Character Creation
Steps:
Grab the Character Sheet
1. Choose Type (1/6)
- Glaive (“Sword” in French, btw)
- Nano (Wizards)
- Jack (Generalists)
- Arkus (Speakers)
- Wright (Crafters)
- Delve (Explorers)
In the original Numenera only three types were available (Glaive, Nano and Jack) and I suggest you stick to those when starting out. Unlike other systems, in Numeneara it is the combination of your type, descriptor and focus that really define your character, so your type is only about one third of your character.
Characters can be divided into multiple archetypes: Your best game divides them into 8 archetypes and Live to Tell the Tale into 6 ability contour archetypes. But the way Numenera deals with the descriptor type and focus allows you to mix and match more easily. So don’t worry too much about that. If you want to learn more see Archetypes. (Archetypes can be useful in creating a niche or separate roles for characters in a group and letting each character shine in their own way.)
Go to the Starting Values Table and put them on your character sheet.
2. Chose Descriptor (1/47)
Don’t read the descriptors, first find an adjective or two that describes your character. Then read the list and see what applies and pick two or three. Read the description for those.
For example: your character is kind.
Looking at the list you can pick beneficent, maybe civic, and nurturing.
Read those and choose one.
Discovery Descriptors: Charming, Clever, Graceful, Intelligent, Learned, Mystical/Mechanical, Rugged, Stealthy, Strong, Strong-Willed, Swift, Tough
Destiny Descriptors: Adaptable, Articulate, Beneficent, Cheerful, Civic, Committed, Confident, Cultured, Curious, Earnest, Empirical, Exacting, Forward-Thinking, Gregarious, Heroic, Imaginative, Industrious, Intimidating, Intuitive, Irrepressible, Lawful, Loyal, Meddlesome, Nurturing, Obsessive, Optimistic, Organized, Passionate, Persevering, Prepared, Protective, Relentless, Risk-Taking, Serene, Vicious
Species Descriptors: Varjellen, Lattimor, Mutant (requires GM approval)
3. Choose Focus (1/39)
Foci are like super-powers or feats of ability your character can do. They can be used to enhance to your tier abilities, like a jack that works the back alleys is a thief, but they don’t always have to.
Look at the Foci Table which has comic book and movie references and fantasy class hints to help you choose.
For example: Do you want to play a character like Super Mario?
Check out “Breaks down walls.”
Type (1/6), Descriptor (1/47) and Focus (1/39) give 10,998 permutations.
4. Choose Two Type Abilities (2/5 to 2/9)
Your Type has at least a five options for you to choose 2 tier abilities corresponding to your type at tier one. Pick these after your focus since you’ll want them to compliment each other. See the Tier Abilities Table
5. Resolve Skills Choices (from Type or Focus).
There is no set skill list. Skills are one of only three things that can lower the difficulty of a task. Your Type and/or your Focus may give you skills from a list to choose from too, pick those.
6. Starting Equipment
Now you and your Game Master (GM) will select what starting equipment you have. Remember that descriptors and foci can give extra equipment. Pay special attention to the cyphers.
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Armor reduces the damage you receive. Wearing Armor has a penalty: armor works like a “reverse Edge” for Speed Rolls, it increases the cost of Effort (per level) applied to Speed rolls. However, many character-types have abilities that reduce the cost of wearing armor.
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A Shield gives an asset (equivalent to a +3 advantage) to Speed Defense roll (That is the roll to avoid getting hit).
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Light weapons deal only 2 points of damage but also eases the attack roll by one step (equivalent to a +3 to hit advantage).
7. The Rest
Name & Look
Now pick a name for your character and sketch a rough look (with words or pictures).
Introduce yourself to the party & resolve Connections (from Focus)
Connections create ties between the players. Connections are listed in your Focus.
Fleshout your Background
Pick your Background and the answer to the question: Why does your character adventure? Refer to those section of your tier, focus and description choices. Your descriptor has suggestions for the Initial Link to the Starting Adventure.
If you wanna a deep dive Ginny Di has a list of 50 questions you can answer. The 50 Questions
The book has a set of Backgrounds for you to choose, but I recommend you skip this altogether and use a more story-driven way.
| Type | Background | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glaive | Intensive Training | |
| Glaive | Inborn Traits | Genetically Modified or Mutant |
| Glaive | Biomechanical Modification | Cyborg |
| Nano | Forbidden Knowledge | |
| Nano | Psionics | |
| Nano | Ports and Plugs | |
| Jack | Born Lucky | Genetically Modified |
| Jack | School of Hard Knocks | |
| Jack | A Cobbled Jumble | Cyborg and Psionic and Genetically modified |
| Arkus | Inborn Traits | Born leader |
| Arkus | Enhancements | |
| Arkus | Training and Experience | |
| Wright | Unusual Upbringing | |
| Wright | Unexpected Brilliance | |
| Wright | Mechanical Indoctrination | |
| Delve | What Others Fear to Know | |
| Delve | Part Machine | |
| Delve | Mentor |
Image Source: Fire Man Photo by Blake Lisk on Unsplash