JohnB's Games

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== Character Creation  ======

===== Overview =====

You will have come to this page because you are creating a character for one of my games.  It doesn’t matter whether you are creating a Primary, Secondary or Entourage character, they all need to go through the same basic design phases and   conform to the same basic criteria.

You can find the Pathfinder rules [[http://www.d20pfsrd.com/|here]]

------
===== Character Creation Basics =====

No 'Unchained' characters and no 'Alternate Rulesets'.  I like to use the same set or rules for everyone  :)
==== Alignment ====
  * //No Evil Alignments// -  I was brought up on Heroic Fantasy where the Evil Ones are the enemy :)
  * //No Extreme Alignments// - When  I start a game I expect it to last for a long time, and I don't want to spend my time refereeing fights and disputes between players.  There is nothing wrong with a bit of alignment  but play it, state it and then find a way to let the story and the party move on.  Don't let YOUR alignment become the thing that the game revolves around.
==== Race ====    
Race is restricted to the CRB races.  Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling and Human. 

If you haven't already done so, you might want to look at this page.  http://rp.baileymail.net/doku.php?id=stolen_land:brevoy:demographics

==== Class ====   
Classes are a bit more complicated.  As a rough guide, if something is listed in the CRB it will probably be OK.  If it comes from  the APG, it //might// be OK.  You will need to make a very good case for third-party or more complicated stuff.
  * //Core Classes// - Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard - are all good, although you need to discuss archetypes, bloodlines etc. with me.  
  * //Acceptable Base Classes// - Cavalier, Inquisitor, Magus, Oracle, Witch - are all good classes that I am comfortable with  :)  But follow the guidance above.
  * //Possible Base Classes// - Alchemist, Vigilante - might be acceptable, depending on the game setting and the make-up of the rest of the party - and a good backstory.
  * //Base Classes I Don't Like// - Gunslinger, Summoner.  Neither class fits into the way I see my fantasy world, and therefore don't fit in Fantasy Games that I run. 

==== Specialisations ====
Archetypes, Blood Lines, Religion, you want a noble background or anything similar should be run by me at this stage.  The nearer to the Core Rules and the better it fits with my campaign setting, the more likely I am to agree it  :)  Sometimes I will ask for a backstory to justify specialisations such as archetypes, blood lines and social status -  but that is for the next stage.

------

===== Concept =====

Once you have a character concept that you think fits in with the basic Character Creation guidelines - run it past me.  I might already have a character with the same concept in game or for some reason it might not fit the campaign as I see it - and there is no point doing a detailed build for your character until we know that it works for the game.  If you are joining an On-line game -  this is when you Request access or send an RTJ.  Once the concept is agreed, we can build a character history between us,  that works for my game world and your character concept.  It doesn't need to be in great detail, but just enough that neither of us are going to get any nasty surprises.

I know some of you like to plan a 20 level build before you start ...  that has never made sense to me, but each to their own.  However, be aware that I don't like 'dips' into a class just to gain a skill set and I expect Archetypes and Prestige Classes to make sense.  For example, I won't let you take a level of Low Templar unless we are playing in the Mendevian Crusades, nor a level of Sword Lord unless we are in or around Restov.  BUT - sometimes it is worth asking how we can make things fit.

Once the concept has been agreed and while we are working on the broad character history - you can start building your character. If you are just joining the game, you will probably be creating a Primary Character.  Later in the game you might need to create a secondary or entourage character.  In some very rare circumstances  you might even get to roll a commoner!

 [[Playing_A_Noble|See this page if you want to play a 'noble' character]]

------
===== Types of Character =====


==== Primary Characters ====

Your main PC.  Primary Characters are among the best and most capable people in the world, they are the shakers and the movers, the people who everyone wants to look up to.  Primary Characters MUST  At least one ability greater than 14 (after racial adjustments) no abilities that are lower than 8.
  * 20 point build
  * Full HP at first level
  * Average starting money (at first level)
  * 1x campaign trait and 1x other trait

==== Secondary Characters ====

Sometimes players finish up with a second character in the game, normally a Squire or Cohort.  These Characters are still adventurers, but play as supporting (rather than leadership) role in life, while they are more powerful and influential than most people in the world, they aren't THE best.     At least one ability must be  greater than 14  (after racial adjustments) and no ability can lower than 8.  Secondary characters use PC Classes, but may only take one Archetype and may not, generally, Multi-Class.  ++Note|//(A Secondary character make take a second class IF they have two abilities at 15 or greater and it does not conflict with any other guidance or rule.  However, the main intent is to keep secondary characters simple and supportive, rather than becoming a focus in their own right.)//++

  * 15 point build
  * Full HP at first level
  * Average starting money  (at first level)
  * 1x campaign trait and 1x other trait 

This is the same specification that I use for all NPCs with PC classes.
==== Entourage Characters ====

If you are playing in one of my campaign games, you may want to build the members of your [[http://rp.baileymail.net/doku.php?id=pathfinder:campaign_systems:entourage|entourage]].  These guys are the best of the rest - they are a step above the everyday labourer and have had something go right for them in life and they have decided to you, your family and your businesses as their employers.  Generally these will be Adepts, Experts or Warriors, occasionally Aristocrats - and they will be loyal to you, so long as you treat them properly.   No abilities lower than 8, at least one ability must be  greater than 12 and no ability should be more than 14  (after racial adjustments).  You should check out the [[http://rp.baileymail.net/doku.php?id=pathfinder:npc_classes:start| NPC Pages]] in my house rules, as I allow variant Adept and Warrior archetypes.  This is the same spec that

  * 10 point build
  * Full HP at first level
  * 30gp starting money
  * 1x trait

This is the same specification that I use for most Craftsmen, Minor Aristocrats, Minor Leaders, Guardsmen, Temple Priests etc.  TBH, most NPCs, of this type, that I write are built as  (Str:12, Con:12, Dex:12, Wis:12, Int:12, Cha:12)  which works out close enough.
==== Commoner ====

It is very unlikely you will ever build a commoner but, to put the other builds in context, most grunt NPCs are built to the following specification.  

  * 5 point build
  * Full HP at first level
  * 20gp starting money
  * No traits
  * No abilities lower than 8

TBH, my NPC commoners as built as  (Str:11, Con:11, Dex:11, Wis:11, Int:11, Cha:11)  which works out close enough.