Katzle character generation

Welcome! Please roll your attributes and let's begin!

Yup. It worked. :)

You now have a very high attribute, two averages and one not that good to assign. 10 is the average Human.

Please choose a result for each one (ex: Strength 17, Agility 13, Wits 6, Charisma 10) or (Strength 13, Agility 17, Wits 6, Charisma 10) or... any combination of those attributes and results.

After that, please roll 3d6 twice, choosing one for Social standing and Education, in any order as well.

Nope, you add them together as well. It's just that they're harder to get high values, because you don't discard one of the dice. You have either (Social Standing 6 and Education 10), or (Education 6, Social 10). 10 is the average Human.

Great! You're good to go for the next step: choose your character name, pronoums, homeworld and describe your family, your childhood and adolescence. Use your rolled attributes as a reference/guideline.

Mariella Solbjerg (she/her)

Spent almost all of her childhood and adolescence on the same planet, Ladon IV, known for it's awful living conditions and wealth of metals. A medium-largish, quite dense, fast spinning planet with an unusual amount of volcanic activity, which makes life on the surface - or really, life under the surface, too - not all that pleasant. Due to the frequent erruptions however, the planet is covered in heavy and rare metals, the only reason why anyone would live on this rock in the first place.
The planetary population is not large, a meagre few millions at best, with many on-world either having fallen to the false promises of achieving great wealthy through mineral extraction operations or simply nowhere better to go. The lack of any larger urban centers makes a tight government almost impossible, with the various settlements and colonies strewn across the surface - mostly concentrating around large deposits of metal and minerals - being quite self governing. In theory, Ladon IV is an elective democracy, but overarching parties do not exist, with most only fighting for the gain of their settlement. The only important position actually agreed upon is the head of state, who can rarely be found on-world at all, instead acting more as a overstated ambassador on an intersolar level, and who has no actual power. Due to economic competition with ones neighbouring settlements, there is little camradery across larger areas, when folks move it's almost always offworld.

Mariella's family has been on Ladon IV for four generations, where they mine tungsten for interstellar purposes. They aren't rich by any means - corporations from offworld don't exactly pay the best prices when there's plenty of suppliers on the planet - but had enough to afford a decent quality of life, certainly enough to protect themselves and their assets from the frequent volcanic anomalies or earthquakes shaking the crust of the planet. Mariella was born as the third youngest of four children - she has two sisters and a brother - of Hagan and Ismu Solbjerg, both of which were - still are? - in the mining industry. Her name stems from her mothers unrealized dreams of seeing an untainted ocean someday, something with Ladon IV very much doesn't have.
Young Mariella was educated until she was about 15, attending the local settlement school. However, with the place she grew up in - Lindtal - being no different from any other palce on Ladon IV a mining town, little education beyond general knowledge was tought. There was a certain scientific aspect, yes, mostly in the subfield of machinery and mining - no wonder - but theoretical sciences, the humanities or art fell short by quite a bit. Mariella didn't mind however, she was content to follow the footsteps of her parents and would never have dreamed of ending up in space - back then, anyways. Things changed when basic education was over and the joined her family in digging for valuables in the ground - it wasn't bad by any means, but quite repetetive. Soon, Mariella found herself to enjoy the act of hauling the raw material to the spaceport and meeting the often colorful offworlders in charge of interstellar shipping much more than crushing rocks everyday. She made some connections and became reasonably good at haggeling, something that her family had a distinct lack of up until that point, which is why they quickly made her the front face of the family unit.

This continued when Mariella was about 18. Growing curiosity for world, cultures, landscapes other than her own and the gentle push of her mother, who kind of imposed her own wanderlust onto her daughter, led her to secure herself a place on one of the mineral barges away from Ladon IV towards the stars and accompanying possibilities.

Perfect! Go ahead :) Choose your 5 level-0 skills, roll your max age (3d6+20) and tell us your next step. Are you going to the University? Military Academy? One of the careers? Merchant?

Nice. Everything looks good, and they're obviously related to your background.

You were born in Trade Era 1205 and you're 18 years old now (1223). The main adventure begins in 1235, so there's 12 years to go.

Anyway, roll 1d20+1 (Charisma) DC10 to apply for a position in the Merchant career.

Succeed and maybe you impressed someone in your first journey? What kind of assignment are you looking for?

Trade Era 1223, Day 91

Celestial Voyager, Ladon IV orbit
Mariella stood in the narrow corridor of the starship, her black eyes wide with awe as she observed the utilitarian marvel of space travel. The hum of machinery reverberated through the metallic walls, and the scent of oil and metal hung in the air. The ship's interior, far from the sleek and polished aesthetics of luxury cruisers, was a testament to functionality and practicality.

As Mariella navigated the cramped passageways, heavy blast doors clanged shut behind her. Switches and levers surrounded her like relics from an industrial era long past and not seen in planetary installations. Small screens and lights displayed vital information in black and green hues, a stark contrast to the vivid colors of her home planet and her personal tablet.

The claustrophobic space was dimly lit, wires crisscrossing above her head like a chaotic web. Pipes ran along the walls, and grating underfoot added to the symphony of mechanical sounds. Instead of the sleek interfaces she had imagined, the systems were crude, favoring durability over high-tech elegance. It was a scene of controlled chaos, a symphony of machinery working in unison.

Despite the apparent ruggedness, Mariella found herself marveled by it all. The very essence of space travel, stripped of unnecessary extravagance, resonated with her mining roots. Each creak, every flicker of a black and green screen spoke of a vessel that had weathered the challenges of the cosmos.
She approached the cockpit, where the pilot manned the analog controls with practiced efficiency. The view through the reinforced glass was a canvas of stars, a sight that sent shivers down Mariella's spine. The enormity of space stretched out before her, and the realization that she was no longer confined to the dusty surface of Ladon IV filled her with a profound sense of liberation.



"This is something else," Mariella whispered, her voice lost in the hum of the ship's engines.

The pilot, a seasoned spacer with a weathered face, nodded without taking his eyes off the controls. "Space is unforgiving, but it has its own beauty. These ships may not be pretty, but they get the job done."

Mariella leaned against a bulkhead, her gaze fixed on the star-studded expanse beyond. In that moment, surrounded by the utilitarian grace of the spacecraft, she felt a connection to the vast unknown that transcended the confines of her miner's background. Space, with all its complexities and wonders, stretched out before her, and Mariella couldn't help but marvel at the journey she had embarked upon.

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Trade Era 1223, Day 291

Celestial Voyager, New Jordan orbit
Two hundred days adrift in the cosmic sea had transformed Mariella's perspective. Her once-sturdy mining boots now carried the dust of a couple distant planets, and her black eyes held the reflections of countless stars. The Celestial Voyager had become both her vessel and her home, each creak and hum a familiar melody in the symphony of space.

One day, as Mariella was studying the star charts in the common area, Captain Valeria Zaytsev approached. Her grizzled expression softened into a rare smile.

"Mariella," she said, her voice carrying the weight of experience, "you've proven yourself more than capable on this journey. The crew respects you, and frankly, so do I."

Mariella looked up from the star charts, her curiosity piqued. "Captain?"

Captain Zaytsev motioned for her to follow, and they entered a quieter section of the ship. The captain's eyes met Mariella's, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond forged through the days among the stars.

"I've been thinking," the captain began, her tone measured. "We're a tight-knit crew, and we could use someone with your skills on a more permanent basis. How would you feel about a crew position, Mariella? Your salary would be fair, but there's an opportunity for more."

Mariella's mind buzzed with a mix of surprise and excitement. A crew position, a permanent place among the stars—it was an offer she hadn't anticipated.

"More?" Mariella echoed, her brows furrowed.

Captain Zaytsev leaned against a bulkhead, her gaze fixed on the distant stars visible through a small viewport. "Speculative trading," she explained. "We often encounter unique goods and opportunities on our journeys. With your knack for haggling and understanding of the markets, you could engage in trading ventures during our stops. It's a chance to complement your income and bring something extra. You can be my apprentice."

"Speculative trading, I see..." Mariella avoided eye contact with the Captain, instead choosing to stare at some piping in the wall section in front of her, her fingers playing with the bracelet of different stones she picked up from different planets - she has one for every one she visited exept Ladon IV, which she'll add to the collection once she sees her family again. The stones are drilled through and strung up on a smiple rope, bumping into each other to produce very quiet clicking noises whenever Mariella fidgets with her necklace.
She thinks for a moment after the first buzz calmed down in her head, but doesn't have to think long at all to come to a conclusion.

"Why, of course! You know, this crew really grew to my heart over the past few months and... I'd take any chance to stay for longer. While I haven't really engaged in the trade of unique goods in the past, I am sure that you could show me quite well and it sounds like a pleasant challenge. Of course, additional income is never a bad thing either... so, where do I need to sign?"

Mariella practically beams with happyness and exitement. Part of it due to the excellent job proposition she has just been offered, the other part because it warms her heart to see that the Captain puts enough trust into her to do the deed in the first place. The young woman nods eagerly, suddenly getting the feeling like she wants to run around the ship and embrace everyone she sees. However, she quickly straightens herself and equips as serious as a face as possible in the situation, giving another nod, this time more sombre, nod. It's probably not the best idea to loose ones temper like that in front of ones boss - even if it's the good kind of temper loss.

"When can we start? And what are the thing you would count as 'unique goods'?"

Hehe. No need to write this time. That was the end of scene. I was waiting for your decision and your roll. Mariella is now 20 years old, after those 2 years in the Celestial Voyager.

As you're going to go another term, please roll another 1d4 for the amount of years and, this time, 1d20 for me to tell the available skills, so you can choose 2 to improve.

After you choose the next 2 skills to receive +1 from the list, I'll write another scene.

Mariella Solbjerg (she/her) Character overview!

Yup. There is a (hidden) table for events that I have here, not shared with you. The d20 helps me choose among some things there.

Anyway, for the second term, you should choose 2 skills to receive +1 between: Broker, Engineering, Piloting, Stewardship, Arts, Zero G, Carousing, Investigation, Leadership.

Depending on your choice, I will write the next scene.

Mariella doesn't even know where her - quite sudden - affinity for artistic pieces suddenly came from. Back home, she was never into these kinds of things, finding them quite boring and - to be honest - also not fulfilling the center functionale of art: Making her feel something. Perhaps it was the pragmatic rusticality of the Voyager that made her appreciate works of intent more? Perhaps the inspirations of different planes, intermingling with one another, yet clearly having their own unique influence each? Whatever may be the root cause, Mariella was happy with the job she was doing - even if she had some trouble letting go of some of the more touching pieces after they have been sitting under her care for a while.

Her love for extended space walks and zero-g-dance-manouvres was much easier to explain: After having been confined by the shackles of gravity for all of her youth and early adolescence, the feeling of weightlessness prooved to be a unique experience at first, which turned into a quiet delight. Mariella knew that it was bad for her muscles long term, but the fluid ease with which one could move through weighless space surprised her again and again!

And finally, engineering. It seemed to lurk in Solbjerg family genes, apparently blooming late for her. Most of her siblings picked up on the trade of makeship repairs quite easily in their youth, but where they crawled all over mining harvesters and pneumatic drills to weld and screwdrive and whatnot, Mariella showed little interest for things moving and breaking. That changed though, now that she became a proper personality of her own and she could - even only reatroactivelly - feel with her siblings the feelings of artificial life creation and extension.

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Mariella Solbjerg (she/her) Character overview!

Receive +1 to Agility, -1 to Strength.

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Ok! Choose 2 skills to receive +1 between: Broker, Engineering, Piloting, Eletronics, Athletics, Persuasion.

Also, give me another 1d4 duration and 1d20 for her next term. No events on this one.

Mariella Solbjerg (she/her) Character overview!

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One faithful day, with a heavy heart, Mariella finds herself approaching the Captains whereabouts, knocking against a pipe in the wall to let her know that she's there. The woman collects her thoughts for a moment, then with a heavy sigh begins to speak.

"Hello, can I speak with you for a moment?" She waits for a split second, then decides to not wait for an answer in the fear of not being able to continue. "You must know, I have deeply enjoyed the years spent on the Voyager, they were perhaps the most forming of memories I have ever made. I consider this ship a home always and it's crew my family. And thank you for allowing me the opportunities to experience everything I have experienced, seen everything I saw, learn everything I learnt! It's ask with a heavy heart, but... would you mind if I left next time we hit port? I have thought about this for a while and - the decision wasn't easy - decided that I need something else... with you, here, I have experienced many things of what humanity had to offer and for that I will be eternally greatful, but now my heart longs for something else - the opposite of that! To go where no human had stepped foot before or something along those lines. Experience the frontier, the true wilderness of what space has to offer instead of following the lifeline of tradelines keeping humanities heart beating."

She considers for a moment, catching herself. Straightening up, Mariella gets noticeably more confident as she continues speaking.

"Captain, I would like to be relieved of my duties in the near future. May we part in eternal and deep friendship, for my emotional core would break if I had to choose between the invisible draw of the unknown, growing stronger by the day, and those who I have learnt to care about in the past few years."

She nods, then awaits the Captians reaction with a fast-beating heart.

Trade Era 1229, Day 190

Explorers Division headquarters, Maryburg city, New Jordan

Mariella Solbjerg's heart raced as she stepped into the bustling hub of the Explorers Division headquarters, a few days after completing her entrance exams and interviews.

Councillor Adrian, a seasoned explorer with a face etched by countless adventures, welcomed Mariella with a warm smile. "Welcome to the Explorers, Mariella. Your journey begins here."

"Our first lesson is on the hierarchy that binds us together in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery," Adrian began, his voice resonating with authority and experience.

"Our journey commences as Recruits. At this stage, you absorb the basic principles for a couple of years, from star charting to the delicate maneuvers in and out of hyperspace. It's the foundation upon which your future as an explorer is built."

"As you progress, you ascend to the rank of Apprentice. Now, you embark on real missions, applying the knowledge gained in your training. Side by side with your Master, you delve into the mysteries of uncharted territories, forging your skills in astrogation and survival."

"Next are the Journeymen, the stalwarts of our endeavors. With successful missions behind you, you gain autonomy and can go on solo exploratory endeavors. Your expertise grows, and you specialize in specific fields, enriching our collective understanding of the universe."

"As you reach the pinnacle of our career, you become a Master. Your wealth of experience becomes a beacon for those who follow. Masters take an Apprentice and lead they in complex missions, conduct research that shapes our understanding, and contribute significantly to the expansion of our known galaxy."

"And finally, for a select few, the esteemed rank of Councillor, where they take on leadership roles within the Explorer Council, guiding the future of exploration for generations to come."

The initiation was swift but comprehensive. For the next years, Mariella delved into the intricate protocols of star charting, navigation through the cosmic currents, and the intricacies of hyperspace jumps. The holographic simulations tested her mettle, throwing challenges that mirrored the unpredictability of unexplored territories.

Trade Era 1230, Day 11

Explorers Division headquarters, Maryburg city, New Jordan
One year had passed since Mariella Solbjerg stepped into the vibrant world of the Explorers Division. The hum of starships and the glow of holographic displays had become familiar companions on her journey. Today marked a pivotal moment – Mariella was about to meet her Master.

Councillor Adrian, recognizing Mariella's exceptional progress, had decided it was time for her to take the next step in her exploration journey. In the central meeting chamber, adorned with holographic stellar maps, Mariella awaited the arrival of her mentor.

As the doors slid open, a figure clad in the distinctive explorers' uniform entered – a seasoned explorer with an air of quiet confidence. It was Master Alaric, renowned for his expertise in planetary geology and survival strategies on harsh terrains.

Master Alaric warm brown eyes held a captivating depth. His hair, once a vibrant chestnut, now bore traces of silver, a testament to the years spent beneath distant suns and the unforgiving expanse of the cosmos. A well-maintained beard adorned his strong jawline, while his uniform, adorned with patches representing past missions and embroidered with medals, bore the subtle stains and marks of the field – badges of honor earned in the pursuit of understanding the mysteries that lay beyond the veil of stars.

"Welcome, Mariella," Master Alaric greeted with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting a wealth of experience. "Councillor Adrian spoke highly of your dedication and proficiency. I am honored to guide you on your path as an Apprentice. Together, we will go wherever the map is blank, exploring unknown worlds and uncharted space."

The year of being a recruit was one of Mariellas most difficult times through her life. Sure, she learned something new practically every day - aside from what she already knew from her exploits as a merchant - but the days dragged on and on, her goal of finally setting off to own adventures and discoveries seeming to take ages. However, Mariella worked through it and - apparently - much quicker than some of the other Recruits. While conversing, some of them seemed to be stuck in this preliminary step for up to four years! So, in the end, she should perhaps consider herself quite lucky.

---

Mariella has gotten her nervouness issues under control - atleast projecting that immage outwardly, her belly-butterflies are still pretty active - since the last time she applied for a job, instead waiting in the central meeting chamber, arms clasped behind her back. She waits calmly, reciting properties of different rock types as has been a habit of hers since she was small, until her superior arrives.
As Master Alaric enters, her black-ish eyes light up with exitement. He looks capable enough and Mariella certianly heard about his skills in rumours and conversation bits she had in the past year. His reassuring speech and smile go to a great lenght of comforting her that the future will be a bright one.

"It will be an honor to serve as your apperentice!"

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Ok! You're 25 now, after 1 year as a recruit. Please roll 1d4 and 1d20 for your second term :)

Ok! Choose 2 between: Academics (geology), Athletics, Animals, Driving, Investigation, Navigation, Notice, Resilience.

You have only one year left, so please roll another 1d20 so I can give your final list and let's wait for the other players. =)

Yeah, it did ;) It's cause she was ready for the main adventure by the end of it.

So here's your last list: Academics (Botany), Athletics, Animals, Notice, Resilience, Will, Medicine.

Further development will happen using XP. I'll post those rules when we start.

By the way, I have created a character template in the Chargen thread. Please submit your character sheet when possible. If you have any questions, just ask.

We will see what happened during those 5 years in the opening scenes.

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