Chapter 1: What the heck do I do?

Chapter 1: What the heck do I do?

Before you begin, we recommend reading the following definitions.

Places/Things:

1. Amber

2. Chaos

3. The Pattern

4. Shadow

Stats:

4. Psyche

5. Warfare

6. Endurance

7. Strength

You might read this and wonder: "What the heck do I do?" (See, the title is aptly named). So here's where you start...

Steps to Begin

1. Create a character!

This step is as easy (or hard) as it sounds. We recommend you think long and hard about this step before you begin. Do you want your character to have some knowledge about the world? Or maybe starting with no given information is your vibe (that's mine). Either way, make sure you put a lot of time into thinking about this step.

What are my limitations? Your limitations are your imagination, points, and the DM's discretion (hi guys :P). Within reason, you can be anything you want... and more! In our opinion, figuring out who you want to be will probably be the most challenging part of this step.

2. Attributing Stat Points

You should do this step and step 1 in tandem. For example, do you want your character to be strategic or strong? Or perhaps physical or mental endurance is your kind of game? Either way, the points you choose will help shape your character, and your character will help shape the points you use. Get it?

Now you might have some super cool character idea, but you may wonder: What if there's something I want to do, but it's not one of the stats above? This is where abilities come in. Amber characters have tons of extraordinary powers, points, and skills that you can invest in. Want to build a flying monkey? Sure. Go for it. If you can think it, you can do it. (Ignore the sarcasm; I was feeling feisty while writing this. The point still stands. -T)

3. How does your character interact with the world?

Think about the following before you worry about points or magic: Where do I fit in? Maybe you're a long-lost family member of the Amberites? Or perhaps, you're a construct, created for a unique purpose? Knowing who you are and where you could belong will help you to make decisions in step 4.

4. Powers/Items

Some abilities or things in the world of Amber will require you to attribute points towards it. Of course, you can use some items and your stats, but some transcend regular use.

Let's do an example:

For now, we'll go with the flying monkey (because I think it's funny - T).

The first thing you'd need is Shape Shifting (cost for Basic = 35 points). Then, to fly, you'd need Sorcery (cost = 15 points). This would be important to consider as you work on character stat allocation. Characters with Psyche are better with magic. "The stronger the Psyche, the more potent your magic is" -J. However, sorcery and magic don't always work everywhere, so remember this as you make your character.

Final Thoughts for Chapter 1

Make sure to take your time while creating your character. This character will probably occupy a few years of your life, so make sure it's something you love. You'll love role-playing even more if you're passionate about your character.

We wish you the best of luck. - T & J