Character creation house rules
Attribute bonuses: the bonuses on of page 41 of the main rulebook are not used. They create too much of a breakpoint given a +1 bonus is extremely strong in a 2d6 system. They are being replaced with skill attribute limits below.
Skill attribute limits and linked attributes: the linked attribute rules on page 37 are replaced as follows. All skills are limited the the level of their linked attributes. Where a skill has two linked attributes the lowest of the two acts as the limit for the character maximum skill level. This rule is taken from shadowrun third edition, in it attributes are held separate from skills but still represent a maximum level of capability.
Trait changes during character creation: the following changes and additions are used during character creation form this Marian Hegemony campaign.
Traits are restricted to level 5. For traits like title that start at TP 3 this is intended as five levels of trait, so 3 to 7.
The citizen trait is granted for free to all characters. For those who are of the slave or barbari/peregrini social status may buy it back for an extra talent point during character creation.
The title and rank traits are half cost during character creation. Given the character creation system below allocates point not TP any spare points are lost. Therefore it is recommended that that any odd points be allocated to title or rank or the property trait at zero as shown below.
Property as a zero level trait: within the Marian Hegemony the Property trait is required for the patrician class. But it does not say the extent of the property requirements. It is implied that a patrician should be able to finance their own existence and this is normally achieved through property. In some families the wealth is not tied up in property, especially on the homeworlds, or in the case of those who buy their way into power through less than savory means. Also for families who find their fortunes fading they may have property that is unproductive. In this case the property trait may be taken at the zero level for half a talent point cost (50 XP). Property (0) is effectively a placeholder trait, the character nominally owes property, but cannot use it to generate wealth. This trait may be taken to round out any odd points left over from the half cost title or rank trait used under these house rules.
Non-character traits are allocated during character creating using the points available. Character traits are seen as bonuses separate to the main pool. As such allocation of main lifestyle and possession traits are kept separate from character traits. This detailed in character creation below.
(I was contemplating running the game without character traits, as some are very awkward. But decided to enforce a separate balanced positive/negative approach for those that really want them.)
Traits during character creation
Social traits
The first consideration given when allocating traits should be to the characters social status. Of note for character creation, all male citizens of the Hedgemony are subject to compulsory conscription after high school, this is optional for female citizens. The packages below represent starting points for representing social class through traits.
Patrician (5 points): must have the Citizen trait and are protected as citizens under the law. Must take Title at TP 6 (p.44 ATOW comp) and the Rank trait at TP 3 minimum (p.38 ATOW comp). The odd point is spent improving the Rank or Title trait by one level or taking the Property (0) trait. Additionally the traits Property, Extra Income, Reputation and Rank should increase as the Title trait increase.
Plebian(0): must have the Citizen trait and are protected as citizens under the law. Are restricted in Rank (O1) and Title (tribunate member) as per the rules in the ATOW companion. May not take the property trait.
Peregrini (-1): foreigner, non-citizens from a recognised international power who are accorded only the basic rights of the ius gentium ("law of peoples").
Barbari (-1): foreigner, non-citizens of the periphery or unknown lands and have little rights in Marian society, need to be cautious not to become a slave.
Slave (-4): It is extremely unlikely that a PC would be of the slave class. They do not serve in military front line or any skilled positions within the society. The exception is bloodsports such as mech gladiators, these are rare individuals but they do exist. Must take the In For Life trait (-3) to represent that they are property. This would most likely become bloodmark if they escaped.
Wealth and equipment
The two core traits of wealth and Equipped are taken by all characters, even if at zero.
Vehicle
The traits associated with vehicles also need careful consideration. These are Vehicle, Custom Vehicle and Design Quirk.
Priority Design System
This system is a hybrid of the life module and points only systems. Where the life module system is complex and extremely detailed, this system seeks to simplify the basic choices. The system itself is closer to the points only system but gives measure to where points are spent making the task less daunting to new players. The system itself is based on early shadowrun and mechwarrior games, it has been created to be a third option balanced with the other two systems.
Optional Step: Life path skill selection
In this step you go through the life path stages and select relevant backgrounds.while doing this record all recommended skills to give a list of skills valid for your character. This is not an enforced skill list but is intended to cut down on the myriad of skill options available.
Step 1: Select priorities
Next select a priority level for your characters attributes, skills and traits. Only one of the three may be selected as the A priority, followed by another at B and the remaining at C.
Priority Att. Skills Traits
A +14 80 10
B +10 60 6
C +6 40 2
Step 2: Allocate attribute points
Each attribute starts at rating 3. Allocate the available points to the human maximum levels of 8, 9 for CHA or EDG.
Step 3: Allocate skill points
When allocating skill points, the final skill rating is the number of points allocated minus one. Effectively the first point rates the skill at +0, the fourth point represents a skill at +3.
All characters must allocate one point to Perception, one point to Language\English and one point to a language skill for their chosen affiliation's primary or secondary tongues. This set allocation takes up three of the starting total points allocated.
The remaining points are spent at the player's discretion with up to four point being allocated to any skill. A fifth point may be allocated to a skill if its linked attribute/s are rated at four, this fifth point costs two of the allocation points. If the player went through the optional life path process above this may act as a guide for the allocation of points.
Step 4: Allocate traits
Trait points are allocated in this phase on a point to 1TP basis. Points allocated here can only be attributed to traits other than pure 'character' traits. Character only traits may be purchased but positive traits must net off with negative traits, and the final selection must be approved by the GM. Fast and slow learner traits are no allowed.
Optional Step: Refund skill points
The character then compares the final skill ratings of all skills and totals up the xp amount as per the table on p.85 of ATOW. Deduct this total from the amount in the table below to arrive at the balancing amount of starting XP the character commences the game with.
Skill
Priority XP
A 1600
B 1200
C 800
This ensures that character made under the priority system come out to 5,200 points under the points buy system. This excludes the skill training discounts, the free citizen trait and title/rank trait discounts.
Step 5: Purchase equipment
Based on starting wealth and equipped traits the character purchases equipment. This can be a little daunting at first and I will provide example characters and equipment in following posts to assist. Again, GM input is recommended to ensure equipment is appropriate to the genre.
22/1 - Additions:
* Power packs required to operate an item are free during character creation. The free PP is standard unless specified by type, additionally the equipment restrictions are ignored for the free PP where they are higher than the specified item. If the player chooses they may purchase a better power package than standard and forgo the free one.
* Free Worlds League items are not supject to increased availability during character creation.
* Items required to operate a vehicle aquired with the vehicle trait come for free with the vehicle and ignore availability restrictions. Eg neurohelmets and tankers smocks.
