Camarilla Game ~ Character Creation. Camarilla Game ~ Character Creation.A good background and balanced starting character can make your first few games a lot easier. Getting the balance right can be difficult however. Here are our hints to give you a head start.
Background first, then Character Sheet.
Getting your characters history established before you begin to look at the numbers can make all the difference. Establishing a credible background and reason for your embrace can make the number crunching element of creation a lot easier and will produce a more balanced character in the long run.
Focus on the ordinary, not the extraordinary.
As tempting as it might be, don't start your background with “X was the greatest warrior that ever lived,” chances are that a more established character will prove you otherwise the first time that you try to prove the theory. A more believable approach would be that “X was a competent warrior, more than able to hold his own.” Another approach would be “X was the greatest warrior that ever lived, or so he thought from the comfort of his own armchair”. Strive to be ordinary, not extraordinary.
Keep the supernatural to a minimum.
First he was raised by the Fey; then he was rescued by a cabal of Mages who taught him all about the Technocracy before he was embraced into the Black Hand before he escaped to the Camarilla. An extension of the ordinary, not extraordinary comment, overloading on the supernatural encounters does not make for a believable character. It is far more likely that a characters first encounter with the supernatural would be their embrace or first change. Keep the supernatural to a minimum.
Make sure that it all makes sense.
Make sure that your background has an internal logic of its own. Opposed factions are unlikely to accept people from the opposing faction with open arms. Don't have your character thrown from pillar to post by opposing groups, maintain a single focus in your background.
Don't expect power right out of the box.
Don't expect your character to be able to do everything you want it to straight away. You may have a concept which defines your character as being a powerful combatant. Compared to the mortal population he is. Compared to more established characters though, this power is a mere drop in the ocean. Don't expect to be all powerful at the start.
Focus, don't try and do everything.
You've got this really good idea for an academic who has been embraced because of his technological skills, but you want his primary focus to be Physical Attributes in case he gets into a fight. In the end all you end up with is a character that can only do things at half the efficiency of someone who focussed on a single element. If you want an academic, focus on Mental Traits. A focus will allow others to see you're strengths more readily, rather than wondering what you really are.
Did you hear the one about the Lawyer who didn't know Law?
Or the Doctor who didn't know Medicine? Don't abandon your Character concept the moment you start to choose abilities.
Choosing Merits and Flaws.
Merits and Flaws are great, but choose carefully. Don't load up on Flaws as a means of financing other positive elements, flaws should be an interesting thing that your character has to work with, not viewed as free traits. Similarly, don't pick Merits that don’t make any sense to your character. A street smart fighter who every other word is an expletive is unlikely to have Enchanting Voice.
Don't be afraid of change.
Your initial character isn't the end of it. Be aware that you can change direction as your character develops. Character creation doesn't end when you've finished your character sheet.
