mayapuppies Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Hello all, I am currently working on modifying The Random Character Creation stuff found in Central Casting: Heroe's of Legend, to better fit my game world and personal sensabilities. One of the things I am incorporating is a package of familiarity skills that a child would pick up from being raised in a family that had a particular profession (i.e. Farmer, Fisherman, Hunter, Silk Merchant, etc.). I was thinking of skill packages that contained a set of 1pt. Fam's totalling no more than 5pts. The problem I'm having is that there are a rather large amount of packages to develop and I know that I will start getting very generic with the skills I put in them over time. So, I was wondering if I were to post a list of the possible family occupations if anyone would help with filling in the Fam skills for them? Right now the process is geared towards the main game area of the Igard Confederacy but I fully plan on posting the word doc once I have it finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erkenfresh Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages In your situation, I'd just provide a list of occupations to my players, let them choose which one they want for their parents, and then come up with packages on the fly. Every package should probably have a related PS and a KS. Then, choose some related skills for the rest. For example, Joe picks for his parents to be farmers. You make up this package: PS: Farmer KS: Farming Trading (Fam) PS: Cooking KS: Flora and Fauna Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assault Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages The other thing is to consider that many historical societies set the threshold between "child" and "adult" rather lower than present day western societies. In many cases it would be quite appropriate for a twelve year old to have a functionally complete adult set of skills. Not always, of course. Skilled crafts, for example, may take longer to learn. Of course, part of the problem here is that you are really dealing with "Everyman Skills" here. While you could build a skilled farmer with a 3 Point PS: Farming, why would you bother? Just throw a couple of familiarities at the character and don't worry about it. I think you are overanalysing, in other words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages As the last two have said - I'd take the parent's occupations and just reduce some the skills randomly or get rid of some of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadodel Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages 5pts... PS Laborer 8- AK Local Area 8- Bribery 8- Trading 8- Handle Animal 8- Basic start... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages 5pts... PS Laborer 8- AK Local Area 8- Bribery 8- Trading 8- Handle Animal 8- Basic start... This is close to what I was going for here. Thanks I know it seems like I'm talking about Everyman skills and I really do tend to over analyze. However, I like to have skill heavy games (probably why I like Rolemaster so much) and this is particularly true of Fantasy HERO. This, at least in my mind, helps alleviate the min/max of characteristics by giving the players many more options to spend those exp on. I already limit myself to 1-5 exp per game session (3 being average) and with that "low" level of exp gain combined with a skill heavy setup ensures that the players advance slowly and really think about how they want to spend/save those points. During character creation I break out skills into the following categories: Genetic: Not really skills but templates that apply to each specific race which include only abilities and characteristic maxima that come from, well, genetics. Everyman: Skills that every single individual of any given culture would learn just for being raised in that culture (native language, AK and CK, a couple of KS's regarding cultural and religious beliefs, etc.). Childhood/Adolescence: Small familiarities that are picked up during childhood based on various events they are exposed to. These include skills from working in the family business, etc. Professional: These are the baseline skills/abilities that the character acquires from being trained in the characters "Class/Profession/Trade/etc.". These are optional but recommended to help give the player some direction. Extension Packages: These I nicked from KillerShrike and I use them to add a bit more color to the Profession Packages. These, for example, will take a Light Warrior Profession Package and (with the addition of the Wilderness Extension) turn it into a Scout/Forester. These are also optional as well. I feel that this gives a very solid understanding of the characters historical skill development and gives the characters skills that a player may not necessarily have picked up on their own. This is particularly relevent considering the players that I tend to get, who are invariably new to the system or are inclined to powergame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadodel Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages I like your approach. Mostly because I prefer skill heavy characters as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kortay Mirlor Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Hello all, I am currently working on modifying The Random Character Creation stuff found in Central Casting: Heroe's of Legend, to better fit my game world and personal sensabilities. What is this? Never heard of it, but it sounds a bit interesting. Info would be appreciated. One of the things I am incorporating is a package of familiarity skills that a child would pick up from being raised in a family that had a particular profession (i.e. Farmer, Fisherman, Hunter, Silk Merchant, etc.). I was thinking of skill packages that contained a set of 1pt. Fam's totalling no more than 5pts. The problem I'm having is that there are a rather large amount of packages to develop and I know that I will start getting very generic with the skills I put in them over time. So, I was wondering if I were to post a list of the possible family occupations if anyone would help with filling in the Fam skills for them? Right now the process is geared towards the main game area of the Igard Confederacy but I fully plan on posting the word doc once I have it finished. Interesting idea. Yeah, go ahead and post the occupations. Maybe post just some of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Thanks, I'll post a bunch later this weekend or Monday. As for Central Casting: Heroes of Legend you can find an overview here: http://index.rpg.net/display-entry?mainid=3061&editionid=3370 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Ok, here is a good portion of my list of household occupations: Farmer Fisherman Herdsman Hunter Warrior Horsemaster Explorer Skald Forester Blacksmith Potter Weaver Stone Mason Bowyer Baker Butcher Carpenter Tanner Rope Maker Leather Worker Cobbler Basket Weaver Cooper Painter Spinner Dyer Fletcher Sailmaker Saddle Maker Pawnshop Owner Caravan Master Trader Tavernkeeper Innkeeper Dry Goods Seller Curio Merchant Snake Oil Salesman Book Seller Clothing Seller Weapon Shop Owner Fishmonger Green Grocer Wine Merchant Importer Furniture Dealer Slaver Carpet & Tapestry Merchant Livestock Trader Shipping Agent Silk Merchant Art Dealer Gem Merchant Real Estate Broker Lumber Merchant Murderer Kidnapper Guild Thief Pickpocket Extortionist/Blackmailer Con-Artist Street Thief Highwayman Bandit Professional Assassin Smuggler Mugger Horse Thief Rustler Thug Pimp Prostitute Gang Leader Pirate Miner Stone Cutter Wood Cutter Charcoal Burner Unskilled Laborer Butler Cook Housekeeper Gardner Stable Hand Footman (as in a doorman servant) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Shrike Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages I dont see the need to make seperate packages for such; just allocate some points in a general Race Package and let the players interpret it to their background: Kind of like this: http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/Content/RacePackageDeals/Human/Human.shtml or this: http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/Content/RacePackageDeals/Human/HumanPhysical.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages I have to say, I am really liking the random system I'm coming up with so far. I've got most of the tables in the place and I thought I would just run through a test character or twenty to see what happens and ti insure I wasn't missing any tables. The first one I've done is outlined below...he has a rather...interesting uncle. Land of Origin: Igard Confederacy (Brurello Valley) Species: Thorgon Culture: Igardian (originally Lucani) Social Status: Escaped Slave (Originally Citizen) Wealth: Destitute (originally Well-To-Do) Birth Legitimacy: Legitimate Raised By: Uncle Siblings: 4 Brothers (character is 4th of 5 kids) Time of Birth: October 10th Place of Birth: Family Home Unusual Birth Events: Sky darkened as if from an eclipse. Character is the offspring of a mortal and a divine being. Head of Household Notes: (Uncle): Diplomat and Scribe, Kleptomania, Entomophobia, Bisexual, Transvestite, Voyeur, Depression. Has a jealous rivalry with characters father (his brother) to achieve the same goal. Used to be wealthy. Childhood Events Age 6: Uncle moves to Eibre Mountains (change culture to Igardian) Age 9: Sought refuge from a storm in a temple of the Holy Trinity dedicated to the yellow gods. Studied with them for 4 years. Age 10: Witnessed a Legionnaire being conned in a racketeering scheme. Adolescense Events Age 14: Ran away from home but returned 10 months later Military Events Age 16: Joined the Navy Age 18: Disease ravaged the ship and the character now has an allergy like reaction to cold/damp environments Age 20: Character is captured during a battle and sold into slavery for 6 years. Character escaped with an heirloom chainmail hauberk and is now hunted by his previous owner and family to retrieve the item. Adulthood Events Age 29: Uncle is outlawed after a failed attempt at a political coup Overall it was great fun! And gave me some direction to start on the skill packages and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kortay Mirlor Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Thanks' date=' I'll post a bunch later this weekend or Monday. As for Central Casting: Heroes of Legend you can find an overview here: http://index.rpg.net/display-entry?mainid=3061&editionid=3370[/quote'] "This book caused some controversy because of the author's stated beliefs that homosexuality and bisexuality were considered "Sexual Disorders" and automatically gave Darkside personality points." Controversy?!! It ought to have caused a dent in the head!! :mutter: What an «deleted by mod request». Other than that, looks like it might be usable, but I've got $0 right now, so I can't get it. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for answering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages The central casting series really is in desparate need of automating into random generation tables. I've thought about it now and then. A lot of work though. And yes, sexuallity should be a table with the various types mentioned and a percentage roll - similar to other tables (ie like the race table). I believe the current statistics are homosexuality at 10% but I may be mistaken on that (keeping tabs on homosexuallity news I leave to my friends that are). However - with automation comes the ability to modify percentages easily to taste. And make other changes. Hmm, now I'm wondering if I could create a customisable version with PHP and SQL.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Yeah, as I'm rewriting the tables for my system I keep imagining how cool it would be to do this with a single click of the button...then I think about the amount of work necessary to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages It's why I keep baulking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Shrike Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Maya, are you planning to post your work on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Yes, absolutely. It's currently incomplete and the first few tables are geared heavily towards my game world...but here is what I have thus far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayapuppies Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Re: Childhood Skill Packages Oh, and here is the incomplete character that I outlined above. Still have the Diplomat and Scribe packages to add as well as a couple disadvantages. I'm not entirely happy with the Divine Package, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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