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Character Creation Guidance Post

Discord post for D&D group

@D&D Hey all, finally got the character creation stuff together!

🏰 The Setting: Harcourt

You're starting in Harcourt, a thriving city of commerce and culture. It's a place where merchants hawk their wares, taverns stay open late, and life has been relatively peaceful for years. The city guard handles the occasional theft or bar fight, but nothing truly dangerous has threatened Harcourt in living memory.

This is about to change.

🎭 Character Backstory

Experience: You're good at what you do but haven't faced real danger. Think "skilled local" not "farm boy." Like:

  • Guard who aces training but never fought for real
  • Wizard fresh from school, untested
  • Tavern bouncer who's never killed
  • Priest who studied evil but never met it

Requirements:

  • From Harcourt or lived here 1+ years
  • Have connections (friends, family, job, rivals)
  • City-appropriate job/background
  • Know the city and local gossip

Non-Humans: Need a reason you fit in:

  • Elf enclave in Merchant Quarter?
  • Family settled generations ago?
  • The only one but locals know you ("our dragonborn blacksmith")?
  • Half-elves/orcs blend easier
  • Newly Awakened Heritage - Thought you were human until bloodline/patron revealed itself (Percy Jackson style)

✅ Good: Guard 2 years, knows the merchants | Wizard's apprentice ready to prove themselves | Inherited shop but wants adventure ❌ Bad: Just arrived in town today | Battle-hardened veteran seeking glory

⚔️ Newly Awakened Heroes (Level 1 Start)

You're creating a Level 1 character with powers that have JUST awakened. You've lived in Harcourt for years, but your class abilities manifested only recently - perhaps last week, maybe just days ago. You're still learning what you can do.

Character Creation Checklist

1. Create Your Character Sheet

  • Click "Character Sheet" on the Tabletop Dashboard
  • Follow the prompts to roll stat arrays (4d6 drop lowest, reroll 1s and 2s)
  • Select your preferred array from the generated options
  • Swap stats as desired when prompted
  • Complete the process to create your blank character sheet

2. Choose Your Species

  • Select your species (human, elf, dwarf, etc.)
  • Record species traits and abilities

3. Choose Your Class

  • Select your Level 1 class
  • Flavor Your Awakening - How did these powers manifest?
    • Fighter: First real fight last week awakened combat instincts
    • Wizard: Finally succeeded at actual magic after years of study
    • Rogue: Near-death experience unlocked uncanny reflexes
    • Cleric: Recent divine vision or answered prayer
    • Barbarian: First time truly angry, discovered your rage
    • Etc: Powers emerged during recent crisis or emotional moment

4. Choose Your Background

  • Select background (your life BEFORE powers awakened)
  • Background Benefits:
    • Ability Score Increases: +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1
    • Origin feat
    • Two skill proficiencies
    • Tool proficiencies
    • Starting equipment and gold
  • This represents your established life in Harcourt

5. Calculate Hit Points & Defenses

  • Hit Points = Class HD maximum + Constitution modifier
  • Armor Class = Based on starting equipment and Dexterity
  • Record proficiency bonus (+2 at Level 1)

6. Finalize Equipment

  • Use starting equipment from class and background
  • Purchase additional gear with starting gold
  • You have access to all equipment your class can use

Important Notes

  • You're Level 1 but narratively inexperienced with your powers
  • Your background is your established life; your class just awakened
  • First session is your first real test of these new abilities
  • You know the basics but haven't faced true danger yet
  • Think "Spider-Man's first week" not "veteran adventurer"

📝 Next Steps

  1. Build your character following above
  2. Figure out your Harcourt connections
  3. Show up ready for adventure

Questions? Ask here or DM me 🎲