> [!warning] > This page is a work in progress. Information on this page is subject to change. # 04. Character Creation ## Character Abilities Your character's abilities are their foundation. If your character has high Charisma, for example, you know that this character is a smooth talker and may excel as a leading figure such as a Paladin; or, as an entertainer and Bard. Start by thinking over your character's natural qualities and distribute ability scores as you see fit. | **Ability:** | **Measures:** | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- | | [[Strength]] | Physical might | | [[Dexterity]] | Agility, reflexes, and balance | | [[Constitution]] | Health and stamina | | [[Intelligence]] | Reasoning and memory | | [[Wisdom]] | Perceptiveness and mental fortitude | | [[Charisma]] | Confidence, poise, and charm | Usually, before starting a game, your GM will inform you what kind of ability score distribution method to take for your character. There are two methods for determining your player character's starting ability scores: 1. [[#Standard Array]] 2. [[#Point Buy]] ### Standard Array Standard Array gives you the following values for you to distribute how you see fit: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. For example, one distribution of these stats could be as follows: 14 Strength, 15 Constitution, 13 Dexterity, 10 Intelligence, 12 Wisdom, and 8 Charisma. ### Point Buy The second method allows players to customize their abilities scores further. With Point Buy, you have 27 points to spend on your ability scores. The cost of each score is shown on the table below. For example, a score of 14 costs 7 points. Using this method, 15 is the highest ability score you can end up with, before applying species or feat increases. You can’t have a score lower than 8. | **Score** | **Cost** | | --------- | -------- | | 8 | 0 | | 9 | 1 | | 10 | 2 | | 11 | 3 | | 12 | 4 | | 13 | 5 | | 14 | 7 | | 15 | 9 | Although you won't be able to choose the score for the following special abilities, consider how your character might interact in the context of [[Honor]], [[Piety]], and [[Sanity]]. ## Character Morality Next, choose an Alignment for your character. #### Alignment Most [[creatures]] have an alignment, which broadly describes their moral and personal attitudes. Alignment is a combination of two factors: one identifies morality (good, evil, or neutral), and the other describes attitude towards society and order (lawful, chaotic, or neutral). Thus, nine distinct alignments are possible. Individuals might vary significantly from that typical behavior, and few people are perfectly and consistently faithful to any one alignment. To review the nine alignments, read brief summaries of each alignment below: | | ***Good*** | ***Neutral*** | ***Evil*** | | ------------- | ---------------- | ------------- | ---------------- | | ***Lawful*** | [[Lawful Good]] | [[Lawful]] | [[Lawful Evil]] | | ***Neutral*** | [[Neutral Good]] | [[Neutral]] | [[Neutral Evil]] | | ***Chaotic*** | [[Chaotic Good]] | [[Chaotic]] | [[Chaotic Evil]] | | ***No Alignment*** | | ------------------ | | [[Unaligned]] | ## Character Origin With abilities and alignment established, let's develop an origin and backstory for our character. ### Species Selection With your ability scores set, it's time to select a [[species]]. [[Humanoids]] are the only playable creature type in the game, but they live and work alongside countless other fantastic creature types (such as [[Celestials]], [[Fey]], etc.). Your character belongs to one of these humanoid peoples. Your choice of species affects many different aspects of your character. It establishes fundamental qualities that exist throughout your player character’s adventure. When making this decision, keep in mind the kind of character you want to play as each species comes with different [[#species traits|traits]]. In Yanis settings, different humanoid species are categorized by their origin or bloodline. See the various categories of playable humanoid options in the table below: - **Ageless** #mcl/list-grid - [[Dwarf]] - [[Elf]] - [[Gnome]] - [[Halfling]] - **Draconic** - [[Dragonborn]] - [[Half-Dragon]] - [[Kobold]] - **Giant** - [[Djinn]] - [[Firbolg]] - [[Goliath]] - **Extraplanar** - [[Aasimar]] - [[Kalashtar]] - [[Tiefling]] - **Elemental** - [[Igira]] - [[Pygmy]] - [[Sylph]] - [[Undine]] - **Ill-Fates** - [[Changeling]] - [[Dhampir]] - [[Harengon]] - [[Hexblood]] - [[Reborn]] - [[Sentry]] - [[Shifter]] - **Native** - [[Birdfolk]] - [[Catfolk]] - [[Lizardfolk]] - [[Merfolk]] - [[Plantfolk]] - [[Tortle]] - **New-Age** - [[Felis]] - [[Human]] ### Background Selection Every story has a beginning. Your character’s background reveals where you came from, how you became an adventurer, and your place in the world. The backgrounds below provide both concrete benefits (features, proficiencies, and languages) and roleplaying suggestions: - [[Acolyte]] - [[Artisan]] - [[Charlatan]] - [[Courtier]] - [[Criminal]] - [[Entertainer]] - [[Faction Agent]] - [[Farmer]] - [[Feylost]] - [[Folk Hero]] - [[Guard]] - [[Hermit]] - [[Noble]] - [[Outlander]] - [[Sage]] - [[Sailor]] - [[Scholar]] - [[Soldier]] - [[Traveler]] - [[Urchin]] #mcl/list-column ### Lifestyles Lifestyle expenses provide you with a simple way to account for the cost of living in a fantasy world. They cover your accommodations, food and drink, and all your other necessities. Furthermore, expenses cover the cost of maintaining your equipment so you can be ready when adventure next calls. Your lifestyle might change from one period to the next, based on the funds you have at your disposal, or you might maintain the same lifestyle throughout your character’s career. Your lifestyle choice can have consequences. Maintaining a wealthy lifestyle might help you make contacts with the rich and powerful, though you run the risk of attracting thieves. Likewise, living frugally might help you avoid criminals, but you are unlikely to make powerful connections. | **Lifestyle** | **Cost per Day** | | ---------------- | ---------------- | | [[Wretched]] | - | | [[Squalid]] | 1 🅢 | | [[Poor]] | 2 🅢 | | [[Modest]] | 1 🅖 | | [[Comfortable]] | 2 🅖 | | [[Wealthy]] | 4 🅖 | | [[Aristocratic]] | ≥ 10 🅖 | ## Class Selection Twelve [[#standard classes]]—listed in the Classes table below—are found across the world of Yanis and define the spectrum of typical adventurers. However, there are a few [[#advanced classes]] listed below as well which take some familiarity with the standard classes before playing. These advanced classes are recommended for more-experienced players. ### Standard Classes | **Icon** | Class | Description | Hit Die | Primary Ability | Saving Throw <br>Proficiencies | | --------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------- | | ![[Icon-Barbarian.png\|50]] | <br>[[Barbarian]] | A fierce warrior of primitive background who can enter a battle rage | d12 | Strength | Strength, Constitution | | ![[Icon-Bard.png\|50]] | [[Bard]] | An inspiring magician whose power echoes the music of creation | d8 | Charisma | Dexterity, Charisma | | ![[Icon-Cleric.png\|50]] | [[Cleric]] | A priestly champion who wields divine magic in service of a higher power | d8 | Wisdom | Wisdom, Charisma | | ![[Icon-Druid.png\|50]] | [[Druid]] | A priest of the Old Faith, wielding the powers of nature — moonlight and plant growth, fire and lightning — and adopting animal forms | d8 | Wisdom | Intelligence, Wisdom | | ![[Icon-Fighter.png\|50]] | [[Fighter]] | A master of martial combat, skilled with a variety of weapons and armor | d10 | Strength or Dexterity | Strength, Constitution | | ![[Icon-Monk.png\|50]] | [[Monk]] | A master of martial arts, harnessing the power of the body in pursuit of physical and spiritual perfection | d8 | Dexterity & Wisdom | Strength, Dexterity | | ![[Icon-Paladin.png\|50]] | [[Paladin]] | A holy warrior bound to a sacred oath | d10 | Strength & Charisma | Wisdom, Charisma | | ![[Icon-Ranger.png\|50]] | [[Ranger]] | A warrior who uses martial prowess and nature magic to combat threats on the edges of civilization | d10 | Dexterity & Wisdom | Strength, Dexterity | | ![[Icon-Rogue.png\|50]] | [[Rogue]] | A scoundrel who uses stealth and trickery to overcome obstacles and enemies | d8 | Dexterity | Dexterity, Intelligence | | ![[Icon-Sorcerer.png\|50]] | [[Sorcerer]] | A spellcaster who draws on inherent magic from a gift or bloodline | d6 | Charisma | Constitution, Charisma | | ![[Icon-Warlock.png\|50]] | [[Warlock]] | A wielder of magic that is derived from a bargain with an extraplanar entity | d8 | Charisma | Wisdom, Charisma | | ![[Icon-Wizard.png\|50]] | [[Wizard]] | A scholarly magic-user capable of manipulating the structures of reality | d6 | Intelligence | Intelligence, Wisdom | ### Advanced Classes | **Icon** | Class | Description | Hit Die | Primary Ability | Saving Throw <br>Proficiencies | | ------------------------------ | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------- | | ![[Icon-Artificer.png\|50]] | [[Artificer]] | An inventor and tinkerer, or alchemist who augments items, armor, or weapons with arcane energy | d8 | Intelligence | Constitution, Intelligence | | ![[Icon-Blood-Hunter.png\|50]] | [[Blood Hunter]] | An esoteric hunter who uses occult blood magic to augment their abilities | d10 | Strength or Dexterity | Dexterity, Intelligence | | ![[Icon-Shaman.png\|50]] | [[Shaman]] | A mystically gifted master of occult scriptures and ancient mantras whose talents grant them out of body abilities | d6 | Wisdom or Charisma | Constitution, Wisdom | | ![[Icon-Soul-Weaver.png\|50]] | [[Soul Weaver]] | An innately talented spiritualist who can see and manipulate the soul energy | d6 | Constitution | Constitution, Charisma | ### Level Advancement ## Final Details & Customization ### Physical Appearance ### Starting Equipment ### Multi-Classing ### Feats - [[Actor]] - [[Alert]] - [[Artificer Initiate]] - [[Athlete]] - [[Bountiful Luck]] - [[Celestial Constitution]] 🆕 - [[Charger]] - [[Chef]] - [[Crossbow Expert]] - [[Crusher]] - [[Defensive Duelist]] - [[Dragon Fear]] - [[Dragon Hide]] - [[Umbral High Magic]] ✏️ - [[Dual Wielder]] - [[Dungeon Delver]] - [[Durable]] - [[Dwarven Fortitude]] - [[Eldritch Adept]] - [[Elemental Adept]] - [[Elven Accuracy]] - [[Fade Away]] - [[Fey Teleportation]] - [[Fighting Initiate]] %% - [[Ember of the Fire Giant]] ✏️ %% - [[Flames of Phlegethos]] ✏️ %% - [[Fury of the Frost Giant]] ✏️ %% %% - [[Guile of the Cloud Giant]] ✏️ %% - [[Gift of the Chromatic Dragon]]✏️ - [[Gift of the Gem Dragon]] ✏️ - [[Gift of the Metallic Dragon]] ✏️ - [[Grappler]] - [[Great Weapon Master]] %% - [[Guile of the Cloud Giant ]]✏️ %% - [[Gunner]] - [[Healer]] - [[Heavily Armored]] - [[Heavy Armor Master]] - [[Infernal Constitution]] - [[Inspiring Leader]] - [[Keen Mind]] %% - [[Keenness of Stone Giant]] ✏️ %% - [[Lightly Armored]] - [[Linguist]] - [[Lucky]] - [[Mage Slayer]] - [[Magic Initiate]] - [[Martial Adept]] - [[Medium Armor Master]] - [[Metamagic Adept]] - [[Mobile]] - [[Moderately Armored]] - [[Mounted Combatant]] - [[Observant]] - [[Orcish Fury]] ✏️ - [[Piercer]] - [[Poisoner]] - [[Polearm Master]] - [[Prodigy]] - [[Resilient]] - [[Ritual Caster]] %% - [[Rune Shaper]] ✏️ %% - [[Savage Attacker]] - [[Second Chance]] - [[Sentinel]] - [[Shadow Touched]] - [[Sharpshooter]] - [[Shield Master]] - [[Skill Expert]] - [[Skilled]] - [[Skulker]] - [[Slasher]] %% - [[Soul of the Storm Giant]] ✏️ %% - [[Spell Sniper]] - [[Squat Nimblness]] %% - [[Strike of Giants]] ✏️ %% - [[Tavern Brawler]] - [[Telekinetic]] - [[Telepathic]] - [[Tough]] %% - [[Vigor of Hill Giant]] ✏️ %% - [[War Caster]] - [[Weapon Master]] - [[Wood Elf Magic]] ✏️ #mcl/list-column ### Languages Your character can speak, read, and write certain languages. You determine which language or languages are appropriate for your character to speak, read, and write based on their kin and upbringing. If you are a [[Sylph]] raised by other sylphs in an [[Auran]] speaking community, speaking Auran will be natural for you. However, if you are a sylph raised by elves, you may have learned [[Elvish]], or [[Sylvan]], instead of Auran. Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your GM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as [[thieves’ cant]] or the [[Druidic|tongue of druids]]. ###### Standard Languages | Language | Typical Speakers | Script | | ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | | [[Common]] | [[Humans]] and most other humanoids | Common | | [[Dwarvish]] | [[Dwarves]] | Dwarvish | | [[Elvish]] | [[Elves]] | Elvish | | [[Giant]] | [[Ogres]], [[Giants]], [[Djinn]], [[Firbolg]], [[Goliath]] | Dwarvish | | [[Gnomish]] | [[Gnomes]] | Dwarvish | | [[Goblin]] | [[Goblinoids]] | Dwarvish | | [[Halfling]] | [[Halflings]] | Common | | [[Orc]] | [[Orcs]] | Dwarvish | ###### Exotic Languages | Language | Typical Speakers | Script | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | | [[Aquan]] | [[Merfolk]], [[Undine]], [[Elementals\|water elementals]] | Aquan | | [[Auran]] | [[Birdfolk]], [[Sylph]], [[Elementals\|air elementals]] | Auran | | [[Abyssal]] | [[Fiends#Demons\|Demons]] | Infernal | | [[Celestial]] | [[Celestials]] | Celestial | | [[Draconic]] | [[Dragons]], [[Dragonborn]], [[Half-Dragon\|half-dragons]], [[Kobold\|kobolds]] | Draconic | | [[Dream Speech]] | [[Aberrations]], [[Kalashtar]] | None | | [[Ignan]] | [[Elementals\|Fire elementals]], [[Igira]] | Ignan | | [[Infernal]] | [[Fiends#Devils\|Devils]] | Infernal | | [[Leafspeech]] | [[Plantfolk]], [[Plants]] | None | | [[Primordial]] | [[Elementals]], [[Djinn]] | Dwarvish | | [[Sylvan]] | [[Fey]] | Elvish | | [[Terran]] | [[Elementals\|Earth elementals]], [[Pygmy]] | Terran | | [[Undercommon]] | Underworld or subterranean folk | Elvish | ### Boons