Languages
When you are determining languages, consider that there are three human languages that might be useful in the region: Keolish (primary language in Hochoch and the rest of the kingdom), Marchian (primary language of the various March countries), and Imperial (the language of the ancient conquerors, still understood by most people). If there is a common language throughout the world, it's Imperial. But for the starting town of Hochoch, they'll speak Keolish as their primary language, Imperial and non-human race languages secondary, and will understand Marchian and speak it in heavy accents.
**************
Edit: I like to use a Motivations mechanic for characters in my campaigns, but here it is optional. I encourage you to consider using it, but you do not have to do so.
Motivations
In addition to the character's background, trait, ideal, bond, and flaw, your character has a relationship with an NPC that provides a motivation to be adventuring. Choose one or roll a d6 to determine your motivation from this list.
MOTIVATION
1 – Love
2 – Revenge
3 – Ambition
4 – Greed
5 – Fear
6 – Compulsion
Having determined motivation, it's up to you to name the NPC and provide further details about your relationship and how it provides that motivation for your character. For instance, here's two examples of Fear motivations:
Example A: Your family has a history of a rare and ultimately fatal congenital disease called Dianthronitis; one of your parents died of the disease, while the other parent was journeying to find a cure. That parent has never returned, and now you have started to exhibit signs of the disease. Your local cleric, Henrad Polivate, has conducted research for years, trying to find a cure. He's consulted ancient tomes and contacted various other experts in healing, and finally found lore that suggests a possible rare series of rituals, prayers, and ceremonies which will ultimately create a potion to cure the Dianthronitis. But the ingredients of the potion are exceedingly rare; you must quest to find the ingredients and/or earn the excessive amount of money to purchase them.
Example B: The local crime boss, Amberan Daruli, has identified you as a threat to his control of the community. To eliminate you, he has abducted your child and holds it hostage, forcing you to leave the town and never come back, while sending back regular payments of money to keep your child alive.
*****************
Edit 2 (2024):
Here's the current party composition, with active characters in green, and characters who are staying in Hochoch in blue.
Name | Level | Race | Class | Background |
Aanbo Earthshaker | L2 | Dwarf | Monk | Hermit |
Chase Brandstone | L1 | Human | Ranger | Folk Hero |
Joseph Nimblefingers | L2 | Halfling | Rogue | Folk Hero |
Myrtha | L1 | Human | Fighter | Folk Hero |
Reptile | L1 | Human | Barbarian | City Watch |
Theran Nailo | L2 | Elf | Druid | Haunted One |
Albertus | L1 | Human | Paladin | Soldier |
Durren | L1 | Human | Fighter | Outlander |
Karliel | L1 | Half-elf | Bard | Entertainer |
Klak | L1 | Dwarven | Paladin | Acolyte |
Kragga Moonweaver | L1 | Half-orc | Wizard | Acolyte |
Morgran | L1 | Dwarven | Cleric | Pirate |
Ogbar | L1 | Human | Barbarian | Outlander |
Quest | L1 | Human | Mystic | Sage |
Sara Stone | L1 | Human | Ranger | Hermit |
Thacogygax | L1 | Dragonborn | Sorcerer | Far Traveler[/color] |
Xana Beren | L2 | Gnome | Warlock | Charlatan |
Edit 3 (2024):
This thread is for both creating new characters (always level 1), and for leveling up existing characters (rolling HP, making class choices, etc).