Absolutely, I love coaching people through the character design process! I’m glad you’re having fun, I had a feeling you would. ^_^

Now, a “skill” is basically just a specialized application of a particularly ability score, called an “ability check.” For example, if you wanted to climb a rope, your dungeon master (DM) might call for a “STR check.”

STR check: 1d20 + your STR mod.

However, if you are “proficient” in the Athletics skill (which represents prowess with STR-based activities), you would get to apply your “proficiency bonus” to that check. This bonus starts at +2 but scales with your character level; basically, practice and experience has a direct impact on everything you’ve chosen to specialize in.

STR check (climb the rope, with proficiency in Athletics skill): 1d20 + STR mod + PRO (Athletics).



• Another example: You need to get information out of a captive orc, who is being stubborn. You can make a CHA check to get him to talk.

CHA check: 1d20 + your CHA mod.

If you were proficient in the Persuasion skill (which is useful for diplomacy), you’d get to add your PRO bonus here. But that’s generally not how barbarians roll. Persuasion is not a skill option they have access to, unless through some other special feature. But notice that barbarians do have access to the Intimidation skill. Flexing some muscle and implying violence might get you better results. A class’ particular skill selection is a good indicator of what to leverage in how you play them, since we obviously lean into what we’re good at as we navigate our world.

CHA check (Interrogate the orc): 1d20 + CHA mod + PRO (Intimidation).


As a level 1 Barbarian, you choose two skills from: Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, and Survival. Note: just because you’re not proficient in something doesn’t mean you can’t attempt an action—it’s an Ability check, after all. You just don’t get a PRO bonus on the roll. I ALWAYS recommend either Athletics or Acrobatics (for STR and DEX based characters, respectively), and whatever CHA skill is on your class skill list. For you, that’s Intimidation. Some classes get lots of skills, but Barbarians aren’t one of the “skill-monkey” classes.

This step works in tandem with selecting a “background.”

Remember how we started to get a vague glimpse into this guy’s history? That was in preparation for this step. A “background” selection is primarily an RP tool to help get you inside your character’s head, but it’s also a little kit of perks (like extra skill proficiencies) that further color your character. This is where you get to channel character tropes from various media you might be inspired by.

A good resource: https://5ebackgrounds.net/

“Peasant Hero” and “Outlander” backgrounds stand out, but many work well for you. Select a background and layer in your skill proficiency selections!

In reply to DeityX (msg # 15):

Do the skill proficiencies stack?  If I choose the outlander background I'd be proficient in athletics and survival.  Does that mean I shouldn't choose athletics as one of my level one barbarian skills?  Or that would give me an extra bonus in that area?

I'm leaning towards outlander and I want to pick the intimidation skill for sure.

Do I also pick one or roll for each of the tables in the outlander background from that site as well?

Origin, Tribal Nomad,
Personality, lesson from nature
Ideal, change
Bond, death to ones who destroyed Homeland
Flaw, no room for caution!!!

Good observation! No, they do not stack. It’s great when a background gives you class proficiencies for free, because it allows you to get more skills from your class selections. This is why I said this stage and the previous one work tandem.

Perception is the single most rolled WIS check in the game. Since you get Athletics for free from your background, now is a great time to score Perception.

The tables are purely for RP inspiration, to get you to ask more questions to explore your character. You can select them, tweak them, answer them or ignore them outright if you want. They have no technical bearing on the game.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 17):

I'll follow your recommendation on perception and intimidation as my barbarian skills.

I'm also locking in the outlander background to get Athletics and survival.

I am getting more and more inspiration from reading the tables and have been thinking more about my backstory as well.

Awesome! You’re almost done!

As a variant human, you also get a “Feat” at 1st level. Normally, at every 4 character levels, you get what’s called an ASI (ability score increase), which is an opportunity to raise an ability score, to a maximum of 20. In lieu of raising a score, you can select a “Feat.”

Feats are exceptional abilities, sometimes even minor powers, that further tailor your character and make them generally great at what they do.

Getting a feat at level 1 is one of the best things about being a variant human.

Take a look at some 5E feats. There are some great ones. https://arcaneeye.com/players/dnd-5e-feats-tier-list/

While you’re looking at feats, think about the kind of signature weapon you see him wielding. Some feats are designed for certain weapon proficiencies.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 19):

I believe I will choose the Great Weapon Master feat please my queen.

I always had a giant axe or sword in mind for my signature weapon.  Actually I was thinking about a giant Axe/hammer type weapon but I'm not sure of that exists in 5e.

As a barbarian, you have proficiency with pretty much all weapons.

A good resource: https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Weapons#content

Check your barbarian starting equipment; a Great Axe is one of the options!

Great weapon master is a fantastic feat.

The last things are to add your Save proficiencies (STR and CON for you) and your hit points. You start out with 12 + your CON mod. When you level up, you’ll roll 1d12 and add your CON mod to determine how many more you gain.

Also, the backgrounds all give a Tool proficiency, and for the Outlander it’s a Musical Instrument. However, I don’t believe in locking that kind of thing into a pre-set, as your free tool proficiency should be something that 1.) you like, and 2.) makes sense for your individual character story, and 3.) is possibly useful. The right tool proficiency allows you to make yourself items! Being able to operate a forge and use smith’s tools might be kind of cool.

So feel free to change that if you want. Tool resource: https://halflinghobbies.com/co...list-of-tools-dd-5e/
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Fri 03 Sept 2021.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 21):

Great axe it is!

Not sure what you mean about the save proficiency

I love your idea of the smiths tool proficiency.  What self respecting barbarian doesn't know how to operate a forge anyways right?

Right? I think smithing is appropriate and fun on this guy. Good story/RP opportunity around it, too.

When characters are subjected to certain harmful occurrences, they get to roll to see if they resist/dodge/shrug off, etc.. These rolled contests are called “saving throws,” or simply “save.”

In the example above about the tricksy fairy with a charm spell? You’d roll your WIS save. Saves are always attached to an ability score. Your save is always 1d20 + ability mod + PRO bonus (if applicable). Since you don’t have proficiency in WIS saves (see the Barbarian class guide), you wouldn’t get your PRO bonus on this roll, and since you don’t have a WIS mod to help you out, you’re reduced to a bare 1d20. But if you manage to roll high enough, you resist the spell.

As a Barbarian, you have proficiency in STR and CON saves. You are strong and hardy, so you tend to do well in situations that put your muscles to the test, or target your body’s biological defense mechanisms. For example, a trap that caused entangling vines to grapple you might call for a STR save to break free. Someone spike your drink with poison? Your CON save proficiency might allow you to fight off the effects. You’ve got a strong stomach.

Any additional backstory insights? I’m working on a few broad world-building things at the moment. I’m running with the Air Walker tribe as a nomadic civilization that lives in the mountains, above the cloud bank. Riding giant eagles and whatnot.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 23):

Now I understand what you mean about saves.  I need to add those and my hit points?  How do I do that exactly?

As for backstory, I was thinking I was taken in by the air walker clan.

So here’s an example of a character sheet for one of my characters. As you can see, she’s a multi class wizard-artificer. This is just to give you some kind of reference for how to compile your own character sheet. Obviously, you won’t have any spells, and your ability list will be fairly short right now, but feel free to steal the template to get you started.

You start with 12 + CON mod for HP at 1st level.




Lorei Cannon
Artificer 5 | Wizard 2 (Armorer, Scribe/Archivist)
Race: Faeblood  (Half-Elf re-skin)
Age: ?? (Looks early to mid-20s)
Height: 5’5”
Weight:  120

STR:  9
DEX:  16
CON:   15
INT:  20
WIS:  14
CHA:  16

Racial Bonus: +2 CHA, +1 DEX

Armor Class: 17 (DEX + Mage Armor)
Hit Points: 18 + 4d8
Hit Dice:
* Artificer - 3d8
* Wizard - 2d6

Saves: CON, INT, WIS,


Languages:
* Racial - Common, Sylvan, Elvish
* Background (Student) - Celestial, Asgardian

Proficiency Bonus: +3

Tool Proficiencies: Thieves'/hackers’ tools, tinker's tools, one type of artisan's tools of your choice

Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Weapons

Armor Proficiencies: Light armor, medium armor, shields

Skill Proficiencies:
* Racial - Perception, Stealth
* Background (Student) - Investigation, History
* Artificer - Medicine, Nature
* Wizard - Arcana, Insight

Abilities:
* Spellcasting | Pact Magic (DC 16)
* Bardic Inspiration (d6)
* Jack of All Trades
* Song of Rest (d6)
* Expertise (Persuasion, Deception)
* Mantle of Inspiration (5HP)
* Enthralling Performance (DC 16)
* Fey Presence (DC 16)

Items
* Instrument of the Bards (Fan - 1/day Fly, Invisibility, Levitate, Protection from Evil and Good; “Lucky” 3/day
* Guild Signet Ring (Selesnya - use 1/3 charges to cast Charm Person, DC 13. Regains 1d3 charges/day.
* Cloak of Charisma (Kimono - targets of Friends/Charm must save vs. WIS at spell DC to recall being targeted; +2 effective CHA; Kimono shifts form to always represent the height of fashion)


Spells:

Bard

Cantrips - Friends, Vicious Mockery

1st level (4) - Healing Word, Hideous Laughter, Unearthly Chorus, Unseen Servant (r)

2nd level (2) - Suggestion, Phantasmal Force


Warlock

Cantrips - Eldritch Blast, Prestidigitation

1st level (2) - Healing Elixir, Puppet, Faerie Fire

Invocations - Agonizing Blast, Armor of Shadows

In reply to DeityX (msg # 25):

My Queen, my teacher, my muse.  Here's what I have so far. Mind taking a look and see what I screwed up, lol?

Ivherin Cloudmourne
Barbarian 1
Race: Varient Human
Age: 20
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200

STR:14 (+2)
DEX:13 (+1)
CON:15 (+3)
INT:9  (-1)
WIS:9  (0)
CHA:12 (+1)

Racial Bonus: +1 CON, +1 WIS

Armor Class:
Hit Points: 12 + CON (15)
Hit Dice: 1 d12/Level

Saves: STR, CON

Languages:
Racial: Common, Elvish
Background: Dwarvish

Proficiency Bonus: ?

Tool Proficiency: Smith's Tools

Weapon Proficiency: simple weapons, martial weapons

Armor Proficiency:
light armor, medium armor, shields

Skill Proficiency:
Racial: animal handling
Background (Outlander): Survival, Athletics
Barbarian: Intimidation, Perception

Abilities: ?

Items:
Great axe, 2 hand axes, explorer's pack, 4 javelins, outlander staff, animal trophy, belt pouch, 10gp, hunters trap, explorers clothes.

Not sure on my armor class, if I even have any abilities, and also not sure what the proficiency bonus after the language part on your sheet was for?

Did I do the rest of it correctly?

Good job! You pretty much nailed it. I added your current AC and class abilities, feat, and proficiency bonus (the proficiency bonus is always located on your character class table).

Different armors have different AC values. The heavier the armor, typically the larger the AC value, but heavier armors don’t allow for your DEX mod. Simply put, you might be fast and can dodge well, but as soon as you don full plate, you lose the benefits of your natural speed. This is where “Unarmored Defense,” as one of your defining abilities, shines. While not wearing armor, you get the benefits of both your DEX as well as your CON to armor class. I notated the formula for AC on your sheet.


Ivherin Cloudmourne
Barbarian 1
Race: Variant Human
Age: 20
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200

STR: 14 (+2)
DEX: 13 (+1)
CON: 16 (+3)
INT: 9  (-1)
WIS: 10 (0)
CHA: 12 (+1)

Racial Bonus: +1 CON, +1 WIS

Armor Class: 14 (10 + DEX + Unarmored Defense)
Hit Points: 12 + CON (15)
Hit Dice: 1d12/level

Saves: STR, CON

Languages:
Racial: Common, Elvish
Background: Dwarvish

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Tool Proficiency: Smith's Tools

Weapon Proficiency: simple weapons, martial weapons

Armor Proficiency:
light armor, medium armor, shields

Skill Proficiency:
Racial: animal handling
Background (Outlander): Survival, Athletics
Barbarian: Intimidation, Perception

Abilities: Rage (2/day), Unarmored Defense (CON)

Feats: Great Weapon Master

Items:
Great axe, 2 hand axes, explorer's pack, 4 javelins, outlander staff, animal trophy, belt pouch, 10gp, hunters trap, explorers clothes.


Your character sheet is obviously a living document that will change as the game progresses. I will now activate your character sheet under your profile, which will allow you update and edit within the site.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 27):

Awesome!  I never could have done it without you. So my character sheet is now saved here as well?

I saw the unarmored defense ability and figured since I was not wearing any armor I figured I'd stick with that for now.  Is there a benefit to carrying a shield in the future?  Or would you rock the loin cloth and nothing else for a while?

Thanks again my queen, how will I ever repay you?

Yep! At the top of the screen, you should see a link called “character details.” From there you will be able to access ways to fill in some profile information, add a bio and description, etc., and view your character sheet.

Shields are useful, because they don’t conflict with Unarmored Defense (shields are not “armor,” rather an off-hand accessory). The trade-off of course is that, by using a shield, you can’t use a two-handed weapon. In general, it’s better for Barbarian players to prioritize offense over defense, if you have a respectable CON score for Unarmored Defense. The idea is that your CON score replaces the need for armor (the best armor you can equip improves your AC by 3, same as your CON), while your DEX score replaces the need for a shield (non-magical shields improve AC by 2, so your DEX is almost there). Read up on your “Rage” class feature—you’ll notice that you get some extra defense while you’re raging as well.

So yeah, shields are always an option, and if you find an awesome shield you should definitely make use of it, but it’s typically going to be a fall back option for you, especially since you have the Great Weapon Master feat.

But the game rewards creativity and ingenuity as well… and you have proficiency at the forge. Get your hands on a special design, and you might be able to craft yourself a special buckler-gauntlet or something that allows for a shield bonus as well as keeping your hands free for a big weapon.

Aww, you could have learned it on your own, I’m sure. But it definitely makes everything easier to have an experienced DM guide you through it. It’s my pleasure. You can repay me in person. *wink*

Now’s the really fun part: let’s talk description and visuals! This is where he comes to life!

We know he’s tall, young and buff. Hair/eye/skin color? Long/short hair? Facial hair? Distinguishing marks or piercings?

When you picture him, what stands out?

It’s fun when I get to draft a sketch.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 30):

In person repayment sounds very nice.

I picture him as tall, young and buff like you mentioned as well.  Long brown hair tinted red like mine was when I was younger.  Blue eyes, heavily tattooed and battle worn even at 20.  Scars on his hands and arms showing many battles.  Broad shoulders, big hands and feet.  Full beard, also slightly red, but cut close so it wouldn't get in the way of my axe.  My long hair tied back as well for battle if necessary.

Damn, sounds hot! He’ll be fun to draw.

I can’t remember if I showed you a barbarian concept I did not terribly long ago—your boy reminds me of him.

I’ll work on some world stuff tonight, so we’ll be able to start pretty soon. We know he was an orphan, taken in and raised by the Air Walker tribe, apprenticed under a blacksmith who likely raised him, and recently earned his warrior name (subsequently entering the barbarian class), after a rite of passage quest to see a Witch Queen.

The Air Walkers are a diverse tribe comprised of several prominent clans. Cloudmourne is one of them, and is known for their fierce warriors. It would have been a tremendous day of pride for him to finally earn his name and become a Cloudmourne.

(It’s a bit like Hogwarts Houses from Harry Potter. You do the quest, then at the end, the mysterious Witch Queen gazes into your soul and declares your “True Name,” which includes one of the houses. Being known and named by her sets you on a path to fulfill your destiny, and all but ensures success in life, but such deep knowledge also comes at a price: she will call upon you for some service in the future…)

Still a work in progress, but here’s how he’s shaping up. Mostly for the face and overall mood. I’ll refine it more as I get time. He’s definitely fun to work on.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 33):

Good morning my queen! I love signing in every morning to read the messages you leave for me.  Always a great way to start the day.  I do remember a concept drawing you sent of a witch w/ barbarian slave. I've never knew I wanted to have a leash tied to me like that.  If you were on the other end that is. That one was awesome and insanely hot.  Much like the concept you just drew here. I love it. I love creating this character with you and I know that the fun part is only beginning.

Interesting… Glad you found the leash hot. Maybe I’ll reprise that adventure as part of your story. Although what really made it hot was the Prince Albert piercing it was attached to! It was definitely a hit when that (not-so) little reveal took place. I love unconventional D&D adventures!

I think we’re pretty much ready to get started. I’ll have something up soon.

In reply to DeityX (msg # 35):

Sounds great!

In reply to DeityX (msg # 35):

Good morning my queen, I hope that your weekend was restful and wonderful.  I enjoyed reading the story primer you sent over last week. It really is hard to believe that I haven't played Dnd before.  It seems so much right up my alley.  But on the other hand it did take 40 years for me to find my queen so...

Good afternoon! Sometimes things just happen when they need to happen, I guess? I’m glad you found me. ;)

I ended up having to work all weekend, so not much by way of rest. But I’ll get to catch up on some of this and that over the next couple of days. Looking forward to spending a little time on this, the ‘Soulfire Project!’

Working on the opening setup now.

And we’re off! The first chapter thread, “The Mistral Star”  is up. That will be where all IC (in character) posts should go, until a new chapter begins. As the game develops, you’ll get a natural feel for “flow” and how the various elements are organized, rather than me bombarding you with technicalities on the front end.

For now, think of it as collaborative fiction-writing. You’re responsible for the thoughts/actions, etc. of your character, while the DM controls the rest of the world, be they friend or foe.

In this first scene, your character is being formally recognized as one of the tribal warriors, which comes with certain honors and responsibilities you’ll soon discover. The game’s first NPC (non-player character), Godric Skycaller, has been introduced.