Welcome! I’m excited to show you a new way to create characters that combines storytelling with game rules. This system is modular, meaning it’s made of parts that can be mixed and matched. It turns complex story ideas into simple numbers that help writers and game designers make deeper and more consistent characters.
Here’s how it starts:
Birth Stats Setup:
You can start by either rolling dice like a six sided dice -1 to find out your character’s basic strengths and weaknesses, or you can just choose numbers from 0 to 5 for each stat depending on your use. This choice helps you control how your character begins their journey, making it random or specific based on your story or game needs. There may need to be a way to normalize stats after going through all the stages to ensure it fits using the system in a tabletop role playing game, but we’ll go into that in another post.
Two Ways to Develop Your Character:
1. Short Version: This is quick and easy. You pick a certain number of key life experiences for your character, like hobbies or big events. Each one gives points that add up to shape your character’s abilities.
2. Long Version: This is more detailed. You guide your character through every stage of their life. Each stage impacts their abilities based on what they do and learn.
I will use my character, Aurora Maylee, to show you how this works. We will look at her first two years of life.
Aurora Maylee
Birth Stats, one six sided dice -1 (1d6-1)
STR: 3
DEX: 0
CON: 1
INT: 5
WIS: 5
CHA: 2
Infancy (0-2 years)
Focus: Early health indicators and developmental milestones.
Significant Life Events: (repeater field)
Description: Achieving key developmental milestones like first words and steps. These events are universally significant but may have unique implications in different genres, such as early signs of magical talent or an unusual affinity for technology. Will also depend on the specific life event.
User Description: Aurora was born with an aurora borealis passing by and it had imbued her with extra aura. Her ability to manipulate and read aura would likely result in CHA and WIS.
Significant Live events (Encounter Calculator) (TBD) Will do actual calculations with appropriate calculator later. Stats will actually range -5 to +5.
Total:
Stat gains:
STR:
DEX:
CON:
INT:
WIS: 1 for temporary simplicity
CHA: 1 for temporary simplicity
Hobbies/Interests: (repeater field)
Description: Sensory play enhances basic motor skills and cognitive development. In different genres, this can range from magical enchantments to high-tech toys, all designed to stimulate growth.
DND context: DEX, INT, WIS generally effect sensory play, motor skills, and cognitive development. Others may also apply.
User Description:(for use of describing or use of special circumstances) Aurora has the ability to manipulate and read aura, emerge enhanced by her life event. While not a hobby or interest at this stage she would likely pay attention to the aura around her.
Calculator
• Duration: 2 years
• Stat Gain Modifier: longer than a year
• Frequency Factor: once a day
• Intensity Factor: minimal
Enjoyment level: a lot
• Activity Multiplier: 0.15
Total: 4.65 rounded down 4
Stat gains:
STR:
DEX: 2
CON:
INT: 1
WIS: 1
CHA:
I figured 2 for Dexterity made sense considering infants usually have to get strong enough and learn control of themselves.
Work/Chores/Responsibilities: (repeater field)
Description: Not typically applicable at this stage, emphasizing the pure developmental focus on exploration and learning.
DND context: INT generally reflects the pure developmental focus on exploration and learning. Others may also apply circumstantially.
User Description: Due to Aurora’s aura manipulation and reading ability, she’s most likely picking up on aura colors from her surroundings. Maybe occasional spikes from manipulating her own aura. Let’s go INT and WIS
Calculator
• Duration: 2 years
• Stat Gain Modifier: longer than a year
• Frequency Factor: every other day
• Intensity Factor: minimal
Enjoyment level: a lot
• Activity Multiplier: 0.15
Total: 2.32 rounded down to 2
Stat gains:
STR:
DEX:
CON:
INT: 1
WIS: 1
CHA:
Training/Education: (Repeater Field)
Description: Early learning programs or environments—whether magical, technological, or traditional—stimulate brain development and early skill acquisition.
INT, WIS, CHA would generally effect learning programs or environments to stimulate brain development and early skill acquisition. Others may also apply depending on the training or education.
User Description: Changed duration to 1 year instead of 2 for Aurora. Since a character would probably be slightly more active by 1 for this field. She would probably retain a focus on her aura abilities as well here.
Calculator
• Duration: 1 years
• Stat Gain Modifier: over 3 months
• Frequency Factor: once a day
• Intensity Factor: low
Enjoyment level: good
• Activity Multiplier: 0.15
Total: 3.645 rounded down to 3
Stat gains:
STR:
DEX:
CON:
INT: 1
WIS: 1
CHA: 1
Total Stat Gains:(calculator result field)
Stat: Birth Stat + Total Gains = Combined Stats
STR: 3 + 0 = 3
DEX: 0 + 2 = 2
CON: 1 + 0 = 1
INT: 5 + 3 = 8
WIS: 5 + 4 = 9
CHA: 2 + 2 = 4
This introduction has walked you through the early steps of our modular character creation system. You’ve seen how it starts with either dice rolls or chosen stats to set your character’s initial abilities. Then, you’ve learned about two different approaches to developing your character: the quick and easy short version, and the more detailed long version.
As we explore Aurora’s early development, you’ll get a clear picture of how this system brings characters to life. Balancing the system to ensure fairness and playability across various scenarios will be covered in an upcoming post. Stay tuned for more insights as we refine and perfect our approach.
Thank you for joining me. I look forward to building more detailed and engaging characters with you!
