Character Creation

[TheTick]

Same here...I am working from home today, but if I have a pressing question, I Google it and use the cached link.

[SteveRogers]

I should have quite a bit of time after work to look through some of the links you've got on here and figure something out.  I want to try to build the character myself because I think it'd be a more educational experience, but I may need pointers off and on.

[TheTick]

That's why this thread is here!  My own posting will probably be sporadic this weekend, but put whatever thoughts or concepts you have here and I'll check it by Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

[SteveRogers]

The more I read about some of this stuff, the more excited I get.  And the more nervous I get about some of the more complicated looking elements.

[TheTick]

I've been trying to go easy on the more mundane stuff so far (like how much people are carrying, or needing to ensure you have a light source), and haven't sprung the difficult stuff on 'em, like grappling rules or the like.  It's helpful that a level 1 character really doesn't have many options on what to do.  When in doubt, just say, "I want to try this", and I'll figure out if there's a dice role I can use to adjudicate it. :D

[SteveRogers]

The interwebs says I might be better suited to play as a gnome if I want to be bard.  Yay or nay?

[Lotofsnow]

The interwebs says I might be better suited to play as a gnome if I want to be bard.  Yay or nay?

Don't believe everything you read on the interwebs. If you picture your character as a dwarf bard, then roll a dwarf bard. A gnome might be more "optimal" but there's nothing wrong with dwarf.

[SteveRogers]

I really just want to know if I can use a lute as a weapon in a tough spot.   ;D

[TheTick]

Gnomes do indeed have Bard as a favored class, and no penalties in the 2 most important attributes (Cha or Dex).  Plus, the being small makes 'em harder to hit.  But if you think a Dwarf Bard fits your concept better, go for it.  I'm not planning on bulldozing you guys with tough enemies, just to tell a decent story.

Smashing the enemy with the lute would probably work...once. :D

[Lotofsnow]

I really just want to know if I can use a lute as a weapon in a tough spot.   ;D

Yep. At worst it would be an "improvised weapon." At best, it would be a club!

[SteveRogers]

Could a player really build a character from all of these races?

[TheTick]

Most of those are in other sourcebooks (which I'm not using in this game, at least not yet).  But yeah, there can be some pretty crazy builds done with some of those.  And that's not even including all of the classes in those other books.

[SteveRogers]

I was mostly just asking because I wasn't aware how expansive some of the supplemental material was.  I expected to find a simple list of possible races and was instead overwhelmed by this huge list of potential options.

Which is more or less just to say, I think it's really cool how just wide open the options are.

[SteveRogers]

I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing with this PCGen program.

[TheTick]

It isn't exactly simple, but you basically work left to right, the first tab is the toughest.  Fill in the Names, then the stats, alignment, race, class (remember to click the + to add the level).  Depending on the class and stats, you may need to hit the Lang/Weap button and add known languages.  After that, whatever tabs need attention will have a checkmark on them.