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Creating a Character - Addendum.

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Kalamos

Level of Lemon Feather
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Creating a Character - Corollary to Basic Rules.

Advanced Guidelines.

Basic Rules provide the bare minimum to get you going and playing.
They assume you have a vague idea of Fantasy games and stereotypes.

Filling in a Character Sheet can be daunting, at first.
You should make up a story for your character, and that can be hard, especially if you are not familiar with a given setting, or Fantasy games at all.


Tales of Aygomenia, and Tormented Soles, are Parallel-Earth scenarios.
That is, they resemble our world, with some twists.

Basic assumption in ToA is: Roman Empire never collapsed.
Its Fantasy equivalent, called Sacred Empire of Morea, or Morean Empire for short, outlived its real-world counterpart.

So, when creating a character, you might want to keep the particular setting in mind.
Earlier-than-medieval Fantasy novels and RPGs do exist, but they are rarer than traditional medieval Fantasy.

Since magic does work, to a limited extent, and world is large enough to host several different places, you shouldn't be too taxed with finding a suitable place for your character to hail from.
 
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Finding a Suitable Name.

Since Morean Empire outlived its real-world counterpart, Dark Ages never started. Date equivalent would be XI Century A.D.
It is actually 1575 I.R.

So making up a good name can be tricky.
Simply grabbing a history book, fishing for Roman names could work. But you'd be losing the particular flavour of the game.
And besides, all characters would end up being called Julius, Pompeius, Augustus.
Pretty boring, if I may say so. :)

Most modern names are viable; just put them in a Morean blender, and wait for the final product. ;)

If stumped for inspiration, just drop the Narrators a line; we can come up with a name for you to better fit within the setting.
 
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Choosing Age and Gender.

Using your own Age and Gender is never wrong.
Since ToA is, under its own fashion, a cyber-tickling game, you might want to go for it, and use your character as an avatar for some irc-style tickling action.

You can play against your own role, picking a very old or very young character, or a different gender than your own.
While there is nothing wrong with that, we'd like to discourage it.
Unless you can come up with a good rationale for it. :)

Age and Gender usually define your character's "openings" for tickling.
If for some reason, you are not interested in tickling action, please state it in your Character's Sheet.

When in doubt, Narrators will assume characters have the same Gender, Sexual Orientation and Tickling Preferences as stated by their respective players.
 
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Choosing Race and Stereotype.

Given the particular setting, some Races/Stereotypes are out of place.

No big deal, every Fantasy world has its staples and customs; it's what makes every gaming world different and, we hope, unique.

The most notable difference from traditional Fantasy RPGs is how Race works.
In many games/settings, Race and Stereotype [or simply put, Class] are one and the same, or very closely related.

For example, most fantasy Elves lean towards Wizard class. Most Dwarves towards Fighter class, and so on.

Aygomenian characters are more complex than that. And modern world genetics has yet to be discovered, so you can't be too sure about your race. ;)


Humans.

If you want to keep it simple, just assume you are Morean citizen.
Morean citizens usually hail either from Talanic or Tharagyan Peninsulae.
Their genestock is 90% human, with some traces of elven blood.

They look and behave like our ancestors used to look.
That means they are shorter and leaner than most of us. ;)


Elves and Half-Elves.

Pure-breed Elves either come from Althwyr or from Aygos.
Since both Elven Nations had contacts with Morean Empire - they are both Imperial Provinces, now - citizen exhibiting elven traits are usually referred to as being of Althwyran or Aygosian ancestry.


Althwyr Elves are usually ruddy with honey blond hair. They are taller than humans and slightly thinner.

Aygosian Elves are usually fair skinned, with dark hair and sparkling eyes. They are shorter than the average Morean citizen, and proportionately slimmer.

Depending on how close a given elven settlement is to Morean trade and traffic, Morean traits can show up more ofter or not.


The term "half-elf" is rarely used; people wishing to put an emphasis on their elven origins simply put the patronymic "T'on" before their second name.



Dwarves.

Most Dwarven strongholds lie outside Empire jurisdiction.
They are collectively known as Kathadum, or Kathic Thanates.
Dwarves are usually referred to as Kathes.

Calling a Kathys [plural Kathes] "dwarf" is as derogatory as calling a vertically challenged person a midget.
Besides, Kathes pack steel, and you don't want to enrage one. ;)


Most Kathes sport a finely trimmed and braided beard. It is considered a sign of adulthood to wear one.

They are shorter and stockier than most Morean citizens. It should be noted that Kathic females are NOT as unsightly as in most Fantasy settings. :D


Since some work within the Empire as Auxiliary troops, or traders, sporting Kathic traits is rarer but not unheard of.

While seldom used, Kathic patronymics are "D'ok" [for males] or "D'or" [for females]; in Kathic fashion, they are usualy affixed to the second name.



Lizard-Kins and Dragon-Kins.

Pure-breed lizard-men and dragon-men are unheard of in Aygomen.
They are, at best, humans exhibiting minor reptilian traits.

Within the Empire, most Lizard-Kin citizens hail from Karkys and Aygyria.
Dragon-Kins are rumored to live in Deyos-forsaken steppes, north and east of Kathadum.


Karkydes are usually tanned, with leathery hide. Few of them still sport scaled skin anymore.
Some still have webbed hands and feet. Short tails are not unheard of.

They are usually shorter than the average Morean citizen, but thick-boned.


Aygyrans sport a dark, rich complexion, and some of them let their hair grow to a flowing jet-black luxurious mane.

Apparently, they come from different ethnicities: some are about as tall as most Morean citizen, but much slimmer.

Others, a smaller group, are a full head taller than most Moreans, and sport a well developed athletic physique.


Typical patronymical for Morean citizen with Karkydis ancestry is "Ahr"; Aygyrans resort to "Wem".



Clearly, some races don't exist at all. Drows are out of place, since they come from a different setting.
So are Kenders, Hobbits, Rakastas, and so on.


It should be noted that most citizens within the Empire are judged by their apparent wealth, by status and nationality.

While strictly speaking an elf, an Althwyran slave is still regarded as property. Race is of no concern.
By the same rate, a well-off Kathic trader is a welcome guest, even if he is only a "dwarf".

Humans are usually referred to by their nationality; since they are the dominant group, it is pointless to stress the obvious.



Stereotypes.

Most non-Spell-Casting Classes are viable.


Magic is usually low-key, and non-existant in Morean citizens' daily life, so Magic-Users, Clerics, Bards, Sorcerers and so on, are out of place.

Devoting one's life to Magia means scrying the future for Omina, omens, or serving a deity and praying for miracles.

Magia works differently from traditional Fantasy magic. It is fairly low powered, and it can't usually produce matter from nothing, or affect large groups, expanses, or areas.

The theory behind Magia involves projecting one's aura, called Simulacra, and touch up the particles reality is made of, the Atoms.
By affecting their inclination, called Klinamen, reality can be changed, to a certain degree.

Klinamic Magia usually revolves around basic elements - fire, water, air and earth - and elemental effects.

Most Morean citizens are not even aware of Klinamic Theories, and they are fully happy not to be.


Fighting Classes usually include Auxiliary, Gladiator, Legionaire, Tracker and Vigil.
Ruffians and Bandits are viable, yet challenging roles.


Non-fighting Classes can include anything, from Apothecary to Zoo-Keeper.

Religious roles are possible, but priests don't benefit from worshipping gods as Clerics do.

Most Sacerdotes like to stay in a place, to serve their deity, rather than roam about, risking their necks to convert the heathens.

Legions can do that way more efficiently...
 
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Filling in Description, Biography and Miscellaneous Details.

Choosing a role could also dictate a character's bio.
An escaped slave might come from rebellious provinces; Althwyr or Hybetia are suitable choices.

A Kathys is usually considered a foreigner, unless he pledges fealty to the Emperors; his starting role will be usually limited to Auxiliary troop, trader, and so on.


When filling/choosing Description and Bio, please keep in mind the game setting: some objects or stories could be out of character, anachronistic, or simply unsuitable.

Narrators have the final word on characters, so try and stick to the milieu.
If you'd really want to play a Drow Paladin, there are thousands forums out there that would let you to. ;)

Or maybe not...


When in doubt, refer to Narrators for help.
We can leave some details behind, and add them later.
As long as you describe us the role you'd like to play, we can custom-fit your character for the setting.
Or, read the Background History for details on the gaming world.


When choosing your Role and story, keep in mind you don't have to make your character the very best in its chosen profession.
Average or even flawed characters can be fun to play.

Also, don't forget the game is about tickling.
Choosing an adventurous role is perfectably acceptable, but tickling openings might be few and far between.

Try and avoid being stuck with a role you don't quite like.
While seemingly boring, choosing to be a slave or a torturer is viable, if you don't want to be hogged with plot details.

On the other hand, if you choose to play a powerful character, expect Narrators to pit suitable foes against him/her/it.
Nobody can become very powerful without being noticed. And enemies will come from far away, to challenge your apparently undefeatable hero/heroine.

You can safely expect them to defeat him/her/it.
Eventually. :D
 
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