Needing assistance.

[squeeian]

Like most people on this forum I'm a long time fan of the dresden files, I'm also a long time gamer, but I have never played a game that uses the fate system. I went to my local gaming shop and spoke with a clerk there, she had played spirit of the century, but she also didn't have time to sit me down and give me a detailed explanation of of the FATE system. I've tried to follow along in the DFRPG PDF's I bought, but I', still having trouble grasping things. I love how Fred took examples of how to create characters like Harry, Molly, Murphy, those are all characters from the books, I would love it if someone could describe to me how to create a character that I have yet to read about in the dresden files and a detailed/ step by step way to create the character. I'm usually familiar with the way white wolf gaming systems does their D10 system, FATE and FUDGE DICE are very foreign to me at the moment as are aspects, what exactly are aspects, what makes a trouble aspect or a high aspect. I've written down a dozen or so ideas, I just don't know how to put them into character sheet form. Also having a learning disability doesn't help matters. If there is anyone out there who I could run ideas by and perhaps get some assistance in creating characters I would be most appreciative. Thank you.

-Ian

[Deadmanwalking]

I have a thread containing a group of sample characters, it may help out. I hope so, anyway.

Here it is: http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.0.html


In step by step terms...well, here's something, there are two elements, and you can do either before the other, the first is Thematic, the second Mechanical

Thematic Steps:

1. Choose a Template and High Concept Aspect. Who is this guy? A Were-Hyena Gangster, a Wizard Lawyer, what?
2. Choose a Trouble Aspect. What do you want to get this character in trouble? Does he have a Bad Temper, or is he a Pacifist? Both'll be problems, but very different ones.
3. Go through your character's background and early life, pick two appropriate Aspects.
4. Make up a book your character could star in, have them star in it, pick an Aspect.
5 and 6. Have your character guest star and help out two of the other characters in their books. Pick an Aspect for each.

You can also come up with an Aspect list and work your stories and background around them, as long as they make sense.

Mechanical:

1. Same as for Thematic. You need to know who your character is before statting them.
2. Distribute Skills. What is your character good at? Bear in mind required Skills, like Conviction, Discipline and Lore for a Wizard. But also concept-required ones like Scholarship for a lawyer, or Craftsmanship for a mechanic.
3. Choose Stunts and Powers as appropriate. Your Template may do some of this for you, but it's really no different from picking Discplines or some such in a White Wolf game, except you get to decide exactly how much Refresh you spend on them.

If it's easier, you can absolutely do the Mechanical section before the Thematic. I usually do.


If you're still having trouble, I can do a walk-through point by point on a specific character, but I'm not sure if it'll really help.

[squeeian]

Thank you for the assistance Dresdenman. I think I have some good concepts, but being as how I've never done any game with aspects before I think I'm going to post some of my NPC character ideas on here with the possible aspects that I've come up with and hopefully yourself and others will help me fine tune them. Though I'm going to have to wait until the weekend cause I'm working my butt off, but it does leave me with time to write down ideas and read CHANGES as well as the PDF's of the DFRPG that I printed out. lolz.