Making a Character

Step by Step

A Resonant is built in eight steps. Two tools take you through the steps and check each one: the Character Creator on the Spark and Stone website (totemicworld.com/sparkandstone), which hands you a sheet to print and a file your GM imports into Fantasy Grounds, and in Fantasy Grounds itself the Creation Wizard on a new character. Both build the same character from the same choices.

• Species. Choose one of the seven peoples. It sets your ability score increases, size, speed, languages and traits, and some species let you choose a proficiency.
• Ability scores. Buy your six scores with 27 points, then add your species increases.
• Class. Choose your path, Elementalist, Survivalist or Aberrant, and your casting ability.
• Background. Choose two skills, three other proficiencies, and two saving throws.
• Starting kit. Choose the weapons you set out with, from the kits your weapon proficiencies allow.
• Totemic Powers. Choose your first powers.
• Gambits and a feat. Choose two Gambits and one feat.
• Name and summary. Name your character and check the whole sheet.

Then talk with your group about who your character is and why they are on the Frontier.

Ability Scores

You have 27 points to spend. Every score starts at 8, and no score can be bought above 15 before your species increases.

Then apply your species increases. Most peoples raise two fixed abilities, +2 and +1. Humans raise any one ability by 2 and another by 1.

If your group prefers to roll scores or use a fixed set, the wizard has a manual entry option. Agree on it before anyone builds.

What each ability does

• Strength: lifting, climbing, hitting hard. Athletics.
• Dexterity: balance, aim, quick hands, Armor Class. Acrobatics and Subterfuge.
• Constitution: hit points, endurance, and the saving throw you make when you draw on your Core.
• Intelligence: reasoning and memory. Craft and Lore.
• Wisdom: perception and instinct. Sage and Survival.
• Charisma: presence and nerve. Influence.

Your casting ability, Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma, powers your Totemic Powers whatever your path.

Your Path

Your class is your path of the Spark. Each is described in full in the Classes chapter.

• Elementalist. Choose your element: fire, water or air. At least three of your first five powers must come from it.
• Survivalist. No specialization. Your powers ride your weapon and your body.
• Aberrant. Choose your manifestation: Solshade, Tempranox, Deepbinder or Auralith. Your first three powers come from it.

Choose your casting ability at the same time. It sets the DC of your powers' saving throws and the bonus of their attack rolls, and it cannot be changed later.

Hit points

Every Resonant uses a d8 hit die. At level 1 you have 8 hit points plus your Constitution modifier.

Background

There are no fixed backgrounds. You build your own from what your character did before the Frontier, and tell the table about it.

• Two skills from the eight.
• Three proficiencies among the kits, weapon groups and armor.
• Two saving throws, any two abilities.

If your species granted a proficiency, it does not count against these. In the wizard, click any skill, kit, weapon or armor proficiency to read what it covers.

Skills

Kits

A kit is a set of tools and the training to use them. Proficiency in a kit unlocks its crafting recipes, and you begin play carrying it.

Weapons and armor

Starting Kit

Your weapon proficiencies decide which starting kits you can choose. With no weapon proficiency at all, you choose from the simple kits.

Along with your kit you begin with:

• each kit you are proficient in,
• the best armor you are proficient in: padded armor, hide armor or ring mail,
• a wooden shield, if you are proficient with shields.

Starting coin

You set out with a month's living: thirty days at the standing your background describes, from the cost of living in Equipment and Coin. Agree on the standing with your GM.

Powers, Gambits and a Feat

Totemic Powers

Elementalists and Survivalists begin with five Tier 1 powers, Aberrants with three. An Elementalist must take at least three from their own element. An Aberrant's come from their manifestation. In the wizard, click a power to read it before you take it.

Gambits

Choose two Gambits. You learn a third at level 5 and a fourth at level 9.

A feat

Every character begins with one feat of their choice, from the feats your path allows. Some feats ask you to choose an ability or a proficiency when you take them.

Advancement

The GM decides when you reach a new level, usually at a turn in the story such as reaching a Totem. There are no experience points.

Each level

• Hit points: roll your hit die or take 5, then add your Constitution modifier (at least 1). If your Constitution modifier ever rises, your maximum rises by the difference for every level you have.
• Mana: your maximum rises by 2.
• Totemic Powers: learn new powers as the table shows.
• Gambits: learn one more at levels 5 and 9, when your proficiency bonus rises.

Higher tiers

A power's tier sets when you can learn it.

Some powers name a specific power you must know first.

Tier 3 and Tier 4 powers are few. Most of those that exist were forged at the table by the players who reached them, and the list grows the same way. If you reach a tier with nothing you can learn, forge one with your GM.

Ability scores or a feat

At levels 4 and 8, increase one ability score by 2, or two scores by 1 each, to a maximum of 20. Or take a feat instead.

In Fantasy Grounds, press Level Up on your sheet. The wizard handles hit points, powers, gambits and the choice at 4 and 8, one level at a time.