing to note: In many cases, GM discussion will be a kind of ongoing thing throughout the character creation process. Do not just assume that you can only talk to him or her once. Make sure that you are both on the same page throughout the process.
This is also where you will find out what the general power level of the campaign is. The GM will also tell you how many starting ability points you have to create your starting character (if you haven’t been told already).
Figure 1 is a chart showing the suggested number of ability points to give a player for a starting level character. These points will be used in steps 3 and 4 to purchase the characters starting ability scores and race.
Figure 1:
Power Level Starting Starting
AP Level
Low Powered 33 1 - 4
Average Powered 36 5 - 8
High Powered 40 9 - 12
Very High Powered 44 13 - 16
[edit] Step 2: Character Outline
This is where you flesh out your character concept a bit. Jot down some notes and figure out who you are going to be.
What is your race?
What is your character’s primary focus?
What is their job? Do they have a job?
What are they good at? What do they totally fail at?
Do they have friends? Enemies?
What are their goals, and their motivations?
Basically, who is the character?
[edit] Step 3: Generate Ability Scores
The characters basic abilities are determined by seven values that are called Ability Scores. The Ability scores are the numbers at the core of the character, and determine what the character is likely to excel at and what he or she is likely to do poorly at. The seven ability scores are:
Strength (STR) Dexterity (DEX) Constitution (CON) Intelligence (INT) Wisdom (WIS) Charisma (CHA)
These numbers start at 0 and go up form there. In most cases a PC should never have a value of 0 in any attribute. There are very few exceptions.
Ability Scores are purchased using the Starting Ability Points allotted by the GM for the game, at a rate of 1 point per rank. When creating characters, ability scores start at 6, and then can be raised from there. This means that a Strength score of 10 for instance would cost 4 ability points, where as a score of 22 would cost 16 ability points. Human average for any ability score is generally between 8 and 12.
When creating a PC character, ability scores should never go bellow this value of 6, unless modified by a racial template or similar. If you absolutely want a lower score, the GM must approve it first. If you wish for your character's race to be anything other than an ordinary human, then you should save a point or two for the next step. You may not save any more than five points however without GM approval. This simply means that the majority of your ability points must go into purchasing ability scores.
[edit] What they mean
Strength is a measure of the characters physical brute power. It is their ability to carry more, lift more, and do more damange. Strength directly effects how much damage a character does with a melee weapon, and how much gear they can carry.
Dexterity is a measure of how agile and nimble the character is. It is also a measure of their speed and reflexes. Dexterity directly effects the characters Armor Class and their Reflex saves.
Constitution is a measure of the character's overall health and physical fitness. It effects how strong the character is when fighting off diseases and even some magical effects on the body. It has a direct impact on the character’s hit points and their Fortitude saves.
Intelligence is a measure of the character’s ability to learn and reason. It is basic measure of how smart they are. Characters with a high intelligence score receive more skill points at each level as well as having a better chance with intelligence based skills.
Wisdom is a measure of the character’s basic understanding of reality and knowledge. It is what some people refer to as the character’s common sense. It can also represent the character’s inner voice, and is of great importance to religious characters. It has a direct impact on the character’s Will Power saves.
Charisma is a combined measure of the character's appearance, strength of personality and persuasive ability. It is the most important ability score for social skills.
[edit] Ability Modifiers
The most direct way in which the character sees the effects of his or her ability scores is through ability modifiers. An ability score of 10 or 11 has no modifiers, while a score above 11 has a positive modifier and a score bellow 10 gives you a negative modifier. Figure 2 will provides the modifiers for abilities score ranks 1 through 20.
It is very rare that a PC will have a value of 0 in any ability score. If they do, then it is a special case with special rules that will be discussed later in this section.
Figure 2:
Ability Ability
Score Mod
1 -5
2 – 3 -4
4 – 5 -3
6 – 7 -2
8 – 9 -1
10 - 11 0
12 - 13 +1
14 - 15 +2
16 - 17 +3
18 - 19 +4
20 - 21 +5
[edit] Special Cases
There are two cases that warrant special treatment form the start. This is the issue of an ability score of 0, or a non-existent ability. There is a difference between 0, and none.
A score of 0 is a disastrous thing. A single score of 0 will generally render the character unplayable in one way or another. That is assuming the character even lives.
A score of zero generally means one of the following things:
Strength: The character is unable to move. They do not have the strength to move their own body.
Dexterity: The character is unable to control their own body even to the extent required to move their fingers in a controlled manner. They are physically helpless.
Constitution: The Character is dead.
Intelligence: The character is a vegetable and is incapable of conscious thought. They are in a coma like state.
Wisdom: The character is incapable of truly rational thought, and are locked inside their own mental nightmare world.
Charisma: The character has withdrawn to the extent that they cannot function within normal society. Their own self image is so damaged and drained that they cannot even function to feed or care for themselves.
A score of zero is a bad thing. A score of none is a different situation that only applies to certain types of creatures, usually constructs. A score of none means that the ability does not exist and does not produce a modifier.
[edit] Unspent Ability Points
Unspent ability points are converted to character points at a rate of 1:4. This means that 1 ability point is worth 4 character points. These character points will be used to purchase racial templates, and other attributes for your character.
[edit] Step 4: Choose a Race
Once you choose your ability scores you will use the points that are left over to choose a race. Each race has their own set of attributes and disadvantages. Most races will provide adjustments to one or more attributes, and some will give you bonuses on specific skills.
Now it is time to Go to the Next Page to learn more about Races.
