CHARACTER CREATION
General Creation
All player characters must adhere to source content requirements, limitations, or restrictions as defined by their game's listing on StartPlaying (i.e. types of game rules for their chosen system such as core, expanded, etc.). The game master may choose to approve source content exceptions for reliable players who have a played with the game master for a minimum of twelve game sessions over a period of at least 90 days. Some restrictions may still apply and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
All player characters must be considered adults by humanoid standards (18+). Avoid characters who are unnaturally old or who lived through historical eras now shrouded in myth or legend.
Characters should align with the campaign's genre, fit realistically within the setting, and have a clear reason to cooperate with the rest of the party.
Avoid creating lone wolves, joke or meme characters, evil characters focused on causing harm, reluctant heroes, or otherwise "normal" characters who lack interest in adventuring or combat.
Player characters may come from rich or noble backgrounds, they should not be related to, or associated with, powerful or influential figures like kings, queens, or other high-ranking officials with lofty titles that grant access to special resources. Any recognition by major political or powerful figures within the game setting will be earned through in-game achievements and story progression, rather than assumed at the start of the campaign, unless otherwise intended by the game's scope.
Backstory Guidelines
Backstories are optional! You don’t need one to play a character well or have fun.
Backstories work best when they establish a sentimental connection between a player and their character. Writing a backstory is something you do for yourself because you're inspired or it helps you understand the character. The game master will not write backstories for players.
Align your backstory with the campaign. Your backstory should match the tone, theme, and the focus of your game’s current setting. Please do not write a backstory that begins outside the scope of your campaign.
The primary goal of a backstory should be to provide a clear and understandable reason why your character is going to opt into the game master's adventure. Explain why your character became a hero. What pushed your character to leave their old life behind?
Keep any backstory short and focused. A paragraph or two is perfect. You should aim to be clear and concise. Please do not send the game master multiple pages of prose, or they may ask you to rewrite your backstory to be more focused. Readers of your backstory should be able to understand why your character became a hero at a glance.
Keep any backstory open-ended. Good backstories explain the past, but don't dictate the future. Allow room for the game to surprise you, and avoid writing a backstory tied to a specific future goal that could derail the campaign. Instead, create a past that allows your character to engage with whatever story unfolds or quest is presented.
Changes to Established Characters
Players may proactively request character changes to refine or correct their characters, as long as the update maintains narrative grounding, i.e. no changes to established canon.
Typically, this means no changes to foundational pieces of your character once declared, such as your character's name, species, background, class, subclass, etc. However, elements of your character that have never featured in the story may be subject to change, such as swapping out a spell your character has never cast for a more thematically accurate one.
Major revisions are easiest early in a campaign; later changes should be minor to avoid disrupting established game arcs.
If the game master identifies past errors or misuse of character features, they reserve the right to correct all future rulings to follow the rules as written.
Player requests for character changes pointed out by the game master’s discovery, rather than the player’s own review, will not be approved.
If you are concerned about a certain mechanic or do not understand a specific feature, you may reach out to schedule a discussion during non-game business hours.
Feel free to also ask the game master questions about your character's mechanics before or after your session.
However, avoid stopping the game for other players to ask about your character's mechanics during a session or the midway break.
Players are expected to regularly review and maintain their character sheets as part of the Social Contract.