Some months back I had the notion to write up some random tables for generating quick character details, basically inspired by the tables in Knave. And then, of course, everything in the last year kept on happening *vague wave* and I poked around the idea in my head some but didn’t actually get things written down.
But now I have! *doot doot*
Hilariously, one of the things that I dithered on was how long to make the tables; too long and I felt like things could turn into more like variations (some physical descriptors are/were especially annoying for this), too short and there wouldn’t be enough options. Eventually I settled on d12 tables as a decent middle-of-the-road.
You don’t have to use the Favour Owed and To Whom tables in tandem, if you’d rather not deal with starting favours/debt/etc. The To Whom table would probably work nicely on its own as a “starting acquaintance or contact” table.
Features
Build
Hair
Attire
01. Soft
01. Burly
01. Curly
01. Immaculate
02. Pinched
02. Willowy
02. Whip-straight
02. Homespun
03. Saturnine
03. Bony
03. Braided
03. Monochromatic
04. Wolfish
04. Curvy
04. Cropped
04. Elegant
05. Lantern-jawed
05. Massive
05. Frizzy
05. Patched
06. Hollow
06. Lithe
06. Furry
06. Many-layered
07. Aquiline
07. Emaciated
07. None
07. Blazoned
08. Uneven
08. Statuesque
08. Ringlets
08. Antiquated
09. Delicate
09. Lean
09. Shaved Patterns
09. Scanty
10. Rounded
10. Ropy
10. Bun(s)
10. Fashionable
11. Angular
11. Plump
11. Dreadlocked
11. Tatterdemalion
12. Sharp-cheeked
12. Toned
12. Mane-like
12. Technicolour
you know your own character’s complexion; I’m not making that random.
Distinguishing Mark
Odd Trait I
Odd Trait II
01. Scarred Face
01. Glyph-shaped Birthmark
01. Pawlike Feet
02. One-eyed
02. Third-eye-stone
02. Webbed Digits
03. Heterochromatic Eyes
03. Nictitating Membranes
03. Bioluminescence
04. Albinism
04. Tailed
04. Odd-coloured Blood
05. Pictorial Tattoo(s)
05. Metallic or Jewel-like Markings
05. Eyeshine
06. Calligraphic Tattoo(s)
06. Clawlike Nails
06. Crystal Teeth
07. Beaded Hair
07. Pointed/Elongated Ears
07. Leafy/Flowery Hair
08. Piercings
08. Fungal Growths
08. Fangs
09. Brand(s)
09. Tusks
09. Metallic Skin
10. Missing Digit(s)
10. Gold-limned Shadow
10. Flesh-pearls
11. Unusual Height
11. Scale or Fur Flourishes
11. Mirrored Eyes
12. Lock of Miscoloured Hair
12. Gill Slits
12. Chitinous Parts
distinguishing marks are mundane things, whether from birth or acquired before adventuring. “odd traits” are … more out there, ha. you don’t *need* to roll on any of these, of course.
Disposition
Virtue
Vice
01. Secretive
01. Generous
01. Vicious
02. Friendly
02. Humble
02. Miserly
03. Bitter
03. Forgiving
03. Deceitful
04. Quiet
04. Honourable
04. Slothful
05. Suspicious
05. Thrifty
05. Slovenly
06. Cross
06. Gentle
06. Greedy
07. Scholarly
07. Patient
07. Traitorous
08. Sanguine
08. Just
08. Wrathful
09. Hasty
09. Accepting
09. Judgemental
10. Trusting
10. Courteous
10. Prejudiced
11. Innocent
11. Sincere
11. Arrogant
12. Phlegmatic
12. Loyal
12. Vainglorious
a few important caveats: 1) these are just notable features, not necessarily your character’s only ones, 2) please don’t feel forced to use a feature that makes you uncomfortable, 3) don’t insist on using one that makes your fellow players uncomfortable either.
Background I
Background II
01. Ghost Hunter
01. Unexpected Conjuring
02. Cloistered Scribe
02. Ancient Sleeper
03. Sheepbird Herder
03. Soldier of Fortune
04. Ruin Mapper
04. Magewar Casualty
05. Maverick Priest
05. Minstrel With A Secret
06. Drifter-saint
06. Backalley Ruffian
07. Wandering Sage
07. Cultist of Some Obscurity
08. Exiled Noble
08. Former Ghoul
09. Snowgourd Farmer
09. Seasonal Fisherfolk
10. Uncursed Wretch
10. Foraging Chef
11. World-lost Foreigner
11. Transformed Beast
12. Artisan Looking For Inspiration
12. Would-be Lordling
some of these are more exotic than others; some are origins, some professions. you could always roll more than once if you wanted to, but more than twice would probably start getting complicated fast.
What Do You Owe?
To Whom?
01. Debt of Coin
01. Antlered hedge-mage who lives outside your home village
02. Life-boon
02. Bone-dragon that spared your precious one’s life
03. Oath of Loyalty
03. Wandering bard that appeared at just the right time with an answer
04. Recovering a Bauble
04. Your extended family has certain Expectations of which this is one
05. Carrying a Message
05. Witchwolf that gave you shelter
06. Delivering a Package
06. Whispering voice that comes on the wind at night; you don’t recall why
07. Season’s Labour
07. Demesne-lord who’s pledge you’ve severed; this is your last tithe
08. Your First Claim To Fame
08. Eternal One whose blood you drank
09. Part of Your Soul
09. Townsfolk who helped you prepare for your travels
10. All of Your Soul
10. Patron of the ancient shrine you stumbled across
11. Treasured Secret
11. Seediest guild in the city’s underbelly
12. Recovered Knowledge
12. Shadowy spellcaster who draws up contracts and breaks curses
the details of each favour are left deliberately vague, because power levels and such vary from game to game
Another Hamsterish Hoard 