Steps to Creating a Character: D and D, 5e

Building a Character in D and D 5e

Note: This process is elucidated well in a number of Youtube videos.  Just remember to use these articles for player race and class, as to fit into the world of Summer's Tale: 
List of Player Races on Summer's Tale OR
List of Classes on Summer's Tale 

1. Procure a Player's Handbook and a "D and D 5e Character Sheet" on line, and print it out. There may be a number of options; choose the best for you. Have 4 six-sided dice ready as well. (Alternately, you could use a digital character sheet. Ask your DM.)

2. Shop around, and choose a Race / Ancestry for your character. Use this link and further links through Little Dream World: List of Player Races on Summer's Tale. Refer also to the Players Handbook if you wish, but use the ATTRIBUTES you find find here. Write down the ATTRIBUTES or apply them directly to your character sheet.

3. Shop around, and hoose a class (like a profession or specialty for your characters powers) from the Players Handbook, or from the (far more diverse) list of classes here: List of Classes on Summer's Tale. Make sure to read all about the Class and apply all of the Class Statistics to your character.

4. Choose a background (Players Handbook) and apply its ATTRIBUTES to your character.

5. Determine your ability scores (and what each represents: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma). Use the "Determine Ability Scores" (rolling 4d6 method) process starting on page 12 of the Player's Handbook, get to know what each ability represents, and on your sheet Apply the Ability Modifiers based on the scores.

6. Describe Your Character: Appearance, Atitude, Personality, Background, Height, Weight, Age, etc, and whatever else. Flesh out your character! Use the brief descriptions you received at your Links in Steps 2 through 4 for inspiration, along with any information in the Players Handbook or any other published material.

7. Turn to page 143 in the Handbook. Use the gold you start with (see that page), and go shopping! Buy your charcter's equipment, and keep track of how much each item weighs. Add it all together in the end. The exchange system is (at least for building a character):

• 1 gold piece (gp) = 10 silver pieces (sp)
• 1 silver piece (sp) = 10 copper pieces (cp)

8. Determine (using Players Handbook p.173, etc.)

• Proficiency Bonus (+2 for 1st level characters)
• Your charater's abilities (applying proficiencies where noted): (p.175 +)
• Saving Throws (applying proficiencies where noted)
• Passive Perception (10 + Wis + possible proficiency bonus)
• Languages (starting language (see Step 2) + 1 more for each point of Intelligence modifier)

9. Calculate (See chapter 9: Combat, p.189)

• Attack Bonuses and Attack Damage
• Armor Class

10. Look over your character's CLASS ATTRIBUTES. If your character can cast spells, figure out how that works as best you can. Note their Spellcasting Specs,

• such as spells known,
• spell slots for casting,
• spell save Difficulty Class, and
• specific spells your character knows and can use.

All of this is in the If your character casts spells, Ask your DM if you get stuck. It's easier than it looks!

11. Finish by using your character, and maybe you character's background, as a creative writing prompt. It could be anything, from poetry to a word wall, an essay, a short story, a song, a legend or myth, or whatever comes to mind. Who are they; what do they want out of life; what are their motivations for adventuring the world? Send your work to your DM, and you're ready to go!