Character Creation Challenge, Day 1 of 31

The new year sees an RPG character creation challenge arise on the internet, and so I’ve decided to join in, looking at different systems I’m interested in but I haven’t actually played before. Some systems give more control than others, and as these are new systems for me there’s no guarantee that I’ll roll up strong characters – instead I want to come up with characters that intrigue me.

First off, Cepheus Engine.

By Jason “Flynn” Kemp and published by Samardan Press, Cepheus Engine describes itself as “A Classic Era Science Fiction 2D6-Based Open Gaming System”. Phew. What that means is that it is based on Traveller by Marc Miller, a now classic sci-fi game system that predates Star Wars, and has a huge amount of material out there. I’m not particularly wedded to the main setting itself, but in its original from Traveller was intended to be setting agnostic. A few assumptions are baked in (such as the being an interstellar empire with nobility) but given a bit of thought this can be tweaked.

So without further ado, here is my first character, letting the dice take me where they will in the order they come, as a fresh 18 year old:

Marter Rice

• STR = 10 (A) [+1 modifier]
• DEX = 7 [no modifier]
• END = 3 [-1 modifier]
• INT = 12 (C) [+2 modifier]
• EDU = 5 [-1 modifier]
• SOC = 11 (B) [+1 modifier]

Well those are some interesting stats. Pretty average dexterity, excellent strength, intelligence and social status, but terrible endurance and not great education. Let's say they're a naturally smart and strong scion of a noble family who unfortunately pushed theirself too hard and contracted a disease that interferes with their health and schooling.

Due to their education, they start off with two background skills at level zero. Let's say Gun Combat-0 and Linguistics-0.

Term 1

Marter is going to try and become a diplomat and as such has to roll 6+ using two dice, with a +1 modifier to their roll based on their social status. Rolling 8, adding 1, gives a total of 9 - congratulations Marter on joining the diplomatic service. They add Admin-0, Computer-0, Carousing-0, Bribery-0, Liaison-0 and Vehicle-0 to their skills.

How do the first four years of their career go? Survival is based on education, rolling 5+, and I roll 12-1 = 11. Hurray, I'm doing alright, and gain Liaison-1 from being a rank zero Attaché.

Time to try for commission: INT, 7+, I roll 8+2=10, and become a Third Secretary. Rolling for a Personal Development skill, I gain a +1 to my intelligence, taking me up to 13 (D) with no change to my modifier.

Let's see if Marter gets promoted, so I roll 7 and add 1 for my social modifier, totalling 8 - more than enough to be promoted to Second Secretary. Rolling for another skill, I choose the specialist table, gaining Steward-1.

Finally I roll one more skill for my term, taking a +1 to END, making it a slightly less feeble 4, which doesn't change the modifier.

Marter is now aged 22.

Reenlistment roll comes to 12, so I have to stay on in the career whether I want to or not.

Term 2

Survival: Yes
Advancement: No
1 skill: Education +1, taking it to 6 and removing the negative modifier.
Age: 26
Reenlistment: Yes

Term 3

Survival: Yes
Advancement: Yes, now First Secretary, gaining Admin-1 from the rank, and Bribery-1 from specialist training.
1 more skill: Carousing-1
Age: 30
Reenlistment: Yes

Term 4

Survival: Yes
Advancement: Yes, now Counselor, gaining Liaison-2
1 more skill: Education +1, taking it up to 7
Age: 34
Does Marter suffer from aging? No.
Reenlistment: Yes

Term 5

Survival: Yes
Advancement: Yes, now Minister, gaining Bribery-2 from service skills
1 more skill: Carousing-2
Age: 38
Does Marter suffer from aging? No.
Reenlistment: Yes

Term 6

Survival: No. Rather than simply killing Marter off, let's roll for a mishap. Rolling 2 on 1D6, I find that Marter was honourably discharged from service at age 40 as a diplomatic minister. With 5 full terms and O5 rank I get 7 rolls for benefits, with up to 3 rolls for cash, and +1 on material benefits for my rank.

1. Material Benefit: 6+1 = 7, Explorer's Society Membership
2. Cash Benefit: 2, 5 000 Credits
3. Cash Benefit: 2, 5 000 Credits
4. Cash Benefit: 3, 10 000 Credits
5. Material Benefit: 5+1=6, High Passage
6. Material Benefit: 5+1=6, High Passage
7. Material Benefit: 4+1=5, +1 Social taking Marter up to 12 (C), with a +2 modifier.

Final status

We find ourselves looking at Marter Rice, a younger child of a noble family who has made a name for theirself beyond their family. A very sharp 40 year old retired diplomat who is skilled at all kinds of interpersonal tasks whether above board or not. Having left the diplomatic service following redundancy, they're now keen to get out and start a new chapter of adventure.

Marter Rice

UPP: A74D7C

Skills: Bribery-2, Carousing-2, Liaison-2, Admin-1, Steward-1, Computer-0, Gun Combat-0, Linguistics-0, Vehicle-0

Benefits: 20 000 credits, Explorer's Society Membership, 2 High Passage tickets