Character Creation
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."
In Afterlight, you are one of the Touched, someone who has glimpsed beyond the veil of illusion and into the hidden truths beneath. You are part of a world where Cybernetics and sorcery intertwine, where megacorporations fight over relics they do not understand, and where the forgotten past bleeds into the present.
As a character, you are an investigator, mercenary, rogue scholar, hacker, mystic, or survivor, navigating a world that is constantly trying to erase what you know.
This guide will walk you through creating your character using Metro: Otherscape rules, ensuring your choices reflect the themes of Afterlight.
Step 1: Concept – Who Are You?
Before diving into mechanics, define your character’s core identity.
Consider:
- How did you first encounter the supernatural?
- What part of Neo-Boston do you call home?
- What do you want and what are you willing to sacrifice to get it?
Character Concept Examples
- The Disillusioned Journalist – Once a respected investigative reporter, you uncovered something you were not meant to see. The Ministry erased your past work, and now you search for the truth in the cracks of the city.
- The Augmented Relic Hunter – A cybernetically enhanced thief specializing in corporate black sites, you started stealing data, until you stole something old. Something powerful. And now, something is hunting you.
- The Digital Exorcist – A hacker-turned-occultist, you specialize in purging corrupted data ghosts and AI-possessed networks. Your crew hires you when the things lurking in cyberspace become too real.
- The Rogue Ministry Agent – You once worked for the Ministry, erasing evidence, silencing witnesses, and hunting the Touched. Now, you’re on the run, trying to expose the secrets you once buried.
Your concept should fit the world of Afterlight, where truth is dangerous, secrets are currency, and power always comes at a price.
Step 2: Choose Your Themes
In Metro: Otherscape, your character is built using four themes that define what makes them unique. These themes shape your abilities, resources, and the supernatural or technological forces at play in your life.
Theme Categories in Afterlight
You must choose one Self Theme, one Noise Theme, and two other themes (Self, Noise, or Mythos).
| Theme Type | Description | Examples in Afterlight |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Your personal skills, training, and identity. | Private Investigator, Cybernetics Expert, Paranormal Researcher, Former Ministry Operative |
| Noise | Your connection to technology, cyberspace, and augmentation. | Hacking Prodigy, Neural Interface Specialist, Street Racer with AR Enhancements |
| Mythos | The supernatural forces tied to you. | Cursed Relic Bearer, Shadow-Walker, Ghost Whisperer, Blood Mage |
Tip: More Noise means you lean into cyberpunk elements. More Mythos means you embrace the occult horror side. Balancing both makes you a bridge between worlds.
Step 3: Pick Your Themes and Tags
Each theme has three power tags (what you can do) and one weakness tag (what holds you back).
Example Character Build: The Cybernetic Relic Hunter
- Self – Black Market Smuggler
- Power Tags: Knows Every Fencing Contact in the City, Uncanny Luck with Risky Jobs, Excellent at Talking Their Way Out of Trouble
- Weakness Tag: Can’t Say No to a Dangerous Score
- Noise – Cybernetic Reflex Enhancements
- Power Tags: Neural Speed Boost, AR Combat Assist, Can Interface with Smart Weapons
- Weakness Tag: Overclocking Causes Severe Neural Fatigue
- Mythos – The Bound Blade (A stolen relic that whispers in their mind, promising power.)
- Power Tags: Knows the Blade’s Forgotten Name, Can See Weak Points in Reality, Can Cut More Than Flesh
- Weakness Tag: The Blade Demands Blood
- Noise – Data Scrambler (Expert in digital infiltration.)
- Power Tags: Can Wipe Their Own Digital Footprint, Hijack AR Feeds, Runs a Hidden Undernet Server
- Weakness Tag: The Ministry Has a File on Them
This build reflects a cyberpunk thief caught between the digital world and supernatural forces.
Step 4: Define Your Connections and Weaknesses
Every Afterlight character should have:
- A reason to seek the truth. (What drives you to keep digging?)
- A faction that wants you dead. (You know something you shouldn’t.)
- A person you still trust. (Someone you’d risk everything for.)
Your weaknesses matter just as much as your strengths. If you push too far, your themes may evolve, or break entirely.
Step 5: Pick Your Loadout
Your loadout is what you carry into the field. In Afterlight, your gear is just as important as your abilities.
| Category | Examples in Afterlight |
|---|---|
| Weapons | Silenced Coil Pistol, Ritual Knife, AR-Linked Sniper Rifle, Compact Plasma Cutter |
| Cyberware | Neural HUD, Augmented Reflexes, Cybernetic Eyes with Data Scrubbers |
| Special Gear | EM Scrambler, Encrypted Holodisk, Spirit-Tracking Drone, Portable Ritual Ward |
| Relics & Mythos Gear | Cursed Tarot Deck, Key to a Forgotten Room, Occult AI Core |
Tip: Pick at least one piece of gear tied to your Themes, something that connects your past to the present.
Step 6: Final Touches & Roleplay Hooks
To flesh out your character, consider these:
- What’s your reputation in the city?
- What’s your biggest regret?
- What’s the one thing you refuse to lose?
- What’s your endgame? (Do you want to escape? To expose the truth? To rewrite the world?)
Character Creation Checklist
✅ Step 1: Choose your character concept
✅ Step 2: Select your themes (1 Self, 1 Noise, 2 of any type)
✅ Step 3: Pick three power tags & one weakness tag per theme
✅ Step 4: Define your motivations and enemies
✅ Step 5: Choose your loadout
✅ Step 6: Flesh out your personal story
Final Words: Welcome to Afterlight
You are more than just a mercenary, hacker, or investigator, you are someone who has seen beyond the veil. The world is built on layers of deception, both digital and supernatural.
Some secrets are buried for a reason.
Some truths will break you.
The real question is:
How far are you willing to go to uncover them?
Comments