Character creation guidelines

This page includes our official guidelines on character creation on Shadows over Amsterdam.

Characters that are 40XP or less and don't incorporate anything from the restricted list are insta-play; This means that while you'll still have to submit them to us, you won't have to wait for approval before you can start playing them. You can use up to 40XP in the creation of these chars, but don't feel like you have to use it all simply because you have the option; In the end the game is more about the stories you tell rather than the acquisition of skills, powers, merits or any of that stuff.

Please keep in mind that in the real world, not everyone is a supermodel or striking in another fashion; most people are in fact quite ordinary looking, and this is no different in the World of Darkness; Not having this merit doesn't mean that your character is ugly. A character can still be pretty, imposing, or sexually attractive without posessing this merit. Characters with this merit are put above the masses; their appearance is difficult to forget, which can lead to all sorts of trouble, don't think that this merit has only positive effects. We aren't banning or restricting the merit, however we ask that you use common sense when choosing it.

You can play more than one character, however; they can not be related to each other in any way, and they should be seperated from each other within the game. This means that while you can play two Kindred of the same Clan for example, they can not be part of the same political organization (Covenant). If we were to allow this, it could lead to unfair situations wether that's the intent of the player or not. If your characters somehow end up in the same covenant or organization due to IC interactions, then this is a seperate matter which should be brought up with the ST's to ensure a balanced play experience for everyone involved.

While it may seem prudent to take as many dots as possible in a particular skill or attribute, remember that these dots represent the proficiency of the character in that particular element, and that high dots should be appropiately rare. Try and fit the number of dots your character has in various attributes and skills according to the concept and background you have in mind. The following guidelines should be followed when deciding on the number of dots that is appropiate for any given skill or attribute;

• 1 Dot; Poor, below average, basic knowledge.

• 2 Dots; Average, the result of occasional effort, practicioner, solid working knowledge.

• 3 Dots; Good, above average, professional, detailed knowledge.

• 4 Dots; Exceptional, frequently applied, tested and honed, naturally gifted

• 5 Dots; Outstanding, the peak of human capability, master, leader in the field.

Remember that skill specialties can (and should) be taken to demonstrate a particular proficiency or career choice; if your character has for instance made a career as a professional athlete, 3 dots in athletics along with a specialty in the particular sport he is versed in should be appropiate, whereas 4 dots should represent an olympic level athlete. Five dots then should represent the types of athletes that we all know, legendary sportsheroes and the like. When statting your character, you may start with the background and fill in the skills and specialties in according to the background you have written; alternatively however, you may wish to start with the sheet first, and then look at the various skills you have placed down to determine a background accordingly; If your character has 2 dots in crafts, then that serves as something to write a piece of background about; how did he get those dots? Maybe he's an amateur woodcarver? Or perhaps he's worked part-time as a mechanic? You can even explain one dot skills in this manner. It's a good way of fleshing out your character.

The following items are NOT banned, they do however require approval before you can take them for your character. If you provide us with a good concept and background, the chances of a character with anything listed here being accepted, will greatly increase.

• Child Flaw - Taking this flaw requires a good story and background.
• Unseen Sense Merit
• Gunslinger Merit
• Giant Merit
• Brawl/Weaponry/Firearms at 4+ dots
• Fame 3+
• Retainers (these should be fleshed out together with the ST)
• Attributes or Skills at 5 dots (ignoring specialties)
• Higher Bloodpotency (or equivalent for other supernaturals)
• 'Uber' Equipment (such as assault rifles, silver weapons, flamethrowers, supercomputers, etc)
• Established Character (Characters who have been in the city for a while)
• Having a sire as part of a bloodline
• Being part of a bloodline
• Mara Bloodline
• Playing a rogue/independent Ghoul
• Starting play with ownership of businesses
• Fighting Merits above 2 - Unless your concept supports it (e.g., professional boxers, martial artists, police). Those who aren't professional fighters can get the first two dots without it counting as a restricted slot. The first dot of a fighting style should represent an enthusiast who trains weekly, while two dots would be an active hobbyist who trains a few times a week.