Characters (Red Age)

From The Hidden Room

Red Age > Rules > Characters

Basics

Character Generation

  • Start with 0 XP at level 1.
    • If you are making a character to replace one who died, start with half the dead character's XP.
  • Determine stats, rolling 4d6, summing the best 3, for each stat in order. Then swap any two stats of your choice.
    • If the sum of all your stat MODs is less than +1, you can scrap the character and roll again.
  • Choose a class.
    • Gain its extra HP, combat proficiencies, attack, abilities, etc. Make any choices it offers.
  • Choose 2 Saves to be proficient in (1 free choice and 1 choice from the options offered by your class).
  • Describe your Background.
  • Spend your Feat Points (and any Rogue or Mutation Points from your class).
  • Determine your caster level (gaining Mana and Panoply) any starting spells.
  • Determine starting weapons, armor (and defense), and gear.

Level

Base stats By Level
Level XP PROF (HALF) HP Life Feat Points Attack
High Mid Low
1 0 1 (0) 5 11 2 +2 +1 +0
2 2k 8 11 3 +3 +1
3 4k 2 (1) 11 12 +4 +2
4 8k 14 12 4 +5 +3
5 16k 3 (1) 17 13 +6 +2
6 32k 20 13 5 +7 +4
7 65k 4 (2) 23 14 +8 +5
8 130k 26 14 6 +9 +3
9 250k 5 (2) 29 15 +10 +6
10 370k 32 15 7 +11 +7
+1 +120k +1 +1

Retiring

  • Once you reach 5th level, any time you are in a place of safety, you can Retire to Safety. You take your personal share of money and items (some gifts to the party might be negotiated with the DM) and either head off into the sunset or settle down to a (probably) comfortable but not earthshaking position (perhaps running a popular tavern, becoming a civic official, etc). You're safe from personal peril, and might be in a position to offer some occasional support to your old companions.
  • Once you reach 9th level, you can Rest on Your Laurels. You depart or settle down, becoming a person of influence and importance, perhaps becoming a local lord, court wizard, wealthy merchant, guildmaster, criminal boss, etc. You can even become a major leader as long as you do it somewhere comfortably far away from the rest of the adventure.

Stats

Vigor (VIG)

  • Strength, toughness, stamina, health
  • +VIG to forceful attack and damage (melee and thrown)
  • +VIG to HP per level
  • Vigor = encumbrance threshold

Dexterity (DEX)

  • Speed, agility, coordination, reflexes
  • +DEX to defense (capped by armor)
  • +DEX to finesse attacks and damage (melee, thrown, and ranged)
  • +(DEX or WIT) to initiative
  • Readied Items = (Dexterity or Wits) / 2, rounding up

Wits (WIT)

  • Craftsmanship, perception, memory, intuition, quick wits
  • +(DEX or WIT) to initiative
  • +WIT to feat points (can't be used for Growth)
  • Readied Items = (Dexterity or Wits) / 2, rounding up

Spirit (SPT)

  • Force of personality, willpower, personal magnetism, spiritual power
  • +SPT to reaction rolls
  • +SPT to morale / loyalty rolls
  • 1+SPT max number of Companions

Stat Bonus

  • Stat Bonus = stat - 10
  • Stat Bonus shorthand: SB
  • Static Stat DC = 11 + Stat Bonus

Stat Modifier

  • Modifier shorthand: MOD (but specific stat mods have their own shorthand, VIG, DEX, WIT, SPT)
    • (stat / 3) - 3, rounding down
  • Values
    • 3-5) -2
    • 6-8) -1
    • 9-11) +0
    • 12-14) +1
    • 15-17) +2
    • 18-20) +3

Personality and Intelligence

  • A low Wits does not mean a character is necessarily stupid. They are less observant, less quick to react, and more methodical working through things, but they can come up with clever plans, be well-educated, etc. Or not. However you feel like portraying them.
  • Similarly a low Spirit means you lack a certain magnetism and force of personality, but you can be as eloquent and social as you like.

Rolling Stats


Hit Points & Life

  • HP (up to 10th) = 2 + class starting bonus hp + ((3+VIG+class bonus hp) x level)
    • Above 10th: +(1+heroic class bonus hp) per level
    • If multiclassing, use your single highest (class starting bonus hp) and the (class bonus hp) and /or (heroic class bonus hp) for the individual class levels gained.
  • Reserve HP: equal to normal HP. Converted into HP through rest, putting an upper limit on near-term natural recovery.
  • Life (rounding down) = 10 + VIG + SPT + PROF

Attack, Defense, & Saves

Attack

  • Players roll attack against a static NPC defense DC.
  • Attack Bonus (up to 10th, rounding normally)
    • High: MOD + Level + 1
    • Medium: MOD + 2 x (Level / 3)
    • Low: MOD + (Level / 3)
  • Static Attack DC: 12 + Attack Bonus
  • Forceful attacks add VIG to attack and damage; Finesse attacks add DEX.
  • If multiclassing, gain the partial benefits from each class level, summing and rounding normally.

Defense

  • Players roll defense against a static NPC attack DC.
  • Defense Bonus: DEX (while mobile and aware) + Armor Defense Value
    • You may use your Dexterity Save Bonus instead of your Defense Bonus while benefiting from a Dodge action.
    • If not proficient with your armor or shield, halve its effective armor value and apply Clumsy 11 / +0.
  • Static Defense DC: 11 + Defense Bonus
  • Armor
    • Light (+2 defense)
    • Medium (+4 defense, Clumsy 15 / +2)
    • Heavy (+6 defense, Clumsy 13 / +1)
    • Shield (+2)
  • Clumsy limits your Dexterity and DEX to the listed values for all purposes (not just defense).

Saves

  • Players roll saves against a static NPC effect DC.
  • Saves
    • Vigor: used to resist poison, disease, fatigue, privation, magical manipulation of the body, and forced movement.
    • Dexterity: used to avoid trouble by fast reactions, dodging, and taking cover from rays, explosions, falling into pits, etc.
      • A shield (w/ proficiency) gives +2 Dexterity Save against blasts, bolts, beams, falling rocks, and other things you can use it to take cover from.
    • Wits: used to spot incoming trouble, see through deceptions, illusions, and manipulations, and cope with ambushes or confusion.
    • Spirit: used to resist mental, emotional, or spiritual influence by magical or social means, and the imposition of enchantments.
  • Save Bonus
    • Proficient: MOD + PROF
    • Non-Proficient: MOD + HALF
  • Static Save DC = 12 + Save Bonus

Effect

  • Players roll effect against a static NPC save DC.
  • Effect Bonus = MOD + PROF
    • Magic: Theurges use SPT. Sorcerers and Malisons may use their choice of WIT or SPT.
  • Static Effect DC: 11 + Effect Bonus

Combat Proficienies

Background

A brief description of your culture, upbringing, and previous life (e.g. escaped northern slave turned sailor).

  • You may know how to play an instrument, sail a boat, herd animals, perform court etiquette, forge a plow, recite local history, etc. You aren't masterful, but you can be competent, or even professional (mastery or unique prowess requires a feat).
  • You can perform actions using the knowledge and skills of your background. If the outcome is in doubt, make a check using the appropriate Stat Bonus.
  • PCs are assumed to be competent adventurers as part of their background, able to handle pack animals, start campfires, forage and hunt a little, tie knots, make camp, etc.
  • Through play and downtime actions, you can add to your background, learning new skills, languages, etc.

Feats

Classes

Fighter

Rogue

Sorcerer

Theurge

Abhuman

Multiclassing