LIFEPATH

 

This is the first step of creating a character; getting a concept and history established. Lifepath is a special flowchart of events, personality quirks and plot complications, which are used to give a character roleplaying depth and complexity. In effect, the Lifepath is your character's "origin story," telling where he came from, what he's done and what he's like. To use the Lifepath, simply follow the instructions in each box of the chart, rolling a die or making a choice as instructed.

As part of the Lifepath process, you may also elect to take a few Complications: Situations, problems or personal limitations that enhance the roleplaying aspect of the character, and (coincidentally), generate extra Option Points to be used in the creation of the character later.

Note: Complications are not just window dressing; a big part of getting more Option Points is roleplaying your complications.

START LIFEPATH

 Start by deciding what your character is like; Basic Personality, Values, and world view. You may either roll (2D6) these or choose one:
  
 BASIC PERSONALITY
2 Shy and secretive
3 Rebellious, antisocial, violent
4 Arrogant, proud, and aloof
5 Moody, rash, and headstrong
6-7 Friendly and outgoing
8 Stable and serious
9 Silly and fluff-headed
10 Sneaky and deceptive
11 Intellectual and detached
12 Picky, fussy, and nervous
Go To WHO YOU VALUE MOST
 WHO DO YOU VALUE MOST?
2 Child
3 Brother or sister
4 Friend
5-6 Lover
7 Yourself
8 Pet
9 Teacher or mentor
10 Public figure
11 Personal hero
12 No one
Go To WHAT YOU VALUE MOST
 WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST?
2 Money
3 Honor
4 Knowledge
5 Honesty
6-7 Friendship
8 Your Word
9 Love
10 Power
11 Having a good time
12 Vengeance
Go To YOUR WORLD VIEW
 YOUR WORLD VIEW
2 Every person is a valuable individual.
3 I like almost everyone.
4 No one understands me.
5 People are sheep who need to be led.
6-7 I'm neutral to most people.
8 People must earn my respect. No free rides here.
9 People are untrustworthy. Be careful who you depend on.
10 No one's going to hurt me again.
11 People are wonderful!
12 People are scum and should be wiped out.
Go To EARLY BACKGROUND

Now move on to Early Background and
Childhood Events (Roll for all of these):

What was your early upbringing like, economics wise?
Note: this has no effect on your current situation

Roll 2D6 and find out...

EARLY BACKGROUND
Roll Family Status:
2-3 Poor: Just scraping by, day by day.
4-6 Middle Class: Like most kids, you were pretty run of the mill.
7-8 Well-to-Do: You went to good schools, wore nice clothes, had lots of treats.
9-10 Wealthy: You had plenty of everything; even servants!
12 Rich (possibly nobility): You lived in the lap of luxury, lacking nothing.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Any Childhood Crises? Big problems or traumas?
Roll once (1D6) below and go to the appropriate table:
1-3 A Boring Childhood: Go To LIFE EVENTS
4-6 Go To Childhood EVENTS
CHILDHOOD EVENTS

A crisis in your early youth!
Roll 1D6 to see how your family was affected:
1-4 One or some Family members were...
5-6 Your entire Family was...

....then roll 1D6 for the rest of the story:

1-3 Enemies


1 betrayed by a friend or relative and lost everything they had.
2 exiled; you have returned under an alias.
3 murdered before your eyes.
4 Hunted by (or involved in a vendetta) with a powerful group, or organization.
5 abducted or mysteriously vanished; you were inexplicably left behind.
6 killed in war, terrorism, or disaster.

4-6 Secrets

1 accused of a terrible crime they may (or may not) have committed. Roll 1D6: 1-3, they were imprisoned for 1D6+2 years; 4-6, they escaped imprisonment but are still under the gun.
2-3 considered to have some kind of unique birthright, ability or status.
4 unknown- you grew up alone, never knowing your true heritage.
5-6 not the real thing-you're adopted, and obsessed with finding your true family.

Go To LIFE EVENTS
LIFE EVENTS
Roll 2D6+16 (or choose) to determine your age.
For each year over 16, roll once below and go to the appropriate table:
1-2 Good with the Bad
3-4 Friends and Enemies
5 Love and War
6 Nothing Happened that Year.
When you have completed all the years up to the present,
Go to CURRENT SITUATION to see where you are now.
FRIENDS & ENEMIES (roll 1D6)

1-3 Make an Enemy. Roll 1D6 and see below
1 Enemy: Bitter ex-friend or lover.
2 Enemy: Relative.
3 Enemy: Partner or co-worker.
4-5 Enemy: From rival group or faction.
6 Enemy: Powerful official or noble.

4-5 Make a Friend: Roll 1D6 and see below
1 Friend: Like a brother, sister or parent to you.
2 Friend: Partner or co-worker.
3 Friend: Old lover (choose which one).
4 Friend: Old enemy (choose which one).
5-6 Friend: Have common interests/acquaintances.
Go Back To Life Events
LOVE & WAR (roll 1D6)

1-2 Had a Happy Love Affair: 'Nuff said.
3-4 Had Love Trouble! Any of these might be a good hook for a COMPULSION, ENEMY, or PSYCHOLOGICAL complication. Roll 1D6/see below:


1 Your lover's friends/family would use any means to get rid of you.
2 You fight constantly.
3 You've had a child! Roll for sex: Even=Female, Odd=Male. RESPONSIBILITY anyone?
4 One of you is "messing around."
5 You got married! Any further Love & War rolls refer to your marriage (or future divorce!)
6 It just isn't working out.

5-6 Had a Tragic Romance: Any of these might be a good hook for a COMPULSION, ENEMY, or PSYCHOLOGICAL complication. Roll 1D6 and see below:


1 Lover died in accident or was murdered.
2 Lover mysteriously vanished
3 Lover was kidnapped.
4 Lover was imprisoned or exiled
5 Lover went insane and is now "hospitalized."
6 Lover committed suicide

Go Back To Life Events

GOOD WITH THE BAD (roll 1D6)

1-2 Something Good: (roll 1D6)

1 Make a Connection (see PERKS): A local power player (warlord, official, noble, whatever) befriends you. Their level of effectiveness is worth 1D6/2.
2 Mentor: You gained a teacher or mentor in your life. This person has taught you one new skill up to a level of 1D6/2 (round up).
3-4 Favor (see PERKS): Someone owes you big time. Roll 1D6/2 to determine the level of the favor owed you. Type of contact subject to GM approval.
5 Membership (see PERKS): You have been nominated for membership in a select group. Roll 1D6/2 to determine your new status (organization is up to GM)
6 Windfall: Your financial ship just came in- an inheritance, lottery win, gambling score, or just a good investment Roll 2D6 x $10,000 for the amount.

3-6 Something Bad: (roll 1D6)


1 Imprisonment: You have been exiled, imprisoned, or held hostage (your choice). Roll 1D6 x 1 year for length of imprisonment. A good place for a PSYCHOLOGICAL complication.
2 Falsely Accused: You were set up, and now face arrest or worse. A good place for an ENEMY complication.
3 Accident or Injury: You were in some kind of terrible accident or maimed in some other way. A good place for a PHYSIOLOGICAL Complication.
4 Hunted: You incurred the wrath of a powerful person, family or group. A good place for an ENEMY complication.
5 Mental or Physical Illness: You were struck down by a severe PHYSIOLOGICAL illness or PSYCHOLOGICAL complication.
6 Emotional Loss: You lost someone you really cared about. 1-2; they were murdered. 3-4; they died by accident or illness. 5-6, they vanished, killed themselves or just up and left without any explanation.


Go Back To Life Events

CURRENT SITUATION
Roll 2D6 to determine where your life is right now:
2 You're involved in the underworld; criminal or black market activities.
3 You're involved in law enforcement, criminal investigation, or espionage work.
4 You're involved in government or other administrative duties.
5-7 You have a nameless, mundane "day job."
8 You're involved in business or high finance.
9 You're a freelancer; you work for yourself
10 You're involved in craftwork or construction
11 You're involved in research or scientific study.
12 You're involved in a military or paramilitary organization.
Go To CURRENT OUTLOOK
CURRENT OUTLOOK

Roll 1D6 to determine where your life is right now:

1 I hate my life, but I can't change it.
2 My life is crazy and out of control.
3 I crave more adventure and thrills
4 I crave more romance and passion.
5 I crave more money and power.
6 Life is good!