• Overview
  • Map
  • Areas
  • Points of Interest
  • Characters
  • Races
  • Classes
  • Factions
  • Monsters
  • Items
  • Spells
  • Feats
  • Quests
  • One-Shots
  • Game Master
  1. Hizume
  3. Lore

Basic Player Character Creation Guide

Noob-Friendly – Homebrew Game Set in 1980s Japan

Step 1: Concept & Theme

Start by imagining a character who lives in 1980s Japan. Think about their job, hobby, or daily life (e.g., salaryman, street punk, student, bar hostess, yakuza underling, factory worker, or hobbyist like a retro gamer or biker).
Build everything around this theme. Don't overthink options—let the theme guide your choices.
Example: A tough brawler? Prioritize high Strength. A bookish researcher? High Intelligence. A simple burger flipper? Civilian class fits best.

Step 2: Core Stats

  • Level: 5

  • Armor Class (AC): 10

  • Speed: 30 ft

  • Hit Dice: 1 per level (so 5 Hit Dice)

  • Hit Points (HP): Choose your class first (see below). HP = Hit Die size × level (Cap is 99HP) (e.g., 1d8 class → 8 × 5 = 40 HP average)

  • Ability Scores: Use this standard array (no racial bonuses): 15, 15, 14, 13, 10, 8 Assign based on theme:

    • STR → Melee combat

    • DEX → Ranged attacks, agility

    • CON → Class Ability Checks and resisting ailments/conditions

    • INT → Investigation, problem-solving

    • WIS → Perception (detecting danger), resisting mind-altering effects, SANITY checks

    • CHA → Social encounters, persuasion, deception

Step 3: Proficiencies

Pick 4 proficiencies that fit your theme.
Recommended (most useful in this game):

  • Acrobatics (DEX)

  • Athletics (STR)

  • Perception (WIS)

  • Investigation (INT)

  • Insight (WIS)

  • Deception (CHA)

  • Persuasion (CHA)

Not recommended (rarely useful):

  • Arcana (INT)

Step 4: Character Details

  • Name: Japanese style recommended – Surname first, then Given name (e.g., Tanaka Hiroshi). Use kanji if desired.

  • Alias/Nickname: Optional flavor (e.g., "Zuki-chan" for Mizuki). Common in 1980s Japan for friends or street names.

  • Pronouns: Whatever you prefer.

  • Race: Human (standard humanoid). Other races are story-only (no mechanical benefits).

  • Class: Pick one that matches your theme (e.g., Brawler for fighters, Civilian for everyday folks, Officer for detectives). At level 3 Subclasses are available. If you can't find what you're looking for, look at the subclasses.

  • Faction: None (for basic characters). You can join one in game through role-play.

  • Location: Select "Bar" as a placeholder or any location really (it's just a filler to save the character; you can change it later).

Step 5: Flavor & Description

  • Brief Description: 1–2 sentences summarizing your character.

  • Appearance: Key physical traits for the AI to reference (e.g., "raven-black hair in a buzz cut, eye patch over left eye, leather jacket, chain necklace").

  • Backstory: Up to 1,000 characters. Keep it simple at first (e.g., placeholder text), then edit later. Tie it to the setting:

    • Family member missing or died mysteriously.

    • Inherited land/property in Yomiyama.

    • Arrived in town on December 24th and now can't leave.

  • Mannerisms: Short habits for roleplay (e.g., "flicks a coin while thinking," "murmurs to himself," "clears throat and wiggles finger before speaking," "adjusts glasses," "speaks with a stutter," "shouts words like they're in a snowstorm").

Step 6: Saving & Starting Your Character

Once you've filled in all the details (name, class, stats, proficiencies, appearance, backstory, mannerisms, etc.):

  • Click "Save" at the bottom of the character creation screen. This locks in your character so you can use them in the game.

After saving, you'll be able to choose a starting location.
Look for the locations with a ★ (star) next to them—these are the active or interesting spots.

Pick one that sounds interesting to you.
This is where your character will start the session. You can always move around later.

If you're not sure which starred location fits your character's vibe best, tell me your theme/job/backstory, and I can help suggest one based on the available options.

Optional / Advanced

  • Damage & Condition Modifiers: Skip for basic creation.

  • Conditions: Skip for basic creation.

  • Feats: These Feats are not like DND, you take one to enhance your own experience and give Franz something to work with, give yourself a debilitating phobia or mania to act out with your friends or companions.

Avatar Image for your Custom Character

I made all my character Images using Grok, its free to generate a few images to get your character right. The following is an example of creating an Avatar Image

If you wish to change your character picture or generate a new one for your unique character, here is the prompt for "young female librarian"

1980s pop art seinen anime style vector illustration, highly detailed, disheveled young female librarian with glasses, messy hair, exhausted expression, facial features heavily shrouded in deep shadow and obscured by hair, bold graphic black outlines, flat vibrant fills, limited strict Christmas color palette using only black, red, emerald green, and white, high contrast, halftone and ben-day dots, retro 80s anime aesthetic, dramatic low-key lighting, vintage grain, masterpiece, sharp vector art --ar 3:4 --style raw

That's it! Focus on theme over min-maxing. Ready to create your 1980s Japan character?