Race Generation Tutorial


[4.2] How to make races (or in otherwords character generation templates, see [2.1]):

[4.2.1] When generating a new race, the first step is to determine the racial dimensions, abilities and bonuses of the race you envision. So let's say I envision a nasty rodent like race called the Gnome Rat. I see them as being about 25 kg (or 55 lbs,) or size level -2. They have somewhat sharp teeth and claws, I'de say about 2/3 sharpness, and 2 points of extra absorbtion on those natural weapons to keep them from breaking when they tear up thier victims. Also I'de like to make thier claws retractable, giving them a conceal bonus of 4. In addition to this, the Gnome Rat's keen wiskers and other natural sensory enhancements would give them a +3 detection bonus from my estimation. Also from thier natural tool's I'de give them a +1 acrobatic bonus for thier long tail and a +2 climbing bonus considering their claws, tails, and general rodentness. Meanwhile I'll toss in a regneration bonus of 1 for good measure.

[4.2.2] The next step is to determine the Player Point Value (PPV) of the dimensions, abilities and bonuses you envision for the new race. In this case, our Gnome Rat size of -2 is worth -2 PPV (see [2.1.3],) claw sharpness of 2/3 is worth 20 PPV (see [2.3.4.4.14],) the claw's extra absorbtion of 2 is worth 4 PPV (see [2.3.4.4.12],) the claw's conceal bonus of 4 is worth 4 PPV (see [2.3.4.4.5.2],) the detection ability bonus of 3 is worth 8 PPV*, the Acrobatics bonus of 1 is worth 2 PPV*, the climbing bonus of 2 is worth 4 PPV*, and a regeneration bonus of 1 is worth 2 PPV*. So in the case of our Gnome Rat described in [4.2.1], the racial PPV is 42 PPV (-2 +20 +4 +4 +8 +2 +4 +2 = 42 PPV.)

* see [2.1.2]


Copyright 1997 - 2001 Seth Galbraith and Benjamin Galbraith