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Character Creation

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ArcanistWill edited this page Jan 1, 2025 · 15 revisions

Let's follow along with the ACKS II Revised Rulebook's character creation process at the beginning of Chapter 1. Characters. Instructions for Foundry VTT users are included in the sequence below.

CREATING A CHARACTER

You’ve taken the first step on your adventure, but you are still a 0th level human. Don’t despair, because you become 1st level when you create your first character, and progress from there! To create a character, follow the eleven steps below (ACKS II Revised Rulebook (RR), page 13):

  1. Break out a new character sheet. You can use the one provided in this book, download and print one of the many fan-made character sheets, or reproduce an existing sheet by hand on a piece of paper. If all else fails, just scribble down notes on scratch paper!

See Create a new blank character.

  1. Roll for your character’s attributes, as described below in Character Attributes (RR page 14). Write the results after the names of the abilities and record the attribute bonus or penalty for each score. (Some campaigns might use optional rules that change how attributes are rolled. Your Judge will let you know if so.)

See Generate Attributes

  1. Choose a character class which suits your character’s abilities from this chapter in the Character Classes section. All classes have key attributes (requiring a minimum score of 9), and some classes require that the character have minimum scores for other attributes. Write down the combat characteristics and class powers of your class. Note that, unlike some games, in ACKS a character’s race is part of his class; you do not separately choose a race.

The ACKS II VTT contains outdated class powers from ACKS I. This is a known issue and the new powers will be added. For now, refer to the ACKS II Revised Rulebook for this information and manually enter them.

  1. Note on your character sheet that your character has zero (0) experience points (or XP); you might also want to note the number needed to advance to second level, as shown in the table for your class. Gaining experience points is explained in the Adventures and Campaigns chapters.

See Provide Basic Details

  1. Roll hit points (hp) using the designated die for your class. If you roll 4 or less, treat the result as a 4. Add your Constitution bonus or penalty to the roll and note the result as your hit points on your character sheet. (Some campaigns might use optional rules that change starting hp. Your Judge will let you know if so.)

See the Hit Die (HD) field

  1. Find the appropriate template table for your character’s class, and roll 3d6 on the table to determine your character’s starting template. If you don’t like the template you rolled, you can choose a template from a lower roll, but not from a higher roll. Write down the name of the template you settle on.

The ACKS II VTT does not include character class templates yet. Instead, refer to the ACKS II Revised Rulebook for this information.

  1. Write down your character’s starting proficiencies as listed for your template. All characters always begin with the Adventuring proficiency in addition to those listed. Apply any modifiers to your attributes, hit points, attack throws, or saving throws from proficiencies. Write down your character’s proficiency throws.

The ACKS II VTT contains outdated proficiencies from ACKS I. This is a known issue and the new proficiencies will be added. For now, refer to the ACKS II Revised Rulebook for this information and manually enter them.

  1. If you have chosen to play a caster, write down your repertoire of starting spells from your template. If you aren’t playing a spellcaster, skip this step.

See TODO

  1. Write your character’s starting equipment and gold pieces as listed for your template. Since you now know what armor your character is wearing, what your Dexterity modifier is, and what powers and proficiencies modify your defenses, you can calculate and note your Armor Class (AC) on the character sheet. Calculate your character’s encumbrance based on how much weight he is carrying and use that to determine his four speeds (RR p. 18).

The ACKS II game system automatically calculates the total encumbrance, and by default uses encumbrance to auto-calculate the character's speeds. You may override that setting using the Tweaks window.
The ACKS II VTT still contains the ACKS I weapons and armor. For now, refer to the ACKS II Revised Rulebook for this information and manually enter them. You can copy one of the existing items and modify it.
See Adding Equipment
See Tweaks Checkbox: Calculate Movement
See Adding Money

  1. Decide your character’s homeland and whether your character is male or female. (In the Auran Empire campaign setting, some classes are restricted to certain sexes.) Roll for your character’s starting age and write down your character’s starting languages based on your race. Record your character’s size (man-sized) and weight (usually 15 stone).

See Edit Notes and Description
See Languages

  1. Give your character a name, and create a brief summary of your character’s appearance, background, and personality based on his attributes, class, template, age, and other characteristics. Choose an appropriate alignment for your character. Your Judge will have information on the setting of your character’s world that can be helpful in naming your new character and developing his background. He can also advise you on how the characters are coming together to form an adventuring party.

See Provide Basic Details
See Edit Notes and Description

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