CLASS

In this game system, it's all about "opening things up" for interpretation as opposed to pigeon holing every little thing with a title and a set of rules for each of them. For example... in D&D there are several types of fighters; the Barbarian, the Swashbuckler, the Psychic Warrior,  the Banneret, the Echo Knight, the Rune Knight, the Cavalier, the Arcane Archer, the Samurai, and the list goes on. The same can be said for the other classes in D&D. It's a far too complex and opens the game to the possibility of arguments in game, time being spent looking up what your fighter can or cannot do compared to other types of fighters, the fact the GM needs to have a mind like a computer to know all this information and so on. To me, this is just dumb. But, that's my take on it. You however may love all that complexity and if you do... I hope you enjoy playing that style but you won't find any of that here. 

Here, we will keep it simple. When someone asks what you do... you don't tell them your a mage do you? Some folks might be scared of magic. Maybe it's illegal in the town you are in. But, you might likely tell the person that you are the daughter of a fletcher (arrow maker) and was raised in that trade but now, you just want to see the world and are a humble traveller. Or, you might simply indicate you are a sword for hire and seeking work in perhaps protection of others or as a guardian escort for anyone needing protection. These are the kinds of things people would openly admit to in such situations. Nobody would tell someone "oh.... you know, I'm an assassin. Know of any good guilds I can hook up with? Someone who needs killed?". Not bloody likely!

So, all that huffing and puffing aside... let's get into it shall we? 

There are four basic categories. If you want to take your character and make them unique outside of what is written below and it's based on an idea you have or something that exists in another system... go ahead and hit up your GM with it. See what they say. Together you can work it out. 

Here are four basic categories:

Fighter class

Sneak class

Devout class

Mage class

What are they exactly? Well, they are not "exact" but rather a generalization of the type of character you will play.

THE FIGHTER

The fighter likes to fight. Plain and simple. They are the melee masters of your team. Be it by knife, by arrow, by sword, by mace or even by fist... they like to mix it up in combat using good ol' physical skills. Clearly your primary stats would be Dexterity and Strength. Dexterity to hit the target and defend away from the incoming strike and the Strength in order to increase the damage when you do make contact with your target. But, it's up to you... you may want to be great at hitting your target because you like to shoot arrows in which case, strength does not come into play and in exchange you might bargain with the GM for a higher Dexterity and thats it. Or, maybe you want to have a little magic so Intelligence. Maybe you are a believer in a deity and want a higher Wisdom. It's all open for interpretation. Work with your GM to dial it in as you like. 

THE SNEAK

In most systems this is the Rogue or the Thief but I don't like either of those names. A "Rogue" can simply be someone who goes solo, doesn't blend in with the status quo, likes to do things their way. And the "Thief" is immediately thought of as a criminal. Someone who takes what isn't theirs. Nobody, when asked "Hey, so... what do you do?" when first meeting... will answer with "me? Oh, I'm a thief" or "Well, I would probably call myself a Rogue".  It sounds ridiculous right? The Sneak would be someone who could be roguish, could be a thief, could be an assassin, could simply be great at burglary, sneaking in and out of places, hiding, blending in, master of lies and deceit, a trickster, a performer who charms you out of your money (think street musician), etc. You can see how this could be a very broad class just like the Fighter class mentioned above at the start. Call yourself a "farmer who has decided to see the world" and call it a day. Nobody needs to know what you really do for a living except perhaps your fellow team mates. Oh, and the "Sneak" doesn't even have to be bad. They can be like Robin Hood who stole from the rich and gave to the poor right? It's a matter of perspective I guess but I'm sure you get my meaning. The sneak's primary stats would most likely be through Dexterity in order to be sneaky, climb, hide, tumble, and so forth and Charisma in order to be charming and elusive, to lie well and/or perform well. 

THE DEVOUT

This is a simple term to cover anyone and everyone who follows a deity or higher power of any kind and they worship them and usually get powers from them in return. You can be a Warlock, a Cleric, a Paladin, Druid and so forth. Basically... you are highly religious, have a faith and follow it's tenants. Your power is harnessed and channeled through your belief system. The primary stat of the Devout will be Wisdom for sure in order to tap into that holy power and then your secondary stat is open for interpretation. Dexterity or Strength if you are a fighting holy warrior. Maybe Constitution if you want to be more durable and tough. Charisma if you think intimidation, convincing, impressing others is your characters goal. Up to you. 

THE MAGE

A "Mage" is a generic term I'm using to cover those who have studied magic, learned it from scholarly types, been taught how to use it, how to harness it. It requires a great deal of intelligence to remember all the dangerous details of channeling magic through the unseen conduits it flows through, and bending it to your will. You can be a Witch, Sorcerer, Sorceress... whatever but it still falls under this class name. The primary stat of the Mage is Intelligence. If you aren't terribly smart... you're just not going to be very good at remembering all those spells and how to use them correctly. Your secondary stat can be whatever you wish, just like the Devout class above. 

BONUS POINTS

Regardless of what class you choose above, you get 2 points which you can add to your ability of choice. You might add 1 point to Strength and 1 point to Dexterity. Maybe you will just add 2 points to Charisma and thats that. 

In Summary... call yourself whatever "class" you want or don't bother at all. Just Be a person who does stuff differently than the others do, customize your character into that so called "class" through your stats,  your behaviour in the game, the methods you use, and so forth. I know in my life I don't walk around describing myself to folks as a serial killer right? I tell folks that I work for the man and I'm a dad. I like cycling, working out and playing RPG's. Just kidding on the serial killer thing there folks. I have a dry sense of humour. 

So... if you want some inspiration on what kind of character you want to be, look like, etc... I have a bunch of pictures in a gallery on Pinterest that you should spend a bit of time scouring. Trust me, the idea's you have in your head now will either become more clear or you find yourself completely changing your idea entirely by an image you see in this gallery. 

Click HERE to visit my RPG images gallery on Pinterest.