Players that are planning to take part in the intrigue and adventure found within the City of Splendors will need to follow these steps in creating a character. Most of the information that is required for the process can be found in the Fifth Edition
Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook. With a few exceptions specific to this campaign, character creation for
Dragon Heist mirrors the process described on page of the
Player’s Handbook.
- Select a race for your character. For the most part, any of the races described in the Player’s Handbook may be chosen. However, if you are seriously considering playing either a Drow or a Dragonborn, please send me a Private Message so we can discuss your selection. Make certain to record any traits and ability score bonuses your character gains as a result of your chosen race. Be sure to also record the languages your character knows and their base movement speed.
- Choose your character’s class. Characters in Dragon Heist will begin their adventure at First Level. Once you’ve settled on a class for your persona, record all of the class features and proficiencies that your selected class gives your character at First Level.
- Record your proficiency bonus on your character sheet. At first level, your proficiency bonus will be +2.
- Record your hit dice and your starting hit points. The hit dice you use to find your hit points is determined by the class you’ve chosen. At first level, you will begin with hit points equal to the highest roll of your assigned hit die. You can go ahead and record your hit points, but be aware that you may need to modify the total later, should your Constitution score impact how many hit points you receive.
- Determine your ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. There are two methods you can use to determine these scores.
- Random Method: Roll 4d6 six times, recording the total of the highest three dice for each score. Once you have all six scores generated, assign them to each ability as you see fit.
- Pregenerated Method: You may take the following scores and assign them to the individual abilities as you choose: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8.
- Once you have determined your ability scores, make certain that you apply any modifiers from your chosen race to your scores.
- Determine your ability modifiers on the Ability Scores and Modifiers table in the Player’s Handbook and record them on your character sheet.
- Choose your character’s alignment and identify their ideals.
- Using the information in Chapter 4 of the Player’s Handbook, identify your character’s bonds and flaws, and choose a background for him or her.*
- Select your character’s starting equipment. You may select the gear that is given to your character as part of their class and background, or you can determine the amount of gold your character will receive, based on his or her class, and purchase equipment for them using the equipment lists given in Chapter 5 of the Player’s Handbook.
- Give your character a name, if you haven’t already done so. I’ll be sure to change your in-game name to match your character’s once you’ve chosen it. As well, please select a portrait for your character. As a personal request, I would ask that you use a portrait that is a photograph or artwork that is realistic in design. Please don’t use anime portraits or pictures that are cartoonish.
If you elect to use the random method to determine your
ability scores, and are disappointed with the results, you have the following options:
- If there is a single score you’re unhappy with, you are allowed to reroll that score to see if you can obtain a better number.
- If the whole set of scores is a disappointment, you can scrap them and reroll all your scores. Please let me know in a PM that this is the option you’re exercising.
- You can also choose to use the Pregenerated Method, should you no longer have faith in the dice roller.
If, after employing one or more of these remedies, you’re still unhappy with the results, please contact me so we can work out a solution for you.
Should you have any questions during the character creation process, please let me know. I’ll be happy to help in any way that I can. I want to make certain that you’re able to construct a character that you’ll enjoy playing.
* I am open to players using one of the following
backgrounds from the
Sword Coast Adventurers’ Guide, as they are well suited for a heroic resident of Waterdeep:
City Watch, cloistered scholar, courtier, faction agent, far traveler, inheritor, mercenary veteran, urban bounty hunter, and
Waterdavian noble. If any of those backgrounds are of interest, even if you don’t have a copy of the
Sword Coast Adventurers’ Guide, let me know and we can work on incorporating it into your persona. Should you select
faction agent we’ll need to decide on a Waterdeep faction that is appropriate for your character.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:38, Wed 24 Feb 2021.
