So I've been thinking on how to start my player's Fellowship, and while reading A Clash of Kings last night it came to me. I think I'm going to have all the characters be involved in a Tourney hosted by King Bard and King Dain in the shadow of Erebor, looking for potential heroes that they might call upon in the times to come. There we can learn the baisc rules through the various contests. I will also have the event be attacked by a horde of Orcs and allow the players to form their Fellowship and determine their Fellowship Foci during the contests and the battle...thoughts?

The idea of using a tournament to test out the system, learn the rules and get everyone acquainted is very nice. Hope you have a good session.

Would anyone think it wrong (aside from the fact that it isn't RAW) to go ahead and provide the characters with a Virtue or Reward for each level of Wisdom and Valor, giving a beginning player either 2 Virtues and a Reward or 2 Rewards and a Virtue? As they cap at six, I'm a little wary of my players claiming that their characters did not get enough cool stuff by the time they reach that point. Also, I think it would just make it smoother, give a beginning character more oomph.

Also, if anyone is interested, I am making a character builder using Excel. It will not fill out a character sheet for you (I don't know how to do that) but with a couple of drop down menus you will have all the info about your character at your fingertips to make your selections. I'll mail it to anyone who want's it when I'm done, just drop me a PM with your email, or leave it here. I hope to have the first draft done tomorrow...

I think that's a reasonable idea which wouldn't add that much to the power level of the game. The only issue I see is that there aren't that many to choose from, so the more you get the more you will have that are exactly the same as other players of the same race/culture.

I'll happily join you supporting this houserule, Caul. IMO, it's a great idea that I intend to add to my game.

I would not describe it as wrong, as it's your game to do with as you will, but I won't be using it.

Giving them too much at the start of game may make the players expect even more as they progress.

I'll have to disagree - I don't think 6 Virtues and 6 Rewards are too much.

; )

Alright, Character Builder is looking good:

Dropdown list for Culture with auto lookup for adventuring age, suggested/unusual callings, standard of living, skills, specialities to pick from, and weapon skills to pick from...check (also gives rules for Cultural blessing so you don't have to look it up)

Dropdown list for Background with auto lookup for Body, Heart, Wits, favoured skill, and distinctive traits to choose from...check

Dropdown list for Calling with auto lookup for favoured skill groups, calling trait, and shadow weakness...check

Reminder to set Favoured Attribute scores and rules to do so...check

Reminder to spend Previous Experience points, rules, and charts to prevent book paging...check

Auto figue Endurance and Hope from above selections...check

Dropdown list capability for Starting Gear including weapons, armor, headgear, and shields, with equipment values (including Called Shot) listed and auto Fatigue calculation...still working

Any other thoughts on what I should add?

Sounds good so far. I look forward to seeing it when you get it finished.

John

Keep in mind this is just going to be a builder. I don't have the skills necessary to have everything populate a nice character sheet, so my assumption is that you will be using this beside the fillable character sheet that is out there or a hand written one...

If I was to use this I think I would only allow full cultural rewards and cultural virtues from rank 2 onwards. Effectively limiting these extra gains to the masteries and qualities. Mainly as I don't personally like the idea of a starting character having two of the three major culture items or virtues.

For myself, I will likely stick to the RAW.

E

Gear and Fatigue done on character builder. Now I'm entering dropdown lookups for all of the virtues and rewards. Data entry is mind numbing...

Yes it is but we all appreciate your commitment! We all wistfully waiting for your generator :-)

Now that the character builder is done I think I'll work on an Excel based monster database and GM screen...