Aug 17, 2020 10:55 pm
After some nitpicking and acquiescence, here's a simpler form of character creation:
1) Consult the Random Generator Matrix, found at the bottom of this thread. Brainstorm a basic character concept from your results. Sometimes two apparent irreconcilable ideas make a transformative portmanteau.
2) Choose a Distinctive Secret. This starts at 17. A distinctive secret can work both as flaw and ability, and can border and hem a character with fringe, tendrils in personality, exit points, tunnels, for new wildly ramifying storylines. A distinctive secret can be ruinous (embezzling money, committed a murder), it can be harmless but lacquered in shame (hides an uncommon minor prejudice, bullied in middle school). And a secret is distinctive; it is born with the character. It is also organic, altering as the character alters.
3) Choose a Trademark. This starts at 17. Trademarks typically represent a protagonist's most well-recognized ability they use to solve problems, dilemmas, catch-22s and all the myriad predicaments a story unleashes throughout its unfurling. An occupation or special power are conventional Trademarks, although a personality trait, contact, pet, lucky object, or spiritual belief can make intriguing choices.
4) Choose 12 other abilities or breakouts. These abilities will start at 13 (and breakouts at +1). Abilities bifurcate into two proper camps: General Abilities and Extraordinary Abilities. General Abilities include abilities that can be unrivaled but stay within the realm of the mundane - for your people; an elf's long-lived nature is a General Ability, while an elf with an unusual knack for telekinesis found in few of their kind would be Extraordinary. While Extraordinary Abilities asterisk your protagonist with remarkable ways to solve problems, they are also freighted with a hitch: amazing skills and super talents attract all sorts of attention, some of it neutral, but a lot of it adversarial.
5) Distribute 20 points to your abilities. No more than 10 points can be pooled into a single Ability. You can increase a Breakout to up to a maximum of +5 at character creation.
6) Choose one flaw. Your flaw rank will be equal to your highest ability rank (so Heightened Hearing 18 would generate a Hunted by a Vengeful Darkburner 18 flaw).
7) Choose a Name and write a short Description of your character. This can include distinguishing features and backstory not made obvious in your Abilities.
8) Choose a performer who you wish to portray your character (be it voice or physical likeness). Performers can be picked from an endless pool of actors, actresses, musicians, artists, historical figures and whatnot.
9) Write down any essential Equipment your character may carry. This does not have to be an exhaustive list. Think of it as a 'Tools of the Trade' -type list.
10) All protagonists begin with 1 Spotlight Token.
1) Consult the Random Generator Matrix, found at the bottom of this thread. Brainstorm a basic character concept from your results. Sometimes two apparent irreconcilable ideas make a transformative portmanteau.
2) Choose a Distinctive Secret. This starts at 17. A distinctive secret can work both as flaw and ability, and can border and hem a character with fringe, tendrils in personality, exit points, tunnels, for new wildly ramifying storylines. A distinctive secret can be ruinous (embezzling money, committed a murder), it can be harmless but lacquered in shame (hides an uncommon minor prejudice, bullied in middle school). And a secret is distinctive; it is born with the character. It is also organic, altering as the character alters.
3) Choose a Trademark. This starts at 17. Trademarks typically represent a protagonist's most well-recognized ability they use to solve problems, dilemmas, catch-22s and all the myriad predicaments a story unleashes throughout its unfurling. An occupation or special power are conventional Trademarks, although a personality trait, contact, pet, lucky object, or spiritual belief can make intriguing choices.
4) Choose 12 other abilities or breakouts. These abilities will start at 13 (and breakouts at +1). Abilities bifurcate into two proper camps: General Abilities and Extraordinary Abilities. General Abilities include abilities that can be unrivaled but stay within the realm of the mundane - for your people; an elf's long-lived nature is a General Ability, while an elf with an unusual knack for telekinesis found in few of their kind would be Extraordinary. While Extraordinary Abilities asterisk your protagonist with remarkable ways to solve problems, they are also freighted with a hitch: amazing skills and super talents attract all sorts of attention, some of it neutral, but a lot of it adversarial.
5) Distribute 20 points to your abilities. No more than 10 points can be pooled into a single Ability. You can increase a Breakout to up to a maximum of +5 at character creation.
6) Choose one flaw. Your flaw rank will be equal to your highest ability rank (so Heightened Hearing 18 would generate a Hunted by a Vengeful Darkburner 18 flaw).
7) Choose a Name and write a short Description of your character. This can include distinguishing features and backstory not made obvious in your Abilities.
8) Choose a performer who you wish to portray your character (be it voice or physical likeness). Performers can be picked from an endless pool of actors, actresses, musicians, artists, historical figures and whatnot.
9) Write down any essential Equipment your character may carry. This does not have to be an exhaustive list. Think of it as a 'Tools of the Trade' -type list.
10) All protagonists begin with 1 Spotlight Token.