Character Creation
Quick Creation Reference
Here we go over the steps to create a character in SSS&S. If there is a section that the players should read its this one!
A Level 1 character can expect to start with:
- 1 or more Weapon Masteries
- 3 Item Sets (2 From Origins, 1 From Archetype)
- 5 Abilities Total
- 6 Words of Power Total
- 9 Distributed Attribute Points
- 1 - 2 Skill Focuses (From Archetype / Pathway)
- 0 - 2 Skill Focuses (From Origins)
- 0 - 1 Bonus Attribute Bonus.
1. Name
Creating a character starts with a name.
You are free to play any fantasy species you like, as long as it fits the setting and your GM approves. Species has no mechanical impact in SSS&S.
2. Origins
Next, choose your Origins.
There are two types of Origins:
- Background (where you come from)
- Profession (what you did before adventuring)
From your Origins, record any granted Items, Abilities, and Words of Power in the appropriate sections of your sheet.
You may take one of each, or two of the same type — whichever best suits your character.
3. Archetype
Choose one of the four Archetypes. Your Archetype grants access to a selection of Items, Abilities, and Words of Power.
From these, choose:
- 1 Ability
- 2 Word of Power
- 1 Skill to become Focused in
- 1 Item Set
4. Pathway
Choose your Pathway. This refines your Archetype and helps actualise your preferred playstyle. Pathways grant you access to more unique Abilities, and Words of Power.
When you choose a Pathway:
- Gain +1 Attribute increase to either your Archetype’s primary Attribute or your Pathway’s secondary Attribute. If your Pathway doesn’t have a secondary Attribute you may choose a Skill to Focus in.
- 2 Abilities
- 2 Word of Power
5. Attributes
When creating a new character, Attributes use a point-buy system.
- All Attributes start at -3
- You have 10 Increases to allocate
- Starting at Level 1 Attributes can be at leveled up to a maximum of +2 (including any bonuses from Pathways)
- Attributes can be increased up to a maximum of +3 by player advancement
Use the track markers to allocate points and record your final value in the main box. Advancing your attributes further requires 5 Points, which are awarded from levelling up.
6. Starting at Higher Levels
If starting above level 1, follow all previous steps as normal.
Then gain additional Points equal to:
Every 3 Levels a character may also increase an attribute of STONES, SCROLLS, SWORDS OR SORCERY, by 1 or learn a new Archetype or Pathway from among the Archetypes you have learned.
Learning an new Archetype or Pathway only grants access to learning that Archetype or Pathway’s Abilities or Words of Power — you still have to spend points as normal to obtain them.
7. Backstory
While not required, players are encouraged to write a backstory for their character. SSS&S is a narrative-focused game that emphasises collaborative storytelling and worldbuilding. A backstory helps ground your character in the world and gives the GM material to build on during play.
Your backstory doesn’t need to be long — a few key details are enough:
- Where you came from
- What you’ve done
- What you want
We also encourage players to define a few connections their character has within the world. These can be both positive and negative — allies, mentors, rivals, enemies, or people you owe.
8. Example
Emily has always preferred tackling problems head-on and has a vision for a character who punches their way through obstacles. She comes up with Alonzo Ablearms — a bare-chested, mustachioed strongman who grew up travelling with a circus.
Looking through the Origins section, Emily chooses the Origins: Caravaner and Performer. This grants Alonzo access to the Abilities Well Packed and Thespian, along with the Words of Power JOURNEY and ECHO, as well as several useful starting items to fill out his Inventory.
Knowing she wants Alonzo on the front lines solving problems with his fists and bravado, Emily chooses The Vanguard as his Archetype. From The Vanguard Item Sets, she selects Item Set C. For his starting Ability, she chooses Hold the Line, and takes BASH and BRACE as his starting Words of Power from The Vanguard list. She also gains Focus in the {Grit} skill.
Emily then chooses the Bare Brawler Pathway, feeling it best matches her vision for the character. She applies the Pathway’s +1 Attribute bonus to STONES. From the Bare Brawler Level 1 Abilities, she selects Mustachioed and Strong Arm, then finishes Alonzo’s starting Words of Power with GRAPPLE and THROW.
Finally, Emily distributes Alonzo’s Attributes. Since Bare Brawler already granted +1 STONES, his STONES Attribute begins at -2 instead of -3. Using her 9 Attribute increases, she spends 4 on STONES to raise it to +2. She then spends 3 increases on SWORDS, bringing it to 0, and the remaining 2 on SCROLLS, bringing it to -1. SORCERY remains at -3.
Example Backstory
Alonzo Ablearms was raised amongst the travelling performers and caravans of The Golden Banner Circus, where he spent years bending iron bars, wrestling beasts, and entertaining crowds across countless towns and cities. Though beloved by audiences, Alonzo eventually grew restless with life as a spectacle and set out to become the sort of hero the stories claimed he already was. Loud, charming, and impossibly confident, he now wanders from place to place looking for worthy challenges, legendary opponents, and enough coin to one Long Rest buy back the struggling circus that raised him. He still keeps close ties with the circus folk, especially Madam Orlena, the troupe’s ageing ringmaster who acts as both mentor and mother figure, though he also owes a dangerous gambling debt to a bookkeeper named Silvio Graves after a rough underground fighting match in Port Softrock.