Player Characters

Each player has their own character - these characters are referred to as player characters, and they share a handful of common mechanics and elements that often set them apart from non-player characters. All player characters have the following:
  • Species: Each player character belongs to one species. The species provides a baseline for their physical appearance and common backgrounds; mechanically, each species defines the starting six attribute values, their base movement and breakpoint, and contributes two perks, which are small bonuses that modify how a character is played.
  • Tales: Each player character has between one and three tales. A tale is a thematically tied set of mechanics (one signature ability, six talents, and a mastery) each of which provide the character with a unique set of powers and abilities. Player characters start with one tale, and can select up to two more at any time.
  • Story Points: Each player character has a collection of story points. This currency is earned throughout gameplay, and can be spent between encounters on any upgrades the player wishes. Characters will start with a small amount of story points, which they are free to spend immediately, or bank for later.

Making a Character

To make a character, print or make a copy of the character sheet. Then, take each of the following steps:
  1. Select a species, and record all attributes, movement, and breakpoint.
  2. Select one or more tales.
  3. Make up a description and backstory.
  4. Acquire starting equipment.
  5. Acquire starting story points; spend any desired.

Step 1: Select a Species

The first task when creating a new player character is to select their species. This is a two-part task: first, the selection of the species itself, and second recording all of the elements that the species contributes to the character sheet. The species selection provides all of the following:
  • A baseline physical description; while your character is free to deviate to some degree, the species selected helps to provide an immediate image of your character.
  • A common background; as with all character description elements, players should be as elaborate and creative as they want (subject to narrator approval) when it comes to creating their background. Each species describes what non-adventuring members of it do on a regular basis; these descriptions may help in designing a background for your character.
  • Starting attributes; each species comes with a set of values to assign to your six attributes. These values can't be modified at this time, and can rarely be modified throughout gameplay. If you want to play a character that excels in a particular attribute, it is best to select a species that starts with a high value there.
  • Movement; each species also defines their movement value for characters. Movement rarely changes - this value is likely permanent.
  • Breakpoint; each species also defines their starting breakpoint for characters. This can be upgraded later.
  • Two perks; each species comes with two perks - a perk is a small, unique upgrade, that characters of that species immediately gain access to.
There are four broad species, each of which has a number of subspecies. When choosing a species for a new character, first select the broad species, and then choose one of the subspecies - record the subspecies as your choice; when recording perks, the first comes from the broad species chosen, while the second comes from the subspecies. The broad species are: human, faunus, fae, and wyldefolk.
See Species for a complete list of species to choose from.

Step 2: Select Tales

After selecting a species, the next task when creating a new character is to select one or more tales. A tale is a thematic collection of talents (special actions, passive upgrades, etc.) tied together with a signature. There are many tales to choose from - each player character will become a unique amalgamation of the tales they select.
During character creation, a player must select at least one tale for their character to automatically unlock. All characters can eventually select a total of three tales; a player may opt to select two, or even all three during character creation. Be warned, that selecting a tale is a permanent decision - it may be advised to hold off on selecting more than one, choosing them later as your character develops, and the dynamic of the group and the needs of the adventure are better understood. (Players can make additional tale selections at any time they could spend story points - essentially any time between encounters - therefore there is neither urgency nor advantage to selecting additional tales at this time.)
In any event, a character must select at least one tale now. Refer to Tales for a complete list of each tale. The first tale a character selects grants them an automatic unlock of that tale's signature (but no other talents, mastery, etc.). Any subsequent tales the character selects (now, or in the future), do not come with any automatic unlocks - all other signatures, talents, mastery, etc. must be unlocked with story points in the last step of character creation.

Step 3: Describe Your Character

At this point, your character has a species and one or more tales. It is time to think about your character itself - a brief physical description, backstory or history, and personality traits really help to bring your character to life and fit them in the overall story. Confer with the narrator about your backstory - were you a simple peasant or merchant who has found themselves at a crossroads in life? Were you a protector of the queen who failed in their duties and now seeks redemption? Perhaps you have a lust of knowledge and seek any rumors regarding ancient spiretech... whatever your background and motivations are, share them with the narrator, and if appropriate, with the rest of the players.
Any noteworthy physical traits should also be defined here. If you had previously suffered an injury leaving you scarred or burned, if you have unnaturally colored hair, or strange eyes, note these things and describe them to the other players. The physical descriptions given in each species are intended to give all players an anchor for "what is normal" in the world; anything you add to your character's description should be to further refine that vision in all player's minds, and to make you stand out.
If desired, you can also determine your character's personality traits. Are they sassy, friendly, outgoing, or secretive? If you wish to develop these now, it will give you a direction for how best to play the character going forward. Alternatively, you can allow the character's personality to naturally evolve over time.

Step 4: Equipment

Characters can now select their starting equipment. Characters start the game with 10 crowns (the basic form of currency). They are free to purchase any items they want, as described in the Equipment chapter. After the game starts, characters will only be able to use their crowns to make purchases when at a merchant or vendor, and will only be able to purchase items actually available. It is assumed that, prior to the adventure, a character has had ample time in their life to find the equipment they wish to purchase.
The narrator may, at their discretion, allow characters to start with additional equipment outside of what could normally be purchased. This may be done to serve the story better, or as a reasonable request when tied with a character's background. In nearly all cases, narrators should not allow characters to start with any devices.
Once a player has settled on their equipment, they should also calculate their armor attribute. With few exceptions, the species available to players have no natural armor - so their default attribute is a 0. If the player has acquired any armor equipment (see Equipment for details), they can now add that equipment into their armor attribute. Keep in mind that as their equipment changes, so too does their armor attribute - if they lose it or it is damaged or destroyed, their armor attribute will be reduced to reflect this.

Step 5: Story Points

As the final step, characters may now spend story points on unlocks and upgrades. All characters start with 10 story points. Feel free to spend those story points now, or save some (or even all) for later. A wide array of upgrades are possible, and while characters start with only a few, they will earn more at the end of each and every encounter, allowing their players to quickly develop their character into a unique composition of talents and attributes.
See Story Points for details on how and when to spend SP, and what they can be spent on.