~~~ Player Character Charsheet - Explanation ~~~
Player Name: This is your use ID. Placing your user name on a character sheet helps your Game Master to identify that you are currently role-playing as that character, and not someone else. It also allows other players to see which characters you are currently playing with a simple glance.
Player Gender: This is where you list the sex and its gender pronouns you would prefer to be referred to as. Most often it is nearly impossible to tell the exact gender of other people online. Filling out this option with the appropriate gender you identify with helps to avoid confusion and hurt feelings when others use the wrong pronoun.
Character Archetype(s): A character’s archetype serves as the traditional player character class in Chronicles of Ashara. It represents a character’s overall focus in life. It is a general – oftentimes loose – descriptor of what a character can do, and helps to define their vocation, talents, base training, skill-sets, and abilities. However, character archetypes are only frameworks and generalities. Not all sorcerers, for example, are the same. Race, skills, feats, spells, and equipment, not to mention background, outlook, personality, allies, and enemies all serve to distinguish two different spell-casters from each other. Examples of character classes are the warmain, the longstrider, the dragga, the gladiator, the acrobat, the durahan, and the wizard. There are many official and homebrew character classes to choose from, each with their own benefits and weaknesses. It is also possible that a character may have received training in more than one archetype. While such characters are considered not as powerful as a character that dedicates themselves to a single archetype, these ‘multi-class’ characters tend to be more versatile when it comes to encounters, and offer greater role-playing possibilities. Please keep in mind that every character – player and NPC – possesses a character archetype, even if that archetype is an ‘aristocrat’ or ‘beggar.’ Refer to the thread 'Archetypes of Ashara' to find out which player classes are available to be used with player characters. If you do not find one that you like, submit an inquiry with your Game Master about creating a new archetype.
Moral Alignment: Alignments are an important factor in developing a character and a crucial aspect of “role” playing. Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, every person has his or her own code of ethics and morals as well as a sense of justice and what constitutes good and evil, right and wrong. It is this sense of right and wrong that helps to build our moral fiber and mold our behavior and reactions to people, events, and circumstances in the world. It is this code that makes the thought of stealing or hurting someone abhorrent to one person, but acceptable to another. With that said, all characters – player or NPC – have some form of moral alignment. Currently there are 7 moral alignments that serve as a general and loose summary of a character’s morality. Please refer to the ‘Moral Alignments in Ashara’ thread to find out what these moral codes are.
Patron Power(s): What god, goddess, or saint does your character primarily worship? Keep in mind that while some deities appear in multiple pantheons, different races also have their own unique gods, goddesses, and demi-powers. However, this does not mean a character from one race cannot worship the god(s) of another race; after all, it is commonplace for the various churches of Ashara to seek to convert others to their faith. If your character does not worship a god, and/or does not believe in a greater power, then write ‘Not Applicable’ to signify that they do not worship (or believe in) the gods.
Mottos, Quotes, Philosophies, and Other Saying-
-This option is where you list a phrase or remark that a person always says, or tries to live by that gives an insight into what kind of person they are. Does your character have such a quote, comment, motto, or a common saying? If so, please list it here, as if your character were saying it. You are required to give at least one character quote, but are also encouraged to give multiple entries for this option. Each character quote should take up one bullet listing, with each new quote taking up an additional entry.
Full Name: Names are important to the inhabitants of Ashara. They tell a story of an individual’s accomplishments and tragedies. They give an insight into an individual’s personality and history. This option is where you place the full name of your character, including their first, middle, and last name(s) as they were given to them, and as they would appear on a real-life present-day birth certificate. The name of a character can be as unique as the person that bears it, or it can be shared by others the world over. An individual may be named in honor of a family member, or a figure from history. Whatever the case may be, a character’s name usual helps to establish an image of that individual in the minds of others, regardless if that image right or wrong
Aliases: An alias is another name that a person is known by, other than the name(s), they were given or inherited. The tradition of adding a descriptive name to another person is well established, particularly during real-life historic periods. However, this is not always the case. Special government agents take on an alias while they are operating behind enemy lines. Pilots are given call signs to help identify them and their aircraft. Criminals employ false names to avoid detection as they go about their nefarious schemes. Even the every-day individual may possess a nickname that acquaintances, friends, and family call them. With all that said, this option is where you write down all other names your character is known by. If your character does not have any aliases, then write ‘Not Applicable’ in this option to signify that your character does not have any other names.
Rank(s) & Title(s): It is commonplace for many fields of occupation to bestow a certain rank and/or title upon their practitioners, oftentimes depending on that individual’s experience, skill level, and time spent in that field. As an individual’s skills grow, and they become more experienced, they may find themselves promoted to a new station, which itself may come with a new rank and/or title. A Knight may start out as a ‘Squire,’ but be promoted to ‘Knight Errant’ and even a ‘Knight Commander’ when his or her superiors feel they have achieved enough experience, proved their loyalties to their lord or lady, and have successfully passed a series of trials. An officer in the Navy is likely to advance through multiple ranks, and hold many titles, during his or her military career. A smuggler that owns his or her own spacecraft may on the other hand hold only the title of ‘Captain,’ while a Lich Wizard may take on the titles of ‘Lord of Corpses’ to signify their master of the necromantic arts. It is worth noting that some ranks and/or titles are not dependent upon your character’s archetype, or the social class you pick for them. Some characters may be knighted by a queen, or receive a rank within a planet’s ruling government for some great (or beneficial) deed, while another individual inherited one (or both) of their parents’ rank simply by the situation of their birth. Moreover, some titles, such as ‘the Butcher,” “the Peace Seeker,” “the Maleficent,” and “the Even-Handed,” may be attached to a character’s name as a descriptor of their personality and/or past accomplishments. Even still, some ranks and titles, particularly among charlatans and con artists, are fictitious and meaningless, and are changed as frequently they deem necessary. With all that said, this option is where you write down all the ranks and/or titles your character currently possesses. If your character has no titles/ranks, then write ‘Not Applicable’ in this option to signify that your character does not have a title or rank.
Social Class: A character’s social class refers to their current possession within the overall economic system and power hierarchy of a given society. The social class that a character exists in often influences their background, available resources, their level of education, and how they are perceive by others. Please refer to the thread ‘Social Classes of Ashara’ to find out what kinds of social classes are available.
Occupation(s): This option is where you write down what your character does for a living. It can be either a job, a career, or a very intensive hobby, and can range from hunting rare and valuable items, to being hired on as a mercenary, to wandering the world as a traveling merchant, or being a landed noble. A character’s occupation generally reflects his or her social status, their initial skill-sets, the amount of resources available to them, and even what kind of reputation they are known by. Examples of a character’s occupation would be “Illegal Weapons Smuggler,” “Slaved Gladiator,” “Professional Competition Sharpshooter,” “On-Call Traveling Healer,” and even “Wandering Adventurer,” “Day Laborer,” and “Vagrant Beggar.” Keep in mind that your character can have more than one occupation, and while not all characters appear to have an occupation at first glance, even the least skilled individual knows a few ways to earn their keep.
Race: This is the race that your character belongs to. The race of your character will determine how s/he looks, her/his personality, how others treats them, as well as their base stats, skill-sets, and capabilities. While there are literally hundreds of intelligent races that populate the Realms of Ashara, only a handful are appropriate enough to be used as player races. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ see which races are allowed to become player character in your current game. If you do not find a race that you want to play, then inquire about a new race to your Game Master.
Ethnicity: This is the ethnic group of your character’s race. Each race is divided up into different ethnicities that vary depending on region and society. Each ethnicity may or may not dictate how a character looks, their cultural and religious background, and what skill-sets they start out with. Please refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to see which ethnicities are available to the race you wish your character to be. If you do not find an ethnic group that you want to play, then inquire about a new race to your Game Master.
Age: This is the physical age of your character. A character’s age is measured in “seasons.” Depending on the area your character is from, the number of seasons generally correlates to how many summers your character has experienced, or how many winters your character has survived through. One season is equivalent to one standard year of the modern, real-life Gregorian calendar. Your character’s age may affect how others respond to him or her; your character’s personality; their physical appearance; even their ability to adventure in, especially when it comes to the longer living races. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to find out at what age your character reaches adulthood, and how long the life expectancy of their race is.
Sex: This option is where you write down the biological reproductive system that your character possesses. Your character’s sex is entirely dependent upon their species and/or their ethnicity, as some species or ethnic groups may have only one sex, while others may have as many as twenty. The sex of your character can determine how others respond to them, your character’s personality, their physical appearance, their ability to have offspring, and – in some cases – their status within a particular society. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to determine which sexes your character’s race is divided into.
Full Height: This is where you write down the height of your character when they stand fully erect, starting from the soles of his or her feet, and ending at the top of their head – ears and/or headgear not included. The height of a character is measured in centimetres. A character’s height may be affected by their species, race, sex, and age. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to find out the average height of your character’s race.
Base Weight: This option is where you write down the weight of your character, on an empty stomach, and without wearing clothing, equipment, armor, or wielding weapons or tools as measured on a 1-G world at ocean level. The weight of a character is measured in kilogrammes. Many things, including their species, race, age, sex, appetite, lifestyle, level of activity, and even social status, affect your character’s weight. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to find out the average weight of your character’s race.
Physical Traits-
-This is where you describe your character’s physical appearance in full detail. Even though they be-long to a certain species or ethnicity, each character is a unique individual, possessing his or her own unique skin tones and body shapes. Is your character light skinned, lithe, and super tall, or are they dark skin, short, and extremely muscular? Are they attractive; are stomach-churning ugly; or are they just plain and unnoticeable? Does your character have any scars; are they missing any teeth or any other body part? What is the color and style of their hair? What are the colors of their eyes? Does your character even have eyes? Remember to be as descriptive as possible when you are creating the physical appearance of your character. Please give a minimum of eight sentences – either in paragraph or list form – describing, in detail, what your character looks like. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to find out what the general appearance of your character’s race is.
Mental Traits-
-A person’s personality encompasses a wide range of mental aspects, including how they think, how they act, and how they perceive the world around them. This option is where you describe your character’s mental aspects. How does your character think and act? Are they self-centered and egotistical, caring little for the opinions of others? Is your character shy and withdrawn, with a deep love for cute and fluffy animals? Are they honorable, trustworthy, and loyal to a fault; will your character betray their allies at the earliest given opportunity? What are your character’s likes and dis-likes? Do they enjoy long walks on the beach with coconut-flavored martinis, or would they rather tinker with a steam-powered Gamorean chicken nugget slicer? The possibilities for your character’s personality are virtually endless. Remember to be as descriptive as possible when you are creating the psyche of your character, but be sure to give at least eight paragraphs (short or long, traditional or list format your choice) describing how your character thinks and acts, including both the positive and negative aspects of their personality. Refer to the thread ‘Player Races of Ashara’ to find out the general mindset of your character’s race.
Unique Powers and Abilities-
-Some individuals possess unique advantages over others. What special powers and/or abilities does your character have that separates them from others? Are they telepathic? Do they have pyscokinesis? Are they capable of calling upon the gods for divine intervention? Is your character a contortionist? Can they understand any written and/or spoken language the moment they hear it? Can he or she employ the arcane arts to cast fantastic spells to aid or harm others? What schools of magic is your character most skilled at using? Is your character capable of calling down divine blessings or unholy wrath upon others? If your character has any special powers and/or abilities, then please list them all here – in either paragraph or list form – in detail.
Clothing, Armour, Weapons, & Other Equipment-
-The life of an adventurer is full of fortune and danger. As such, it is common practice for them to carry a variety of armaments, protective armor, and equipment wherever they go. Please list and describe all the weapons, articles of clothing, suits of armor, and/or pieces of equipment that your character carries with them, and uses most often in their travels.)
Personal Pet(s)-
-Some individuals have pets that accompany them when they leave their homes. These creatures are often kept solely for companionship, and are not suited for the rigors of actual combat. Does your character have any animals – that is, non-sapient creatures – that follow him or her around on their journey? If so, describe them here in detail. If your character does not have any pets that accompany them whenever they leave home, then please fill this option out with a ‘Not Applicable’ to signify that this part of the charsheet does not apply to your character.
Personal Animal Companion(s)-
-It is not unusual for magical animals – highly intelligent animals capable of near-sapient thoughts – to form a lasting relationship with certain individuals, with whom they are never far from. This option is where you give a detailed description of all the animal companions that is constantly with your character. If your character does not have an animal companions that accompany them whenever they leave home, then please fill this option out with an ‘Not Applicable,’ signifying that this part of the charsheet does not apply to your character.
Personal Familiar(s)-
-Familiars are sapient creatures – often animals, but sometimes spirits – magically bound to an individual’s soul. Familiars are usually found as companions to wizards, sorcerers, and witches, but not always. Creatures that become familiars gain a limited access to their masters/mistress’ skill and spell inventory, while its master/mistress gains a partial aspect associated to their familiar. Does your character have a familiar? If so, then please list it here. If your character does not have a familiar, then simply fill this option with a ‘Not Applicable’ in this option to signify that this option does not apply.
Personal Riding Monture(s)-
-Some adventurers own their own mounts upon which they ride from place to place. This option is where you give a detailed description of all the montures that your character is known to ride. These riding mounts can be run-of the-mill beasts of burden, or highly-trained animal companion. Some of these mounts – such as the durahan’s warhorse and the elven kylorn– are trained for combat, capable of fighting alongside their rider. Does your character own a riding mount or beast of burden that accompanies them during their journeys? If so, then please list them here. If your character does not have a personal riding creature, then simply fill this option with a ‘Not Applicable’ in this option to signify that this option does not apply.
Backstory-
-A character’s backstory is an account of your character’s history leading up to their introduction into the game. When creating your character’s background, it is a good rule of thumb to give at least ten events that impacted your character’s life. You can be as descriptive as you want, but keep in mind to give at least two to three sentences per entry.
