Character Creation Guide

*Greetings Adventurer, welcome to Babel! Please do read the following, as it will give you the basics of character creation as well as Houserules, Forbidden, Restricted, Altered and Allowed content.*

*Additionally, you may wish to check out the following link for making use of our server currency: Babel Coins!*

*We use Myth-Weavers for all our character sheets. **Do not use the Experimental Sheet.***

## Common Terminology

**Allowed Content**: options that may be selected by anyone.

**Restricted Content**: options that must be applied for in order to use. This includes all third party content and all optional rules (first party or otherwise) not banned or listed as allowed.

**Forbidden Content**: options that are off-limits; they may be applied for but access to them is extremely unlikely.

**Playtest Content**: options that may be selected by anyone, but are subject to change at any time during the playtest period. Playtest content may or may not be removed or integrated based on its trial run.

## Backstory

Backstories are important for any roleplaying medium. It is encouraged--but not mandatory--that you create and develop some form of a backstory either here on the wiki, your character sheet, or a Google docs, that way both you and staff can use it to help curate stories that assist in the growth and development of characters in the world.

Babel is a large and diverse place, and could host all kinds of strange and exciting places to be from. Information on Babel and its inhabitants can be found here!

Whilst anyone can be a simple commoner, having a more esoteric or flamboyant background, such as being a descendant of, or related to some important figure is a tad more difficult, and will require contacting a GM or Moderator to make sure everything is in line! But don’t be afraid, we don’t bite!

**Once you've done all this, please post your sheet into our #character-apps channel, and when your sheet is approved, please link it on the notes section of your roll20 sheet. Thanks!**

## Helpful Links

Babel Downtime Rules

Babel FAQ

Babel Spheres Content

Babel Mythic Content

The Setlaar Player Options Document

Cohort Rules+Leadership Perks

Babel Approved Archetype Packages

# Guidelines

All characters start at level 2, and the appropriate wealth (1,000 gp). With a 25 point buy (Calculator if needed).

We use the **Medium** experience track and characters gain maximum hit points per level (no need to roll when you level).

Please list your pre-racial point buy somewhere easy to see once you’ve decided upon one. (Note, some point buys might be asked to be changed if they’re too skewed towards optimizing)

Additionally, please use Archives of Nethys for content unless otherwise stated.

*For those wondering how we’d like for a sheet to look, refer to this Basic Character Sheet (made by vladimir002).*

**We use Gestalt Rules, including the Spheres Gestalt Rules. Additional info here.**

* You may pick any Paizo race up to 20 Race Points. Most can be found in the Core or non-core sections of AoN (note some races like Drow Noble and Svirfneblin are above 20 Race points).
* Your character must be an Adult for its race, as defined by the PRD, with a minimum of 18 years old, for races of adulthood below 18.
* Both Chained and Unchained versions of classes are allowed, with some minor alterations found below.
* You may not use any third party (3pp) content that has not been approved, either for you, or for everyone as such content is considered Restricted. If you have a question about this, ask a GM or Mod.
* You may select 2 traits, and may take 1 drawback to gain a third trait. Taking additional drawbacks does not give any benefit. Campaign and Region Traits are Restricted, and may be applied for in the #minor-approvals channel.
* You may take a Major Drawback and gain an extra Feat. Multiple Major drawbacks, while roleplay-wise a cool choice, will not give additional benefits.
* You may take a Background or Occupation. Alternatively, you may select up to three skills to become class skills or give a +1 competence bonus if the skills in question are already class skills, in addition you may choose a bonus feat as part of a custom background or occupation.
* You are allowed one Achievement and one Story feat per character, but you must take them in normal feat slots. The Storied leadership perk counts as a one-time ‘normal feat slot’.
* The Skill Unlock system is in use, limited to Unchained Rogues (and other classes with explicit access) and those who take the Signature Skill feat.
* We use the Variant Multiclassing system for characters.
* We use the Background Skills system, so make sure to give it a read!
* We use the Stamina Rules. You must take the Combat Stamina feat to benefit from them.
* We utilize the Hero Points system, Including the Antihero option. If You choose to use Hero Points, you start with 1 regardless of level.
* We use the Elephant in the Room Feat Tax changes. In case of our homebrew changes overlapping with the document’s, ours take precedence. Note, we use whatever is in the latest PDF of EiTR, not ‘just’ the old blog post. For a brief list of summarized changes, here is a separate, shorter, document: here
	+ If your class gives you a bonus feat that is removed by these rules, please refer to the Class Errata section of the document first and observe the changes there; if your class is not listed however you gain a combat feat in the replaced feat’s place.
* We allow Corruptions, additional info here.
* If starting at higher levels you start with the appropriate wealth by level of that level.
* Once you are finished with character creation, submit your character in #character-apps on our discord, following the new character format carefully.

Finally, do **not** privately message staff to look over your applications, or otherwise post your applications in public channels asking them to be looked over; all applications will be looked over eventually, and any delays, however short or long, do not indicate by themselves that something is wrong with the application; we ask for your patience in these matters. Those found breaching this rule may find their applications automatically denied.

# Allowed Content List

This list denotes which third-party content is in use, including major 3pp systems, alongside some homebrew content.

#### **Uncategorized**

* We allow Legendary Kineticist and all associated content.
	+ Additional Elements are also Allowed for Scion Kineticist.
* Archetype Packages are Allowed. This refers specifically to the first party classes.
	+ An expanded system for archetype packages can be found here.
* The Setlaar, a sub-setting of our world, provides a variety of player options, which are all Allowed. This includes more modern firearms, weapon modifications, firearm ammunition, misc equipment, etc.

#### **Spheres of Power**

* We use the Spheres of Power, Might and Champions systems, as well as the Spheres of Akasha system. All first party content (content published by Drop Dead Studios) available on the wiki is Allowed
* Third party and wiki specific content is Restricted unless otherwise specified.
	+ See Babel Spheres Content for more info.

#### **Path of War**

* The Path of War system by Dreamscarred Press is Allowed.
	+ Note that some feats, such as Seize the Opportunity, follow the rules specified in "Spheres of Might and Other Systems" in terms of certain interactions.
	+ Unorthodox Method is Allowed.

#### **Psionics**

* The Psionics system by Dreamscarred Press is Allowed; this includes the Path of the Overmind mythic path and other associated Mythic Psionics content found here. This also includes some of the Spheres archetypes for Psionics classes.
	+ Ascendant, Coral Knight,Epoch Walker and the High Psionics version of Soulknife is Allowed.

#### **Akashic**

* The Akashic system by Dreamscarred Press, and its supplements by Lost Spheres Publishing (Co7S, etc) and Cobalt Sages Creations (Stormbound, etc) are Allowed.
	+ Trinity Angel/other unrelated or non-Akashic Co7S content remain Restricted.

#### **Pact Magic**

* The Pact Magic system by Radiance House is Allowed.

#### Feats

* Monster feats are Allowed.
	+ **Note:** Prerequisites must still be met.
* Deadly Agility is Allowed.
	+ **Note:** You cannot get 1.5x or higher Dex to damage via this feat.

#### Miscellaneous

* Paizo's Technological Equipment is Allowed.
* The Brevoy Bandit trait is Allowed.
* Further Allowed items are here.

# Houserules

Houserules are just that, major content changes.

* Minions, such as leadership sphere cohorts, conjuration companions, eidolons, animal companions, etc. all have full hit dice (no roll necessary) and act on their leader's initiative.
	+ Animal Companions and Familiars may not have more HD than their master’s HD+1 via any means. If you wish to combine them, additional info here.
* If you have a class feature that adds a non-standard ability bonus to a stat, you may only add a bonus up to the number of class levels you have in the class that grants the feature. If you have class levels in a class with this feature equal to your hit dice then there is no cap. This also does not cap limited duration bonuses.
	+ Levels in Prestige Classes add up with levels from the class they build upon when determining the limits on these bonuses.

#### Downtime

* The Downtime System is in use. Currently, Time (generally) flows at a rate of two in character days per real day, which will be announced in the calendar channel.
	+ See the Downtime Rules for more information.

#### Leadership

* Everyone gets Leadership for free at creation. You may choose to opt out if you’d like.
	+ Perks are gained at every even level, starting at level 2. See here for more info.
	+ **Note:** Leadership feat cohorts are separate PCs, needing to go through the normal approval process. These cohorts may not be brought on sessions together with their leader, unless played by different players than the leader.

#### Fame/Infamy

* The Fame/Infamy Rules are in place, although Prestige Points are currently Forbidden. Spheres of influence are not in use, meaning Fame (or Infamy) are universal across the game world for a given PC.
	+ Gaining/Losing fame for Succeeding at a DC 30 check or crafting a powerful magic item can only be done **once** (for all of these options, not each one) per in character month.
* The Fractional Base Bonuses rules are used when multiclassing. Adjust the BAB fractions in case of classes with non-standard BAB progression.
* Versatile Performance may benefit from any bonuses applicable to the original skill, as well as any bonuses affecting the relevant Perform skill. Bonuses of the same source affecting both skills (such as having Skill Focus or masterwork tools for both skills) are only applied once. Bonuses of the same type do not stack unless specified by the type of bonus. Penalties to the original skill apply as normal.
* Prestige Classes may trade out their capstone for an alternative one at level 20. Prestige Classes with the Aligned Class, class ability do not allow you to get another capstone within the same track.
* **For post-20 content, see here for more info.**

# Altered, Restricted, and Forbidden

## Altered Content

#### Classes

* Paladins may be of any good alignment as long as their alignment matches their deity.
* Unchained Monks may take base Monk Archetypes as long as they could gain every feature to be replaced with their (unchained) ki powers class feature. They lose access to ki powers at the respective levels.
* Unchained Summoners may take base Summoner Archetypes as long as they possess the unchained summoner class features that the Archetype trades out. If an archetype exists for the Unchained Summoner, you can't take its (chained) version.

#### Items

* Staves automagically recharge one charge a day.
* You cannot buy scrolls or spellcasting services of 7th level spells or higher nor with a Caster Level higher than 14 from NPCs. You must buy these from PCs.

#### Spells

* Spells below 7th level that cost less than 1,000 gp do not have material components.
	+ If you gain eschew materials as a bonus feat you may trade it for any feat you qualify for.
	+ This is reduced to less than 500 gp for spells such as animate dead (such spells are still [evil] though).

#### Uncategorized

* The Self Contained crafting boon is now a mythic tier 3 universal power.
* All crafting traditions require an application on the #crafting-apps channel.
* Any familiar (not including improved familiars) may grant any base familiar bonus.

## Restricted Content

#### Minions

* Acquiring the service of outsiders through Planar Binding the spell or similar abilities, such as Call Planar Creature require an app for each creature summoned. You will need to explain why you want the creature, how it fits your character, what the goals are, and all of the other variables (caster level, gold paid, their objective, etc) within your application.
* Acquiring undead / corpses via downtime requires a full application on the #3pp-and-custom-apps channel. Please explain how they will be acquired and the exact details of the creatures you will be taking. The required downtime to acquire these undead will vary from app to app, decided as part of the process. Suggest a number of days you think will be fair. This does not apply to animal corpses obtained through the Rangers Leadership talent.
* Simulacrums require a minor approval to create and use. These applications have a special format as outlined in the #minor-approvals channel and require a moderator vote for approval.
* Trompe L’Oeil requires an application on our application channels. You will need to explain how you acquire certain creatures.
* Robots with AIs will require an additional application, with the exception of Tech sphere (Alpha, Beta, Gamma) AIs.
* Homunculi or any other construct without a max HD requires an application.

#### Uncategorized

* Travel to the Dimension of Time (including the Akashic Record) is Restricted.
* All custom creatures (not drones, familiars, animal companions, etc), that is creatures without a bestiary entry from allowed sources that contain the creature and any templates or other modifications within the single entry are Restricted. This includes but is not limited to creatures created via applying templates, but does not include those gained via temporary means such as Summon Monster and Reanimate. You only need to submit for it if the template is being applied to a custom-built creature. This is to restrict custom creatures made via open-ended systems.

## Forbidden Content

#### Deities

* Folca, Lymnieris, and Tommy Greensprout are Forbidden. Any desired mechanics relying on them will need an app to reflavor away from them.

#### Items

* Upgrade Crystals, except via session rewards, is Forbidden.

#### Uncategorized

* Planes with the Erratic, Flowing or Timeless traits may not be used for downtime related benefit.

# Mythic Content

Mythic is an optional system. Players that wish to use the mythic system can find the rules for such here.