Title:          Adventuring! Character Creation
Description:    Creating characters for the Adventuring! campaign.
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# Adventuring! Character Creation

Characters are built by a simple statement that describes them --- *NAME is a [adjective] [adjective] [noun] who [verbs]* --- built from words and phrases from the Cypher System: descriptors, types, and foci. Adjectives are
[Descriptors](#descriptors), and PCs get two; one general descriptor and one racial descriptor (or two general descriptors for
humans). Nouns are [Types](#types), similar to character classes, and verbs are [Foci](#foci).

Chapter 4 of the *Cypher System Rulebook* details character creation, with description of the mechanical elements, and a
small sidebar summarizing the steps to take to create a character. The majority of this information is covered in the
[Cypher System Reference Document (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/), though the core rulebook presents
it in a bit more descriptive fashion.

We are also utilizing the following optional rules, noted here since they affect character creation and advancement:

* [Spellcasting](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#optional-rule-spellcasting)
* [Two Descriptors](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#variant-rule-two-descriptors)

## Sources

The majority of the options below are found, and best described, in the *Cypher System Rulebook*, with an open gaming
version available via the Cypher SRD. Most others come from *Godforsaken*, also available at the SRD, and *Path of the
Planebreaker* and *Planar Character Options*, referenced (but not described) at the SRD link, also from Monte Cook
Games, may also be of interest. Anything homebrew we will write up and include here.

I skipped listing a lot of the core content, because there's no point in repeating that everything in the core book/SRD
are fair game --- the exception to this are the foci, which are tailored below.

## Types

The four [types (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#chapter-5-type) are all relevant to the game. [Fantasy
Character Options (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#fantasy-character-options), from *Godforsaken*, has
suggestions on how to build all of the classic classes via the type system. For example, a barbarian would likely be a
Warrior that takes the Rages ability, but a bard might easily be an Explorer or a Speaker, depending on the concept and
desired abilities.

[Flavors (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#chapter-6-flavor) are not dissimilar to the idea of
subclassing. A spellblade may be a Warrior with the Magic flavor, for example.

*Godforsaken* has the best guidance here, though plenty of ideas are presented in the core book/SRD. Ask bss if you have
questions, especially if you feel there is a concept or specific implementation that doesn't fit within the out of the
box system, since it is fairly flexible.

## Descriptors

Descriptors are the adjectives for the character, describing how the character goes about their business. All of the
[Descriptors (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#chapter-7-descriptor) in the core book are fair game, as
are the [Fantasy Species Descriptors
(SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#choose-descriptors-fantasy-species), originally from *Godforsaken* and
the fantasy setting section of the core book.

Adventuring! uses the "Two Descriptors" variant rule as described under [Species as
Descriptor](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#species-as-descriptor).

### Faerûnian Races

The *Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (3e)* presents a number of racial options for D&D characters. For a character
that hews a bit closer to the Forgotten Realms line, you can apply [the Faerûnian races conversions on the homebrew
page](/cypher/homebrew).

## Foci

Foci are the possible verb-phrases that describe what the character does and is good at, beyond the basics from their
type. Most but not all foci in the core book are suitable for the campaign. The following is a mostly vetted list of
core and *Godforsaken* foci (others are negotiable):

* *Core:* Abides in Stone; Bears A Halo of Fire; Blazes With Radiance; Builds Robots; Channels Divine Blessings;
  Commands Mental Powers; Consorts With the Dead; Controls Beasts; Crafts Illusions; Crafts Unique Objects; Defends the
  Gate; Defends the Weak; Descends From Nobility; Entertains; Exists In Two Places At Once; Exists Partially Out Of
  Phase; Explores Dark Places; Fights Dirty; Fights With Panache; Focuses Mind Over Matter; Howls At The Moon; Hunts;
  Infiltrates; Keeps A Magic Ally; Leads; Lives in the Wilderness; Looks For Trouble; Masters Defense; Masters Spells;
  Masters the Swarm; Masters Weaponry; Moves Like a Cat; Murders; Needs No Weapon; Never Says Die; Performs Feats of
  Strength; Rages; Rides the Lightning; Sees Beyond; Sailed Beneath the Jolly Roger; Scavenges; Sees Beyond; Separates
  Mind From Body; Shepherds the Community; Shepherds Spirits; Slays Monsters; Solves Mysteries; Speaks For the Land;
  Stands Like a Bastion; Throws With Deadly Accuracy; Thunders; Travels Through Time; Was Foretold; Wears A Sheen of
  Ice; Wields Two Weapons At Once; Works Miracles; Works the Back Alleys
* *Godforsaken:* Takes Animal Shape; Uses Wild Magic; Walks the Wild Woods; Wields an Enchanted Weapon

These Foci and more can be found at [Focus (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#chapter-8-focus).

For the Forgotten Realms feel, I recommend simply reading the descriptions of the classes and prestige classes in the
*Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (3e)* and applying their flavor thematically. Again, the core classes can generally
be satisfied by [Fantasy Character Options (SRD)](https://callmepartario.github.io/og-csrd/#fantasy-character-options).
Some of the Forgotten Realms prestige classes are tied to setting lore and may be interesting to emulate, but don't need
any specific conversion beyond selecting appropriate abilities and potentially utilizing the optional spellcasting rule.

## Abilities

Types and foci give access to abilities, depending on the character's tier (level, basically). There's no point in
listing them all, if your choices grant access to the ability, it's in.
