Character Creation and house rules.

This thread is used for character creation and character concept. I'll also list some house rules I'll be using, do not worry, they're not many and most of them have been created by the game's designer himself.

1. Simplified Combat Order: TAoS normally uses DEX to determine your combat order if you are performing a physical action, or INT if you are casting a spell. This can cause problems and confusion in rounds where players switch between attacking and casting magic. So to simplify things, combat order will instead be determined by adding DEX and INT together and dividing the result by 2, rounded up (so [DEX+INT]/2). This could be explained as your initiative being a mix of your reaction speed and your ability to quickly analyze potential threats.

2. Epic Characters. I'll be using a slightly modified version of the original submission. Characters will not start epic (well, not quite), but will be able to become bigger than life heroes eventually. Human and halflings (see below) characters will start with an extra amount of Skill Points equal to the highest of their INT (innate learning abilities), POW (dedication or raw natural talent), or CHA (convincing others to train you) characteristics. For elves and dwarves, it will be the lowest of their INT, POW, or CHA instead.
Those extra skill points can be applied anywhere, but players must still respect the +30 skill points limit to any skill. This should help balance the humans and halflings a bit more, which are both weaker races, and also give players a bit more help with spellcasting skills, getting that crucial 80% in a language skill or two for literacy, or purchasing extra Background Points.
After having increased at least 3 points of characteristics with Improvement Points, players will be able to purchase Epic Hit Points for 10 Improvement Points (7 for dwarves, do not divide your CON and SIZ characteristics by two when calculating HP, this also affects Major Wound Levels).
Similarly, after increasing at least 3 characteristics using Improvement Points, players can purchase Epic Bravery for 10 Improvement Points (7 for elves, ignore Fearsome I creatures, and treat Fearsome II creatures as Fearsome I instead).

3. Other Options from the The Age Of Shadow website. Oaths and halflings (I'll make them available in case people want to play them) will be made as available character options. I feel like halflings needs a little something more. I'm of having them start with 3 Fate Points instead, and also allow them to spend 3 Background/Improvement Points to purchase a Fate Point. Both would be thematic with their special racial ability. As for lore-wise, Halflings did not participate in the war during The Age of Strife. they migrated in the emptied lands of men around The Arasgar Mountains from further south. Finding abandoned "giant" villages, they settled in the area. They were later discovered by a dwarven survey expedition during the early days of The Age of Shadow. Their exact origins still remain a subject of discussion to this day...

4. New Languages. I've scoured the Open Quest rulebook to add a few more monsters to this game, not too much though, as I still want to preserve the "Second Age" feel this game has, and felt that any "beast-like humanoid" creatures should remain the domain of the Beastlings and Fellgrims (so no centaurs, minotaurs, lizardmen, etc.). This will of course require a few more new languages characters can learn (see p.9 of the rulebook) as well as providing a tongue for the orcs which I'll use as a former nuisance before the coming of the Enemy (though many orcs will have ended up serving the Enemy anyways). So the new languages are as follows:

5. A few new weapons. Nothing too big, I just looked at Open Quest and checked what equipment was not covered. I find it fascinating that The Age of Shadow has no crossbows, rapiers, tower shields, or plate armor for example, this gives a glimpse at the level of technology the setting has. Perhaps those might appear later as some innovation and to avoid the medieval stasis trope, but for now, no crossbows, rapiers, tower shields, or plate armor...
Close Combat Weapons

Ranged Weapons

* Blowgun Darts (10), ENC -, BV 2

Note that similarly, there are a lot of spells left in Open Quest which hasn't been used in TAOS for some reason or another (mostly the priest spells as there does not seem to be much if any organized religion in TAOS). I could, I assume, make them available for the same reason as equipment above, but only if players wish for more spells and even then, I'll be careful as to which spell I allow to preserve the feel of the setting...

Oh yeah, and in case the rulebook hasn't made this obvious enough (to be fair, it hasn't), you roll your characteristics in order (for a nice OSR feel, AND DO NOT FORGET TO REROLL YOUR 1s!)

Elf Ranger

pressed post instead of add > LOL!

Reroll 1's in DEX and CHA

Do not forget to reroll those 1s.

Dam wrong dice roll

DEX

STR 10
CON 16
DEX 14
SIZ 11
INT 16
POW 14
CHA 15

Could I switch INT with STR? A ranger with -1d6 damage mod is not going to work for me, I would just reroll the entire bactch

STR
CON
DEX
SIZ
INT
POW
CHA

SIZ
INT
CHA

STR 13
CON 15
DEX 13
SIZ 11
INT 12
POW 13
CHA 12

Average is 12.7, I can live with that.

You know, you can always increase STR later with Improvement Points. Also, STR+SIZ, that gives you 21, a +0 damage modifier.

I'll take the second set if you're ok with that.

First set is serviceable. Like I said, damage modifier is calculated adding STR and SIZ together. I'd rather you stick with that one. Otherwise I'm afraid this might encourage other players to roll until they get a set they like...

Well, the suggestion is made:
"However, if any players are genuinely unhappy with the characteristics they have rolled, then they should be allowed to re-roll the entire batch again (so long as the GM agrees)."
AoS p. 7

I am genuinely not happy with the first characteristics and I legit rerolled. However, if you feel you need this much control, then I'll go with the first set and let it be, even though it's not really what I want. What's your decision?

BTW, my character sheet is a work in progress. I'll finalize things over the next few days.

Hmm, yeah, you're right, the rulebook does say that. If you prefer the second set, then I'll let you have it. I'm simply wondering what's wrong with the first set, that is all...

OK, let's see. I will try a dwarf. The 7 characteristics rolls are as follows

OK, so I guess I need to re-roll one die for STR, CON, SIZ, INT and POW. Here goes

So I end up with:
STR = 2+1+6 = 9
CON = 4+3+4+6 = 17
DEX = 3+5+3 = 11
SIZ= 4+6 = 10
INT = 2+5+6 = 13
POW = 6+3+5 = 14
CHA = 6+6+3 = 15

Is that acceptable?

You can reroll that 1 in your STR. So long as you roll 1s, you reroll them. Aside from that, those stats looks good.

OK, then here is the STR reroll

Which gives:

STR = 2+5+6 = 13
CON = 4+3+4+6 = 17
DEX = 3+5+3 = 11
SIZ= 4+6 = 10
INT = 2+5+6 = 13
POW = 6+3+5 = 14
CHA = 6+6+3 = 15

I be rolling for my character here!
Halfling? That's great, I'm yet to play a halfling!

STR: 9
CON: 15
DEX: 15
SIZ: 6
INT: 13
POW: 15
CHA: 13

Woo, this one's a tiny, powerful and slippery halfling.

Do not forget to re-roll any dice that comes up 1.

Edit: Oh, looks like you've already started. But you can still reroll that 1 for INT(?)
Edit 2: Okay, never mind then... XD

Fast as a cheetah with that rolling! :P

Looks like a human is left! I see the rules about rerolling 1s.

Str 10
Con 8
Dex 14
Size 17
Int 18
Pow 13
Cha 16

Well, looks like we have a full house. :D

Oh, when making your character, please post or link the picture you're using for your character sheet. I'll be using those to make counters for my battlemaps.

So, a fat and weirdly nimble human sorcerer. Sounds like a hoot! I'll do a lot more research over the next few days as I build the character.

For anyone doing custom sheets, here are skill roll tables which auto-calculate skill values. Just add bonus points to the formulas in brackets.For it to work, your stats need to be variables named str/con/dex/siz/int/pow/cha. Here is a compatible stat table (just edit the numbers):

How will that work with the +2d4% or +1d4% form Background/Improvement Points?

These are rolled and then added, right? They aren't rolled each time? In this case you can write

Dodge: [_dodge$=dex+10+4]%|1d100

if you rolled a 4, for example. All bonus increases have to be manual - but at least base auto-calculates!

I can make a version which has a separate column you can write additional points in? For more user-friendly experience?

Yeah, those are added over time as you improve your character.

I'm going to randomize my skills, so beware many a roll in this post.

Tracking...
Extra Halfling Points: 0/15 (POW)
Practical Skills: 0/75
Knowledge Skills: 0/50
Resistances: 0/50
Combat Skills: 0/50

Results
Craft +22 (from practical)
Athletics +27 (from practical)
Mechanism + 4 (from practical)
Trade +30 (22 from practical + 8 extra)
...are you a merchant craftster, 'o my character?
Close Combat + 29 (from Combat)
Sorcery Casting + 7 (from Extra)
Maybe she wants to be a wizard, but fails at it. Horribly.
Unarmed Combat + 1 (from Combat)
Resilience +15 (from Resistances)
Resilience +15 (from Resistances)
Unarmed Combat +20 (from Combat)
That's one fierce halfling...
Language (Own) +10 (from Knowledge)
Language (Own) +20 (from Knowledge)
This merchant knows how to read!.. Barely.
Culture (Own) +20 (from Knowledge)
Dodge + 20 (from Resistances)

You know, all things considered, this isn't as bad as it could go. XD

Barter

What am I doing with background points, random?

(2d4% to a skill,
1d4% to two skills,
+1 to a characteristic,
sorcerous spell,
buy fate)

3 fate points it is... Now, finishing touches, 240 BV.

I'll need to buy items, write description and rearrange the sheet a bit, but important numbers are all done. Observe! Apparently this middle-aged lady is a craftsman/merchant who likes brawling and athletic exercise, never left her home and is very resilient.

I'll finish her up tomorrow, I think. :D

I'm sorry in advance for Baelrick. He's likely a gruff but loyal character, who is missing many skill points and a spell or two.

Characters look good so far. Keep in mind that in the case of culture and language, you'll need to specify your "own" and "other". Keep in mind that you have a +20% to speak Elvish (which even applies to elves), and halfling and men have a +10% bonus to speak each other's languages because of the similarities.

@ cowlyc: have you remembered to give yourself an extra 18 skill points for your INT?

I did remember! Went straight into Sorcery. So, if I'm reading this correctly, a starting character would only get a single sorcery spell? And that's only if they buy it with background points?

Also, regarding background points, if we select a +2d4% for a skill... Do we roll that now and add it to that skill?

Yes for both accounts.

Do we have only one "other" culture/language and have to choose which it is, or do we have all of the languages/cultures skills and have separate entries for each?

No, you can have as many as you want/need. Basically, select a race or "the Enemy" for Culture, and one of the languages on p.9 or the first post of this thread for Language.

So we can be very multilingual? Nice. Not that my 13% are very good for it, but still...

Another question: can my char have a pet? I know pets are sometimes hard to manage, but I'm tempted to give her a dog. :D

Yes, but you'll have to purchase it normally as part of your equipment. The prices for animals are listed on p.26.

Gotcha! Do I roll stats for it too (from animal list)?

If you want to, or you can just grab the average stats.

Of course I want! :P
Generating Bean the dog...

Not sure if I should also apply the "rerolling all 1s" to animal companions as well...

Depends on the Animal?
Ex: Draft Horse vs Hamster

Hmm, good point. Also, I guess it matters much less for an animal companion...

@ FlyingSucculent: Did you bought a domestic dog or a hunting dog?

Hunting dog; it is a tiny, fluffy terrier who was otiginally protecting Peli's house/shop/garden before they ventured to travel. :D

A few more rolls:

Starting gear BV:

OK, I went as far as I could go with my character. Can you tell me if he is acceptable?

Yep. Looks fine. You remembered about the extra Skill Points equal to your lower of INT/POW/CHA?

No I didn't, so I just added 6 points do Close Combat and 7 to Engineering.

Oh man, I just realized I had linked Baelrick in the thread, but forgot to make him public! He's free for viewing now.

Okay, so everyone's characters seems pretty much done. I'll go ahead and start the actual game later tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime, @ Flying and @ cowleyc, if you can post or link the pictures you used for your characters so I can use them to make counters.

Huh, turns out I already had a pic of Baelrick... who else am I missing then? Oh, I think it's kwll's character Daglin...
Yeah, @kwll, I'll need you to post or link the pic you used for your character so I can make a counter for it.

You drew those? they look pretty good.

Thank you! :D I never tried drawing halflings before and I'm generally not very good at humanoid anatomy, but I like how these turned out. I'm happy you like them too!

I'm only starting character creation cause it's late where I live and I'm tired

Race: Human

Stats:

Misunderstood what rolling Aces meant. Sorry...

Race Human

Rerolling the one for con

Darn

Okay final totals are

Str: 16
Con: 15
Dex 16
Siz: 11 + 6 = 17
Int: 11 + 6 =17
Pow: 13
Cha: 11

Damn, I've got some good damn rolls.

Oh wow, yes, those are some good rolls!

I'm worrying if it might not be a bit too good of a character. Not that many attributes left to purchase later with Background/Improvement Points...

I was wondering what your previous set would look like if we salvaged them and ignored any re-rolls of the 6.

We'd have...
STR: 7 + re-roll of 1...
CON: 9 + re-roll of 1...
DEX: 8 + re-roll of 1...
SIZ: 9+6=15
INT: 2 + re-roll of 1 + 6...
POW: 13
CHA: 14

Alright

rereroll

So it seems the updated stats would be

Str: 10
Con: 11
Dex: 10
Siz: 15
Int: 10
Pow: 13
Cha: 14

Ah man, I was hoping you'd do better than just re-roll a bunch of 2s... XD

Still, this statline is much more in line with what other players have so far.

Are you okay with those characteristics or would you rather and try rolling a new set?

They're about average I suppose, but they'll be fine.

Okay, cool.

Starting Money

All Done.

Cool, your character looks fine. If you can post or link the image you'll be using for him so I can make a counter for my battlemaps.

Step one Human
Tyr Called Fox Step
Siedheman of the Barbaric Northmen

BACKGROUND:
HEAL(Innate spell)
Elven Lineage

Looks like your attempt to reroll 1s instead just added a bonus of one to most stats. I would have loved for that to work, since none of my fancy dice attempts have planned out. So, most of your stats should be one point lower.

Maxed Dex! That's some solid swordplay potential you have right there! Baelrick, on the other hand, will be relying on his limited Bonking ability.

18 dex and 15 power, nice!

Holy Paladin of Odin will make a great addition to the party.

Is there Odin in this world?

Most of Tolkien was based on Norse mythology. I'd be surprised if there wasn't, but Tyr will be saying prayers to "The Terrible and Stormy One."

It felt like a lot of the setting was left pretty vague so that we could fill it in. I like the idea, personally, that many religions exist, but that none have a real impact on the world. No big organized religion (unless the Elves have one), just small clusters of local pantheons and maybe some regional all-fathers.

I dont think the gods are relevant even if they exist.

Effectively if you have a name in the Tolkien verse you can become a demigod you just have to walk long enough.

For Tyr, he's a literal miracle worker. Why not play him as Middle Earth's Messiah figure?

Tyr is the nicest guy anyone could ever know, until you try to break his law.

Here's what I had to say concerning gods and religion: https://gamersplane.com/forums/thread/25311/?p=1178630#p1178630