For this build, as I approach the end of January, I thought I would change tactics. I have been generating basic characters, or level 1 where applicable, in the various systems. That's getting a little stale.
Since Aftermath! was my favorite RPG, and me and my buddy tried to generate 'ourselves' as characters but it didn't work so well when you are only 15, I thought I'd give it another go 34 years later.
So after growing up hunting, fishing, and backpacking, owned a horse, degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, 20 years in the US Navy as a multi-engine fixed wing pilot, my ham radio Technician license, mountain bike riding, etc etc, the skills add up. But I tried to be honest about my Attributes, which are 1 to 40, with the 'average man' being 10-12.
Wit (WT): I'm of above average intelligence, was in honor classes through high school and college, BS and MS in Aeronautical engineering, and upper level management in a defense training company to include my Project Management Professional certification. 30 points.
Will (WL): Strength of mind, drive and determination. I've accomplished everything I set myself too, from US Navy Officer Candidate School (Marine Corps drill instructors), Flight School, Engineering Degrees, a Tough Mudder and other endurance races. I've looked over the precipice into the black void of depression and survived. My favorite motto is 'Not dead, don't quit'. 25 points.
Strength (STR): Here I had to be brutally honest with myself. My brain, which is stuck at about 35 years old, wants to pick the value for my peak, would have been maybe a 25. I was never super strong, but was in good shape, excellent on all my military PFTs, could do 20 pullups and 70 pushups. But I'm not 35 anymore, darn it! Even ignoring my current torn rotator cuff, I had to rate myself as the low end of average for a 59 year old, because I haven't been to the gym in forever. 10 points.
Deftness (DFT): Manual dexterity and reaction time. I think I've always had good reaction times, and my manual dexterity is still pretty good. 15 points.
Speed (SPD): Agility and rapidity of action. Agility is ok, but I don't move super fast (bad knees). 15 points.
Health (HLH): I'm in good health, and I think I am above average in resistance to disease as I'm rarely sick. 14 points.
So my critical derived scores for action are:
Base Action Phase - BAP (SPD Ability Saving Throw): 5 (my initiative number)
Maximum Number of Actions - MNA (DFT Group): 3
Phases Consumed in Action - PCA (BAP/MNA, down): 1
So these numbers make sense for my average physicality and advanced age. In the Aftermath!, I would have to make up for my slowness and weakness by using my brain more, out witting and outsmarting opponents via ambush or avoidance.
Skills were fun, based on my age and experiences. Quite the list, but again I tried to be accurate or 'true to life'.
My use and enjoyment of firearms from a young age, plus additional military training, building my own ARs, and owning and shooting somewhat regularly, I gave myself Rifle and Pistol time 2, giving me a Base Chance of Success (BCS) of 20 in those skills. That doesn't mean I always hit, it means the environment and conditions are what will influence my chance to hit more than my skill.
I took one level of Primitive Rifle because my dad and I built a Hawkin black powder rifle and shot it frequently, so I know how that works as well. We also reloaded shotgun shells so I took Handloading (the biggest stretch I think, because I don't know for sure I could do it from scratch).
We owned horses when I was a kid so I took beast riding. I rode my mountain bike on trails frequently as an adult so took bicycle riding. Fishing and hunting from growing up doing both frequently. I got certified in SCUBA diving. I live in a 100+ year old house and have rebuilt much of it (floors, porches etc): carpentry. Know how to drive a stick shift and have taken a tactical driving course, so Auto Driving times 2. Aeronautical degrees give me Mathematics times 2 and Physics. Ham license gives me Radio Communications.
1500 hours of pilot time with instrument and multi engine ratings gives me Pilot, Fixed Wing times 2.
I bought lockpicks and training materials and taught myself to picklocks. I have succeeded on some padlocks, so I'll take it.
Grew up swimming, comfortable in the water and under water.
From other tours in the Navy I took Tactics and Operational Command.
For gear I also tried to stick with what I actually have. The best part is I'm building an XM177E2/CAR-15 AR (even paid Uncle Sam to SBR it), which is what I always wanted when we played Aftermath! So that is my primary weapon, and my Hellcat Pro is my backup. Seven 30 round magazines for the AR, and 5 17 round magazines for the pistol.
Lightweight backpack, tent, sleeping bag, etc from my backpack trips (AT thru hike is on top of my post-retirement bucket list!). Other gear is normal gear I have on hand (tourniquet, Sawyer squeeze water filter, flashlights, etc).
One stretch is a plate carrier/tactical vest with a plate. I have a tactical vest from an IA assignment to Djibouti, but I haven't been able to justify a plate carrier and plate, yet. But if things get any crazier that would be top of my list, so I took it.
So here I am, post-apocalypse, geared up and ready to go. Already in hindsight I should have taken one of my other ARs with a red dot or 1-8 scope. Oh well, I'll look cool with my shorty AR!
#CharacterCreationChallenge
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