Stormbringer Character Creation

Character creation in Stormbringer follows the core system of Barbarians of Lemuria, with additional cultural options for the peoples of the Young Kingdoms.

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 Doom
Record Hero Points
Record Sorcery Points
Select Equipment
Add Final Details

Step 1 — Character Concept

Start with a general idea of the character you want to play. Examples might include: Free Companies mercenary, sea raider, street beggar, Chaos cultist, adherent of Law, merchant of the Purple Towns, or courtier from a human land like Vilmir or Ilmiora.

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 — 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.

Farmer • Crafter • Minstrel • Court Fool • Beggar • Healer • Hunter • Merchant of the Purple Towns • Sailor of the Young Kingdoms • Reaver • Courtier • Noble of the Young Kingdoms • Spy and Informer • Burglar • Cutpurse • Assassin • Scholar • Soldier of the Young Kingdoms • Free Companies Mercenary • Duelist • Pit Fighter • Scout of the Weeping Waste • Bodyguard • Torturer • Executioner • Sorcerer of Melniboné • Sorcerer of Pan Tang • Demonologist • Priest of Law • Priest of Chaos • Witch of the Weeping Waste • Dream-Thief • Templar of Law • Chaos Cultist • Agent of the Balance • Dragon-Master of Melniboné • Exile of Melniboné • Tomb Robber

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

Examples of Starting Character Career Choices

Minstrel 1, Exile of Melniboné 1, Duelist 1, Healer 1
Reaver 2, Soldier 1, Bodyguard 1, Tomb Robber 0

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 5 — Choose Your People

Select your character's ethnic background from the following list. For more information about a people, click its name.

Your people determines your initial boon options.

Step 6 — Boons and Flaws

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

Choose your boons. Your character receives:

1 free boon, which must be taken from your people's list of boons (Check their description on the Peoples page for your choices)
Up to 2 more boons, taken from the list of boons. For each of these Boons taken, you must also take one flaw

No boon may be taken more than once.

Step 7 - Doom

Your Doom score represent the influence of Fate on your character. Every character must reckon with Fate, Law, Chaos, and the Cosmic Balance.

Stormbringer characters begin play with 0 Doom. Some Boons or Flaws may increase or decrease your Doom score.

Step 8 — Hero Points

Hero Points represent heroic luck, determination, and destiny.

Stormbringer 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 - Sorcery Points

Sorcery Points are used to power sorcerous summonings.

A character who takes Sorcerer or Priest as a career begins 10 + Mind Sorcery Points.
A Templar receives 5 + Mind Points.

No character can begin with more than 10 + Mind Sorcery Points.

Step 10 — Equipment

Choose equipment appropriate to your character concept and careers.

Typical starting gear includes:

weapons & armor (start with 2 weapons, 1 armor)
travel clothing & gear
personal items

Exact equipment is determined by the GM.

Step 11 — Final Details

Finish your character by choosing:

Name (For inspiration, see the name generators.)
Appearance
Personality
Reputation or alias

Stormbringer Codex Home • Players Guide • Character Creation • Careers • Boons • Flaws • Sorcery • Doom • Peoples • Young Kingdoms • Law & Chaos • Setting Rules • Arms & Armor • Name Generators