I prefer "character discovery" over "character creation", which is why I like random stats and random starting gear. The dice of fate tell me a bit about who this character is, and I sagely interpret the results and build on them But what if I could amp up character discovery even more? #osr #ttrpg - ThreadSky

prismaticwasteland.com • 28 days ago

I prefer "character discovery" over "character creation", which is why I like random stats and random starting gear. The dice of fate tell me a bit about who this character is, and I sagely interpret the results and build on them

But what if I could amp up character discovery even more? #osr #ttrpg

Comments

xkrissix.bsky.social•27 days ago

I totally feel this. Fate is one of my fav games for this very reason.

prismaticwasteland.com•28 days ago

Thought experiment: all characters start with the same starting equipment (a dagger, a torch, a wedge of cheese) in a dungeon that is filled with monsters carrying loot. Some monsters have swords and shield, others have bows and arrow, some even have spell books. You take what you can, if you can

forlornencystment.bsky.social•27 days ago

I really like the idea of a Legend of Grimrock-style game where the characters’ equipment is just whatever they can get their hands on

prismaticwasteland.com•28 days ago

All characters start with no stats. They will eventually have stats with the same array (if it is a 6-stat system, let's assume 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8). The first time they need to make a test or save with a given stat, they take the highest available stat from the array.

itsdanphipps.bsky.social•28 days ago

Protagonist amnesia would be a fun wrinkle here. "So it looks like I know how to throw knives pretty good, maybe I was a chef?"

octopusink.games•27 days ago

I’ve long had a scenario in mind where characters wake up in hell/the afterlife on the banks of the river Lethe (or similar). As they level they are discovering their past selves and get personal memories along with abilities

swordsandfeelings.bsky.social•28 days ago

There is a module for Dungeon World and Dungeon Crawl Classics similar to this. Each player starts with 3 to 4ish level 0 characters. They go through a "meat grinder" dungeon by the end each has a rough idea of their talents and skills and surviving characters become the PCs.

ostrichmonkey.bsky.social•28 days ago

this sounds like a lot of fun

sappymerc.bsky.social•28 days ago

Cool idea but I immediately see it leading to meta-game thinking, which kinda defeats the point. “We’re approaching a locked door, who wants to be our thief and try picking it?”

levikornelsen.itch.io•28 days ago

I'd let them pick, in that moment.

Okay, you need to roll dex. Have you picked your dex? If not, now's the time.

It pressures to pick high, but at the same time, if they're getting a sense of who they are already, lets them go "No, I think I suck at this".

aryxymaraki.itch.io•28 days ago

I experimented a little bit with an idea like this, and in addition, all your skills and abilities come from your gear.

I think it's totally viable, just a lot of spreadsheet work to turn the concept into a full game.

der-ajz.bsky.social•28 days ago

I guess it depends on the situation. When we start a new campaign, we roll randomly. If players have knowledge of the system/setting, they sometimes have a creative idea of a character they would love to play. In such cases, I usually say "yes". I want them engaged and having fun

stormrebel.bsky.social•27 days ago

I lean more toward the column of character creation, my players love being able to fit mechanics to a vision. That said, Traveller is *amazing* for 'character discovery'. Lifepath character creation where you just get a whole 'prologue' for your character pregame is so fun.

homebrewcity.bsky.social•28 days ago

I feel like this is a serious™ game of Roll for Shoes

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