Nightcats Character Creation

Character creation in Nightcats follows the core system of Barbarians of Lemuria, with additional cultural options for the peoples of Jhelum.

Characters are capable adventurers from the start. The process is quick and flexible.

Character Creation Summary

Develop a Character Concept
Assign Attributes
Assign Combat Abilities
Calculate Lifeblood
Choose Careers
Choose Your People
Select Boons and Flaws
Record Hero Points
Select Equipment
Add Final Details

Step 1 — Character Concept

Start with a general idea of the Nightcat you want to play. Examples might include: jungle scout, wandering hunter, street thief, temple dancer, burly pit fighter, itinerant storyteller, secretive sorcerer, scarred mercenary, escaped slave, or disgraced noble.

Your concept will guide your later choices for attributes, careers, and boons.

Step 2 — Attributes

Every character has four attributes.

Attribute	Summary
Strength	Physical power, endurance, toughness
Agility	Speed, reflexes, coordination
Mind	Awareness, intelligence, willpower
Appeal	Charm, presence, persuasion

All attributes begin at 0. Distribute 4 points among them.

Maximum starting value for an attribute is 3
One attribute may be reduced to -1 to gain one additional point

Step 3 — Combat Abilities

Combat abilities determine effectiveness in battle.

Combat Ability	Summary
Initiative	Awareness and reaction speed
Melee	Skill in close combat
Ranged	Skill with bows and thrown weapons
Defense	Ability to avoid being hit

All combat abilities start at 0. Distribute 4 points among them.

Maximum starting value for any Combat Ability is 3
One combat ability may be reduced to -1 to gain one additional point

Step 4 — Lifeblood

Lifeblood measures how much punishment a hero can take.

Starting Lifeblood = 10 + Strength

Step 5 — Careers

Careers represent a character’s past life and experience. BoL does not include skills; instead each career serves as a general summary of expertise.

Choose four Careers from the following list and distribute 4 points total among them. For more information on each career, click the name of the career.

Assassin • Bandit • Beastmaster • Beggar • Blacksmith • Bodyguard • Burglar • Caravan Guard • Caravan Trader • City Guard • Courtesan • Crafter • Cutpurse • Entertainer • Farmer • Healer • Hunter • Laborer • Mahout • Merchant • Monk • Noble • Pilgrim • Pirate • Pit Fighter • Priest • Raider • Rogue • Sailor • Scholar • Scout • Scribe • Sellsword • Shaman • Slave • Smuggler • Soldier • Sorcerer •Sorcerer's Apprentice • Spy • Street Knife • Temple Guard • Tempter • Tomb Robber

Maximum starting rank in a career is 3
Rank 0 represents bare familiarity or natural aptitude

Examples of Starting Character Career Choices

Sailor 2, Pirate 1, Smuggler 1, Entertainer 0
Assassin 3, Pilgrim 1, Scribe 0, Spy 0

Literacy

In Jhelum, literacy is rare. Most people cannot read or write. A character is only literate if they have at least Rank 0 in any one of the following careers: Scribe, Priest, Monk, Noble, Sorcerer, or Sorcerer's Apprentice. The GM may allow other careers to grant limited literacy at their discretion. Illiterate characters may still recognize symbols, marks, or familiar signs, but cannot read written text.

Important Note on Fighting Careers

Fighting careers (such as Soldier, Mercenary, or Pit Fighter) do not make a character more capable in combat. A character's fighting ability is determined purely by their scores in Initiative, Melee, Ranged, and Defense. Combat-oriented careers instead represent things like knowledge of tactics, equipment, and military life.

However, when a character’s Career directly applies to the circumstances of a fight, the GM may grant a Bonus Die to the character in their attacks.

Step 6 — Choose Your People

Characters in Jhelum belong to one of four human peoples. Select one from the following list. For more information about a people, click its name.

Chaaya — the majority population of towns, cities, and farms
Manjav — enigmatic folk associated with ancient ruins
Shikanti — a disciplined matriarchal warrior culture
Dhulé — the barbarian tribes of the jungle

Your people determines your initial boon options.

Step 7 — Boons and Flaws

Boons represent special advantages or talents. Flaws represent weaknesses, obligations, or complications.

Choose your boon or boons. Your character receives:

1 free boon, which must be taken from your people's list of boons (Check their description on the Peoples of Jhelum page)
Optionally, up to 2 additional boons, but for each of these, you must also take 1 flaw

No boon may be taken more than once.

Step 8 — Hero Points

Hero Points represent heroic luck, determination, and destiny.

Nightcats characters begin play with 3 Hero Points. Some Boons or Flaws may decrease your Hero Points allotment.

Hero Points may be spent to:

survive danger
achieve dramatic success
influence events

The GM may award additional Hero Points for:

clever ideas
entertaining roleplaying
bold or heroic actions
memorable moments

Step 9 — Secret Fire Points

Secret Fire is the source of all sorcerous power.

A character with 1 or more Ranks in the Sorcerer career begins with 10 Secret Fire points.
Those with 1 or more ranks in the Sorcerer's Apprentice career (and without ranks in Sorcerer) begin with 3 Secret Fire points.

For more information, see Sorcery

Step 10 - Favor Points

Favor is a measure of good will from your patron deity.

A character with 1 or more ranks in Priest or Shaman receive a number of Favor Points equal to their Ranks in those careers.

For more information, see Invocations

Step 10 — Equipment

Choose equipment appropriate to your character concept and careers.

Typical starting gear includes:

2 weapons and 1 set of armor, your choice (See Arms & Armor)
Clothing, travel gear, personal items as needed

Exact equipment is determined by the GM.

Step 10 — Final Details

Finish your character by choosing:

Name (For inspiration, see Nightcats Name Generators)
Appearance
Personality
Reputation or alias

Nightcats Codex Home • Players Guide• Character Creation • Careers • Boons • Flaws • Jhelum • Peoples • Sea of Blood • Rivers • Mahāraṇya • Cities • Customs • Million Gods • Divine Invocations • Sorcery • Arms & Armor • Bestiary • Name Generators