d20-players

What this skill does

# Character Creation and Advancement Skill

Guide players through creating and advancing d20 system characters following SRD 5.2 rules.

## File Structure

Character files follow the corvran directory structure with D20-specific content:

```
players/
  {character-slug}/
    sheet.md   # Use sheet-template.md format (stats, abilities, equipment, current HP, conditions)
    story.md   # Use story-template.md format (objectives, story arcs, recent events)
```

The `sheet.md` contains character data including current game state (HP, conditions, spell slots). The `story.md` tracks narrative elements like objectives and story arcs.

## Character Creation Overview

Follow these five steps to create a new character:

1. **Choose a Class** - Determines primary abilities, hit die, proficiencies, and features
2. **Determine Origin** - Select background (grants feat, skills, tool) and species (grants traits, size, speed)
3. **Determine Ability Scores** - Generate six scores and assign to abilities
4. **Choose Alignment** - Select moral and ethical outlook
5. **Fill in Details** - Calculate derived stats and record equipment

## Generating Ability Scores

Offer three methods to generate the six ability scores.

### Standard Array
Use these six scores, assigning each to one ability: **15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8**

### Random Generation
For each of the six abilities, roll 4d6 and sum the highest three dice:

```
Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool:
{ "groups": [{ "n": 4, "d": 6 }] }
```

Discard the lowest roll from the result and sum the remaining three. Repeat six times.

### Point Buy
Start with 27 points. Each ability starts at 8 (free). Costs to increase:

| Score | Total Cost | Score | Total Cost |
|-------|------------|-------|------------|
| 8     | 0          | 12    | 4          |
| 9     | 1          | 13    | 5          |
| 10    | 2          | 14    | 7          |
| 11    | 3          | 15    | 9          |

## Calculating Derived Statistics

After assigning ability scores, calculate these values:

### Ability Modifier
```
Modifier = (Score - 10) / 2, rounded down
```

| Score   | Modifier | Score   | Modifier |
|---------|----------|---------|----------|
| 8-9     | -1       | 14-15   | +2       |
| 10-11   | +0       | 16-17   | +3       |
| 12-13   | +1       | 18-19   | +4       |

### Proficiency Bonus by Level

| Level | Bonus | Level | Bonus |
|-------|-------|-------|-------|
| 1-4   | +2    | 13-16 | +5    |
| 5-8   | +3    | 17-20 | +6    |
| 9-12  | +4    |       |       |

### Hit Points at Level 1

| Class                                        | HP at Level 1        |
|----------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Barbarian                                    | 12 + CON modifier    |
| Fighter, Paladin, Ranger                     | 10 + CON modifier    |
| Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue, Warlock    | 8 + CON modifier     |
| Sorcerer, Wizard                             | 6 + CON modifier     |

### Armor Class (AC)

Without armor: **10 + DEX modifier**

With armor, use the armor's AC formula from the equipment tables.

### Initiative
**Initiative = DEX modifier**

### Saving Throws
Each class grants proficiency in two saving throws. For proficient saves:
```
Save Bonus = Ability Modifier + Proficiency Bonus
```

### Skills
For proficient skills:
```
Skill Bonus = Ability Modifier + Proficiency Bonus
```

### Passive Perception
```
Passive Perception = 10 + Wisdom (Perception) modifier
```

## Recording the Character

Write character data to `players/{character-slug}/sheet.md` using the D20 template:

```
references/sheet-template.md
```

For a completed example, see:
```
references/sheet-example.md
```

### D20 Sheet Sections

The sheet.md file must include:

1. **Character Identity** - Name, class, level, species, background, alignment
2. **Ability Scores** - All six scores with modifiers
3. **Combat Stats** - AC, HP (current/max), Hit Dice, Initiative, Speed
4. **Proficiencies** - Saving throws, skills, weapons, armor, tools, languages
5. **Features & Traits** - Class features, species traits, background feat
6. **Equipment** - Weapons with attack/damage, armor, gear, currency
7. **Spellcasting** (if applicable) - Ability, DC, attack bonus, slots, spells known

## Level Advancement

When a character gains enough XP to level up:

### Experience Thresholds

| Level | XP Required | Level | XP Required |
|-------|-------------|-------|-------------|
| 2     | 300         | 11    | 85,000      |
| 3     | 900         | 12    | 100,000     |
| 4     | 2,700       | 13    | 120,000     |
| 5     | 6,500       | 14    | 140,000     |
| 6     | 14,000      | 15    | 165,000     |
| 7     | 23,000      | 16    | 195,000     |
| 8     | 34,000      | 17    | 225,000     |
| 9     | 48,000      | 18    | 265,000     |
| 10    | 64,000      | 19    | 305,000     |
|       |             | 20    | 355,000     |

### Level Up Steps

1. **Increase Hit Points** - Roll Hit Die + CON modifier (or use fixed value):

Roll HP:
```
Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool:
{ "groups": [{ "n": 1, "d": 10 }] }
```

Fixed HP values per level:
| Class                                        | HP per Level         |
|----------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Barbarian                                    | 7 + CON modifier     |
| Fighter, Paladin, Ranger                     | 6 + CON modifier     |
| Bard, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Rogue, Warlock    | 5 + CON modifier     |
| Sorcerer, Wizard                             | 4 + CON modifier     |

2. **Gain Hit Die** - Add one Hit Die to your pool
3. **Check Proficiency Bonus** - Increases at levels 5, 9, 13, 17
4. **Record New Features** - Add class features for the new level
5. **Choose Subclass** (Level 3) - Record subclass features
6. **Ability Score Improvement** (Levels 4, 8, 12, 16, 19) - Increase one score by 2 or two scores by 1, or choose a feat

## Multiclassing

To take a level in a new class:

1. **Check Prerequisites** - Must have 13+ in primary abilities of both current and new class
2. **Gain Limited Proficiencies** - Only some proficiencies from the new class
3. **Calculate Spellcasting** - Combine levels per multiclass spellcaster rules

## Rolling During Character Creation

Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool for all randomization:

**Ability Score (4d6 drop lowest)**:
```
Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool:
{ "groups": [{ "n": 4, "d": 6 }] }
```

**Starting Gold (if not using equipment packs)**:
```
Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool:
{ "groups": [{ "n": 5, "d": 4 }] }
```

**Trinket Roll**:
```
Use the mcp__corvran__roll_dice tool:
{ "groups": [{ "n": 1, "d": 100 }] }
```

## References

Detailed rules in this skill's `references/` directory:

- `character-creation.md` - Complete SRD 5.2 character creation rules
- `sheet-template.md` - Blank character sheet template
- `story-template.md` - Character story template (objectives, arcs, events)
- `sheet-example.md` - Completed Level 3 Fighter example