Character Templates, by Genre

[brother_dour]

One of the Kickstarter stretch goals I'm working on right now are character templates.  Since Sin Nombre has no classes, these templates will just serve to help people who do not want to go off the grid to build certain common, iconic characters.  You know, kind of a , "Want to build a (character class)? Then look at these skills!" sort of thing

Comments

[sorceror]

I assume these types are intended to be broad enough to cover different specific types of characters (for example, a Soldier could be an army soldier, or a navy sailor, or what have you).

For Sci-Fi/Sci-Fi fantasy, I'd definitely include something more specialized for computers. (What are they called in typical cyberpunk - Runners? Hackers?) Also Cyborgs. And possibly Mutants.

Everything from Sci-Fi/Sci-Fi fantasy onward should probably have some sort of Medical Doctor option (or Healer for superheroes). Also an Academic/Professor type ("Scientist" just doesn't cover that well enough). And a generic Criminal and/or Con Artist. And perhaps a Specialist type that can be used for the many characters whose proficiencies aren't covered by the other types in the genre.

Superheroes can have a Mystic type, and a Gadgeteer as well.

[brother_dour]

Thanks. See- I told you I was missing some no-brainers.

But you are right- they are going to be rather general. The idea of the templates is as guidelines for people who are used to playing character classes or just want to make a character on the fly.

[sorceror]

Also, for Gothic Horror, should you have an "Ordained Priest" type? Depending on your interpretation I suppose that "Paranormalist" may cover it, but to me it's something separate - and relevant for that particular genre.

Socially, what about a "Don Juan/Femme Fatale" seducer type? I imagine that could fit into several of these genres. And/or a "Noble" or "High Society" (though they don't necessarily fit into the standard Adventurer mould, if that's what you're after).

[brother_dour]

Hmmm. I was thinking 'paranormalist' meant anyone who knew about and understood the supernatural- be they ordained priest / vampire hunter or voodoo queen or Miskatonic U. professor. What would an ordained priest's skillset be?

Simialrly, I would lump the seducer types and the nobles under diplomat. Do you think I should go more specific?

[sorceror]

For Ordained Priest, you certainly can cover it under Paranormalist. I was thinking of that as more occultist or spiritualist, but that's just me. The one thing, though, is that you can be an ordained priest without actually knowing anything about the occult. Well, beyond your own theology - that story about the guy who came back from the dead, and whom you're supposed to worship in an act of ritual cannibalism by consuming bread and wine that has been magically transformed into his flesh and blood through a magic ceremony involving Latin chants...

Er, never mind.

As for nobles and seductive types, they could be under the same category as Diplomat. But maybe I'd choose a different word - to my way of thinking, a Diplomat or Spy is something very specific (and hey - Spy! That's one you can add somewhere). Whatever you call it, I think you should add that category to the Modern and Gothic Horror genres as well.