Character Creation
Choose a Build: Jack or Master
Your Build gives you a skill distribution. Are you good at few things or okay at a bunch of things?
Jack: Pick Five Gambits with 2 dice each
Master: Pick Three Gambits, with 4, 3, and 2 dice, respectively.
A Gambit is a thing you can do in the game when it’s your turn.
Develop a character concept.[i] Aim for an [adjective and noun] or a [noun with a prepositional phrase]. Are you a smooth barbarian, a charming rogue, or a hacker-with-a-gun? This concept will help you develop your Gambits.
Gambits should be understood permissively but shouldn’t be abused. A wizard gambit can let you cast spells, read magic, and operate magical devices. It doesn’t make you a fighting machine. Barbarian lets you rage through people, swing an axe, and stalk an animal in the wild. It doesn’t let you do a sword kata or engage in Laconic Wit.
Examples
Conan, smooth barbarian: Barbarian 4, Ladies 3, Stealth 2
Gandalf, wizard with a sword: Wizard 2, Sage 2, Sword 2, Ride 2, Intimidate 2
Set your Health (physical energy), Strain (psychic energy), and Movement to 3 each.
[i] The character creation rules for traits is derived from point distribution systems like in the Storyteller system and Risus: The Anything RPG.