Character Creation Guide: The Hero Society

 

Build Your Hero. Shape the World.

Whether you’re new to TTRPGs or just new to The Hero Society, this guide walks you through everything you need to create a character—from concept to stats, backstory to powers. Ready to become more than human?

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🧠 Step 1: Choose Your Concept

Start with a simple idea. Who are you?

Ask yourself:

• What kind of person are they before their powers?

• What drives them—hope, revenge, curiosity?

• How do they view the Cradle, the Surge, or society?

Examples:

• A runaway teen with powers they don’t understand

• A retired hero forced out of hiding

• A Cradle-born spy questioning their orders

• A baker whose sourdough can cause tremors (yes, really)

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🌱 Step 2: Pick Your Origin

Your origin shapes your connection to the world and your starting mutations or gifts.

Common Origins:

• Cradle-Born – Engineered, marked, or born with power

• Surge-Touched – Mutated by a Surge event

• Relic-Bearer – Found or fused with a Cradle artifact

• Aetherblood – Descended from ancient magical lines

• Echo-Spliced – Memories or powers from another life or timeline

• Self-Made – Tech-enhanced, trained, or enhanced by will alone

Choose one and write a few lines about how it changed your life.

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🔥 Step 3: Select Your Powers or Gifts

Choose 1–2 starting powers. These grow over time.

You can select from:

• Mutation (e.g., claws, wings, rapid healing, fire breath)

• Control (e.g., gravity, light, time slowing)

• Creation (e.g., shadowforging, plant growth)

• Sensing (e.g., emotion detection, aura vision)

• Support (e.g., inspire allies, redirect energy)

• Weird (e.g., talks to stars, dreams become real)

🧪 You may also roll on a Mutation Table or pull from a Relic or Aether Grimoire.

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⚖️ Step 4: Assign Stats

Each character has five core traits. Distribute 10 points however you like, with a max of 4 in any stat at start.

• Resolve – Willpower, focus, emotional control

• Might – Physical strength, durability, power output

• Precision – Coordination, reflexes, fine control

• Charm – Persuasion, leadership, deception

• Insight – Perception, intuition, strategy

Example:
Resolve 3 | Might 2 | Precision 2 | Charm 1 | Insight 2

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📘 Step 5: Write Your Backstory (Short & Sweet)

Answer these prompts:

1. Where were you when the Surge hit?

2. Who did you lose, save, or betray?

3. What do you want from this world now?

4. What do you fear about yourself?

5. Who knows your secret?

Keep it under 300 words if you’re new—let the story unfold in play.

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🧳 Step 6: Add Starting Details

• Name: (Alias or real name)

• Pronouns:

• Age:

• Faction Ties: (If any: Cradle, Coven, Underground, etc.)

• Gear: 1 useful item, 1 oddity, 1 personal keepsake

• Look: Describe your hero’s vibe in 3–5 keywords

  • Example: “Wiry, tired eyes, tattoos glowing, trench coat, bandaged arm”

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🪄 Bonus: Your First Gift

Choose one of the following to start your journey:

• A Cradle Relic (mysterious item with potential)

• A Verse of Aether (poem that triggers power)

• A Bonded Companion (pet, familiar, or spirit)

• A Dream Fragment (vision of the future or past life)

Describe how you got it—and what you think it means.

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💬 Final Tips for New Players

• You don’t need to have everything figured out.

• Let your character grow with the world.

• Play with flaws, fears, and weird powers—it makes the best stories.

• Ask your GM to run a solo intro if you’re nervous.

• Start small: survive a riot, stop a rumor, find someone who remembers you.

📱 Save this page to your phone, tablet, or notes app so you can build your character anywhere.

💭 Have questions or want us to feature your character? Tag us using #HeroSocietyHero on socials!