diff --git a/idlerpg/models.py b/idlerpg/models.py
index d0ff5d6..0710a2d 100644
--- a/idlerpg/models.py
+++ b/idlerpg/models.py
@@ -144,6 +144,19 @@ class Character(models.Model):
         # character is past their old time and in the process of leveling up, calculate next based on that
         return Game.level_formula(self.level, self.next_level)
 
+    def check_password(self, password: str):
+        """Check that the provided password is correct for this character.
+
+        Used to authenicate without logging in (yet).
+
+        Args:
+            password: the password to check
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: if the password is incorrect
+        """
+        if not check_password(password, self.password):
+            raise ValueError(f"incorrect password for character '{self.name}'!")
+
     def level_up(self):
         """Set this character's level and next time if they meet the necessary criteria.
 
@@ -171,8 +184,7 @@ class Character(models.Model):
         """
         if self.status != self.CHARACTER_STATUS_OFFLINE:
             raise ValueError(f"character '{self.name}' can't be logged in, isn't offline!")
-        if not check_password(password, self.password):
-            raise ValueError(f"incorrect password for character '{self.name}'!")
+        self.check_password(password)
 
         logger.debug("logging %s in...", str(self))
         # we need to apply the time lost to the next level time