Character creation

When creating a character, even though there is no specific place for such information, one of the most important aspects of creating a character is giving them a proper backstory. There are many reasons why this is the case, like the fact a backstory can often help clear up a character’s in-game personality and goals, making RP interactions much more consistent and responses easier to come up with, or the fact it can lead to the creation of multiple unique scenarios, interactions or quests based on locations or people your character had some sort of relation with in the past, or because it can give your character unique items and attributes. Depending on a character’s backstory, with a DM’s approval¹, bonus items (even unique items!), some skills (they can be low level skills from classes (or even races!) you don’t have, skill that you technically don’t meet the requirement for, unique skills, or custom versions of pre-existing skills that can be stronger), reputation, masteries, bonus stats, special racial stat multipliers, knowing languages, levels, etc. can all be given out to newly started characters.

Another important thing that should be noted is that player classes and races aren’t set in stone, even though I highly recommend new players to try and pick template classes and races². For races, with a DM’s permission, basically anything goes, the only real requirement is that you create and submit a document containing a race’s description, how they act, and a coherent and complete set of skills (though you should expect them to be rebalanced, especially for anything that has to do with numbers) for the race to a DM and wait for them to send you a rebalanced and approved version. You can make half-breeds³ that have a mix of characteristics and abilities from different races⁴. Some of the non-conventional races that are found in encounters like golems, elementals, goblins, undead, demons, vampires, etc. can be used for character creation, though these cases do require a proper backstory to explain your character’s unique circumstances.

Classes similarly can be customized to fit a player’s wishes. Players can have up to 3 classes⁵, they can develop unique skills related to a class they use (with a DM’s approval), they can customize pre-existing skills from a class they use (with a DM’s approval), they can create new regular spells for classes they use (especially relevant in the case of mages and bards) and they can even create completely new classes⁶ if they want. Similarly to using non-conventional races however, to play as a custom classes you need to submit a document containing what the class is, it’s gimmick, and a complete and coherent set of skills to a DM and wait for said DM to rebalance and approve the document. Once a class is approved, it will be added (unless asked to not do so) to the normal class list.

1. Obviously there are limits to this, characters cannot start off as gods, or be higher level than 10 by default, and the amount and quality of the things a character receives needs to make sense considering the character’s backstory. Again, these bonuses come at a DM’s discretion. There can also be debuffs that come from backstories. ↩

2. In the case of races, especially the simpler ones like Human, Elf, Noki, and Dwarf. ↩

3. This does include real demi-dragons. ↩

4. Even if half-breeds only mix abilities and characteristics from normal races, to play as one, you still need to submit a complete design document to make sure it stays at least somewhat balanced. ↩

5. Though, this depends on the complexity of the already-known classes. ↩

6. Custom classes don’t necessarily need to be fully functional or to have at least 12 skills like the default classes, they can be designed to be used as a secondary class, similarly, skills don’t necessarily need to follow the usual progression of being learned at levels 1, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, they can be learned at any level or even be locked behind certain stat, reputation, location, or item requirements. ↩