| name | create-character |
| description | Guide the player through creating a new RPG character, or display an existing character sheet. Use this when the player wants to create or roll a new character, or when they ask to view, show, or display a character sheet. |
Character Creation Wizard
Guide the player through creating a new character step by step. Roll dice where indicated. Always show rolls.
Table of Contents
Workflow Checklist
Copy this checklist and mark each step complete as you go:
- [ ] 1. Name & concept
- [ ] 2. Choose race (+ subrace if applicable)
- [ ] 3. Choose class
- [ ] 4. Choose alignment
- [ ] 5. Roll attributes (4d6 drop lowest × 6, assign, apply racial bonuses)
- [ ] 6. Calculate derived stats (HP, AC, initiative, proficiency)
- [ ] 7. Choose skill proficiencies (class + background)
- [ ] 8. Starting equipment & gold
- [ ] 9. Spells (if spellcaster)
- [ ] 10. Backstory (should reflect alignment)
- [ ] 11. Save character file & present character sheet
Step 1: Name & Concept
Ask the player for:
- Character name
- Brief concept (e.g., "a grizzled dwarven blacksmith turned adventurer")
If they want random generation, roll on improvised tables.
Step 2: Choose Race
Present the available races from rules/races.md with their bonuses and traits:
- Dwarf (+2 CON, darkvision, poison resistance — subrace: Hill or Mountain)
- Elf (+2 DEX, darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Keen Senses — subrace: High, Wood, or Drow)
- Halfling (+2 DEX, Lucky, Brave, Nimbleness — subrace: Lightfoot or Stout)
- Human (+1 all attributes, extra language)
- Dragonborn (+2 STR, +1 CHA, breath weapon — choose draconic ancestry)
- Gnome (+2 INT, darkvision, Gnome Cunning — subrace: Forest or Rock)
- Half-Elf (+2 CHA, +1 to two others, darkvision, Fey Ancestry, 2 extra skill proficiencies)
- Half-Orc (+2 STR, +1 CON, darkvision, Menacing, Relentless Endurance, Savage Attacks)
- Tiefling (+2 CHA, +1 INT, darkvision 60ft, fire resistance, Infernal Legacy)
If Dragonborn, also ask for draconic ancestry (Black/acid, Blue/lightning, Brass/fire, Bronze/lightning, Copper/acid, Gold/fire, Green/poison, Red/fire, Silver/cold, White/cold).
If the race has subraces (Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, Gnome), ask the player to choose.
Step 3: Choose Class
Present the classes with a one-line pitch:
- Barbarian — Primal warrior. Rages for devastating power, toughest HP.
- Bard — Jack of all trades. Inspiration, magic, and charm.
- Cleric — Divine healer and protector. Spells from the gods.
- Druid — Nature's guardian. Wild Shape and primal magic.
- Fighter — Master of weapons and armor. High HP, devastating attacks.
- Monk — Martial artist. Unarmored speed, ki-powered strikes.
- Paladin — Holy knight. Divine Smite, healing, and oaths.
- Ranger — Wilderness expert. Half-caster with martial prowess.
- Rogue — Stealthy striker. Sneak attack damage, skills galore.
- Sorcerer — Innate magic. Metamagic to reshape spells.
- Warlock — Pact-bound caster. Eldritch power from a patron.
- Wizard — Arcane scholar. Largest spell list, spellbook mastery.
Step 4: Choose Alignment
Present the 9 alignments from RULES.md § Alignment:
| Alignment | Description |
|---|
| Lawful Good (LG) | Does the right thing as expected by society |
| Neutral Good (NG) | Does the best they can to help others |
| Chaotic Good (CG) | Acts as conscience directs, regardless of expectations |
| Lawful Neutral (LN) | Acts in accordance with law, tradition, or personal codes |
| Neutral (N) | Steers clear of moral questions, does what seems best |
| Chaotic Neutral (CN) | Follows their whims, personal freedom above all |
| Lawful Evil (LE) | Methodically takes what they want within a code |
| Neutral Evil (NE) | Does whatever they can get away with |
| Chaotic Evil (CE) | Acts with arbitrary violence and selfishness |
Let the player choose, or suggest an alignment that fits their concept and class. For random generation, roll d10 (reroll 10): 1 LG, 2 NG, 3 CG, 4 LN, 5 N, 6 CN, 7 LE, 8 NE, 9 CE.
Step 5: Roll Attributes
Use the 4d6 drop lowest method for each of the 6 attributes:
- Roll 4d6 for each attribute
- Drop the lowest die
- Sum the remaining 3
- Repeat for all 6 attributes
- Let the player assign the 6 results to STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA
- Apply racial bonuses after assignment
Show every roll: 🎲 Attribute roll: [d1, d2, d3, d4] → drop [lowest] → total [sum]
If the player prefers, offer standard array instead: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8
Step 6: Calculate Derived Stats
- HP: Max hit die value + CON modifier
- AC: Based on starting equipment (see class defaults)
- Initiative: DEX modifier
- Proficiency Bonus: +2 (level 1)
Step 7: Choose Skill Proficiencies
Each class grants a number of skills chosen from a specific list. The player's background also grants 2 additional proficiencies. Refer to RULES.md for the full skill list and class skill options.
Grant class skill proficiencies — look up the class in rules/classes.md for the number of skills and the specific list to choose from. Present only the options for the player's chosen class.
Then ask for a background (Acolyte, Criminal, Folk Hero, Noble, Sage, Soldier, or custom) which grants 2 more skill proficiencies per the background description.
Step 8: Starting Equipment & Gold
Roll starting gold and assign equipment per the tables in starting-equipment.md.
Step 9: Spells (if spellcaster)
For casters at level 1, refer to the starting spells table in starting-equipment.md for cantrip/spell counts by class. Generate spell options appropriate to the character concept and let the player choose.
Step 10: Backstory
Ask the player to provide a backstory, or offer to generate one using the following prompts. The backstory should reflect the character's chosen alignment — their moral compass, attitude toward authority, and how they treat others.
- Where did you grow up?
- What drove you to adventure?
- Who do you care about?
- What is your greatest fear?
- Do you have a rival or enemy?
Weave answers into a 2–3 paragraph backstory.
Step 11: Save Character
Create the character file at characters/{name-slug}.json following the format in rules/state-formats.md. Include all stats, alignment, inventory, spells, and backstory.
Present the completed character as an ASCII character sheet using the template below, then ask: "Your hero is ready. Shall we begin the adventure?"
ASCII Character Sheet Template
Use horizontal rules (═ for top/bottom, ─ for sections) with no side borders — just left-indented content. Substitute {placeholders} with real values. For the HP bar, render █ blocks scaled to ~20 chars max. Only include the SPELLS section for caster classes.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
~ CHARACTER SHEET ~
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Name: {name}
Race: {race} Class: {class}
Level: {level} XP: {xp} / {xp_next}
Alignment: {alignment}
HP: {bar} {current}/{max}
AC: {ac} Initiative: {init} Prof. Bonus: {prof}
Hit Die: {die} Saves: {save1}, {save2}
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ATTRIBUTES
STR {s} ({m}) DEX {s} ({m}) CON {s} ({m})
INT {s} ({m}) WIS {s} ({m}) CHA {s} ({m})
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SKILLS (* = proficient)
*{skill} {bonus} *{skill} {bonus}
...
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
EQUIPMENT
{item}
...
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
GOLD: 🪙 {gold} GP
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SPELLS (casters only)
Cantrips: {cantrip_list}
1st ({slots}): {spell_list}
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RACIAL TRAITS
{trait1}, {trait2}, {trait3}
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BACKSTORY
{wrapped backstory text}
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Formatting rules:
- Prefix proficient skills with
*, list them first
- Wrap backstory text at ~50 characters per line
- Omit the SPELLS section entirely for non-caster classes (Fighter, Barbarian, Rogue, Monk)
