Cast in Shadow Character Creation
Welcome to Cast in Shadow, a multi-genre World of Darkness live action roleplaying game. On behalf of the game staff (except Smeagol, because he doesn’t like you), we would like to thank you for coming down to help make this game a success. If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask (but not Smeagol, he’s a jerk).
Contents
Step 1: Develop a Concept
Before you can begin developing the statistics for your character, it is a good idea to think of a general concept or direction for your new character. This doesn’t have to be complicated, and may be as simple as a drunken hobo or a rat-bastard of a lawyer. Choose a concept that you feel would be fun to play. Or painful. Whichever your cup of tea may be.
Step 2: Generate Mortal Character Statistics
There are two options available for writing up the Mortal statistics for your character: dot-buy and point-buy. The dot-buy method is provided as the basic method using the standard rules, whereas the point-buy method allows for more fleshed-out characters at the cost of being a more complicated method for the novice player.
Dot-Buy Method
All standard character creation rules in the World of Darkness core rulebook apply. Adding the fifth dot to any Attribute, Skill, or Merit costs two dots. Three dots of Merits may be sacrificed to gain one dot in your template’s power score – Merit dots may be sacrificed in this way twice.
- Attributes: 12 dots (5 / 4 / 3)
- Skills: 22 dots (11 / 7 / 4)
- Merits: 7 dots
Point-Buy Method
Using the point-buy method players are allocated a set amount of experience points for each category. The experience is spent based on the values established in the World of Darkness core rulebook. Twelve xp allocated to Merits may be sacrificed to gain one dot of in your template’s power score – Merit xp may be sacrificed in this way twice. Note: you must allocate dots purchased with this method in such a manner so as that the minimum dots are applied to each category as per the regular dot-buy method.
- Attributes: 170 xp
- Skills: 156 xp
- Merits: 32 xp
Step 3: Add Bonus Experience
Consult with the Characters Administrator for the current bonus experience value. As of 24 September 2010, it is in the 240-250 range.
Step 4: Apply Template
Whether you have used the dot-buy or point-buy method, applying the supernatural template is handled in the same way. Consult the appropriate core rulebook for your template. Use of a supernatural template costs 15 xp.
Step 5: Character Approval
Once satisfied with your character (or reasonably so), submit the character sheet to that gibbering loon in the corner (commonly referred to as the Characters Administrator). Once approved, you will be directed to the Storyteller for your chosen genre for final approval.
Step 6: Done
Engage in some light roleplay: get to know your fellow faction members (or enemies) and begin to become comfortable with your new persona for the game. When Midnight comes around, go home. Seriously. Get out. Claire will kill you. No foolin’. She killed my Aunt Petunia once. She didn’t get better.
