Back to Creating a Character

First you need to decide your character's general flavour.  The list below just gives some examples.  Some people don't need a theme -- your can enter your character's life just when they are 'starting over' or 'turning over a new leaf'.  Still, it is good to have an idea of your character's history.  Think of what professions they've had, or what they've done with their lives up until now. 

If you're having trouble deciding what you want your character to be like, you can begin with a character theme that you build the personality and stats of your character around. Such a theme will also give your ST a good foundation for creating adventures for you. Just remember not to let a theme limit you - people change over time, and you may decide to switch professions, take another path, or your adventures may lead you astray.

This is information you are going to keep in your head.  You don't need to put it on your Character Sheet.  Once you've determined a general feel for your character, determine his or her Race.

Some possible themes are--

Courtier/Courtesan - Involved with higher society, romancing, and court intrigue. Human interaction and the play of emotions will be powerful elements. You'll advance or fall based on how good you can make people feel about themselves and life while avoiding the pitfalls of falling in love or having your reputation smeared by competing courtiers/courtesans.

Spy - You'll be hired by a political entity or a private individual to spy on other people or provinces. You may be involved with courts, politics, or other covert operations. You'll need to keep a flawless reputation of trustworthiness to those who hire you. Betrayal and bribery are powerful forces in this profession.

Thief - From a common cutpurse to a cat burglar, you'll be honing your skills while you plan thefts to gain gold and deal with the watchful eyes of authorities, bounty hunters, or mercenaries out to get you. You may also have relations with other thieves and any local thieves’ guild influences.

Adventurer - Seeking fame by picking up the leads of others, adventurers explore ruins, look for pirate treasure, explore unknown territory, and are sometimes hired to slay a troublesome beast, drive off Sereg, or even to pursue urban adventures. You'll not be worried much about reputation, but more about having enough gold to keep living your free and dangerous lifestyle.

Mercenary - Reputation is all-important to you, as you specialize in hiring yourself out to private individuals or political entities for all manner of work, from recovery of stolen property or kidnapped people to guard work to teaching fighting skills. People often want some strange things done, so your work can be very interesting and highly exciting.

Bounty Hunter - Most cities, and even some smaller towns, will have 'wanted' posters in their guardhouses with likenesses, descriptions, and any other relevant information regarding the criminal posted. There will also be a bounty, which can range from a few hundred silver for a less dangerous and wanted outlaw to 10,000 silver or more for highly desired outlaws. You'll do your best to gather clues, locate, and bring the outlaws in to the authorities.

Ambassador- You must be very trusted to have a position of this nature. You'll be in charge of traveling to a specific province, living there for an extended time, and negotiating trade and other relations with the rulers of that province. You may very well be involved in various intrigues and manipulations.

Sage - It's all about the pursuit of knowledge to you. But instead of spending all your time in the library, you can make a name for yourself in scholarly circles by studying, first hand, some interesting aspect of the world (naval warfare, Maelmuire, vampires, lycanthropy, the psychology of twylahs, etc.)

Trader - To earn your gold you'll need to purchase things at one place and sell them at another. Often traders travel from province to province, on their own ship if they are rich enough. As well, traders who go out of their way to more dangerous provinces (Shavay, Japura, Tirané, etc.) and manage to bring back goods can become quite rich and walk among the highest of high society. Personal relations, gold, and knowledge of languages and customs will all be important elements in your life.

Trying-to-be-Famous Artisan - As an artisan trying to make a name for yourself, you'll not only have to create good work, but find places to sell it. You'll be dealing with fellow artisan friends, who may be supportive or jealous, the desires of customers, and the whims of shoppe keepers. Your life will otherwise be similar to that of a commoner.

Commoner - You'll have a regular sort of job, and live a simple life of working, making ends meet, and having fun. You might be learning skills, saving up for something, or otherwise trying to change your lot. Most of your life will revolve around your relationships with other people, and many commoners spend a lot of time at parties and other gatherings. Friends, romance, and stranger factors, such as cult recruiters or vampires or demons may all play a part in your life.

Teacher - As a teacher you'll usually be a bit older and will train people in any skill or knowledge you possess. You'll have to deal with the politics of teaching, with snippy or romantically inclined students, and all manners of everyday life.

Knight - Official Warriors of a royal family, knights are often sent on missions to repel Sereg, rescue people, or patrol areas. You are first and foremost an elite soldier who must do the bidding of those above you. Still, you will be high of rank, and will likely be granted holdings after you retire (usually 10 years of service). You'll enjoy armor, horses, and weapons, which are supplied for you by those you serve and will be paid well, but you'll also be required to be totally loyal. If you lose the favor of those above you, you'll fall.

Baron/Baroness - Most provinces have their lands broken into smaller areas ruled by Barons or Baronesses. In this position you'll have your own lands, villages, and towns, which you must rule over and protect against danger. You'll have the right to taxation and the right to create your own laws, within the dictates of the King or Queen you are under. Most baronies are from three round leagues to twenty round leagues, and range from quite close to other cities to far out in the wilderness. You'll have to gain knights, train militia, and worry about crops, revolts (if you don't treat people well), monsters, and a multitude of other factors, all the while keeping your relationship good with the higher-ups (who can remove you from your position if you cross them too strongly).

Explorer - Official explorers (as opposed to adventurers) are in the employ of private or political entities. You'll be well equipped (even with a ship if you're going to unknown lands), and will be expected to travel to new places, explore them, and keep precise records and journals of what you find. If you find new civilizations, you'll want to attempt to negotiate some sort of trade for the benefit of whoever is hiring you.

Entertainer - As a tumbler, player, singer, or any other sort of entertainer, you'll want to make a name for yourself by getting yourself hired to the most prestigious gatherings possible, and by doing a very good job at your performance. Entertainers must relate well to those who hire them, deal with the competition of other entertainers, and earn enough gold to live comfortably.

Arcane Delver- Many old magics are nearly lost- as an arcane delver, you'll follow leads and explore the workings and origins of such magics. You may be involved with cults, exploring ruins, adventuring, and odd magical experimentation.

Huntsman/woman- As the provider of meat for either a business that sells it, a restaurant, or a private family (or many), you'll not only brave the dangers of the wilderness and spend nights in the wild, but you'll pursue the thrill of the hunt and still have to have enough people skills to be a pleasant appearance at the doorstep of your customers. You can earn a lot of gold by hunting specialty meats, such as Chimera or Forest Dragon, but such hunts can often prove fatal.

Next, determine your character's Race.

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