Making a Character

Start at level 1. Your first mechanical task is to distribute 7 skill points among the 13 core skills. Each point raises one skill by 1, and no skill may begin above +3. You can put multiple points in one skill, up to that cap. Any allocation totaling exactly 7 points and respecting the cap is valid; your class or ancestry does not change the total.

Build your character

1. Choose a concept and name. Decide who you want to play and give them a name. Describe their appearance, personality, and background in a few useful details. These details shape the fiction but grant no numerical bonuses by themselves.

2. Assign 7 skill points. Set every core skill to +0, then distribute exactly 7 points. Check that no rating exceeds +3. Choose ratings that support the approaches you expect your character to use; a +0 skill still lets you try when the fiction makes it possible.

3. Choose an ancestry and class, if your game uses them. These describe your character and may provide features. Read each feature carefully and use only the benefits it actually states. Ancestry and class do not grant extra skill points or silently raise ratings.

4. Agree on starting gear and spells with the GM. Choose equipment appropriate to the campaign. A weapon’s listed flat added damage applies only when it deals harm; armor and shields use their stated Damage Reduction. If your character knows spells, each spell explains its own cost and effect.

5. Calculate resource maximums. Use your level and three linked skills:

   • Maximum Health = (Endurance × 2) + level
   • Maximum Mana = (Intellect × 2) + level
   • Maximum Stamina = (Vigor × 2) + level

   At level 1, set your current Health, Mana, and Stamina to those maximums. Recalculate the maximums whenever your level or a linked skill changes.

Before play, share your character’s name, background, and a few motivations with the group. Work with the GM to connect those details to the campaign. Your character sheet records your choices; the rules above determine the numbers.

When you gain a level

Level increases are awarded as story milestones by the GM; there is no experience-point total. Each time you gain a level:

1. Increase your level by 1.
2. Gain 2 skill points and spend them to raise core skills by 1 each; no skill can exceed +3.
3. Recalculate all three maximum resources. The higher level adds 1 to each maximum, and each point spent on Endurance, Intellect, or Vigor adds another 2 to its linked maximum through the formula.

Your current pools do not automatically refill when you level. They remain at their current values, but cannot exceed their new maximums. A safe rest restores them to their current maximums. For the full advancement procedure and an example, see Leveling Up.