Random Generation: Fighter

Random Generation: Fighter

In one of my previous posts, I boldly declared that I'm going to make random "class"-based character generation tables. But as always, I didn't think it through before saying. GURPS may make such tables more difficult. For example, do you roll your attributes randomly or do you choose your class first and then roll attributes on a table for that class? In any case, let's say that you are rolling up a fighter and got, for example, ST 11. However, when you are rolling for gear, you get a maul that requires ST 13? And what if you rolled your combat skills and didn't even get Two-Handed Axe/Mace, but got Smallsword instead? This makes me think of just how granular such tables should be, because even the seemingly simple fighter has many complications along the way, and I haven't even started about, for example, getting a maul-wielding elf fighter instead of something more elvish. So, how do I do it?

I suggest the following approach.

1. Semi-random determination of attributes

2. A base template (in this case, it probably will consist of the Combat Reflexes [15] advantage)

3. Random determination of combat style

4. Random determination of weapon skills and weapons

5. Random determination of an armor loadout

6. Random determination of secondary and background skills

7. Additional traits?

What the hell was I thinking? I did finish 90% of this, but ended up with ~30 random tables that you'd have to roll on, and that's definitely not what I would call simple and quick character generation. I went way too granular. Even I realized that it's time to stop. Let's do it in a more simple way, using loadouts from DF13 as an inspiration.

You can generate a fighter character using the following procedure:
1. Take the base template (below), rolling attributes as shown in the template.
2. Determine an armor loadout by rolling on Table 1.
3. Determine a weapon loadout by rolling on Table 2.
4. Roll 3dx40 to determine your extra money in $.
            4.1. Optionally, purchase a delver kit (DF13, pp. 5-6).
5. Roll 3 times on Table 3 to determine extra advantages.
6. Roll 3 times on Table 4 to determine extra disadvantages.
7. Roll 4 times on Table 5 to determine secondary skills.
8. Roll 4 times on Table 6 to determine background skills.
9. Roll 1d-2 times on Table 7 to determine languages.
10. Roll on Table 8 to determine appearance.
11. Roll 17 + 1d to determine the starting age.

 

Certain steps can be considered optional if the information derived from them is not important in the context of the character.

It's possible to expand the procedure to include things like gender, build, handedness, etc. but I think those tables should be generic (and maybe the language and appearance tables as well). I'll see what to do with them later.
 
Base Fighter Template
Attributes: ST 11 + 1d/2; DX 10 + 1d/2; IQ 8 + 1d/2; HT 10 + 1d/2
Advantages: Combat Reflexes [15].
 

Table 1. Armor Loadout

3d	Armor Loadout
3-5	Leather Armor
6-9	Mail and Leather Armor
10-12	Jack of Plates and Cloth Armor
13-15	Scale and Leather Armor
16-18	Plate and Leather Armor

 

Leather Armor

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Boots, Leather	Feet	$80	3	LTIA, p. 16
Hardened Leather, Heavy	Torso	$250	25	LTIA, p. 5
Leather, Medium	Arms	$50	6	LTIA, p. 7
Leather, Medium	Legs	$100	12	LTIA, p. 10
Ordinary Clothing	Torso, Arms, Legs	$0*	2	LT, p. 98
Pot Helm, Plate, Light -          Padding	Skull	$200 $10	1.6 1.2	LTIA, p. 13 LTIA, p. 13
Total		$690	50.8

*The starting set is free; replacement costs $120.

 

Mail and Leather Armor

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Boots, Leather	Feet	$80	3	LTIA, p. 16
Leather, Medium	Arms	$50	6	LTIA, p. 7
Leather, Medium	Legs	$100	12	LTIA, p. 10
Mail, Light	Torso	$500	12	LTIA, p. 5
Ordinary Clothing	Torso, Arms, Legs	$0*	2	LT, p. 98
Coif, Mail, Light -          Padding	Skull, Face (back), Neck	$150 $15	3.6 1.8	LTIA, p. 14 LTIA, p. 14
Total		$895	40.4

*The starting set is free; replacement costs $120.

 

Jack of Plates and Cloth Armor

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Boots, Leather	Feet	$80	3	LTIA, p. 16
Jack of Plates	Torso	$300	18	LTIA, p. 5
Jack of Plates	Arms	$150	9	LTIA, p. 7
Cloth, Padded	Legs	$50	6	LTIA, p. 10
Ordinary Clothing	Torso, Arms, Legs	$0*	2	LT, p. 98
Pot Helm, Scale, Light -          Padding	Skull	$64 $10	3.2 1.2	LTIA, p. 13 LTIA, p. 13
Total		$654	42.4

*The starting set is free; replacement costs $120.

 

Scale and Leather Armor

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Boots, Leather	Feet	$80	3	LTIA, p. 16
Leather, Medium	Arms	$50	6	LTIA, p. 7
Leather, Medium	Legs	$100	12	LTIA, p. 10
Scale, Medium	Torso	$550	28	LTIA, p. 5
Ordinary Clothing	Torso, Arms, Legs	$0*	2	LT, p. 98
Pot Helm Scale, Light -          Padding	Skull	$64 $10	3.2 1.2	LTIA, p. 13 LTIA, p. 13
Total		$854	55.4

*The starting set is free; replacement costs $120.

 

Plate and Leather Armor

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Boots, Leather	Feet	$80	3	LTIA, p. 16
Leather, Medium	Arms	$50	6	LTIA, p. 7
Leather, Medium	Legs	$100	12	LTIA, p. 10
Plate, Light (Cheap)	Torso	$400	8	LTIA, p. 5
Ordinary Clothing	Torso, Arms, Legs	$0*	2	LT, p. 98
Bascinet, Plate, Medium (Cheap) -          Padding (Cheap)	Skull, Face (back)	$250 $6	5 1.5	LTIA, p. 14 LTIA, p. 14
Total		$886	37.5

*The starting set is free; replacement costs $120.

 

Table 2. Weapon Loadout

1d12	Weapon Loadout
1	Archer
2	Axe-and-Shield
3	Crossbowman
4	Flail-and-Shield
5	Mace-and-Shield
6	Polearm
7	Spear-and-Shield
8	Sword-and-Shield
9	Sword-and-Shield 2
10	Two-Handed Axe
11	Two-Handed Flail
12	Two-Handed Sword

 

Archer

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Arrows x 20	Quiver	$40	2	LT, p. 78
Hip Quiver	Torso	$15	1	p. B289
Regular Bow (Rated to your ST)	Torso	$100	2	LT, p. 76
Shortsword (Cheap)	Torso	$160	2	LT, p. 69
Small Knife	Belt	$30	0.5	LT, p. 67
Total		$345	7.5
Skills and Traits
Armoury (Missile Weapons) (A) IQ [2] Bow (A) DX+3 [12] Fast-Draw (Arrow) (E) DX [1] Fast-Draw (Sword) (E) DX [1] Knife (E) DX [1] Shortsword (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Axe-and-Shield

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Axe	Belt or Back	$50	4	LT, p. 65
2 x Hatchet	Belt	$80	4	LT, p. 65
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Medium Shield, Light	Torso	$45	7	LT, p. 116
Total		$215	16
Skills and Traits
Axe/Mace (A) DX+2 [8] Knife (E) DX [1] Shield (E) DX+2 [4] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Crossbowman

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Crossbow (Rated to your ST)	Torso	$150	6	LT, p. 76
Crossbow Bolts x 20	Quiver	$40	1.2	LT, p. 78
Hip Quiver	Torso	$15	1	p. B289
Shortsword (Cheap)	Torso	$160	2	LT, p. 69
Small Knife	Belt	$30	0.5	LT, p. 67
Total		$395	10.7
Skills and Traits
Armoury (Missile Weapons) (A) IQ [2] Crossbow (E) DX+3 [8] Fast-Draw (Arrow) (E) DX [1] Fast-Draw (Sword) (E) DX [1] Knife (E) DX [1] Shortsword (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Flail-and-Shield

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Medium Shield, Light	Torso	$45	7	LT, p. 116
Morningstar	Belt or Back	$80	6	LT, p. 65
2 x Small Round Mace	Belt	$50	6	LT, p. 65
Total		$215	20
Skills and Traits
Flail (H) DX+2 [12] Knife (E) DX [1] Shield (E) DX+2 [4] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX [2] Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) (A) DX [2]

 

Mace-and-Shield

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Mace	Belt or Back	$50	5	LT, p. 65
Medium Shield, Light	Torso	$45	7	LT, p. 116
2 x Small Round Mace	Belt	$50	6	LT, p. 65
Total		$185	19
Skills and Traits
Axe/Mace (A) DX+2 [8] Knife (E) DX [1] Shield (E) DX+2 [4] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Polearm

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Crossbow (Rated to your ST)	Torso	$150	6	LT, p. 76
Crossbow Bolts x 12	Quiver	$40	0.72	LT, p. 78
Halberd	Torso	$150	12	LT, p. 68
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Shoulder Quiver	Torso	$10	0.5	p. B289
Total		$390	20.22
Skills and Traits
Boxing (A) DX+1 [4] Crossbow (E) DX+1 [2] Knife (E) DX [1] Polearm (A) DX+2 [8] Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Spear-and-Shield

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
2 x Javelin	Back	$60	4	LT, p. 69
Spear	Belt or Back	$40	4	LT, p. 69
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Medium Shield, Light	Torso	$45	7	LT, p. 116
Total		$185	16
Skills and Traits
Knife (E) DX [1] Shield (E) DX+2 [4] Spear (A) DX+2 [8] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] Thrown Weapon (Spear) (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Sword-and-Shield

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Arrows x 12	Quiver	$24	1.2	LT, p. 78
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Medium Shield, Light	Torso	$45	7	LT, p. 116
Short Bow (Rated to your ST)	Torso	$50	1.5	LT, p. 76
Shoulder Quiver	Torso	$10	0.5	p. B289
Thrusting Broadsword (Cheap)	Torso	$240	3	LT, p. 65
Total		$409	14.2
Skills and Traits
Bow (A) DX [2] Broadsword (A) DX+2 [8] Knife (E) DX [1] Shield (E) DX+2 [4] Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4]

 

Sword-and-Shield 2

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Arrows x 12	Quiver	$24	1.2	LT, p. 78
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Large Shield, Light	Torso	$68	10	LT, p. 116
Short Bow (Rated to your ST)	Torso	$50	1.5	LT, p. 76
Shortsword (Cheap)	Torso	$160	2	LT, p. 69
Shoulder Quiver	Torso	$10	0.5	p. B289
Total		$352	16.2
Skills and Traits
Bow (A) DX [2] Knife (E) DX [1] Shield (E) DX+2 [4] Shortsword (A) DX+2 [8] Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] Shield-Wall Training [1]

 

Two-Handed Axe

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Great Axe	Torso	$100	8	LT, p. 70
2 x Throwing Axe	Belt or Back	$120	8	LT, p. 65
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Total		$260	17
Skills and Traits
Boxing (A) DX+1 [4] Knife (E) DX [1] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) (A) DX+1 [4] Two-Handed Axe/Mace (A) DX+2 [8]

 

Two-Handed Flail

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Flail	Torso	$100	8	LT, p. 70
2 x Small Throwing Axe	Belt or Back	$100	6	LT, p. 65
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Total		$240	15
Skills and Traits
Boxing (A) DX [2] Knife (E) DX [1] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX [2] Thrown Weapon (Axe/Mace) (A) DX+1 [4] Two-Handed Flail (H) DX+2 [12]

 

Two-Handed Sword

Item	Location	Cost	Weight	Reference
Crossbow (Rated to your ST)	Torso	$150	6	LT, p. 76
Crossbow Bolts x 12	Quiver	$40	0.72	LT, p. 78
Large Knife	Belt	$40	1	LT, p. 67
Shoulder Quiver	Torso	$10	0.5	p. B289
Thrusting Greatsword (Cheap)	Torso	$360	7	LT, p. 70
Total		$600	17
Skills and Traits
Boxing (A) DX+1 [4] Crossbow (A) DX+1 [4] Knife (E) DX [1] Sumo Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] Two-Handed Sword (A) DX+2 [8]

Table 3. Extra Advantages

If you roll the same leveled trait multiple times, add up the levels.

1d20	Advantage
1	Will +1 [5]
2	Per +1 [5]
3	HP +1 [2]
4	FP +1 [3]
5	Basic Speed +0.25 [5]
6	Born Sailor 1 [5]
7	Born Soldier 1 [5]
8	Born Tactician 1 [10]
9	Born War-Leader 1 [5]
10	Danger Sense [15]
11	Fearlessness 1 [2]
12	Fit* [5]
13	Hard to Kill 1 [2]
14	Hard to Subdue 1 [2]
15	High Pain Threshold
16	Luck [15]
17	Rapid Healing [5]
18	Recovery [10]
19	Seafarer 1 [10]
20	Weapon Bond [1]

* Upgrade to Very Fit [15] if you roll it twice

Table 4. Extra Disadvantages

If you roll the same leveled trait multiple times, add up the levels. If you roll the same disadvantage with a self-control roll multiple times, decrease the self-control number by a step.

1d28	Disadvantage
1	Will -1 [-5]
2	Per -1 [-5]
3	HP -1 [-2]
4	FP -1 [-3]
5	Basic Speed -0.25 [-5]
6	Bad Temper (15) [-5]
7	Bloodlust (15) [-5]
8	Bully (15) [-5]
9	Callous [-5]
10	Code of Honor (Soldier’s) [-10]
11	Obsession (15) (Slay some specific type of monster) [-2]
12	One Eye [-15]
13	Sadism (15) [-7]
14	Sense of Duty (Nation) [-10]
15	Vow (Never refuse a challenge to combat) [-10]
16	Compulsive Carousing (15) [-2]
17	Easy to Read [-10]
18	Greed (15) [-7]
19	Hidebound [-5]
20	Honesty (15) [-5]
21	Impulsiveness (15) [-5]
22	Lecherousness (15) [-7]
23	Overconfidence (15) [-2]
24	Sense of Duty (Adventuring companions) [-5]
25	Intolerance (Race) [Varies]
26	Phobia (15) [Varies]
27	Stubbornness [-5]
28	Illiterate [-3]

Table 5. Secondary Skills

If you roll the same skill multiple times, do not add up the points but increase the skill level by one for each time after the first.

1d20	Skill
1	Armoury (Body Armor) (A) IQ [2]
2	Armoury (Melee Weapons) (A) IQ [2]
3	Climbing (A) DX [2]
4	Connoisseur (Weapons) (A) IQ [2]
5	Diplomacy (H) IQ-1 [2]
6	Expert Skill (Hoplology) (H) IQ-1 [2]
7	First Aid (E) IQ+1 [2]
8	Force Entry (E) DX+1 [2]
9	Hiking (A) HT [2]
10	Intimidation (A) Will [2]
11	Jumping (E) DX+1 [2]
12	Law (Criminal) (H) IQ-1 [2]
13	Leadership (A) IQ [2]
14	Observation (A) Per [2]
15	Running (A) HT [2]
16	Savoir-Faire (Military) (E) IQ+1 [2]
17	Soldier (A) IQ [2]
18	Strategy (Land) (H) IQ-1 [2]
19	Swimming (E) HT+1 [2]
20	Tactics (H) IQ-1 [2]

Table 6. Background Skills

If you roll the same skill multiple times, do not add up the points but increase the skill level by one for each time after the first.

1d13	Skill
1	Area Knowledge (Local Area) (E) IQ [1]
2	Carousing (E) HT [1]
3	Expert Skill (Military Science) (H) IQ-2 [1]
4	Fast-Talk (A) IQ-1 [1]
5	Fishing (E) Per [1]
6	Gesture (E) IQ [1]
7	Heraldry (A) IQ-1 [1]
8	Naturalist (Earthlike) (H) IQ-2 [1]
9	Navigation (Land) (A) IQ-1 [1]
10	Occultism (A) IQ-1 [1]
11	Stage Combat (A) DX-1 [1]
12	Streetwise (A) IQ-1 [1]
13	Teaching (A) IQ-1 [1]

Table 7. Languages

Languages are chosen either randomly (there is no language table yet), or from a list of appropriate languages for the local area.

1d12	Fluency/Literacy
1	None/Semi-Literate
2	None/Literate
3	Broken/None
4	Broken/Semi-Literate
5	Broken/Literate
6	Accented/None
7	Accented/Semi-Literate
8	Accented/Literate
9	Native/None
10	Native/Semi-Literate
11	Native/Literate
12	Add Language Talent [10]

Table 8. Appearance

3d	Appearance
3-4	Handsome/Beautiful
5-7	Attractive
8-13	Average
14-16	Unattractive
17-18	Ugly