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Select Genre Catalog

AX.C.05 - Character Generation

AX.C.05.01 - Select Genre Catalog

The GM designates the Genre Catalog to be used for character generation.

This choice establishes genre appropriate

  • Setting Details
  • Lineages
  • Professions
  • Perks & Powers
  • Equipment
  • Threats
  • GM Tools

AX.C.05.02 - Select Generation Package

The GM designates the generation packages for creating characters.

Generation packages determine

  • The number of dice used to generate Attributes
  • The number of dice used to generate Talents
  • The maximum starting value for Attributes and Talents
  • Whether Talent Foci are available at generation

Package Details

  • 6D Package: Gritty, common heroes
  • (max 3D per Attribute/Talent, No Talent Foci at generation)
  • 9D Package: Standard, heroic adventurers
  • (max 4D per Attribute/Talent, Talent Foci limit 1D at generation)
  • 12D Package: Advanced, champion heroes
  • (max 5D per Attribute/Talent, Talent Foci limit 2D at generation)

AX.C.05.03 - Establish Character Concept

Creating a character for a tabletop role-playing game is more than just a collection of dice pools and scores. A character is the player's alter-ego in the game setting. Their motivations, perceptions, and expectations may be similar to or augmented by the player, but they should be considered an opportunity to diverge from the player.

Characters exist in the setting, filling some role, performing a job of some sort that assures their short-term survival at least. Crawl around inside this character's mind and motivations before you start optimizing the stats.

The Five Questions

Answer these questions to ground your character in the world:

  • Who is the character? Sum up their current state of existence in a few sentences. Do you have a core concept for this character?
  • What motivates them? Family, friends, community, pets, revenge, sorrow, curiosity, desperation, faith, power?
  • Where did they come from and where are they going? Is there a reason they left the comfort of home to start this journey?
  • When did the character meet the group? Is it friendship, convenience, or mutual need?
  • Why does the character trust their current group? Or do they?

A character can have emotions, memories, and secrets just like the real world. The more a player understands their motivations, the more immersive the game play can become. The goal of role-playing is to escape this world and become a hero in a unique story.

Concept

What is your character concept? This often binds the next two steps together. This is your chance to find a more personal connection with your character.

Examples:

  • A scholarly wizard seeking forbidden knowledge
  • A street-smart rogue with a heart of gold
  • A devout warrior serving a greater cause
  • A natural-born leader rallying others
  • A survivor haunted by their past

AX.C.05.04 - Select Lineage

AxiomRPG Lineages offer the following mechanical benefits

  • Health Modifier - Applied as a separate Health modifier each time Health is increased through Advancement (0 to +4)
  • Cultural Talent - Add 1 to a general, non-combat Talent reflecting a skill the Culture or Lineage values and teaches from an early age.
  • Perk or Special Ability - Enhanced senses, natural weapons, natural defenses, unusual movement method, energy or environmental adaptation, increased maximum limit to a single Attribute, etc.

Genre Specifics

Each Genre Catalog may provide its own unique list of lineages. Each entry will provide at least a brief description and apply the above mechanical details as appropriate. The Setting Details often provide more context for Lineages.

AX.C.05.05 - Select Profession

AxiomRPG Professions offer the following mechanical benefits

Favored Save - +1D to an individual Save type reflecting the Profession's unique resilience.

Powers - Access to unusual powers that can be trained as Talents. Often just a single general Talent with guidance for focused training and application of the power.

Examples: magic (philosophy), faith (ethos), psionics (discipline)

Progression Track - Role defining perks and abilities received as a character earns XP for advancement. This passively rewards characters for advancing their normal abilities.

  • Stage 1 (@??XP earned) - A Starting Perk or Ability focused on the character or a single target, requiring a short rest before it can be used again.
  • Stage 2 (@??XP earned) - A Secondary Perk or Ability extended to nearby allies or enemies, requiring a long rest before it can be used again.
  • Stage 3 (@??XP earned) - A Third Perk or Ability that might expand to cover an area or grant an unusual ability normally unavailable to the character, requiring a full rest before it can be used again.

Genre Specifics

Each Genre Catalog may provide its own unique list of professions. Each entry will provide at least a brief description and apply the above mechanical details as appropriate. The Setting Details often provide more context for professions and their intended roles.

AX.C.05.06 - Generate Attributes

Generation Packages

Based on the Generation Package, distribute dice across the character's Attributes following the limitations provided.

  • 6D Package: Gritty, common heroes
  • (max 3D per Attribute)
  • 9D Package: Standard, heroic adventurers
  • (max 4D per Attribute)
  • 12D Package: Advanced, champion heroes
  • (max 5D per Attribute)

Attribute Generation Example

Based on "Gritty" 6D Package

  • 6 dice to distribute
  • No more than 3D in any Attribute at generation
  • The standard maximum value for an individual Attribute is 5D
  • A single Attribute's maximum value may be increased to 6D by a Lineage choice, no Attribute may exceed 6D under any circumstances

AX.C.05.07 - Generate Talents

Generation Packages

Based on the Generation Package, distribute dice across the character's Talents following the limitations provided.

  • 6D Package: Gritty, common heroes
  • (max 3D per Talent, No Talent Foci at generation)
  • 9D Package: Standard, heroic adventurers
  • (max 4D per Talent, Talent Foci limit 1D at generation)
  • 12D Package: Advanced, champion heroes
  • (max 5D per Talent, Talent Foci limit 2D at generation)

Talent Generation

Based on the 6D, Gritty package.

  • 6 dice to distribute
  • No more than 2D in any Talent at generation
  • The maximum value for an individual Talent is 5D

Talent Focus

  • A Talent Focus is a narrow field of training under a parent Talent
  • A single Talent can have many Foci
  • At generation for the 9 & 12D Packages, 1 Talent die buys 3 Talent Foci at 1D
  • The maximum value for a Talent Focus is 3D
  • Example: the Strike Talent can be focused into
  • Strike (Scimitar)
  • Strike (Dagger)
  • Strike (Unarmed)

AX.C.05.08 - Calculate Derived Statistics

Health

20 + Body value + Lineage Health modifier

For each die in the Fortitude Talent a character receives an additional 1D6 + Lineage Health modifier

Defense

Calculated Defense: (Speed Value + Armor Value) รท 3 (round down)

Saves

Professions often provides a Bonus to one Save.

Body Save - Body + Fortitude

Speed Save - Speed + Acrobatics

Wit Save - Wit + Resolve

AX.C.05.09 - Equip Your Character

Based on the selected Genre Catalog, equip the character with appropriate gear.

Some Genres may offer lists of standard equipment to quickly begin play.

Other Genres may require determining a starting currency and purchasing equipment.

AxiomRPG is not strict about resource management or encumbrance, relying on the player and game master to use their best judgement.

The equipment rules will also include crafting, durability and repair mechanics as appropriate. This includes creating magical equipment.