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Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9alternate character creation . . . . . . . . . . . .ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMSThe standard Build Point system of character creation fromSR4 is a rich system that offers a lot of options to players. It can bequite detailed though, bogging a player down in math and movingaround Build Points.As optional alternatives, this chapter presents two new charactercreation systems: the Priority System and the Karma System.The former simplifies character design into a set of predefined stepsand values for the various options available, while the latter makescharacter creation consistent with in-game character improvementusing Karma.Each of the three systems has its advantages and disadvantages,and each favors different approaches and preferences withregards to character design. Players are encouraged to explore allof them and adopt the system they feel most comfortable with,though gamemasters should discourage exploitation of the nuancesin results between different systems.Neither of these systems is intended to produce the exactsame character build as the Build Point System or as the other alternativesystem, but the characters they do produce are balancedwith one another.The Priority SystemThe Priority system simplifies character creation by splittingup the creation process into sections or categories withpredefined values.Each character is given five categories that define him:Heritage, Talent, Attributes, Skills, and Resources. These categoriesare assigned Priorities, one per category, from A (most important)to E (least important). Each Priority (A through E) can be assignedto only one category, and each category must be assigned a Priority.Each category then has its own rules for developing that aspect ofthe character, based on the Priority assigned to it.The Priority system is designed to remove some of thecomplexity from character creation and, as such, does not caterto some of the more complex character options, such as bondedspirits, foci, mystic adepts, or registered sprites. For characters withmore complexity, it is recommended that either the Build Pointsystem in SR4 or the Karma system on p. 41 be used.PRIORITY SYSTEM Character creationThe Priority system character creation is divided into five steps,each detailed separately below. Players should feel free to movebackwards and forwards between steps until they’re comfortablewith their chosen priorities; however, in the interest of speedingPriority Tablecharacter generation, this system is relatively compartmentalizedand less versatile than the basic Build Point system. While the creationprocess is presented in steps for ease of reference, players arefree to take between them in any order after choosing Priorities.Sarah sits down to make a Shadowrun character, amed-school dropout named Hieroglyph. She knows thatshe wants a magician, so her Talent will be high. She assignsher Priorities as follows:Heritage:DTalent:AAttributes:BSkills:CResources:EStep 1: Assign HeritageThe Heritage category describes some of the fundamentaltraits that define the character, including its metatype. When assigninga Priority to Heritage, keep in mind that not all metatypesare available at all Priorities. Refer to the Priority Table above.Depending upon the priority Heritage is granted, it alsoprovides a number of Special Attribute Points, which can be usedto raise Edge, Magic, and Resonance attributes. The HeritagePriority Table (p. 39) lists the Special Attribute Points that eachpriority offers to each metatype. An entry of “–” indicates that themetatype is not available at that Priority.Once you have chosen a metatype, note the minimum attributeratings for your character as listed on the Metatype AttributeTable (see p. 70 and p.73, SR4), along with any other abilities ofthe metatype. Also note the Special Attribute Points listed on thetable. All characters start with an Essence of 6.Special Attribute PointsYour Special Attribute Points can be spent to increase Edgeand Magic or Resonance. Your character starts with an Edge of1 (2 for humans). You may buy additional Edge using SpecialAttribute Points, at the cost of one point per rating. You may alsosave them to spend them on raising your Magic or Resonancespecial attributes, if you have them, at the same cost (see Step 2:Assign Talent, below).New Metavariants and Racial OptionsIf you want your character to be one of the metavariantsintroduced in Runner’s Companion, choose the base metatype forthat metavariant, but note the number of Special Attribute PointsPriority Heritage* Talent* Attributes Skills Resources/ContactsA Any metatype Magician or Technomancer 20 38/2 250,000¥/8B Any metatype Adept, Magician, or Technomancer 17 30/2 140,000¥/6C Human, Dwarf, Ork Adept or Technomancer 15 24/1 70,000¥/4D Human Adept or Technomancer 13 20/1 15,000¥/3E Human Mundane 12 18/0 5,000¥/2*These Priority categories also grant Special Attribute Points. See the category descriptions for more information.38Runner’s Companion