Character Creation

## **Basics:**

When approaching character creation it will be useful to have a character concept in mind. The Horizons System allows for in-depth creation and customization. Almost any character you can imagine can be created by this system. If you want to make something and can't find it ask your GM. The Core Rulebook has no default Races/Backgrounds/Modifiers/Challenges, you can find these in the appropriate Setting Sourcebook or Addon. Once you have your character in mind your first step is to pick a race.

## **Race:**

Race defines your heritage, appearance, and to a lesser degree your personality. Just because you pick a more aggressive race does not mean that you can not be a pacifist. Races also have special passive bonuses that they start out with. Even within races there tends to be much diversity, as a result your Race plays a lesser mechanical role than in most other TTRPGs.

## **Racial Modifiers:**

Racial Modifiers modify the race you play. Not all Orcs are big and strong, you might be more magically gifted and short. When creating a character you must select two Racial Modifiers to help describe your character. These Racial Modifier grant some bonuses to your character as well. Apart from their clear bonuses they may also come up in roleplay and be used by the GM to various ends.

## **Backgrounds:**

Your Background identifies what you have been doing before adventuring. This tends to be your characters job or trade before leaving for adventure. It can also be what they were most know for. During Character Creation you must choose one Background. Backgrounds come with several bonuses as well as some skill training.

## **Skills:**

There are a vast amount of Skills in Horizons. These Skills represent your character's strengths, training, abilities, and gifts. By default Natural Skills start at 0 and Trained Skills start at -5. First add any Racial and Background Skill Ranks you might have. Ranks placed in Trained Skills will automatically grant training in that skill. Training in a skill makes the skill go from -5 to 0. So, when placing a rank into a Trained Skill at it should be increased from 0 to 1 and not -5 to -4. You may also purchase skill ranks by spending xp. During Character Creation you may freely purchase Trained Skill Ranks with Starting XP and gain the training for free, but this is not the case outside of Character Creation. Gaining Trained Skills outside of Character Creation can be difficult and costly. See Skills or spending xp for more information.

## **Statistics:**

You have four main Statistics: Health, Stamina, Power, and Encumberance. You begin with 10 Hit Points, 5 Stamina, 5 Power, and 5 Encumberance. Certain Races, Race Modifiers, Backgrounds, and Talents will affect your Statistics. You can also increase your statistics by spending XP.

## **Challenges:**

Challenges are something that your character personally struggles with. You must select at least one challenge that your character faces. Each Challenge also awards a certain amount of Starting XP, as noted per challenge. You may select additional challenges for your character, up to three total. These challenges will be used by your GM for various purposes.

## **Spend Starting XP:**

You may spend your Starting XP on Gaining Skill Ranks, Increasing Statistics, Purchasing Talents, and Upgrading Talents. *See Spending XP.*

*Horizons Navigation*

* Horizons: Core Rulebook