Creating Your First Character

Character creation in Multiverse is about more than just assigning numbers to abilities — it’s about breathing life into a unique individual who will become part of a larger tapestry of interconnected stories. Your character, often called a “PC” for “player character,” represents one crucial thread in the collaborative narrative that you and your fellow players will weave together. Each character brings their own perspective, goals, and personality to the table, and the magic of roleplaying emerges from how these distinct individuals interact with each other and the world that your Game Master (GM) helps create.

By now, your group has chosen a setting for your campaign, establishing the backdrop against which your character’s story will unfold. This setting provides both opportunities and constraints that will help shape who your character becomes. Character creation can take many forms, and different players prefer different approaches. Some enjoy browsing through the character concepts (what other games might call “classes”) provided in your chosen setting, selecting one that immediately captures their imagination. This approach works perfectly well, and if it appeals to you, we encourage you to explore the concepts your setting offers.

However, Multiverse is designed as an open system where customization isn’t just possible — it’s fundamental to the game’s philosophy. There are no rigid character classes with predetermined progression paths. Instead, every aspect of your character can be tailored to match your vision. Even characters who start with similar concepts will develop in completely different directions based on the choices you make and the experiences they have. The abilities your character manifests, the way they approach problems, and how they grow over time will be utterly unique to your creation.

What unites all player characters in Multiverse is that something sets them apart from ordinary people — something that marks them as potential heroes, villains, or at least individuals capable of extraordinary deeds. This distinguishing spark might be subtle: perhaps your character witnessed something they shouldn’t have, and their curiosity now drives them to uncover hidden truths. Or it might be dramatic: maybe they’re the child of an otherworldly entity, struggling to forge their own destiny while defying the fate that others expect them to fulfill.

The key to successful character creation is starting with inspiration rather than mechanics. Given your chosen setting, what type of character would be fun for you to play? If you’re embarking on a campaign of high seas adventure filled with magic and mystery, you might be drawn to playing a swashbuckling pirate who lives for the thrill of adventure, or perhaps a sea witch who communes with the depths and hears secrets in the ocean’s whispers. Maybe your character is a noble fleeing an arranged marriage, seeking freedom on the open seas, or a merchant whose wanderlust drives them to explore distant shores.

Draw inspiration from wherever it strikes you: the concepts provided in your setting, discussions with your GM about what fits the campaign, or characters from books, movies, games, or other media that capture your imagination. Don’t worry about having every detail figured out immediately. At this stage, having a “concept of a plan” is entirely sufficient to begin the creation process. The details will emerge naturally as you make choices and see your character take shape.

Rule of Fun
Throughout this book, you’ll encounter references to the “Rule of Fun”; a guiding principle that should inform every aspect of your Multiverse experience. When faced with uncertainty, whether about character creation, rule interpretation, or narrative direction, ask yourself: “What would be the most fun?”

Unsure what type of character to play? Choose what excites you most; you can always adjust details later. Unclear about how a rule should work in a specific situation? The GM should make the call that creates the most engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone at the table.

The ultimate goal of Multiverse is collaborative storytelling where every participant has fun both creating and experiencing the shared narrative. When in doubt, fun takes precedence over rigid adherence to rules or conventional expectations. This is the Rule of Fun in action.

Once you have your character concept in mind, the actual creation process involves three main components: traits, bloodline, and abilities. What makes Multiverse distinctive is that everything is selected rather than randomly generated. You won’t roll dice to determine your character’s capabilities. Instead, you’ll make deliberate choices that support your vision and create the character you want to play.

This selection-based approach means that character creation is inherently fair and collaborative. No one gets stuck with a character they don’t want to play because of unlucky dice rolls, and every player has equal opportunity to create someone who fits their concept and playstyle. You start with your idea and build systematically around it, making choices that reinforce your character’s identity while creating interesting opportunities for growth and development.

Character Creation Steps

Here’s your roadmap for bringing your character to life:

1. Assign trait dice based on your character concept. Distribute your available dice among the six traits (Fight, Athleticism, Agility, Brains, Charm, and Spirit) to reflect your character’s natural strengths and weaknesses. With each trait, you will ask yourself “is your character stronger or weaker in this area”, slowly figuring out your fundamental skills.

2. Select your character’s flaw and motivation. These drive your character’s personal story and provide the GM with hooks for engaging narrative moments.

3. Choose a bloodline and its associated ability. Your bloodline represents your character’s heritage or supernatural connection, granting them unique capabilities that set them apart from ordinary people.

4. Select additional abilities. Pick abilities that complement your concept and work well with your chosen traits, creating a cohesive set of capabilities.

5. Determine how these abilities manifest to fit your character concept. Describe how your character’s abilities look, feel, and function in ways that reinforce their personality and background.

6. Develop details about personality and appearance. Use the character development questions to flesh out who your character is beyond their mechanical capabilities.

7. Select starting equipment. Choose gear that makes sense for your character’s background and the campaign setting.

8. Have fun. Above all. Have fun!

The process ahead will guide you through each of these components step by step, helping you transform your initial spark of inspiration into a fully realized character ready to take their place in your group’s ongoing story.