1. Character Creation

The Making of a Magi

First, make a copy of the Character Sheet to play with as you go. Just replace the [block] text with the appropriately indicated attributes.

Throughout this book we'll be using Tony Jones, the heroic magi from Earth and savior of the Moonlands an example for character creation. Explanations of the choices made will be found in blue.

High Concept

The High Concept is an Aspect that defines the core of your character.

In Tony's case, we'll choose something like "Prophesied Hero" to define his overall place in the story.

Trouble

Trouble is an Aspect that defines the primary obstacle in your life. Your Trouble can come into play, providing you with occasional Fate points when it complicates your story.

Tony would likely be "Agram, Ancient Archmagi Antagonist", representing the constant barrage of Shadow and Core magi that Agram sends to the surface trying to eliminate him, and the future showdown awaiting him in the Core.

Phases

Write a short paragraph (a few sentences apiece) for each of the first three Phases. Two other players must contribute the final two paragraphs, tied to their own characters. You can solicit players of your choice, or ask a Storyteller to assign players to your sheet. Chose an Aspect with a descriptive name from each Phase.

First: Where Did You Come From?

For Tony, we'll mention that he grew up on Earth as an adventuresome kid, always exploring and adventuring. He faced down bullies with guts and determination, and was willing to take any dare. An Aspect like "Tougher Than I Look" would be appropriate.

Second: What Shaped You?

Tony was spelunking in a cavern near his house when he stumbled across an animite cache and was pulled into the Moonlands. Chance forced his path to cross with Korg and Zet, who he narrowly escaped. This seals his destiny, so "Fated To Face The Darkness" fits.

Third: What Was Your First Adventure?

Tony visits Vash Naroom and begins his quest to find a way home, eventually entering the Shadow Geyser that breaks through from the Core and defeating it's guardian in combat with the help of his trusty Furok friend. "My Furok Is By My Side" represents the help given to him by his companion.

Fourth: Whose Path Have You Crossed?

Tony first encountered Gia during his trek into the Weave, and she advised him on how to proceed, while also giving him the critical key to returning home: the Core Glyph. "Have Patience, Young Man", said Gia, so we'll choose that as his Aspect for this phase.

Fifth: Whose Path Have You Crossed?

Gogor is a blowhard, but his heart is in the right place. He just wants to protect his village in the Underneath, and was perfectly willing to take Tony on to do so. We'll give Tony the "Ima Gunna Thump You Good!" Aspect to represent their dealings.

Skills

Choose Skills and assign them into the Skill pyramid as follows:

1 Skill at Great (+4)

2 Skills at Good (+3)

3 Skills at Fair (+2)

4 Skills at Average (+1)

The list of available Skills (and the trappings often used with them) can be found here.

We'll assign some Tony's skills along the following lines:

Great (+4): Athletics

Good (+3): Contacts, Conviction

Fair (+2): Rapport, Alertness, Endurance

Average (+1): Discipline, Investigation, Fists,Survival

Powers / Stunts

Choose eight points of Powers or Stunts. If you decide to take Relics, Rings or Spells, see the relevant section below for building your powers. If you choose to take less than eight points, the remainder is added to your Fate Point Refresh, which are extra free Fate Points you regenerate at the beginning of each Story.

Tony decides to split up his points as follows:

Blue Furok [4e]

Tony Jones' Sneakers [2e]

Growth [2e]

See Dreaming, Relics and Spellcasting for an explanation on how these Powers are built.

Stress and Consequences

Each magi starts with ten Stress boxes for Energy as well as one of each Consequence (Minor, Moderate, Severe). Energy Stress is tracked in reverse: ten points is the best, zero points leaves you without Energy, and required to take Consequences to stay active. Unless a magi is actively trying to store additional energy, their Energy level will return to this Energy level. However, in times of extreme stress (such as combat), this can be exceeded, and there is no maximum to their capacity.

Magi recover Energy each turn by drawing it from the ambient environment. A starting magi's Energize Rate is 4, unless additional Powers are taken to increase it.

Energy: 10 / 10

Energize: 4

Consequences

Minor:

Moderate:

Severe:

Everything Else

No points were set aside to add to his supply of Fate Points, so Tony only has the normal Refresh Rate of 1.

Fate Point Refresh: 1

Current Fate Points: 1

That's it!

You can view Tony Jones' completed example sheet in Chapter 6: The Moonlands.