Character generation and stats

= DRAFT STAGE =

This proposal is now considered drafted; many details need to be filled in, but it's ready to be discussed on forums

= Character generation = In general, you spend "points" (not defined how many or costs yet) to build your character. Not quite there yet, but I mention it at the top because it comes up below. You can "buy" good things for your character, and "sell" things to get points (to buy more things).

Character Origin
Players will chose from a limited sets of "origins", which are then used to balance/assign costs for their character (primarily skills).

"Oldster" vs. "New Blood". How old were you when the T72s rolled and the bombs fell? 20? 30?  Or were you raised as a kid in the brave new cold world??

New Blood
These types of characters are primarily survival oriented. They don't got no readin' or writin' (well usually) and they live under a different moral code. They understand old world technology, but they know all the good ice fishing spots, and can move without leaving tracks in the snow. Variants: Hunter, Scavenger, Predator, Trader, others. They can be one of the following:


 * Townie brats (children - adopted or natural of Oldsters who are civilized)
 * Tribals (children of Oldsters who went native, or are 20-30 y.o. "elders" of new tribes)
 * Wild (literally raised by wolves)

Oldsters
These folks have a history. They remember the good old days. They are suckers for pre-war items and nostalgia. They are still tough, hardened survivors, but they are getting to the point where they have to rely more or their wits than their physical attributes. They have all the same types as the New Blood, but will always have some kind of back ground skills ("word processing" anyone??). They are familiar with the technology that still works, even if they can't repair it: In addition there are mechanic, scientist and trained solider types. I assume there will be an large number of War Veterans. They can also be one of the following:


 * Civilized (they formed or are part of a group of oldster surivors)
 * Tribals (they went native, but not alone)
 * Lone Wolves (they feel the best way to succeed in this cold world is to live only for themselves).

= Stats =

Stats are the physical and mental properties of a person (character) or animal (or in some cases, non living objects). They are distinct from most abilities that are learned or trained (skills). They can change during the game, but usually not by much. They are often used to determine "base" or "default" values for skills or other task / challenge / resistance rolls. Primary Stats are on a 1-100 scale, with 50 being average male human, 27 years of age.

Modifiers or Traits
These are properties of a character that modify the general ranges of stats (and possibly) skills. They might also boost or reduce secondary stats or derived properties without changing the primary. They are generally "born in" but can in some cases be gained or lost in game.

Gender
Male or Female. Females have a Strength capped at 80. Females have the free trait of "Flexible", which may be bought off.

Physical Traits
This is your overall body type, there are 4 Modifiers. Lack of a modifier indicates average. A Tall or Stocky character might not fit certain items of clothing (10%).

Wiry / Stocky
You are either Wiry or Stocky (or neither). Wiry folks have a bonus Coordination, the the free trait of Flexible,, and penalty to Strength (+10/-10?). Stocky is the reverse (and cannot be flexible). Total mass is also also effected. Perhaps also modifies to heat/cold resistance.

Tall / Short
You are either Tall or Short (or neither). This obviously influence your overall height (+/- 20cm or so), and weight as well. A taller (Tall > Avg or Avg > Short) has a small advantage in melee combat due to increased reach.

Beatiful / Ugly
Beautiful costs posts, Ugly gets you points. Influences social reactions and skills with people; increased for opposite sex.

Flexible
Char. can fit into small spaces and generally better at dodging and acrobatic type skills (including climbing)

Ambidextrous
No off-hand penalties.

Skill Talents
These talents provide a bonus to learn and obtain certain classes of skills. Not all skills have associated talents, and instead rely on basic stats (generally Combat and social skills)

Primary Stats
Primary stats have a few different functions. They will provide default values for skills that they apply to, they are combined into secondary stats, and they can be directly "tested" in game (i.e, "Make a strength test to move the boulder")

Physical Stats.

Reflexes (RF)
Mental/Personality Stats

Secondary Stats
Secondary stats are combination of Primary stats which influence specific tests in the game. The primary stats influencing them are listed, sometimes with fractions (can be negative) to mark importantance. Those secondary stats marked with a * can be boosted individually by buying them as a trait.

Sprint Speed
(FT, 1/2 ST) ===