Making a Character

A Fate Accelerated character is two core aspects, up to three more, six approaches, and a stunt or two. The full procedure is in @Missing file; here it is in play order. The sheet does all the arithmetic — you make the interesting decisions.

Step 1 — High concept and trouble

Your high concept is a phrase that sums up who you are — vocation plus attitude, like an epithet on a wanted poster. Your trouble is the complication that will not leave you alone: an obligation, an appetite, an enemy. Pick a trouble you want to come up, because it will — Rook Calder's is @Missing file, and it drives half the campaign. Both are Aspect files linked on highConcept and trouble.

Step 2 — Another aspect (and up to two more)

Write a third aspect that captures something important about the character — a relationship, a possession, a personality quirk. Up to three more aspects (in otherAspects) fill out the sheet beyond your high concept and trouble; you can leave slots open and fill them during play. Good aspects are double-edged — The Quay Trusts Me opens doors and obligates you to the people behind them. Write them so the GM can use them both ways; that's not a bug, that's your income.

Step 3 — Name and look

Name the character and describe them — appearance, manner, the details that make them easy to picture at the table.

Step 4 — Approaches

Rate the six approaches — Careful, Clever, Flashy, Forceful, Quick, Sneaky — in the standard FAE array:

• one approach at Good (+3)
• two at Fair (+2)
• two at Average (+1)
• one at Mediocre (+0)

Your approach is how you act, not what you're good at — the same action can be attempted any way the fiction allows, so spread ratings to match the character's style, not a job description. Circumstances constrain your choice: you can't Forcefully creep past a guard; that's Sneaky.

Step 5 — Stunts and refresh

Pick one stunt to start (up to three are free; each stunt past three costs 1 Refresh). Refresh (normally 3) is the floor your fate points reset to each session. The sheet computes it — buy a fourth stunt and watch it drop. If you're new to Fate, it's fine to leave stunts for after your first session and claim one when you think of something perfect.

Step 6 — Stress

Nothing to decide: the sheet derives your single 3-box stress track (Box 1 absorbs 1 shift, Box 2 absorbs 2, Box 3 absorbs 3, physical or mental) and your consequence slots (mild 2, moderate 4, severe 6) automatically.

Quick-start shortcut

In a hurry? Write the high concept and trouble, add one more aspect, assign the approach array, take one stunt, and fill in the rest — including any extra aspects — during play, as the fiction reveals them.

Or study a finished one

Two ready-to-play characters ship with this project: @Missing file, a burglar whose name is in the wrong book, and @Missing file, an ex-sergeant who confessed to the docks instead of the magistrate. Open either and read the sheet top to bottom — it is the fastest character-creation tutorial there is.