Making a Character

The 30-second checklist

1. Write two aspects — a high concept (who you are, what you do) and a trouble (what always gets you in trouble). [Aspects & Fate Points](@Missing file)
2. Write a third aspect — something else important: a relationship, a signature possession, a reputation.
3. Name your character and describe their appearance.
4. Choose approaches — one at Good (+3), two at Fair (+2), two at Average (+1), one at Mediocre (+0). [Approaches & the Ladder](@Missing file)
5. Set refresh to 3.
6. (Optional) Write up to two more aspects and pick your first stunt — or do all of this in play, after you've seen your character in action.

Full detail: [Character Creation](@Missing file). The classic spread names (Brute, All-Star, Trickster, Guardian, Thief, Swashbuckler) are in [Approach Spread Archetypes](@Missing file).

Worked example: Reth

Reth, 14, is the most powerful Suncaller born in generations, and the Steel Empire's armies have driven him and his friends on the run. Building him step by step:

1. High concept: Suncaller of the Andral Desert — says what he is, hints at what he does.
2. Trouble: Steel Assassins Want Me Dead — the Empire sends killers after him, regularly.
3. Third aspect: My Kung Fu Is the Strongest — his martial-artist confidence.
4. Approaches (The Brute): Forceful +3, Careful +2, Quick +2, Clever +1, Sneaky +1, Flashy +0.
5. Refresh: 3. Stress: three boxes. Consequences: Mild (2), Moderate (4), Severe (6) — all empty for now.
6. First stunt: Stance of the Defiant Sun — because he has perfected the Stance of the Defiant Sun, he gets +2 to Forcefully defend in hand-to-hand combat. (He may take two more stunts without touching his refresh.)

See the finished sheet: [Reth of the Andrali Resistance](@Missing file).

The other three example characters

• [Voltaire](@Missing file) — cat-person pirate captain of the Cirrus Skimmer; Flashy +3, Forceful +0; stunt Swashbuckling Swordswoman (+2 to Flashily attack a single opponent blade-to-blade).
• [Abigail Zhao](@Missing file) — sorcery student, enchantment specialist; Sneaky +3, Careful +0; stunt Teacher's Favorite (once per session, a helpful teacher arrives).
• [Bethesda Flushing, PhD](@Missing file) — Chief Field Agent of IGEMA; Clever +3, Sneaky +0; stunts Experimental Helo Pack (+2 to Quickly create advantages or overcome when flying helps) and Gadgeteer (once per session, a device eliminates one situation aspect).