Character Creation Rules

Basic Rules

  Everyone’s first character will start at level 1.   When you create your character, use 27 point-buy to determine your ability scores. The standard limits for point-buy apply: minimum 8, maximum 15. As is the standard for point-buy, racial ability score modifiers apply after the points are spent, and they can allow certain scores to surpass the base limits.   Remember that point-buy does not increase your ability scores on a 1:1 basis. If you need a point-buy calculator, click HERE.   After going through point-buy, everyone is allowed to start with one free ability score improvement (+2 to one score, or +1 to two scores) OR a feat of your choice.   By default, your character begins with the selection of equipment and currency offered by your class and background. However, you are free to sell or exchange any of your starting equipment for its default cost to gain more preferable gear or simply have more money.   All races, classes, backgrounds, spells, feats, and equipment from official 5E sources are allowed.   Voluntarily reducing your character’s power in any way, such as lowering an ability score below 8 without benefit, leaving out an expected proficiency, limiting spell selection, or removing a limb, is 100% acceptable. Reflavoring any material without changing rules or mechanics is 100% acceptable, as long as the flavor remains lore-friendly.   If you decide at some point that you are not fully satisfied with your character creation decisions, we can discuss rebuilding your character sheet and integrate a storytelling opportunity for it. Please do not abuse this. If you want help turning your ideas into a viable character or finding ways to max out your mechanical potential for the character you want to play, feel free to discuss it with GMs for assistance and recommendations.  

Advanced Rules

  Adjusting racial features with the renewed customization rules in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything is allowed, but let the GMs know if you will be using them.   The Custom Lineage tool from Tasha’s Cauldron of everything is something we do not intend to allow players to use. However, if you are set on using it, you are free to discuss your reasons with the GMs, and perhaps we can find a solution for you.   If you would like to play one of the sidekick classes in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything to simplify your mechanics or play a less extraordinary character, you may.   We are open to reviewing Unearthed Arcana content, if players wish to use it. Given that it is playtest material, we may suggest or impose modifications to any of this content — especially considering that Unearthed Arcana is often intentionally released by the developers in an excessively powerful or experimental state.   Any character building / customization material from well-known third-party publications, such as Ghostfire Games or Hit Point Press, will likely be acceptable as well. Just ask the GMs to read it for approval, first.   Although we don't plan to impose the use of Advanced Backgrounds from the Grim Hollow publications, anyone interested in taking their character up a notch is welcome to discuss using these with a GM. If you don't start with one of these Advanced Backgrounds, but decide later on that you want in on the benefits, we can discuss modifying your character sheet to include it.   Homebrew races and custom backgrounds are generally allowed, with approval. Homebrew spells, feats, and equipment will be viewed with a critical eye, but may also be approved. A homebrew spell that copies an existing spell with a minor change, such as a damage type, is likely to be accepted. Again, just let the GMs look over it for approval.   Although we try to avoid homebrew classes and sub-classes, you are welcome to talk with the GMs about using them. As an alternative, we suggest changing details about existing classes and sub-classes to better suit your character. If you want to homebrew your own features, mechanics, equipment, or supporting lore for your character, bring it up with the GMs for discussion. Anything that features a handicap or predominantly functions as a storytelling tool is more likely to be accepted.  

Additional Characters

  When you first begin playing, you are encouraged to make a single-player character with a full character sheet. However, if you wish, you are allowed to make a second full player character at level 1. Remember that you can only play one character at a time during most role-playing scenarios, unless there is a special circumstance.   There are five level tiers in the game, outlined in the Leveling Up document: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, and 17-20. Adventures will typically be geared toward one of these level tiers. If you do not have a character in a certain tier, that tier is considered vacant for you. Players are encouraged, but not required, to fill vacant tiers with at least one character, if able. This will allow players to share adventures across available tiers of play without large level differences.   When you have accumulated a total amount of XP Marks across all of your characters that would normally allow a single character to advance to a new tier, you are allowed to create new characters at the first level of that tier. Each time you gain access to a new tier, you are also allowed to create an additional adventuring character.  

Creating a higher-level character

  When creating a new character who is beginning play above level 1, create their sheet as if they were starting at level 1 with the rules provided, and then push them up one level at a time until their sheet is finished. This is encouraged to avoid potential flaws in building higher-level character sheets.   A character who is beginning play above level 1 will only be granted the same starting equipment options provided for level 1 characters. Additionally, new characters will always start with 0 DT Marks.  

Retiring a Character

  A character can be retired at any time, for any reason. When a character is retired - not killed - the XP Marks accumulated by that character are stored in limbo. A retired character that is brought back into play can reclaim their XP Marks in limbo to return to their former degree of progression. Alternatively, a new character can claim a retired character’s XP Marks in limbo upon creation, effectively taking over the retired character’s degree of progression.   If you intend to bring back a retired character whose XP Marks in limbo have been claimed by a new character, or if you intend to bring back a retired character at a different level than where they last were, you can follow the normal character creation process to recreate the character, starting at the first level of any available tier. If a retired character still has XP Marks in limbo when they are brought back in this way, their XP Marks in limbo are detached from them, and will remain available for a new character to claim.  

NPC's

  You are allowed to create as many non-player-characters (NPCs) as you wish, within reason. NPCs at any desired power level can be built using either premade stat blocks from any official 5E or accepted third-party source, or by building a character using the standard rules for character creation and leveling up. Custom or homebrewed aspects are more likely to be accepted for NPCs than for player characters, especially for the purpose of filling a specific role in the setting or producing a more interesting adversary. Special equipment, such as magic items, may also be granted to NPCs, within reason. Under no circumstances can an adventuring player character borrow or possess equipment granted to NPCs, unless otherwise decided by a GM. NPCs can be used in the place of player characters for any purpose except participating in adventuring events under player control. Any NPC will have to be approved by a GM before being added into the game.