Character Generation

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Rex
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Character Generation

#1 Post by Rex »

Campaign ID 977

1. Select a species and sex
a. Human, Khuzdul (dwarf), Sindarin (elf), or other (we will avoid other for these purposes)
b. Male or Female
Comments: HM is an attempt to incorporate realism and verisimilitude into play. Thus it is not a balanced system for PC's and there is no attempt at hiding that or fixing it. The real world isn't and neither is Harn.
Dwarves and Elves are more powerful than Humans. Human Males are larger and thus stronger then females and females have better intuition and aptitude for the esoteric than males.
There are 4 Human races: Harnic (the most common), Jarinese (the first humans to have come to the island of Harn), Ivinians (viking invaders/traders), and numerous Tribal nations.
2. Birth date generation
Roll 1d12 for month and 1d30 for day, determines Sunsign
3. Birth Place, Culture,and Social Class we will ignore for now.
4. Family Development
a. Sibling Rank, roll %d and 1d6-1
I. Khuzdul and Sindarin are -20% to the roll
b. Parent, roll %d, if result is 01-50 or 91-00 roll an additional %d
c. Estrangement. roll %d
I. Eldest child adds +5%
II. Members of small clans and all Khuzdul and Sindarin add +20%
III. A roll of 01 is always an Outcast
d. Clanhead, roll %d, if 01-50 roll another %d each time
5. Appearance Attributes
a. Height, roll 4d6
I. Ivinian +1", Nobility +2", and Urban Poor -2"
b. Frame, roll 3d6
I. Human Female -2, Sindarin -2, and Khuzdul +3
c. Weight, no roll
I. note Character Size from table and modify for Frame, it will modify Strength, clothing and armor weights
d. Comeliness, 3d6
I. Sindarin +2, Tribesman Female (Kath only) +1
e. Other, we are choosing Complexion, Hair and Eye color
Last edited by Rex on Mon May 30, 2022 8:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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Re: Character Generation

#2 Post by Rex »

6. Physical Attributes
a. Strength, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
I. +4 Khuzdul, +1 Sindarin, modifier from Weight/Strength Table
b. Stamina, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
I. Khuzdul +2, Sindarin +1
c. Dexterity, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
I. Khuzdul +1, Sindarin +2
d. Agility, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
I. Sindarin +1, modifier from Agility Frame Table
e. Eyesight, roll 3d6
I. Sindarin +2. Khuzdul +1, Tribesman +1
f. Hearing, roll 3d6
I. Sindarin +2, Khuzdul +2, Tribesman +2
g. Smell. roll 3d6
I. Sindarin +3, Khuzdul +2, Tribesman +2
h. Voice, roll 3d6
I. Sindarin +2
7. Personality Attributes
a. Intelligence, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
b. Aura, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
I. Human Female +2, Sindarin +4, Khuzdul -2
c. Will, key attribute, roll 4d6 drop lowest
I. Khuzdul +3
d. Morality, choose

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Re: Character Generation

#3 Post by Rex »

8. Re-arrange Attributes
a. Do not include Morality
9. Medical
a. Roll %d, if 66-70, roll %d twice
I. Additional rolls may be required
b. You may choose to take a second roll (%d)
I. if you took the roll add a total of +2 to any attribute(s) of your choice as long as it wasn't modified (+ or -) by your Medical rolls
10. Psyche
a. Roll %d, if 66-70 roll %d twice, for each roll of 01-65 roll an addition %d for Severity
b. You may choose to take a second roll (%d)
I. if you took the roll add a total of +3 to any attribute(s) of your choice except Will
11. Sexuality
a, Not rolling, You can note if you want or not
12. Deity/Religion
a. Choose
13. Piety
a. Roll 5d6, if Cleric Willx5 instead (will not know at this point so you will adjust later if necessary)
14. Psionics
a. Roll 3d6, if Aur-the roll is a positive.non-zero number consult with DM
I. Comment, by the rules the DM makes this and following Psionic rolls in secret for the player and notes and informs the player of the Active only. I prefer the player to make the rolls and just require them to roll play what they know or don't know
15. Occupation
a. Choose
I. Note that all Khuzdul and Ivinians without a primary Military Occupation will have Military/Clansman as an additional starting Occupation with no Option Points
b. Choose matching Social Class and Culture (this may be determined by Species/Race selection instead of Occupation)
c. Determine Parent Occupation by discussion with DM, is usually the same as the PC but sometimes not
16. Age
a, Determine age based on Occupation(s)
b. Potentially adjust age up based on discussion with DM
I. Comment, I usually adjust weaker Occupations up with Veteran Years, but this is always based on discussion with the player, if they want the challenge of running a 15 year old Beggar I am OK with it
16. Skills
a. Assign Occupation Skills with OML
b. Assign Family Skills or Adjust OML of Occupation Skills depending on Parents Occupation
c. Discuss Milita option with DM, if granted add Melee Weapon/4, Spear/4 and Shield/4 for unarmored Foot or Bow/4 and Melee Weapon/4, Crossbow/5 and Melee Weapon/4, or Melee Weapon/4 and Sling/3 for unarmored Archer
Note that Melee Weapon type is always at the DM's choice based on starting location but is usually Axe (Hand Axe), Club (Club), or Sword (Short Sword), rarely Dagger (Dagger)
d. Select optional Skills and or adjust current skills (may include additional Veteran Option Points)
17. Invocations and Spells
a. Clerics select Invocations and Mages select spells

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Rex
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Re: Character Generation

#4 Post by Rex »

18. Friends and Enemies
a. Contacts, a number of contacts = age/5 (round)
b. Work through this process for each Contact you have
c. A Contacts office, rank, or tittle is significant, 10% of a high office, rank or tittle where applicable
d. Roll %d to determine Contact (may require additional rolls on Occupation Table)
e. Roll %d to determine Relationship
f. Roll 1d20 to determine Loyalty
g. Once all Contacts are determined, choose 1 to be your Best Friend, adjust their Loyalty to 70+the result of their original d20 Loyalty roll
19. Equipment and Funds
a. Equipment everyone starts with
A set of clothing suitable to their station and occupation (I will give more detail on this)
A backpack with any portable tools of their trade
Fire making tools (tinder box or flint and steel)
bandana or scarf
Waterskin
Knife or Dagger
A weapon for each Weapon Skill (DM's choice)
Armor, maybe, depending on Occupation and Social Class
Credentials, depends on Occupation, Social Class, and situation
b. Funds and additional Equipment, roll 3d6, see Family Wealth Table and Veteran Equipment
I. 3-9 poor, 10-14 Average, 15+ Wealthy
c. Other
I. This category involves items that an individual can make themselves or are likely to have made
II. They must purchase or be able to reasonable gather themselves all raw materials
III. They must have access to any necessary tools, special needs
IV. All required rolls will need to be made, Crafting, Spell Casting, Praying etc.
V. Depending on item and rolls additional attempts may be allowed (Mages will start with a Focus for example but it may take several attempts)
I will note here that High Quality Item, Holy Item, Magic Item creation as well as Herbal and Potion creation are all nicely detailed and even possible for starting characters
20. Connecting the Party
a. I usually have some rational for everyone knowing each other or at least being together, but in this scenario we will not worry about it

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shaidar
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Re: Character Generation

#5 Post by shaidar »

OK, here we go:
1, human, male, Ivinian
2, birthday [1d12]=2, [1d30]=11: Peonu 11th, Aralius/Wands
3, Cleric, viking, unguilded.
4a, [1d100]=35, [1d6-1]=5-1=4 2nd child of 4
4b, [1d100]=93, [1d100]=20 : , mother dead, father remarried - both alive and living togther
4c, [1d100]=73: popular
4d, [1d100]=78: cousin
Appearance Attributes
5a, Height [4d6]=14, 5' 10" and 160 lbs, +1 to Str
5b, Frame [3d6]=11
5d, COM [3d6]=18 - 2 = 16
Physical Attributes
6a, STR [4d6c1]=11 + 4 = 15
6b, STA [4d6c1]=12
6c, DEX [4d6c1]=17
6d, AGI [4d6c1]=10
6e, Eye [3d6]=9
6f, hear [3d6]=12
6g, smell [3d6]=11
6h, voice [3d6]=11
Personality Attributes
7a, INT [4d6c1]=12 + 2 = 14
7b, aura [4d6c1]=16
7c, willp [4d6c1]=16
7d, tbd
8: decided not to rearrange
9, medical, medical #1: [1d100]=63 scars - reduce comliness by 1d3 scars [1d3]=2, second roll: medical #2: [1d100]=5 addiction to alcohol. +2 to INT
10, Psyche, Psyche: [1d100]=64 xenophobia, Psyche severity: [1d100]=79, Psyche #2 [1d100]=48, paranoia, Psyche severity [1d100]=57, +3 to STR
11, heterosexual
12, Sarajin
13, Piety [5d6]=18, cleric = WILLPx5 = 80
14a, psionics: [3d6]=10, 6 talents: [ Psionic talents: [_6d100]=(68+16+10+59+66+94)=313] : Psycometry OML2, Healing OML2, Disembodiment OML2
15a, Cleric
15b, Viking, freeman - unguilded
15c, cleric of Sarajin
16, age 21
16a, Ritual/5, Rhetoric/4, Intrigue/4, Mental Conflict/4, Oratory/3, Folklore/3, Embalming/2, Physician/2, Law/2, Drawing/2, Heraldry/2, Native Tongue 84%, Local Script 83%, Ivinian 84%, Runic 83%; Initative/6, Unarmed/4, Axe/4, Dagger/4, Shield/4, Runecraft/3, Seamanship/2
16b, add +1 to all skills above due to parents occupation.
17, spells TBD
18, contacts:
(i) Contact 1: con [1d100]=31, rel [1d100]=63, loy [1d20]=4
(ii) Contact 2: con [1d100]=30, rel [1d100]=24, loy [1d20]=16
(iii) Contact 3: con [1d100]=16, rel [1d100]=23, loy [1d20]=5
(iv) Contact 4: con [1d100]=94, rel [1d100]=81, loy [1d20]=5
Last edited by shaidar on Tue May 31, 2022 7:07 pm, edited 7 times in total.

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Rex
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Re: Character Generation

#6 Post by Rex »

height 5' 8" (5'6" for female)
frame Medium
Weight
153 lbs no Str mod (145 lbs for a female, -1 to Str)

an Ivinian male would be 5' 10" and 160 lbs, +1 to Str

Psionics will be
Psycometry, OML2 allows you to take am object and determine its age, maker, owners, history, magical/divine/psionic powers, location of most recent owner etc. (my personal favorite talent)
Healing OML2 see below
Disembodiment OML2 think astral projection
If you change to female add
Prescience OML2 danger sense and visions

All of these are great, Healing is huge in this game. It grants the following powers.
Empathy for a patient, the ability to diagnose their mental state and physical ailments
Restoration, the ability to remove fatigue
Stop bleeding
Heal injuries, in certain circumstance even cure infection

No mater what occupation you choose your psionics will make you very useful. I didn't notice what your psionics were but my other post still stands.

You could consider an Apothecary, he could make potions to supplement his very significant psionic ability. Your option points would need to go to some sort of combat skills in that case and maybe add Militia membership.

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Re: Character Generation

#7 Post by shaidar »

OK, then I'll go for a male cleric of Sarajin, with an addiction to alcohol and a strong belief in the superiority of the Ivinian race.

I've added a second psyche roll (paranoia), and will add the +3 to strength. What would you suggest I then do with the +2 from medical for best result as a cleric?

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Rex
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Re: Character Generation

#8 Post by Rex »

I would go with Int. Your Ritual score will be (Voi+ Int+ Str)/3 +1 (sunsign). That is what you will use to pray (perform Invocations). Int is also more used in other skills then Voi.

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shaidar
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Re: Character Generation

#9 Post by shaidar »

I've fed all the discussion/info from your posts into my original post above.

I'm not sure where I go next, seems less dice rolls now and more discussion :)

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Re: Character Generation

#10 Post by Rex »

Next step for rolling is Friends and Enemies (Contacts)
Next big step is calculating Skill SB, spending your 5 option points, and calculate ML.
age is 21 (I use 7 years for clerics, they get a lot of skills plus Invocations).
I also need to send you a list of Invocations you have and some to pick from.
You can also start filling in a character sheet if you haven't already.
I will try and send you stuff after work tonight, I am running low on time right now.

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Re: Character Generation

#11 Post by shaidar »

Thanks. Don't mean to come over as pushy, just enthused! I'll apply the brakes a little.

I'll make those rolls and fill in one of those character sheets and post it up sometime tomorrow.

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Re: Character Generation

#12 Post by Rex »

Not at all I am enthused as well. Maybe just roll for 4 contacts (age/5, 21/5=4). Roll %d for contact, %d for relationship and d20 for loyalty. You may need to roll on the occupation table if you get serf, unguilded, or guilded.

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Re: Character Generation

#13 Post by Rex »

Also.
Your parent occupation would be Cleric of Sarajin. The clergy of Sarajin are based in Temple clanhouses where the entire clan serves Sarajin. Sometimes You clergy will separate out for whatever reason and go forth to establish new clanhouses, wander and seek converts or for a calling.

Clerical Skills are listed on Character 23 (I think you said you have the rules), if not I Will post in the tables thread tonight.

Remember that you get +1 OML to all your skills as your parent has the same occupation, you also can not spend any of your initial 5 option points to improve Ritual. Thankfully with your parents bonus you will have Ritual/5.

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Re: Character Generation

#14 Post by shaidar »

8-)

I don't have the rules.

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Re: Character Generation

#15 Post by Rex »

Sorry about that. I just posted the cleric base skills, Sarajin specific skills, and your churches language and script in the tables thread.

Also, there is an error on the Skill tables for Unarmed, its OML should be 3 not 4. You will open it at OML5, 4 for Sarajin plus 1 for parent bonus.

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Re: Character Generation

#16 Post by shaidar »

Updated my original post above with skills and contacts. I rolled a GMs special contact, but I'm happy to reroll that if you want.

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Re: Character Generation

#17 Post by Pulpatoon »

Alright, let's dive in!
Untitled Harn Character

Species: Sindarin

Female
(I do not love that gender-essentialism is baked into character generation.)

Birthdate

Halane 14, Tarael (symbol: Pentacle)

Family

4th Child (of 2?)

Both parents alive and living together.

Popular. Well liked by relatives, some special favor. (Oh! Forgot to add +20… which brings me one point away from being the most special boy of all!)



Distant Relation. Grandparent’s cousin.

Appearance


(I don’t know what these results signify.)


Physical Attributes (unmodified for frame/weight)






(oh, wait! That should have +3, not +2. So, a 12. I smell worth 12.)


Personality Attributes




Unscrupulous (Oh dang! I know you said we could choose, but this is so different that what I usually play, I think I’ll run with it.)

Medical

Parasites! I got fleas!
Psyche

Aichmophobia, fear of blades.


Diety With my Morality of 5, my first thought was Halea, but given that I'm riddled with fleas, maybe I've been spending my time in the company of beasts, sorcerous and otherwise. So, Ilvir it is.


Under Aura! 2 talent rolls?

Sensitivity OML 3 (+1 for Tarael)
Clairvoyance OML 3 (+1 for Tarael)


Cook/Servant

Okay, I finished the character, but because this process takes literally hours, ended up losing the second half. To recreate it, I'm just going to type the results in from memory, without the rolls. I hope you'll trust me!
Second Occupation: Cleric/shaman
Age: 20
Contacts: 4
Cousin (Close Friend: 74%), Unguilded (Friend: 55%), Aunt (Enemy: 0%), Another Aunt (Close Friend: 82%)
Can I take the Unguilded as Best Friend and but them up to 75%?
Family Wealth: 14

I'd fiddled around with skills and equipment, but not with any confidence that I was doing it correctly. Could you guide me with that?
And how do I figure out Invocations?
And figure out the station of her contacts?
Well, I was actively frustrated and exhausted by this process, but I'm intrigued by the character who resulted: A beautiful, filthy, resentful young woman who worked in her richest aunt's kitchens until her dark mutterings and furtive scratchings got her booted out of the manor. So she returned to her mother's hearth and learned the sorcerous ways of Ilvir.

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Re: Character Generation

#18 Post by Rex »

shaidar wrote: Tue May 31, 2022 7:14 pm Updated my original post above with skills and contacts. I rolled a GMs special contact, but I'm happy to reroll that if you want.
Looking good shaidar. If you have time and want to you can start to fill out a sheet. If not I will when I get some time. I am fine with a special contact, I will think on it. Just get the basic on for now, don't worry about the skill SB and ML unless you want to just give a few a try. I will get you some info Wednesday when I have a minute on spells.

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Re: Character Generation

#19 Post by shaidar »

No worries, I'll have a go filling in a sheet today (wednesday) and post it later.

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Re: Character Generation

#20 Post by Rex »

Pulpatoon wrote: Tue May 31, 2022 8:35 pm Alright, let's dive in!
Untitled Harn Character

Species: Sindarin

Female
(I do not love that gender-essentialism is baked into character generation.)

Birthdate

Halane 14, Tarael (symbol: Pentacle)

Family

4th Child (of 2?)

Both parents alive and living together.

Popular. Well liked by relatives, some special favor. (Oh! Forgot to add +20… which brings me one point away from being the most special boy of all!)



Distant Relation. Grandparent’s cousin.

Appearance


(I don’t know what these results signify.)


Physical Attributes (unmodified for frame/weight)






(oh, wait! That should have +3, not +2. So, a 12. I smell worth 12.)


Personality Attributes




Unscrupulous (Oh dang! I know you said we could choose, but this is so different that what I usually play, I think I’ll run with it.)

Medical

Parasites! I got fleas!
Psyche

Aichmophobia, fear of blades.


Diety With my Morality of 5, my first thought was Halea, but given that I'm riddled with fleas, maybe I've been spending my time in the company of beasts, sorcerous and otherwise. So, Ilvir it is.


Under Aura! 2 talent rolls?

Sensitivity OML 3 (+1 for Tarael)
Clairvoyance OML 3 (+1 for Tarael)


Cook/Servant

Okay, I finished the character, but because this process takes literally hours, ended up losing the second half. To recreate it, I'm just going to type the results in from memory, without the rolls. I hope you'll trust me!
Second Occupation: Cleric/shaman
Age: 20
Contacts: 4
Cousin (Close Friend: 74%), Unguilded (Friend: 55%), Aunt (Enemy: 0%), Another Aunt (Close Friend: 82%)
Can I take the Unguilded as Best Friend and but them up to 75%?
Family Wealth: 14

I'd fiddled around with skills and equipment, but not with any confidence that I was doing it correctly. Could you guide me with that?
And how do I figure out Invocations?
And figure out the station of her contacts?
Well, I was actively frustrated and exhausted by this process, but I'm intrigued by the character who resulted: A beautiful, filthy, resentful young woman who worked in her richest aunt's kitchens until her dark mutterings and furtive scratchings got her booted out of the manor. So she returned to her mother's hearth and learned the sorcerous ways of Ilvir.
Hi Pulpatoon, it is definitely an old school system (started in 1986 and this edition is from 2003 I think). If you are not feeling it that is OK, the most difficult part of the system is certainly character generation. It isn't for everyone and I totally understand that. Part of the point in this exercise from my perspective is to give people a chance to give it a try and if it doesn't work out that is fine. So don't worry about hurting my feelings if you want to drop out, its all good.

In case you want to stick it out I will fill some blanks.

Sindarin Female
Height 65"
Frame Medium (Sindarin are -3 to frame)
Weight 141 lbs, -1 Str
If you choose to take another Medical roll you would get +2 to add anywhere that isn't effected by medical rolls.
If you choose to take another psyche roll you can add +3 to anything except Will.
Psionics, the +1 for sunsign is to the SB, so your OML will be 2. Still good.
For your Occupation were you taking Cook/Servant or Cleric of Ilvir?
If Cleric I will post the Skill info once I know.

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