BurningTemple:Character Creation

2026-03-29T01:47:10Z

45.144.114.50:

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[[File:BurningTempleBanner.png|900px|link=Five Fists of the Burning Temple]]
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“First you must choose who you are. Then, you must fight to become it.”

— Master Crane Cloud
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= Character Creation =

Whether you are a humble tea-seller’s son or the last heir of a ruined temple, your journey begins the same: with a single style, a handful of scars, and a reason to fight.

This page gives you everything you need to build your hero, from background to battle stance.

== Step 1: Choose an Archetype ==

Choose an archetype from the following. Archetypes are not character templates, but evocative frameworks to spark players’ imaginations and launch them into martial drama. Pick one that suits your flavor and inspires your choices.

=== Courtly Duelist ===

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''Silk robes. Hidden knives. Perfect stance. Poisoned tea.''

You bow deeper than anyone—and strike faster too. Raised on etiquette and edgework, you duel in gardens and courtyards, where style matters more than scars.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Fan, Crane, Snake

'''Suggested Edges:''' Combat Reflexes, Quick, Social Grace (custom)

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Arrogant, Enemy (court rival), Code of Honor
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=== Doomed Prodigy ===

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[[File:Doomed_prodigy.png|200px|right]]
''You’re the best. Everyone knows it. And that’s the problem.''

You mastered five forms by sixteen. Your teachers are in awe—or afraid. But your body is cursed, your blood is wrong, or your name is foretold in ashes. How long do you have?

'''Suggested Styles:''' Tiger, Eagle Claw, Crane

'''Suggested Edges:''' Trademark Weapon, Martial Artist, Quick

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Death Wish, Illness (Minor or Major), Quirk (foretells own doom)
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=== Hot-Blooded Student ===

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''Loyal, impulsive, and totally unprepared for what’s coming.''

You punch first, ask questions never, and get thrown out of every temple—except one. You train hard, love harder, and lose often. But you always stand back up.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Tiger, Monkey, Drunken

'''Suggested Edges:''' Fleet-Footed, Combat Reflexes, Hard to Kill

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Overconfident, Impulsive, Quirk (never backs down)
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=== Itinerant Beggar ===

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''They think you smell like rice wine. They never notice the footwork.''

You might look drunk, ragged, or foolish—but you hide incredible talent.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Drunken, Ox, Fan

'''Suggested Edges:''' Brawler, Alertness, Conviction

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Poverty, Habit (alcohol), Delusional (“the crane speaks to me”)
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=== Martial Trickster ===

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''You joke, you dodge, you mock. But when it matters—you do not miss.''

Your mouth moves faster than your feet, which move faster than your fists. You learned martial arts between noodle bowls and stolen scrolls. Your opponents do not take you seriously—until it is too late.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Monkey, Drunken, Fan

'''Suggested Edges:''' First Strike, Harder to Hit, Boastful Blow

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Quirk (taunts constantly), Curious, Overconfident
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=== Masked Avenger ===

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''Your true face is a secret. Your fists are not.''

Someone destroyed your past. You’ve taken a new name—and a mask—to find them. You live in the shadows, and your style was never meant for justice. But here you are.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Fan, Snake, Eagle Claw

'''Suggested Edges:''' Quick Draw, Assassin’s Blow (custom Edge), Elusive

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Vengeful (Major), Secret, Ruthless
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=== Raging Butcher ===

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''You do not know the names of your forms. You just know what works.''

Your fists are your philosophy. You punch oxen to keep your form. You never studied from scrolls, but you have trained in blood, sweat, and fire. You are not elegant—but you're still standing.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Ox, Mantis, Iron Body

'''Suggested Edges:''' Brawler, Bruiser, Hard to Kill

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Vengeful, Stubborn, Poverty
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=== Reformed Assassin ===

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''Your past is bloody. Your future is unclear.''

You were once the sharpest fang in a forbidden style. You have walked away—mostly. Now you wander the edges of the Jianghu, trying not to kill. Unless it is necessary.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Mantis, Snake, Hundred Forms

'''Suggested Edges:''' Acrobat, Martial Artist, Danger Sense

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Vow (never kill again), Enemy, Haunted
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=== Retired General ===

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''When you speak, everyone listens.''

You stepped down due to disgrace, old age, or just choice. Your day may have come and gone but your keen mind is still an asset.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Crane, Ox, Hundred Forms

'''Suggested Edges:''' Respected Name, Tactician, Combat Reflexes, Martial Artist

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Driven (avenge the fallen), Enemy (the killer’s faction), Outsider
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=== Shadow Agent ===

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''You kill only when necessary. It is just that “necessary” happens often.''

You serve someone in the dark. A hidden sect, a dead empire, a secret vengeance. You have no name. No face. But your technique is flawless. And your mission? It never ends.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Snake, Fan, Mantis

'''Suggested Edges:''' Elusive, Danger Sense, Assassin’s Blow (custom)

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Secret, Ruthless, Enemy (former handler)
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=== Shaolin Monk ===

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''Disciplined, serene, and ready to explode when injustice rises.''

You have burned the past behind you. You walk barefoot across the empire to spread balance, wisdom, and wrath when needed. You will die clean. But not yet.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Crane, Iron Body, Mantis

'''Suggested Edges:''' Qi Surge, Martial Artist, Strong Willed

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Code of Honor, Pacifist (Minor), Loyal
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=== Sword of the Heart ===

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''Love is your greatest weakness. Or is it your strength?''

You fight for someone—gone, forbidden, or betrayed. Your strikes are graceful. Your sorrow is silent. You duel not to win, but to prove the soul still matters.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Crane, Snake, Fan

'''Suggested Edges:''' Attractive, Martial Artist, Calm Mind

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Vow (to protect or find them), Loyal, Quirk (writes poetry)
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=== Vengeful Orphan ===

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''You do not want peace. You want names.''

You are a brooding youth whose master or family was murdered. You are now driven by burning purpose.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Tiger, Scorpion, Mantis

'''Suggested Edges:''' Killer Instinct, Combat Reflexes, Martial Artist

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Driven (avenge the fallen), Enemy (the killer’s faction), Outsider
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=== Wandering Warrior ===

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''Silent. Stoic. Your fist speaks louder than you ever will.''

You drift from village to village, sleeping under trees, helping when needed, leaving when praised. You carry your master’s final lesson in your heart—and fists that fight for justice.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Tiger, Crane, Iron Body

'''Suggested Edges:''' Martial Artist, Danger Sense, Trademark Weapon

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Heroic, Loner, Vow (protect the innocent)
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=== Weapons Disciple ===

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''You have never met a weapon you did not understand. Not just how it cuts, but how it breathes.''

A fan. A chain. A blade as long as a man’s arm. You have made them dance, weep, and kill. Your style is art, your form is legend, and your enemies always remember the sound of your draw. You do not boast. You demonstrate.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Hundred Forms, Fan, Crane

'''Suggested Edges:''' Trademark Weapon, Combat Acrobat

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Arrogant, Enemy (disgraced rival), Code of Honor (martial)
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=== Wise Old Master ===

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''You talk slowly. You hit like thunder.''

Your students never listen. Your joints ache. Your tea is never hot enough. But when the bells ring, and blood is in the air, you move like time itself.

'''Suggested Styles:''' Crane, Iron Body, Snake

'''Suggested Edges:''' Feared Name, Calm Mind, Hard to Kill

'''Suggested Hindrances:''' Elderly, Habit (tea and reflection), Vow (teach only the worthy)
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== Step 2: Assign Traits and Choose Skills ==

Create your character using the standard SWADE rules. Most skills remain unchanged, but there is one important substitution: the new skill '''Martial Arts [Style] (Agility)''', which replaces Fighting for martial artists.

Each character begins with their choice of a single martial style, which governs their combat technique. You only benefit from the Stance and Signature Techniques of one style at a time.

You may learn additional styles through training, quests, or the Dual Stylist Edge.

== Step 3: Choose a Martial Style ==

Pick a martial style. Style descriptions are found on [[Burning Temple Martial Styles]]. Each provides:

* A Stance Bonus
* Three Signature Techniques, unlocked at Novice, Seasoned, and Veteran
* Two types of favored Combat Maneuvers
* A list of favored weapons

== Step 4: Define Your Background Path ==

Roll or choose one entry from each of the following three tables: Origin, First Blood, and Reason to Fight. Each provides a flavorful trait—lightweight and easy to remember.

=== Path 1: Origin ===

{| class="wikitable bt-table"
! d6
! Origin
! Trait
|-
| 1
| Temple Orphan
| +1 to Common Knowledge (martial lore)
|-
| 2
| Street Urchin
| +1 to Agility Tricks in urban terrain
|-
| 3
| Scholar’s Child
| +1 to Smarts when deciphering texts or codes
|-
| 4
| Disgraced Lineage
| Start with a Minor Rival; +1 Persuasion when invoking your name
|-
| 5
| Wandering Acrobat
| Never treated as untrained for flips, leaps, or balance
|-
| 6
| Secret Heir
| Gain Hidden Identity (Hindrance) and a unique heirloom (GM decides)
|}

=== Path 2: First Blood ===

{| class="wikitable bt-table"
! d6
! First Blood
! Trait
|-
| 1
| Betrayed by a Friend
| +1 to Notice when reading others
|-
| 2
| Avenged a Stranger
| +1 to Spirit rolls to resist fear or guilt
|-
| 3
| Caught Stealing a Technique
| +1 to Stealth; gain the Stubborn Hindrance
|-
| 4
| Duel Gone Wrong
| +1 to Fighting vs enemies who break honorable codes
|-
| 5
| Spared by a Master
| Gain a friendly NPC mentor; +1 to attack rolls that aid others
|-
| 6
| Burned the Scrolls
| Gain a Secret Hindrance; +1 to Boast or Taunt
|}

=== Path 3: Reason to Fight ===

{| class="wikitable bt-table"
! d6
! Purpose
! Trait
|-
| 1
| Honor the Fallen
| +1 to recover from Shaken while defending others
|-
| 2
| Break the Cycle
| +1 to resist social coercion or family obligation
|-
| 3
| Find the Forbidden Sutra
| +1 to rolls involving lore, ruins, or hidden knowledge
|-
| 4
| Prove You're Not a Coward
| Vow (Minor); +1 to Trait rolls after taking a Wound
|-
| 5
| Protect the Innocent
| +1 to rolls when defending or healing a noncombatant
|-
| 6
| Become the Greatest
| +1 to Martial Arts vs named foes or public duels
|}

Optional Rule: If a character fulfills the arc of one of their path entries during play, they earn +1 Benny and may gain a free Edge with GM approval.

== Step 5: Select Edges and Hindrances ==

Choose Edges and Hindrances using the core SWADE rules or those listed in this supplement.

== Step 6: Set Your Rep ==

As a beginning character, your Honor stat begins at 0. Characters with the Respected Name Edge begin with Honor 1d6.

[[Category:Burning Temple]]

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Nightcats:Home

2026-03-27T15:40:50Z

45.144.114.50:

{{NightcatsHeader}}
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= Nightcats =
[[File:nightcats cover.jpg|400px|right]]

''A Sword-and-Sorcery Setting of Jungles, Ruins, River Kingdoms, and Ancient Dread for '' Barbarians of Lemuria

''Nightcats'' is a world of steaming dense jungles, fallen cities, half-swallowed roads, river and island kingdoms, painted idols, moonlit blades, and old stones that remember too much. It is a setting of ambush, treasure, betrayal, temple-robbing, and desperate courage in places where civilization is narrow and the wilderness is vast.

This is '''Jhelum''', a hot and dangerous land of great rivers, crowded cities, jungle frontiers, and ancient powers. Beyond its roads and courts stretches a green immensity filled with beasts, ruins, forgotten shrines, and things older than memory.

And at the heart of Jhelum broods the '''[[Sea of Blood]]'''. Vast and red as a wound beneath the sun, it is both trade road and menace, a barbaric inland sea whose waters touch pirate ports, old kingdoms, ruined shores, and secrets better left drowned. The Sea of Blood is beautiful, infamous, and never wholly safe.

Nightcats are already in motion when play begins: scouts, thieves, priests, mercenaries, caravan guards, hunters, dancers, sailors, exiles, pirates, and tomb robbers. They are capable people thrown into danger, mystery, splendour, and dread.

== Start Here ==

* [[Nightcats Character Creation|Character Creation]]
* [[Nightcats Careers|Careers]]
* [[Nightcats Boons|Boons]]
* [[Nightcats Flaws|Flaws]]
* [[Nightcats Name Generators|Name Generators]]
* [[Nightcats Peoples|Peoples]]

== The Setting ==

* [[Jhelum]]
* [[Sea of Blood]]
* [[Customs of Jhelum]]
* [[Nightcats Magic and Divinity|Magic and Divinity]]
* [[Nightcats Tools|Nightcats Tools]]

== Adventures and Play ==

''Nightcats'' is built for bold, fast-moving sword-and-sorcery adventure:
* jungle expeditions
* temple robberies
* river journeys
* pirate voyages on the Sea of Blood
* court intrigues
* feuds, vendettas, and betrayals
* torchlit battles in forgotten places
* cults, sorcerers, and older things beneath the earth

== Tone and Inspirations ==

The tone of ''Nightcats'' draws on classic sword-and-sorcery, jungle adventure fiction, lost-world romance, and Indian-inspired antiquity. It is a world of splendour and menace, where gold glitters in ruined sanctuaries, kings rule behind carved walls, the jungle swallows empires, and the gods are never entirely absent.

== Browse Nightcats ==

* [[:Category:Nightcats Characters|Characters]]
* [[:Category:Nightcats Locations|Locations]]
* [[:Category:Nightcats Organizations|Organizations]]
* [[:Category:Nightcats]]
* [[:Category:Settings|Settings]]

== Current State ==

The ''Nightcats'' section of the Codex is under active expansion as material is migrated, revised, and reorganized into its new form.

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[[Category:Nightcats]]
[[Category:Settings]]

Crucible Codex - User contributions [en]

BurningTemple:Character Creation

Nightcats:Home