Character Creation Guide¶

Connecting your character to the world of Valdris

Overview¶

Creating a character for Valdris means deciding how they relate to the ancient Architect legacy, the Recent Awakening, and the three major ways of life that define the continent. This guide helps you build meaningful connections between your character and the world they inhabit.

Step 1: Choose Your Relationship to Architect Technology¶

Your character's fundamental worldview starts with how they see the Architect legacy. This choice influences everything from their background to their daily habits.

The Embracer¶

"This technology is our inheritance"

Background Ideas: - Ruin-Holder Noble: Born into a family that controls part of a major ruin - Tinker-Priest Initiate: Raised in the faith of technological transcendence
- Artifact Merchant: Makes a living trading Architect devices - Royal Engineer: Serves a kingdom by maintaining Architect systems - Awakening Witness: Recently experienced direct contact with awakening technology

Personality Traits: - Fascinated by mechanical complexity and harmonic patterns - Believes progress comes through understanding ancient wisdom - May show reverence or protectiveness toward Architect sites - Often carries small Architect artifacts as tools or talismans

Character Hooks: - Seeking lost knowledge to unlock dormant ruins - Investigating the meaning behind recent Awakening events - Competing with others for access to newly active technology - Torn between preserving ancient sites and using their power

The Avoider¶

"We must forge our own path"

Background Ideas: - Quiet Lands Craftsperson: Master of traditional techniques that rival Architect quality - Democratic Assembly Member: Helps govern Ruin-Shunner communities - Independence Fighter: Actively opposes Ruin-Holder expansion - Traditional Scholar: Studies pre-Architect history and purely human achievements - Refugee: Fled from a community too dependent on ancient technology

Personality Traits: - Takes pride in human accomplishment and self-reliance - Suspicious of anything too easy or too powerful to understand - Values community consensus and democratic decision-making - May carry tools that demonstrate superior human craftsmanship

Character Hooks: - Protecting communities from Architect influence or awakening dangers - Proving human capability can match or exceed ancient technology - Investigating whether the Awakening represents a threat to human independence - Building alliances between Ruin-Shunner settlements

The Interpreter¶

"We must understand the signs"

Background Ideas: - Wanderer Guide: Leads caravans along traditional routes between ruins - Silence-Keeper: Maintains vigil at important sites, watching for changes - Lore Keeper: Preserves oral traditions about Architect behavior and patterns - Trade Mediator: Negotiates between different political systems - Pattern Reader: Studies connections between ruins, weather, and world events

Personality Traits: - Sees larger patterns and connections others miss - Values wisdom, patience, and careful observation - Often serves as mediator between opposing viewpoints - May have unusual sensitivity to Architect technology

Character Hooks: - Following clues about what the Awakening truly means - Preventing conflict between different factions over awakening ruins - Seeking ancient knowledge that explains current events - Protecting important sites during dangerous transition periods

Step 2: Select Your Regional Origin¶

Where your character comes from shapes their specific knowledge, skills, and connections to the world.

Northern Reaches¶

Land of the Walking Gardens

Environment: Rolling hills, seasonal migrations, traditional nomadic culture Architect Influence: Walking Gardens of Yss'andra provide agricultural benefits and guidance Political System: Wanderer Confederations

Character Traits: - Skilled in animal handling, navigation, and weather reading - Accustomed to seasonal travel and temporary settlements - Knowledgeable about agricultural cycles and soil quality - May have witnessed the Gardens' recent acceleration

Background Options: - Garden Follower: Your family travels with the migration routes - Seasonal Farmer: You plant crops in the Gardens' wake - Trail Guide: You know the safe paths through the region - Trade Courier: You carry goods between nomadic communities

Recent Awakening Impact: The Gardens are moving faster and making course corrections for the first time in living memory, creating uncertainty about traditional routes and timing.

Eastern Kingdoms¶

Realm of the Golden City

Environment: Fertile valleys, established settlements, ancient infrastructure Architect Influence: Thymeris the Golden provides technological advancement and wealth Political System: Ruin-Holder Kingdoms

Character Traits: - Educated in Architect lore and technological principles - Familiar with formal court customs and hierarchical society - Access to advanced tools and materials - May have personal experience with complex Architect devices

Background Options: - Court Scholar: You study Architect technology for the kingdom - Royal Guard: You protect important ruins and artifacts - Merchant House Scion: Your family profits from Architect trade - Technical Apprentice: You maintain kingdom infrastructure

Recent Awakening Impact: Thymeris the Golden has fully awakened, its amber light visible for miles and its systems more active than ever, creating new opportunities and dangers.

Western Republics (Quiet Lands)¶

Domain of Human Achievement

Environment: Peaceful valleys, democratic settlements, traditional craftsmanship Architect Influence: Deliberately minimal, focus on human alternatives Political System: Ruin-Shunner Republics

Character Traits: - Master of traditional crafts and techniques - Experienced in democratic debate and community decision-making - Self-reliant and resourceful without external technological aid - May have strong opinions about Architect dependency

Background Options: - Master Craftsperson: You create works rivaling ancient quality - Assembly Speaker: You help govern your community - Academy Teacher: You educate others in traditional knowledge - Border Warden: You watch for Architect influence spreading

Recent Awakening Impact: Increased anxiety about potential threats from awakening ruins, debates about whether to flee, fortify, or attempt to disable nearby technology.

Coastal Regions¶

Crossroads of Trade and Culture

Environment: Maritime communities, diverse populations, trade networks Architect Influence: Grimhaven Lighthouse and navigation aids Political System: Mixed - all three systems interact here

Character Traits: - Experienced with diverse cultures and political systems - Skilled in maritime activities and international trade - Adaptable to different technological approaches - May serve as mediator between opposing factions

Background Options: - Sea Captain: You navigate using both ancient and traditional methods - Diplomatic Courier: You carry messages between different regions - International Merchant: You trade across political boundaries - Harbor Master: You manage port activities and lighthouse operations

Recent Awakening Impact: Increased traffic as people travel to witness awakening ruins, tensions between different factions meeting in neutral ports.

Settlement-Specific Origins¶

Stonehaven ¶

The Craftsperson's Democracy

Master Guild Member: Expert in traditional techniques
Democratic Representative: Elected to the Grand Assembly
Academic Researcher: Scholar at the Academy of Traditional Arts
Community Organizer: Helps coordinate collective projects

Kelathon ¶

City of the Singing Spires

Resonant Council Aide: Helps govern the harmonic city
Acoustic Researcher: Studies the Spires' communication methods
Song-Touched: Unusually sensitive to the Spires' harmonies
Tourism Guide: Shows visitors the wonders of the crystal towers

Grimhaven ¶

Gateway to the Wider World

Lighthouse Keeper: Maintains the eternal beacon
Harbor Pilot: Guides ships safely to port
International Trader: Deals with overseas merchants
Coastal Defender: Protects against maritime threats

Millbrook ¶

Traditional Farming Community

Enhanced Farmer: Uses Architect systems to improve crops
Village Elder: Provides wisdom and local leadership
Harvest Festival Organizer: Celebrates traditional abundance
Traveling Merchant: Carries Millbrook's surplus to other communities

Step 3: Determine Your Faction Connections¶

Most characters have some relationship with the major factions, even if they're not formal members.

Tinker-Priests ¶

Seekers of Technological Transcendence

Full Members: Devoted to understanding and communing with Architect technology Sympathizers: Agree with their goals but maintain secular lives Associates: Provide services or support without joining the faith Opposition: Actively oppose their technological worship

Character Connections: - Trained by: You learned technical skills from Tinker-Priest teachers - Family Legacy: A relative is a prominent member of the order - Philosophical Alignment: You share their beliefs about Architect transcendence - Professional Rivalry: You compete with them for access to ruins or artifacts

Silence-Keepers ¶

Guardians of the Ancient Vigil

Full Members: Dedicated to watching and preserving Architect sites Supporters: Respect their mission and provide assistance Beneficiaries: Protected by their warnings and guidance Critics: Question their secretive methods or dire predictions

Character Connections: - Guided by: Silence-Keepers helped shape your understanding of ruins - Saved by: Their warnings prevented you from making dangerous mistakes - Recruited by: They seek your help with their mysterious missions - Suspicious of: You question their true motives and hidden knowledge

Local Governments¶

Ruin-Holder Monarchies¶

Noble House: You belong to or serve a ruling family
Court Position: You hold official rank in a kingdom
Royal Service: You work directly for a monarch
Loyal Opposition: You serve the system while advocating for changes

Ruin-Shunner Democracies¶

Elected Official: You hold or have held democratic office
Assembly Participant: You regularly attend democratic meetings
Community Organizer: You help coordinate collective decision-making
Traditional Family: Your lineage helped establish democratic traditions

Wanderer Confederations¶

Clan Member: You belong to a traditional nomadic group
Route Guardian: You help maintain safe passage between settlements
Lore Keeper: You preserve oral traditions and traveling knowledge
Trade Coordinator: You organize commerce between diverse communities

Step 4: Define Your Awakening Experience¶

The Recent Awakening has affected everyone in Valdris. Choose how your character has experienced these unprecedented events.

Direct Witness¶

"I was there when it happened"

You personally witnessed a major Awakening event: - Present when Thymeris the Golden first blazed with amber light - Heard the Spires begin their new songs - Saw the Gardens change direction - Encountered newly emerged clockwork creatures - Experienced a local ruin coming to life

Character Impact: This experience has fundamentally changed your worldview, creating new goals, fears, or obsessions.

Indirect Effects¶

"Everything around me is changing"

The Awakening has affected your life without direct experience: - Your community's economy shifted due to nearby awakening - Traditional trade routes became dangerous or irrelevant - Family members left to investigate or flee awakening sites - Local politics changed as factions competed for access - Strange new phenomena appeared in your region

Character Impact: You're dealing with the consequences of others' direct experiences, creating practical challenges and difficult decisions.

Prophetic Dreams¶

"I've been seeing visions"

You've experienced unusual dreams or visions related to the Awakening: - Recurring images of brass and crystal mechanisms - Dreams of vast underground chambers and networks - Visions of the Architects in their final moments - Prophetic glimpses of possible futures - Harmonic patterns that seem to carry messages

Character Impact: These experiences might indicate special sensitivity, divine calling, or dangerous obsession.

Scholarly Investigation¶

"I'm trying to understand what this means"

You're approaching the Awakening through research and analysis: - Collecting accounts from witnesses across different regions - Comparing current events to historical records - Mapping patterns of activation across ruins - Seeking ancient texts that might explain the phenomena - Interviewing faction leaders and technical experts

Character Impact: Your investigation has uncovered disturbing patterns, dangerous knowledge, or vital insights others don't possess.

Step 5: Create Personal Connections¶

Your character's relationships anchor them to the world and provide ongoing story hooks.

Family Ties¶

Architect Influenced Families: - Split Loyalties: Family members chose different approaches to technology - Technical Legacy: Multiple generations have worked with Architect systems - Awakening Casualties: Recent events have separated or endangered relatives - Property Disputes: Family land includes newly active ruins

Traditional Families: - Craft Dynasty: Generations of masters in traditional arts - Political Heritage: Family helped establish democratic or monarchical institutions - Religious Legacy: Long tradition of serving particular faiths - Trade Networks: Established commercial relationships across regions

Professional Networks¶

Guilds and Organizations: - Craft Guilds: Traditional artisan organizations - Merchant Houses: Commercial families and trading companies - Academic Circles: Scholars, teachers, and researchers - Military Orders: Warriors, guards, and defenders

Informal Networks: - Tavern Circles: Regular gathering places for news and gossip - Travel Companions: People you've encountered on the road - Childhood Friends: Connections from your place of origin - Mentor Relationships: Teachers, guides, or wisdom figures

Rivals and Conflicts¶

Professional Competition: - Business Rivals: Competing for the same markets or opportunities - Academic Disputes: Disagreements over research or interpretation - Political Opposition: Supporting different policies or candidates - Resource Conflicts: Competing for access to ruins, artifacts, or territory

Personal Conflicts: - Family Feuds: Long-standing disputes between different branches or traditions - Romantic Complications: Past relationships that create ongoing drama - Ideological Differences: Fundamental disagreements about technology, politics, or religion - Betrayals: Past incidents that created lasting enmity

Sample Character Concepts¶

Mira Ironwright¶

Ruin-Shunner Diplomat

Origin: Stonehaven, master metalworker turned diplomatic courier Architect Relationship: Avoider who respects but doesn't use ancient technology Awakening Experience: Sent to investigate whether awakening ruins threaten democratic communities Connections: Sister is a Tinker-Priest, creating family tension; carries messages between Ruin-Shunner settlements Goal: Prevent war between different political systems during the uncertain times

Thomas Brightstone¶

Wanderer Lore Keeper

Origin: Northern Reaches, follows traditional migration routes Architect Relationship: Interpreter who reads patterns in ruin activity Awakening Experience: Witnessed the Gardens change course, disrupting ancient traditions Connections: Trained by Silence-Keepers, maintains trade relationships across multiple communities Goal: Understand what the Awakening means for the future of the migration cycles

Elena Goldwhisper¶

Ruin-Holder Scholar

Origin: Eastern Kingdoms, educated at court academies Architect Relationship: Embracer who seeks deeper understanding of ancient technology Awakening Experience: Present when Thymeris the Golden fully awakened, saw things others missed Connections: Court position provides access to resources, rivalry with Tinker-Priest researchers Goal: Unlock the secrets of what the Architects really intended to accomplish

Character Questions¶

Use these questions to develop your character's connection to Valdris:

Background Questions¶

What is your earliest memory involving Architect technology?
How did your family/community survive and thrive in their chosen region?
What traditional skills or knowledge do you possess?
What is your relationship with the major factions?

Awakening Questions¶

Where were you when the Awakening began three months ago?
How has the Awakening affected your daily life?
What do you think the Awakening means for the future?
Are you hopeful, fearful, or curious about these changes?

Goal Questions¶

What do you hope to accomplish in this changing world?
What knowledge or power do you seek?
Who do you want to protect or help?
What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Relationship Questions¶

Who are the most important people in your life?
Who would you trust with dangerous secrets?
Who considers you a rival or enemy?
What communities or organizations do you serve?

Mechanical Considerations¶

Backgrounds (D&D 5e Compatible)¶

Ruin-Touched: You've had significant experience with Architect technology - Skills: Arcana, Investigation - Languages: Choose one regional dialect - Equipment: Architect artifact (minor), tools related to technology

Traditional Artisan: Master of pre-Architect crafts and techniques - Skills: Sleight of Hand, Insight
- Languages: Choose one regional dialect - Equipment: Artisan's tools, masterwork example of your craft

Democratic Citizen: Raised in Ruin-Shunner democratic traditions - Skills: Persuasion, History - Languages: Choose one regional dialect
- Equipment: Symbol of office, community charter or important document

Wanderer Born: Raised in nomadic traditions following ruins and routes - Skills: Survival, Animal Handling - Languages: Common plus one trade tongue - Equipment: Travel gear, maps or guides to traditional routes

Coastal Trader: Experienced with maritime commerce and diverse cultures - Skills: Insight, Persuasion - Languages: Common plus two regional dialects - Equipment: Trading goods, letters of credit or introduction

Special Sensitivities¶

Some characters may have unusual sensitivity to Architect technology: - Harmonic Resonance: You can hear or feel Architect communications - Technical Intuition: You understand Architect devices instinctively - Pattern Recognition: You see connections between ruins and world events - Awakening Dreams: You receive visions related to current events

Work with your DM to determine if these abilities are appropriate for your campaign and how they might manifest mechanically.

Final Advice¶

Remember: Your character is part of a world in transition. The Recent Awakening means everyone is dealing with uncertainty, change, and new possibilities. Your character's response to these events will drive much of their story.

Be Flexible: The Awakening is ongoing. Your character's opinions and goals may evolve as they learn more about what's happening.

Embrace Connections: Valdris is a world where everyone's fate is connected to ancient mysteries and current events. Your character's relationships with people, places, and factions will create the most interesting stories.

Consider Consequences: Every choice about technology, politics, and relationships has implications in this world. Think about how your character's decisions might affect not just themselves, but their community and the wider world.

Essential Reading: Common Knowledge - Foundation for all characters World Overview: Welcome - Introduction to Valdris Current Events: Recent Awakening - What's happening now Equipment Options: Equipment & Gear - Available items and technology Communication: Languages of Valdris - Language and communication options

player-safe #character-creation #backgrounds #campaign-integration¶