Creating a Character

To create a character, you’ll first need a character sheet—a sheet of paper on which to record all information about the new character.

A selection of different character sheet PDFs is available at necroticgnome.com. These may be downloaded and printed for use in your games.

1. Roll Ability Scores

Roll 3d6 for each of your character’s ability scores: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma. See Ability Scores.

Sub-Par Characters

If you roll a character with very poor ability scores—for example an 8 or less in every score or an extremely low rating in more than one ability—the referee may allow you to discard the character and start again.

2. Choose a Class

Select one of the classes available (see the list of classes in the genre rules book), bearing in mind the minimum ability score requirements of some classes.

3. Adjust Ability Scores

If you wish, you may raise the prime requisite(s) of your character by lowering other (non-prime requisite) ability scores. For every two points by which an ability score is reduced, one point may be added to a prime requisite. The following restrictions apply:

• Only Strength, Intelligence, and Wisdom may be lowered in this way.
• No score may be lowered below 9.
• Some character classes may have additional constraints.

4. Note Ability Score Modifiers

Now that your character’s ability scores are fixed, make a note of any associated bonuses or penalties, consulting the tables overleaf.

5. Note Attack Values

The level progression chart for your character’s class lists your THAC0 score. This indicates your chance of hitting opponents in combat, as determined by the Attack Matrix by THAC0.

For quick reference, it is convenient to look up the values in the attack matrix row corresponding to your THAC0 and record them on your character sheet. 1st level characters have a THAC0 of 19 [0], resulting in the attack values shown below.

1st Level PC Attack Values

Attack Roll	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19
AC Hit	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1	0

6. Note Saving Throws and Class Abilities

Record any special abilities possessed by your character as a result of their class, as well as your character’s saving throws. If your character has a spell book, ask your referee which spells are recorded in it. The referee may allow you to choose.

7. Roll Hit Points

Determine your character’s hit points by rolling the die type appropriate to the chosen class. Modifiers for high or low Constitution apply (see Ability Scores). Your character always starts with at least 1 hit point, regardless of CON modifier.

Re-Rolling 1s and 2s (Optional Rule)

If your roll for hit points comes up 1 or 2 (before applying any CON modifier), the referee may allow you to re-roll. This is in order to increase the survivability of 1st level PCs.

8. Choose Alignment

Decide whether your character is Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic (see Alignment) and note this on your character sheet.

9. Note Known Languages

Your character’s class determines their native languages. This always includes the common tongue and the character’s alignment language—see Languages. Characters with high INT may also choose additional languages from the list of languages available in the setting.

10. Buy Equipment

Your character starts play with 3d6 × 10 gold pieces (see Wealth). You may spend as much of this money as you wish to equip your character for adventure, consulting the equipment lists under Equipment & Services.

Remember: Your chosen class may restrict your use of some equipment (e.g. weapons and armour).

11. Note Armour Class

Your character’s Armour Class is determined by two factors:

• Armour: The armour worn determines your character’s base AC (see Armour).
• Dexterity: See Ability Scores.

Unarmoured AC

If your character has no armour, their base AC is 9 [10].

12. Note Level and XP

Your character begins play at 1st level with 0 XP.

13. Name Character

Finally, choose a name for your character. You are now ready for adventure!