Character Creation and Advancement Skill

Guide players through creating and advancing Daggerheart characters following SRD rules.

Authoritative Source: For exact rule wording, use the dh-rules skill to reference srd/contents/Character Creation.md.

File Structure

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

players/
  {character-slug}/
    sheet.md   # Use sheet-template.md format (traits, HP, Stress, Hope, domain cards)
    state.md   # Use state-template.md format (current HP, Stress, Hope, conditions)

The sheet.md contains permanent character data. The state.md tracks mutable session data that changes frequently during play.

Character Creation Overview

Follow these steps to create a new character:

1. Choose a Class and Subclass - Class determines HP, Stress, Evasion, domain access; subclass grants Foundation card
2. Select an Ancestry - Grants two ancestry features and narrative elements
3. Select a Community - Grants a community feature reflecting upbringing
4. Assign Trait Modifiers - Distribute +2, +1, +1, +0, +0, -1 among the six traits
5. Record Additional Info - Level, Evasion, HP, Stress slots, starting Hope
6. Choose Equipment - Weapons, armor, and starting gear
7. Create Background - Answer background questions from character guide
8. Define Experiences - Create two Experiences at +2 each with explicit scope
9. Select Domain Cards - Choose two cards from your class's domains
10. Create Connections - Establish relationships with other PCs

The Six Traits

Daggerheart characters have six traits that measure their capabilities:

Trait	Measures	Common Uses
Agility	Speed, reflexes, coordination	Dodging, acrobatics, quick reactions
Strength	Physical power, endurance	Lifting, breaking, melee damage
Finesse	Precision, dexterity, fine control	Picking locks, delicate work, ranged attacks
Instinct	Awareness, intuition, quick reactions	Sensing danger, reading situations
Presence	Charisma, willpower, force of personality	Persuasion, intimidation, spellcasting
Knowledge	Learning, memory, reasoning	Recalling lore, deduction, arcane magic

Trait Modifiers

At character creation, assign the modifiers +2, +1, +1, +0, +0, -1 to your character's traits in any order you wish. Place higher modifiers in traits that match your class's primary abilities for optimal effectiveness.

Classes

Daggerheart features 9 classes:

Class	Primary Traits	Role	Domains
Bard	Presence, Knowledge	Support, inspiration	Codex, Grace
Druid	Instinct, Agility	Nature magic, shapeshifting	Sage, Arcana
Guardian	Strength, Agility	Protection, defense	Valor, Blade
Ranger	Instinct, Finesse	Tracking, ranged combat	Bone, Sage
Rogue	Finesse, Agility	Stealth, precision	Midnight, Grace
Seraph	Presence, Strength	Divine power, healing	Splendor, Valor
Sorcerer	Presence, Instinct	Innate magic, elements	Arcana, Midnight
Warrior	Strength, Finesse	Combat, martial prowess	Blade, Bone
Wizard	Knowledge, Presence	Learned magic, versatility	Codex, Splendor

Each class provides:

• Starting trait modifier spread
• Base Evasion
• HP and Stress slots
• Class features
• Domain access (2 domains)
• Starting equipment

Subclasses

Characters choose a subclass at character creation and take its Foundation card. Each class has two subclass options in the SRD. Subclasses provide:

• A Foundation card with starting subclass abilities
• Additional subclass features at levels 2, 6, and 10
• Thematic specialization within the class's role

Ancestries

Ancestries represent your character's heritage. Each ancestry provides:

• Two ancestry features (choose from options)
• Physical characteristics guidance
• Narrative hooks

SRD Ancestries

• Clank (Constructed beings)
• Drakona (Draconic lineage)
• Dwarf (Mountain folk)
• Elf (Fey-touched)
• Faerie (Small magical beings)
• Faun (Nature-connected)
• Firbolg (Giant-kin)
• Fungirl (Fungal beings)
• Galapa (Turtle folk)
• Giant (Towering humanoids)
• Goblin (Small and cunning)
• Halfling (Small and lucky)
• Human (Adaptable)
• Infernis (Hell-touched)
• Katari (Cat folk)
• Orc (Strong and proud)
• Ribbet (Frog folk)
• Simian (Ape folk)

Mixed Ancestry: Take the top (first-listed) ancestry feature from one ancestry and the bottom (second-listed) ancestry feature from another.

Communities

Communities represent where your character was raised. Each community provides:

• One community feature
• Social connections
• Cultural background

SRD Communities

• Highborne (Nobility)
• Loreborne (Scholars)
• Orderborne (Military/Law)
• Ridgeborne (Mountain dwellers)
• Seaborne (Coastal/Sailors)
• Skyborne (Aerial/High places)
• Underborne (Underground)
• Wanderborne (Travelers/Nomads)
• Wildborne (Wilderness)

Experiences

Experiences represent your character's background and training. At character creation, your PC gets two Experiences, each with a +2 modifier. When making a move, you can spend a Hope to add a relevant Experience's modifier to an action or reaction roll.

Experience Structure

Use the bounded constraint format to prevent semantic drift:

references/experience-template.md

Each Experience defines:

• Modifier: The bonus applied (starts at +2 at character creation)
• Narrative Origin: How the character acquired this experience
• Applies When: Specific situations where it applies (positive scope)
• Does NOT Apply: Explicit exclusions

Important constraints: An Experience can't be too broadly applicable (e.g., "Lucky" or "Highly Skilled" could apply to any roll). It also can't grant specific mechanical benefits like magic spells or special abilities.

Critical Guidance for Experiences

Treat Experiences as bounded permissions, not general traits.

• Only apply an Experience when the action clearly falls within its positive scope
• When scope is unclear, default to NOT applying the bonus
• Experiences do not grant abilities; they modify action rolls within their scope

Combat Stats

Evasion

Your character's starting Evasion is determined by their class. Copy this number into the Evasion field.

Evasion can be modified by ancestry features, subclass features, armor, weapons, and magic items. Evasion is NOT modified by traits (unlike D&D AC).

Attackers must meet or exceed your Evasion with their attack roll to hit you.

Hit Points (HP)

Characters have HP slots (typically 6). Damage is applied based on thresholds:

• Below Major threshold: Mark 1 HP
• Meets/exceeds Major: Mark 2 HP
• Meets/exceeds Severe: Mark 3 HP

Damage Thresholds:

• Major = Level + Armor Major Base
• Severe = Level + Armor Severe Base

When all HP slots are marked, the character is dying.

Stress

Characters have Stress slots (typically 6). Stress accumulates from:

• Narrative consequences
• Failed Fear rolls
• Certain ability effects

At Maximum Stress: Gain the Vulnerable condition.

Armor

Armor provides:

• Armor Score: Reduces incoming damage
• Armor Slots: Can mark slots instead of HP (1 slot = 1 HP regardless of threshold)
• Threshold Bonuses: Adds to Major/Severe thresholds

Hope

Characters can hold up to 6 Hope tokens.

Gaining Hope: When your hope die is higher on an action roll

Spending Hope: Reroll a die, boost damage, activate certain class features

Hope tokens persist between sessions until spent.

Domain Cards

Characters choose domain cards from their class's accessible domains.

Domain Card Selection

At character creation:

1. Identify your class's two domains
2. Select starting domain cards (number per class)
3. Record each card's name, domain, level, and recall cost

Domain cards include:

• Name: The card's name
• Domain: Which domain it belongs to
• Level: Card's power level (1-5)
• Recall Cost: Resources needed to recall after use

Recording the Character

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

references/sheet-template.md

For a completed example, see:

references/sheet-example.md

Daggerheart Sheet Sections

The sheet.md file must include:

1. Character Identity - Name, class, subclass, level, ancestry, community
2. Traits - All six traits with modifiers
3. Combat Stats - Evasion, HP slots, Stress slots, Armor Score, Damage Thresholds
4. Hope - Current Hope tokens (max 6)
5. Experiences - Using bounded constraint format
6. Domain Cards - Cards from accessible domains
7. Equipment - Active weapon and armor
8. Features - Class, subclass, ancestry, and community features

Level Advancement

Characters advance from level 1 to level 10.

Level Advancement Table

Level	Features
1	Starting class features, subclass Foundation card, ancestry features, community feature
2	Subclass feature
3	Class feature
4	Trait improvement (+1 to any trait, max +3)
5	Class feature
6	Subclass feature
7	Class feature
8	Trait improvement (+1 to any trait, max +3)
9	Class feature
10	Subclass capstone feature

Level Up Steps

1. Increase Level - Update level in character identity
2. Update Thresholds - Damage thresholds increase with level
3. Gain Features - Add class/subclass features for the new level
4. Trait Improvement (Levels 4, 8) - Increase one trait modifier by +1 (max +3)
5. Additional Domain Cards - Gain access to higher-level cards
6. Update Proficiency - Some features scale with level

Threshold Scaling

As level increases, damage thresholds increase:

• Major = Level + Armor Major Base
• Severe = Level + Armor Severe Base

This makes characters more durable as they advance.

Multiclassing

Daggerheart supports multiclassing, allowing characters to gain features from a second class.

Multiclassing Requirements

• Character must be at least level 2
• Must meet the new class's trait prerequisites
• Gain limited features from the new class

What Multiclassing Provides

• Access to the new class's starting features
• Access to the new class's domains for domain cards
• Subclass access at appropriate multiclass levels

What Multiclassing Does NOT Provide

• Full HP/Stress slot progression
• All starting equipment
• Duplicate features

Rolling During Character Creation

Use the dice-roller skill for any randomization:

Duality Dice for trait-related rolls:

bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../corvran/skills/dice-roller/scripts/roll.sh" "DdD+2"

Standard dice for other purposes:

bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/../corvran/skills/dice-roller/scripts/roll.sh" "1d6"

Fallback Without Dice Roller

If the corvran dice-roller is unavailable, describe the required roll and ask the player for the result:

"Roll 2d12 for your Duality Dice and add your Agility modifier (+2). Tell me both die values and the total."

References

Detailed templates in this skill's references/ directory:

• sheet-template.md - Blank character sheet template
• sheet-example.md - Completed Level 1 Guardian example
• state-template.md - Mutable session state template
• experience-template.md - Bounded Experience constraint template