Rise of the Twilight Empire
Character Creation Primer
Follow these steps to create a character for this game.
1. Choose a Race
Pick a race from the races page and see how they fit in the world. Or if there is another race you’d like to play, talk with me about it and we’ll work them into the world somehow. Note: Some of the races have been slightly changed and a couple have been homebrewed. Use the stat blocks on the races page.
2. Choose a Class
Check out the classes page and choose the class that sounds coolest to you. If you’re interested in a build from WotC’s Unearthed Arcana series, I’ll probably allow it, just talk with me first. I strongly recommend the alternate ranger build if you’re interested in that class. Also, keep an eye toward party composition. A party should have at least one of each of the following roles:
Role | Classes best fitting that role |
Front line fighter/Tank | Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian |
Scout/Skirmisher | Ranger, Rogue, Monk |
Healer/Buffer | Cleric, Druid, Bard |
Artillery/Controller | Wizard, Sorcerer, Warlock |
3. Determine Ability Scores
You have 27 points to spend on your ability scores (before they are modified by your race. The point costs are as follows:
Score | Cost |
8 | 0 |
9 | 1 |
10 | 2 |
11 | 3 |
12 | 4 |
13 | 5 |
14 | 7 |
15 | 9 |
Alternate Method
Roll 3d6 nine times and record the scores in a 3×3 grid. Then write the names of the ability scores like this:
Int | Wis | Cha | |
Str | x | x | x |
Dex | x | x | x |
Con | x | x | x |
Choose a score from the corresponding row or column for that ability, and once you do cross it off. Then, in addition to a racial ability modifier, you get a class modifier as well.
Class | Bonus |
Barbarian | +1 Str & Con |
Bard | +1 Cha & Int |
Cleric | +1 Wis & Cha |
Druid | +1 Wis & Con |
Fighter | +1 Str/Dex & Con |
Monk | +1 Str/Dex & Wis |
Paladin | +1 Str & Cha |
Ranger | +1 Dex & Wis |
Rogue | +1 Dex & Int |
Sorcerer | +1 Cha & Con |
Warlock | +1 Cha & Int |
Wizard | +1 Int & Wis |
All players must use the same method to generate their characters.
4. Choose a Background
Choose a background from the following list, or consult with the DM to develop a unique one if none of the listed ones quite fit. Some of the PHB backgrounds have been modified and I’ve added a few unique to the world.
Name | Skills | Tools | Languages | Feature |
Acolyte | Arcana, History | None | Any two | Shelter of the Faithful |
Artisan | Insight, Persuasion | Artisan Tools | Any one | Guild Membership |
Charlatan/Spy | Deception, Sleight of Hand | Disguise Kit, Forgery Kit | None | False Identity |
Criminal | Deception, Stealth | Gaming Set, Thieves’ Tools | None | Criminal Contact |
Entertainer | Acrobatics, Performance | Disguise Kit, Musical Instrument | None | By Popular Demand |
Hermit | Medicine, Survival | Herbalism Kit, Musical Instrument | None | Secret Knowledge |
Hunter/Trapper | Perception, Survival | Musical Instrument | Any one | Geographic Knowledge |
Knight | Animal Handling, History | Gaming Set or Musical Instrument | None | Knightly Regard |
Monster Hunter | Arcana, Investigation | Herbalism Kit | Any one | Dark Secret |
Merchant | Insight, Persuasion | Land Vehicles | Any one | Trading Network |
Noble | History, Persuasion | Gaming Set or Musical Instrument | Any one | Position of Privilege |
Outsider | Arcana, Religion | None | Any two | Exotic Presence |
Pauper | Sleight of Hand, Stealth | Disguise Kit, Thieves’ Tools | None | Streetwise |
Sage | Arcana, History | None | Any two | Researcher |
Simple Farmer | Animal Handling, Survival | Artisan Tools, Land Vehicles | None | Rustic Hospitality |
Soldier | Athletics, Intimidation | Gaming Set, Land Vehicles | None | Military Rank |
Temple Knight | History, Religion | None | Any two | Figure of Legend |
5. Character Traits
Alignment
I don’t use alignment in my games. If you want to write an alignment on your character sheet to guide your roleplaying go ahead, but no characters in the world will ever reference alignment and it will never have any mechanical effect. Also, don’t expect monsters to be allies or enemies based on what their traditional alignment is. Heroes in my games have had to ally with goblins and undead, and have had to fight angels. Instead of alignment, your character is defined by their ideal, bonds, flaws, and goals.
Ideal
A short sentence that sums up your character’s belief system. Your ideals are the things that you believe in most strongly, the fundamental moral and ethical principles that compel you to act as you do. Ideals encompass everything from your life goals to your core belief system. The backgrounds in the PHB have sample ideals you can choose (or roll for if you want). A character may only have one core ideal, though it may change if the events of the campaign warrant it.
Bonds
A bond is a person, place, or thing important to your character. Even the most jaded loner has something they care about, something tying them to the world. A character can have as many bonds as you like. At least one of your bonds must be to one of the other PCs.
Flaw
Pick a personality flaw for your character. No one’s perfect, and the most interesting characters are the flawed ones. The good news is that if you play into your character’s flaw in an interesting way, you can be granted Inspiration, which can be used to gain advantage on rolls. Once again, if you have trouble thinking of a flaw, there are tables to roll on for your background in the PHB.
Goals
What does your character want? The wilderness is a dangerous place. You’d be insane to go out into it. Why are you?