Character

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A player’s first task is to generate a character. This section contains Character Generation rules for both PCs and NPCs. A novice GM or player can generate a character with attributes, skills, combat statistics, and equipment in one hour.

CHARACTER PROFILE[edit | edit source]

The character generation process consists, essentially, of filling out a Character Profile. On the Profile you record your character’s attributes, skills, possessions, etc. You will refer to the character profile often; keep it handy.

The Attribute and Skill sections comprise the front half of the Character Profile. The back of the profile is primarily concerned with combat statistics, which are dealt with in the COMBAT article.

Some information on the character profile is more or less permanent and may be entered in ink, but this varies from one campaign to another and it takes a while to learn the difference. Putting a sheet protector over a blank profile and then writing on it with erasable pens works reasonably well. Another alternative is to protect areas that change often, such as the Skill ML columns, with “magic tape” and then use a pencil; this allows multiple erasure without loss of clarity. With any luck, your favorite characters will have long careers and you will need to re-copy their Profiles from time to time to keep them legible.

Generating Characters[edit | edit source]

[1] GM tells the players which optional rules are in play for this game.

[2] Generate Birth, Appearance, Physical, and Personality attributes.

[3] Determine Parent Occupation. You may accept this occupation for your own or seek a new career.

[4] Determine Automatic, Occupational, Family, and Optional skills.

[5] Determine Equipment & Funds.

[6] Determine Contacts.

[7] Veterans (optional).

Character Design[edit | edit source]

It is possible to build characters to suit a specific need or vision. This is especially useful for NPCs. Rules for character design start on CHARACTER 21.

Character Software[edit | edit source]

There is a growing library of software for generating characters and managing various aspects of Hârn campaigning. See the Columbia Games website for details: www.columbiagames.com

Attributes[edit | edit source]

Attributes define a character. They should be generated in the order given because later attributes may derive from earlier ones.

Most attributes are expressed as a numerical value from 03–18, generated by the sum of 3d6, sometimes modified for Species and other considerations. Regardless of modifiers, no numerical attribute can be less than one (1). Some attributes are descriptive, generated by rolling 1d100 and consulting a table.

Key Attributes (optional)[edit | edit source]

Some GMs (and all players) believe PCs are an elite group who should enjoy an advantage in character generation. Although nearly all characters are playable, some might be so disadvantaged as to discourage players.

Seven Key Attributes are more important in the HârnMaster system than others. The best way to minimize problems with Key Attributes is to roll 4d6, discarding the lowest die. The Key Attributes are: