Character creation
From Thought Police Interactive Fiction
This is an overview of character creation, providing the details of how an actor may build a character. Participants should bear in mind that a completed character may be viewed as an acting guide for the character. For example, elements will describe the basic talents and temperament of a knight. As another example, forces describe the fundamental ideals that drive the character's thought processes and moral judgments. When building and portraying a character, it is important to bear in mind that all of the "statistics" are not simply mechanical tools for the rules, but rather (when taken as a whole) provide a portrait of the knight that describes who they are and what they believe.
Contents |
Step one: Before the dreams
Your character was a normal person most of their life. They lived and worked like any other person. Most of those who discovered they are Reborn knights were generally above average in some way, especially in terms of physical fitness and intelligence. However, some people were so plain as to be easily forgotten before the nightmares came to them, and none of the Reborn knights were exceptionally notable or famous individuals. So first, we should address who the character was before they awoke with the certainty they had lived before and took up the life of a knight.
- Choose and write a concept.
- Choose thirteen Elements between the two categories: physical and spiritual.
- Distribute seven points in class one (Hobbyist) Expertise .
- Distribute six additional points freely in Expertise. (Cost = Class x Rating).
- Distribute seven points in connections.
- Distribute five points in holdings.
Step two: Into knighthood
After the nightmares end when the knight accepts their nature, some fundamental changes take place that are both physical, social and spiritual. Unusual and willful parts of the mind awaken from a sort of slumber and forever alter the world-view of the Reborn. Their knowledge refines and people become drawn to them. They also receive an innate mystical understanding of their role in courtly society.
- Distribute five points into Roles.
- Choose archetypes that define the Ego, Id and Will.
- Assign one free rating each to Ego, Id and Will.
- Choose a House and choose a "natural" Essence from among the "common" essences.
- Assign one free level to the character's primary and natural Essences.
Step three: Finishing touches
After the period of initial adjustment, knights settle into their existence and nature. They also become more free to (re)define themselves and grow in their own way. This period of a knight's life has a heavy impact on their future, as after this “polishing”, they are full members of the Kingdom and expected to fulfill the duties assigned to them. First impressions are said to be important and in the Kingdom they can define a knight's entire career and life.
- Distribute five points among Ego, Id and Will.
- Distribute three points among the Essences of the knight's House.<ref>Subject to limits. See Rank and Essences (rules).</ref>
- Knights have seven health.
- Distribute 30 bonus points among Elements, Expertise, Roles, Connections and Holdings.
Bonus point costs and rating limits
| Elements | 3 points | 20 total maximum. No more than 10 in either category. | |
| Expertise | Class x2 | Expertise ratings are limited to three in character creation.<ref name="spec">Specializations may be purchased at the same cost as one level of the expertise.</ref> | |
| Roles | 3 points | Cannot be raised above three at character creation. | |
| Connections | 1 point | Cannot be raised above five at character creation. | |
| Holdings | 1 point | Cannot be raised above five at character creation. | |
| Forces | 5 points | There is no limit to forces at character creation, but actors should bear in mind their effects at increasing levels (see Forces). | |
| Essence | 5 points | Primary and natural essences cannot be increased beyond three at character creation. Common essences are limited to one. Unnatural and foreign essences (those not common to the knight's House) cannot be taken at character creation. |
See also
Notes
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