All characters must start somewhere...ours will start here.

For those who've never made a character before I will set before you a start guide using www.d20srd.org/ and a guide that I have handy to all players during playtime.

Ability
So Ability scores are the most important numbers to your character.

Here is a link explaining Abilities and what they mean...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/theBasics.htm#abilityScores

So now that you know what they are lets set our abilities.

Most of the time I would advise that you pick a class and a race first but for now I'll let you know what you will be doing later on.

Abilities are determined by a point buy system.

All abilities start out at 8.

To increase your ability score you would "buy" an increase with one of your 27 points. Up to the score of 14 you buy ability at a one to one ratio...to move to 15 it costs 2 points as well as to 16... to move to 17 and 18 it costs 3 points each.

Ability score Total cost
8 0
9 1
10 2
11 3
12 4
13 5
14 6
15 8
16 10
17 13
18 16

You cannot increase your ability scores above 18 through the point buy system.

***You also cannot increase scores above 18 with racial modifiers.***

So now lets go over races!

Follow this link for information...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/races.htm

So according to the link above, races get certain abilities, advantages and disadvantages.

We have a group of mainly Elves, Humans, and Half-elves...and one gnome...

Now class is the next decision that you must make.

Please look through these BASE classes...

http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/classes.htm

Or select from one of the 8 other classes I've allowed into the game...

Spellthief - Steals spells from magic users among other things...
Scout - Ranger type without spells, but gains bonuses to attack when skirmishing...
Warlock - Arcane power from devious origins...
Warmage - Trained in magic and martial styles
Favored Soul - The sorcerer of Divine magic
Spirit Shaman - In contact with the spirit of all things, a magic using barbarian...
Hexblade - Warrior that uses magic to augment his/her power...
Swashbuckler - Warrior that uses wit and panache to fight thier battles...

If you want info about any of these classes please ask and I'll post it here...

So now you have a class and race and all that stuff and you have no idea what to do...

Well each class has "Class skills" any other skill is called "Cross-class skills"

Each class gets a certain amount of skill points to invest in skills. Each skill point gives you a +1 to any skill roll on a d20. Each skill is also tied to an ability which augments your d20 skill roll...confused yet?

Ok so lets take the "Spot" skill as an example. You will often use the "Spot" skill in game.

The DM (me) asks you for a Spot check. You roll a d20 and get a 13. Now you are an Elf which automatically grants you +2. The Spot skill is tied to the Wisdom ability and you have a 13 Wisdom score which grants you +1 to any roll tied to it. You also have 3 ranks or skill points invested in spot. So let's add it up...

13(rolled) + 2 (Elf Trait) + 1 (Wisdom Bonus) + 3 (Ranks in Spot skill) = 19 your total check

Now behind the screen the DM (me) compares your number to a DC or Difficulty Class. This DC accounts many different factors but for now we'll say it is an 18 DC to spot the item I wanted you to check against. Since you have a 19 you will have seen that item and I (the DM) will tell you so. Now if others tried to spot it but didn't beat or meet the DC they will not have spotted it. It is then your responsibility to tell (or not) the others.

Here is a page that holds more info...

http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/skills.htm

Now as I've mentioned before you are allowed a certain number of skill points each level...

Let's say for instance that the Scout gets (8+INT modifier) x 4= skill points. (At 1st level, each additional level they get (8+INT mod)) They have several "Class skills" listed in thier description. These skills allow you to buy ranks in them at a one to one basis. One skill rank costs one skill point. "Cross-class skills" on the other hand have to be bought at a two to one ratio. So one cross-class skill rank costs two skill points.

You may only have a maximum of 3+your level "Class" ranks and half that in Cross-class skill ranks at any one time.

So at first level you would have a max of 4 "Class" ranks in each skill that you invest in and 2 "Cross-class" ranks.

Feats are very nice additions to your characters...

Some give combat or defense bonuses...

Some augment your spells...

Some enhance skills...

Some give you sweet moves to use on your enemies...

Here is a straight-forward page to view on Feats...

http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/feats.htm

Unless you are a human or a fighter/monk or both you get only one feat at first level...

Humans get one extra feat and fighters and monks get one extra feat...

Go Feats!

Ok Equipment...

You have a variable amount of gold possible to each class...actually you will get the maximum amount in each class.

If you have questions on that ask...

Here is an equipment list you can choose your weapons from...

Remember that you must be Proficient (mentioned in the class and/or race) in the weapon in order to use it effectively...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm

Armor is the same gig as Weapons...you must be proficient...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/armor.htm

Finally, comes other equipment...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/goodsAndServices.htm

Now you must keep in mind your weight...no girls it was not a shot at your size...but the total weight you carry including armor and weapons. You will lose dexterity and speed if you go above your light load.

Here is a sight to explain it...

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/carryingCapacity.htm

Have fun! (Personally this is my favorite part)

Ok so now we've pretty much got everything covered...almost...

I'll be posting the other crap you need to fill out soon...I'm a little burned out...

Sorry bout that here are a few more things to write up for me...

-AC Armor class will be very important. The higher the AC the harder it is to hit you.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#armorClass

If you will just write down your basic armor class I will figure out your Touch and Flat Footed for you one the next game day.

-Initiative: This is how quickly you move in combat. The Higher the init. number the sooner you move in order.

INIT= DEX mod + Misc. mod

-Speed: How far you can move in a turn is based on your Base Land Speed per race and modified by Load/Armor.

-Save Throws: Your class will give a statistic for each save throw. Each save is tied to an ability. You add your ability modifier to your base save in order to get your total bonus.

Again most of this I will help you with on game day, just having the basics ready for me will help immensely.

Your ability score system has made my brain bleed.. happy now?

lol

AMdG

Actually, yes, yes I am...Feel free to ask but go ahead and make your own character creation thread in this section of the forum.

No nothing like that. I'm just used to the roll 4d6 keep the highest 3 system. you will just have to help me understand it a little better. Sunday needs to hurry up.. I have not been able to game in 2 years. i can't wait.

I figured out the abilty score deal... Makes me feel kinda stupid now that i got it...