1.14.1 Character generation example - Cogan the Barbarian

Character concept (see 1.3)

Cogan is a naive barbarian warrior, with lots of strength but not much subtlety. He was a barbarian tribesman up to the age of 17, when he was sold into slavery as a gladiator. Breaking free from captivity, he struck out as a thief and occasional mercenary. He has travelled far and wide, but is still somewhat naive.

Starting cp value (see 1.4)

The referee is running an Average campaign level, and so Cogan has a starting cp value of 25, can spend up to 12 cps on characteristics, have up to 2 talents and spend up to 2 extra cps on any single skill.

Characteristics (see 1.5)

The player describes Cogan as Human, Male, adult (aged 27), tall (height 185 cm), exceptionally muscular (weight 152 kg), normal looks, exceptionally tough, sure-footed, observant, naive, honourable, boorish/rude, fearless and stubborn.

This description determines Cogan's characteristics as follows:

Category

Description of character CS modifiers
ST CO PE CH IQ WP
Race Human 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gender Male 1/2 -1/2 -1/2 . . 1/2
Age Adult . . . . . .
Height Tall 1/2 . . . . .
Build Exceptionally muscular 1 1/2 . . . . .
Looks Normal . . . . . .
Fitness Exceptionally tough 1 1/2 . . . . .
Agility Sure-footed . 1 . 1/2 . .
Dexterity Normal . . . . . .
Perception Observant . . 1 1/2 . . .
Worldliness Naive . . -1/2 . -1 .
Temperament Honourable . . . 1/2 . 1/2
Behaviour Boorish/rude . . . -1/2 -1/2 .
Attitude to risk/danger Fearless . . . 1/2 -1/2 1/2
Motivation Stubborn . . . -1/2 . 1
Intelligence Normal . . . . . .
Total +4

ST

+1/2

CO

+1/2

PE

+1/2

CH

-2

IQ

+2 1/2

WP

Cogan has a total of +6 CS (6 above the average of zero), worth a total of 12 cps, just within the limit set by the referee (see above).

He has a exceptionally high ST score, a high WP score and a low IQ score.

Talents (see 1.6)

Based on his starting cp level (see above), Cogan can have up to 2 talents. Cogan's player decides that Cogan has an affinity for nature and so gives him Talent for Survival (worth 2 cps). Cogan is also an alert Light Sleeper (worth 2 cps). The total value of his talents is 4 cps.

Disabilities (see 1.7)

During his past adventures, Cogan ran foul of a magician who cast a spell on Cogan leaving him with No Shadow (worth -2 cps). Cogan is also naturally Unlucky (worth -2 cps). The total value of his disabilities is -4 cps.

Background bonuses (see 1.8)

Over the course of his life, Cogan started living in the Northern Wastes and spent over 10 years there (Background bonus -2 cps). . Since then, he spent a few years in the City States of the Middle Sea (Background bonus -1 1/2 cps). , before travelling to the Eastern Steppes for a few years (Background bonus -1 1/2 cps). Finally, along the way he spent about a year in the Laurelan Empire (Background bonus -1 cps).

Cogan spent his first 17 years as a Tribesman (Background bonus -10 cps), and since then has spent a few years as a Warrior (Background bonus -6 cps) and a few years as a Thief (Background bonus -6 cps).

The total value of his background bonuses is -28 cps.

Skill scores required by background

The next stage is to work out what Cogan is required to spend on skill scores as a result of his background bonuses.

Skill Reason Must spend cps Equivalent skill score
Regional Knowledge Northern Wastes Location visited >10 years 4 cps 4
Regional Knowledge Middle Sea City States Location visited a few years 3 cps 3
Regional Knowledge Eastern Steppes Location visited a few years 3 cps 3
Regional Knowledge Laurelan Empire Location visited a year 2 cps 2
Survival Tribesman >10 years Primary 4 cps 4
Skiing/Skating Tribesman >10 years Primary 4 cps 4
Athletics Tribesman >10 years Secondary & Thief a few years Primary 3 cps + 3 cps = 6 cps 6
Climbing Tribesman >10 years Secondary & Thief a few years Secondary 3 cps + 2 cps = 5 cps 5
Combat Tribesman >10 years Secondary & Warrior a few years Primary 3 cps + 3 cps = 6 cps 6
Stealth Thief a few years Primary 3 cps 3
Melee Warrior a few years Primary & Thief a few years Secondary 3 cps + 2 cps = 5 cps 5
Shield Warrior a few years Secondary 2 cps 2
Tactics Warrior a few years Secondary 2 cps 2
Throwing Tribesman >10 years Secondary 3 cps 3
Intimidation Warrior a few years Secondary 2 cps 2
Valuation Thief a few years Secondary 2 cps 2
Total . 56 cps .

Relationships (see 1.10)

Cogan's status is Freeman (0 cps). Cogan is a devout believer in Crumm, who very rarely appears to him in dreams and tells him what to do - Cogan always obeys these divine commands and this often puts him in life-threatening situations (worth -1 x 4 = -4 cps). The magican, Tut-Amen, who stole Cogan's shadow, is an enemy of Cogan's and will try to kill or imprison him - Tut-Amen is more powerful than Cogan and remembers Cogan reasonably well (worth -3 x (1 + 1) = -6 cps).

The total value of his relationships is -10 cps.

Behaviour traits (see 1.11)

Cogan never breaks his/her sworn word (worth -2 cps), always tells the truth (worth -4 cps), and has a chivalric conduct towards women (worth - 3 cps). He tends to be a bit promiscuous (worth -1 cps) and enjoys his drink (worth -1 cps). The incident with Tut-Amen has left Cogan with an irrational fear of magic (worth -3 x 1 = - 3 cps).

The total value of his behaviour traits is -14 cps.

Starting possessions (see 1.12)

At the start of play, Cogan has a reasonable amount of possessions, mostly weapons and armour, and so his player starts him off as Average wealth (worth 0 cps), giving him between £1 (20s) and £10 (200s) to spend on initial possessions.

Cogan's starting equipment is as follows:

Equipment Weight Cost Size/location
Studded leather armour shirt (Chest and Abdomen) 11.4 kg (15% x 152 kg x 50%) 2 s 5d (6s x 40%) W (worn)
Heavy clothing (plain furs) 9.1 kg (6% x 152 kg) 1s W (worn)
Open metal helmet 2.5 kg 3s W (worn)
2 Throwing knives 0.4 kg 2s S (waist belt)
1 Silvered Steel Dagger 0.3 kg 7s 11d S (concealed in left boot)
Hand & Half sword 3 kg 10 s L (back)
Truncheon 0.8 kg 6d S (waist belt)
Short sword 1 kg 3 s M (waist belt)
Pouch with flint and steel 0.5 kg. 3d S (waist belt).
Pouch with 1s 6d in loose coins 0.125 kg 1s 6d S (waist belt)
Pouch with £2, 10s in loose coins 0.15 kg 50s S (concealed inside armour)
Good quality gold ring 0.05 kg 22s S (worn on hand)
Pendant made from an averagely cut piece of haemetite 0.05 kg 40s S (worn round neck)
Total 29.375 kg 143s 7d .

Cogan's armour protection values are 6 for his Head, 0 for his Eyes, 3 for his Throat, 4 for his Chest, Abdomen, and Groin, and 2 for his Legs, Arms and Hands. He suffers a -1 penalty on all PE dice rolls due to wearing his helmet.

Balancing the character

At this point, Cogan's total cps value is +12 (Characteristics) + 4 (Talents) -4 (Disabilities) - 28 (Background bonuses) - 10 (Relationships) -14 (Behaviour traits) + 56 (Skills) +0 (Wealth) = 16 cps. This compares favourably with his allowed starting cps total of 25. Cogan's player breathes a sigh of relief and works out how to spend the difference (i.e. 9 cps) to bring Cogan up to the allowed 25 cps total for an Average starting character.

He wants Cogan to be very good at surviving in the wild, so adds the maximum 2 cps to his Survival skill. He decides that Cogan should be a competent at swimming and riding, and so allocates 2 cps (the maximum extra amount he is allowed to allocate) to both Swimming and Riding skills. He wants Cogan to be really good in a fight, so allocates an extra 1 cp to his Combat skill. He also decides that Cogan should have some basic familiarity with Medicine and Influence so allocates the last cps to these (one to each skill).

Deciding skill scores and specialisms

Finally, the player works out Cogan's skill limit in each of his skills, determines his skill score and then decides on the specialisms. These are set out below:

Skill cps allocated Skill limit Skill score Specialism
Regional Knowledge Northern Wastes 4 cps 4 (IQ) 4 (Highly skilled) +2 Languages (Broad)
Regional Knowledge Middle Sea City States 3 cps 4 (IQ) 3 (Skilled) +1 1/2 Languages (Broad)
Regional Knowledge Eastern Steppes 3 cps 4 (IQ) 3 (Skilled) +1 1/2 Languages (Broad)
Regional Knowledge Laurelan Empire 2 cps 4 (IQ) 2 (Competent) +1 Languages (Broad)
Survival 4 cps + 2 cps = 6 cps 6 1/2 (ST,PE,WP) +2* = 8 1/2 6 (Expert) + 2* +3 Woods (Narrow), +3 Mountains (Narrow)
Skiing/Skating 4 cps 6 1/2 (CO) 4 (Highly skilled) +2 Skiing (Broad)
Athletics 6 cps 6 1/2 (ST, CO) 6 (Expert) +2 Lifting (Broad)

+1 Stamina (Broad)

Climbing 5 cps 6 1/2 (ST, CO) 5 (Highly skilled) +1 Speed (Broad)

+1 1/2 Safety (Broad)

Combat 6 cps + 1 cp = 7 cps 6 1/2 (ST, CO) 6 1/2 (Expert) +1 Speed (Broad)

+1 Soaking (Broad)

+ 2 1/2 Punch (Narrow)

Stealth 3 cps 6 1/2 (CO, WP) 3 (Skilled) +1 1/2 Move quietly (Broad)
Melee 5 cps 6 1/2 (ST, CO) 5 (Highly skilled) +1 1/2 Swords (Broad)

+2 Hand-&-Half (Narrow)

Shield 2 cps 6 1/2 (CO, PE) 2 (Competent) +1 Parrying (Broad)
Tactics 2 cps 4 (IQ) 2 (Competent) .+1 Initiative (Broad)
Throwing 3 cps 6 1/2 (ST, CO, PE) 3 (Skilled) +3 Throwing knife (Narrow)
Intimidation 2 cps 8 1/2 (ST, WP) 2 (Competent) +1 Direct physical threat (Broad)
Valuation 2 cps 6 (PE, IQ) 2 (Competent) +1 Gems and jewelry (Broad)
Swimming 2 cps 6 1/2 (ST, CO) 2 (Competent) +2 Staying afloat (Narrow)
Riding 2 cps 6 1/2 (CO, WP) 2 (Competent) +1 Horses (Broad)
Medicine 1 cp 6 (PE, IQ) 1 (Basic familiarity) +1/2 First Aid (Broad)
Influence 1 cp 6 1/2 (CH) 1 (Basic familiarity) + 1 Assertion (Narrow)
Total 65 cps . . .

Initial current situation

Cogan starts the game with no wounds and fully rested. His Lift is 22.9 kg (=15 kg [for ST +4] times 152.5% [6 Athletics +2 specialism +2 1/2 WP = 10 1/2 giving 52.5% increase]). Given that he is carrying between 22.9kg and 45.8kg, he is lightly encumbered and has an encumbrance modifier to his CO of +1.

Calculating combat basic values

It is useful to calculate a few common combat basic values before the start of play, so that these can be referred to quickly during combat situations:

For Cogan's main weapons, these are as follows:

Weapon Mode (Rg/APs) Skill score CO ST Attack mod. Parry mod. Dmg. rating Attack BV Block BV Dmg BV
Hand-&-half 1-handed slash (M/3) 8 1/2 +1 1/2 +4 +3 +2 10 13 12 14
Hand-&-half 2-handed cut (M/3) 8 1/2 +1 1/2 +4 +4 +3 12 14 13 16
Short sword Slash (M/2) 6 1/2 +1 1/2 +4 +2 +1 8 10 9 12
Short sword Thrust (M/3) 6 1/2 +1 1/2 +4 +1 +1 10 9 9 14
Dagger Stab (C/2) 5 +1 1/2 +4 +3 +1 9 9 1/2 7 1/2 13
Throwing knife Thrown (10/2) 6 +1 1/2 +4 +2 N/A 7 9 1/2 N/A 11
Truncheon Swing (C/3) 6 1/2 +1 1/2 +4 +1 +0 8 9 8 12
Unarmed Punch (C/2) 9 +1 1/2 +4 +0 N/A 5 10 1/2 N/A 9

Cogan's basic combat defence (if he does not make a maneuver) is equal to his Combat + CO = 8. He gets a +2/+3 bonus for dodging, depending on the dodge used (he has no dodge specialisms that would add to this).

Completed character sheet

You can see Cogan's completed character sheet in the following formats: