Quickie Starting Equipment Generator

The Starting Equipment Generator is an optional character generation step to help C&C and AD&D first edition players and game masters quickly crank out the equipment for low to mid-level player and non-player characters. These charts have been revised and updated to supplement the ones I released previously in the 15-Minute Character Generator.

Note that these tables are geared toward levels roughly from first to fifth. For levels past this, I recommend that you pick up Mike Stewart's excellent Traveller-esque system for generating high-level C&C characters in Crusader #8.

First-level characters roll once on each of the the following charts without modifiers. Characters starting from 2-5 level add one to all rolls for each level they start past the first. For each two levels after their first, they additionally get a roll on the weapons or adventuring gear chart. Example: Mogo the Mighty, a fifth-level fighter gets a +4 on each of his equipment chart rolls. He rolls a "4" on the melee weapon chart, adds his +4 to get a masterwork weapon of his choice. He also now gets to extra rolls for being four levels of above first He opts to roll an additional time on the melee weapon chart and an additional time on the adventuring gear chart. 

Optional modifiers or free rolls can be based on results from the previous background charts at the GM's discretion. Example: Bruno the Battler rolls that he was “conscripted into the army” and “displayed heroism on the battlefield”. Based on Bruno's glorious martial exploits, the GM decides to allow him to either add +1 roll to his roll on the armor chart or roll an additional time on a weapon chart.

Chart 1: Armor (Roll d8) 

Cleric, Ranger +1 to roll

Fighter +2

Knight, Paladin +3

Rogue, Assassin, Druid only class-appropriate armor

Magic User, Illusionist, Monk no roll

1 Padded/leather coat **

2-3 Leather armor **

4 Ring mail *

5 Hide *

6 Studded/laminar leather *

7 Scale mail/Cuirboille

8 Mail shirt

9 Chainmail hauberk

10 Full chain suit/splint mail

11 Breastplate

12 Plate mail

13 Full plate

14+ Magical armor (GM picks)

* 1 extra roll on weapon or shield chart

** 2 extra rolls on weapon or shield chart

Chart 2: Shield (Roll 1d6)

1 None

2-3 Buckler or Small Shield

4-5 Medium Shield

6 Large Shield

Chart 3A: Melee Weapon (Roll 1d6)

Clerics, Magic Users, Illusionists, and Rogues hand weapon only

1-2 Hand weapon (dagger, hand axe, short sword, light mace, morningstar, staff, club)

3-4 Sword (long, broad, falchion, rapier, scimitar), battle axe, heavy mace

5 Spears, polearms, pike, lance,

6 Two-handed weapon (two-handed axe, two-handed sword, bastard sword, great scimitar)

7 Expert-made weapon, +1 damage (player picks)

8 Masterwork weapon, +1 to hit and damage (player picks)

9+ Magic weapon (GM picks)

Chart 3B: Missile Weapon (Roll 1d6 if character gets extra roll)

Magic Users, Clerics, Rogues, Druids only-class appropriate weapons

1 Sling/Darts

2 Thrown (Hand axe, spear, javelin)

3 Light Crossbow

4 Short Bow

5 Heavy Crossbow

6 Long Bow

7 Expert-made weapon, +1 damage (player picks)

8 Masterwork weapon, +1 to hit and damage (player picks)

9+ Magic weapon (GM picks)

(one free batch of ammo assumed)

Chart 4: Adventuring Gear (Roll 1d6)

All packs come with backpack, pouch, bedroll, water skin, tinderbox, and one week of iron rations

1-2 Pack A (10 oil flasks, lantern, shovel, two caltrops, whistle)

3-4 Pack B (10 torches, four oil flasks, 10 pieces of chalk/charcoal, blank scroll, mirror, crowbar)

5-6 Pack C (five torches, five oil flasks, 50 ft. rope, grappling hook, wooden pole)

7+ Any from above, Magical misc. item (GM picks)

Chart 5: Mount (Roll 1d6)

+3 if Knight, Horse nomad-type barbarian

-2 if Monk

1-2 None

3 Mule

4 Pony

5-6 Light riding horse

7 Heavy horse

8 Light warhorse

9 Heavy warhorse

10+ Any from above, special mount or vehicle (GM choice)

(saddles and other riding gear assumed)

Chart 6: Class-based equipment

Fighter, Ranger: extra weapon roll, 10 gp starting

Knight, Paladin: 30 gp starting

Cleric, Druid: holy symbol, 10 gp

Bard: musical instrument, 5 gp

Thief: Thieves tools, 5 gp

Wizard, Illusionist, spellbook, 5 gp

Barbarian, Monk, 2 gp

Chart 7: Starting cash (Roll d6),

Monk, Barbarian -1

1 10 gold pieces

2-3 20 gp

4 40 gp

5 60 gp

6 80 gp

7 150 gp

8 250 gp

9 500 gp

10 1,000 gp

11 1,500 gp

It's 1980 For The Next 2d4 Turns

One of the surprise fun bits of running the Hill Cantons campaign has been our three newly-minted "old school" players (all under 13). Watching them get that "wow, how cool" face reminds me of how downright fun and wonderous I thought DnD was the first time I rolled up three dice six times in a roll myself with a freshly-bought copy of the Basic set by J. Eric Holmes.

So as I prepare tonight's session, I felt compelled to post my favorite homage to that period back in our early 80s lives as freaks and geeks. Carlos the Dwarf, this is for you man.

Fantasy Traveller

After spending a few weeks mucking about with a C&C/D&D character background generation system (an unhealthy obsession now well-documented here on this site), I have found myself more and more wanting to go the whole nine yards and create a mini-game ala the sci-fi RPG gem Traveller.

Interestingly, online discussions with some of you fine folks out there revealed all kinds of parallel thinking and interest along the same lines. To a large extent much of this tinkering seems to be oriented to mounting a fantasy setting onto Traveller's core mechanics.

Truth be told, though, I may myself ultimately only want to go only about six yards down this road. My own dream end product would flip this route around. Instead of "Fantasy Traveller", as my title suggests, perhaps I'm looking more for something like "D&D" in all its glorious, loosey-goosey core mechanics--with a correspondingly loose, flexible (read "vaguer" and GM-adjudicated) character generation system bolted on top.

In other words, more emphasis on the quick, open-ended, and strange, and less on grinding through rigid "terms of service" and skill-building in an occupational field. But, of course, keeping all those wonderful crunchy Traveller elements such as "benefits" (gear, cash, attribute hikes, and the like) and "dangers" (old wounds and perhaps even untimely death) from rolled-up previous backstory experiences.

What would your own "Fantasy Traveller" look like?

Revised Character Background Generator

Having received a number of helpful bits of feedback from members of our friendly online "old school" community, I'm posting a "final" version of the background generator up here on the blog (my tinkering energy running out of steam and all). Thanks one and all who gave me their two cents--or more--worth.

Game masters are heartily encouraged to modify any and all the charts to their heart's desire. The published ones reflect the vaguely Germanic/Slavic renaissance-era setting of my own Hill Cantons campaign, homebrew your own results—especially the crunchy background ones--to fit the tone, feel, and spirit of their own campaign.

Quickie Character Background Generator

To determine your character's background, roll the following charts in order from Chart 1 to Chart 4. Consult sub-tables as directed. If a result shows more than one result (such as “Peasant/Farmworker”), pick one choice--or roll a die to determine the exact result.

Characters starting over first level get an extra roll on Chart 4 for each two levels past the first. (Thus a third level character gets one extra roll, a fifth level one receives two extra.) If the GM approves, players are assumed to have suitably corresponding skills from Basic Fantasy RPG's Backgrounds and Specialties Supplement if an apprenticeship, occupation, or other appropriate event rolled allows for it. Example: Evaro the Elf rolls that he “learned occupation: sailor”. He is now assumed to have “Seafarer” skills.

Chart 1. Birth Order (Roll d10)

1 First born

2-3 Second child

4-5 Third child

6 Fourth

7 Fifth

8 Sixth

9 Seventh

10 Eighth or more

Chart 2: Parent Occupation (Roll d20)

1 Beggar/Drifter

2 Criminal

3 Peasant/Farm worker

4 Farmer/Fisherman

5 Miner/Forester

6 Sailor

7 Soldier/Mercenary

8-9 Craftsman/Skilled worker (Roll on Chart 2A)

10 Sage/Scholar/Alchemist

11 Scribe

12 Slaver

13 Adventurer

14 Actor/Bard/Courtesan

15 Government Official (Roll on Chart 2B)

16-17 Merchant (Roll on Chart 2C)

18 Clergy (Roll on Chart 2D)

19 Gentleman

20 Noble (Roll on Chart 2E)

Chart 2A: Craft (Roll d20)

1 Tailor

2 Fletcher/Bowyer

3 Glass Blower

4 Carpenter

5 Animal trainer/Beast master

6 Cartographer

7 Smith

8 Cobbler

9 Weaver

10 Armorer/Weaponsmith

11 Brewer/baker

12 Mason

13 Potter

14 Miller

15 Dyer

16 Shipwright

17 Jeweler

18 Artist/Sculptor

19 Musician

20 Roll twice

Chart 2B: Government Officials (Roll d8)

1-2 Tax collector

3 Sheriff/shrive

4 Forest warden

5 Magistrate

6 Town mayor

7 City mayor

8 Royal/Ducal advisor

Chart 2C: Merchant (Roll d6)

1 Shopkeeper, foodstuffs

2 Shopkeeper, dry goods

3 Shopkeeper, exotic goods

4 Innkeeper

5 Local trader

6 Long-distance trader

Chart 2D: Clergy (Roll d6)

1-2 Parish/lower clergy, mainstream religion

3 Upper clergy, mainstream

4 Clergy, heretic religion

5 Pagan/Druidical

6 Elder gods

Chart 2E: Nobility (Roll d20)

1-3 Landless Knight

4-6 Knight Banneret

7-10 Knight

11-15 Baron/Landgraf

16 Count

17 Marquis/Margrave/Earl

18 Duke/Hetman

19 Arch Duke/Prince

20 King

Chart 3: Significant Events in Childhood and Adolescence (Roll d20 1-4 times)

1 Loved/protected by parents

2 Unloved/spurned by parents

3-4 Orphaned (Roll on Chart 3A)

5 Family killed by Other (Roll on Chart 3C)

6 Caused death of Relative (Roll on Chart 3B) or Other (3C)

7 Illegitimate raised by mother or by guardian (3A)

8 Apprenticed in parent's occupation

9 Apprenticed in craft of a mentor (Roll Chart 2)

10 Parent killed by Relative or Other

11 Father/mother/both outlawed (Roll Chart 3D for crime)

12 Religious experience

13 Jealous sibling/rivalry

14 Lived a nomadic life

15 Moved to the big city

16 Moved to the borderlands/wilderness

17 Run away from home or guardian

18 Learned weapon usage

19 Religious experience (4E)/magic occurrence (4F)

20 Committed a crime (3D)

Chart 3A: Guardians (Roll d20)

1 Wicked/cruel stepmother or father

2 Hedge Wizard/Mage

3 Monastery/Convent

4 Craftworker (Roll 2A)

5 Relative (Roll 3B)

6 Sold into slavery

7 Raised by wolves

8 Adventurer

9 Dwarven indentured servants

10 Mysterious red-robed “elven” guardians

11 Centaurs/Hobgoblins/Deep Ones/ other monsters

12 Raised by mercenaries/landsknechts

13 Bandits/pirates

14 Nomads/cossacks/barbarians

15 Adopted by merchant (Chart 2C)

16 Adopted by clery (Chart 2D)

17 Adopted by noble (Chart 2E)

18-20 Lived on the streets/no guardian

Chart 3B: Relatives (Roll d6)

1 Brother/Sister

2 First Cousin

3 Uncle/Aunt

4 Grandfather/mother

5 Great Uncle/aunt

6 Distant relation

Chart 3C: Others

1 Government official (Roll 2B)

2 Friend

3 Thief

4 Wizard

5 Mentor

6 Noble (Roll 2E)

7 Raider/invader

8 Humanoid/demi-human

9 Monster

10 Lover

11 Craftsman

12 Highwayman/bandit/pirate

13 Adventurer

14 Comrade

15 Wild animal

16 Nomad

17 Religious sect member/leader

18 Mysterious stranger

19-20 Roll twice for two working together

Chart 3D: Crimes and Misdemeanors

1-2 Theft

3 Assault

4-5 Heresy

6 Murder

7 Insulting a noble of a higher order

8 Trespassing

7 Treason

9 Tax evasion

10-11 Political dissidence

12 Harboring criminals

13 Unlawful sorcery

14 Banditry/piracy

15-16 Wrong place at the wrong time

17 Messenger of bad news

18-20 Roll twice

Chart 4: Significant Events in Young Adulthood (Roll 1-4 d20)

1 Learned to disrespect/respect authority.

2 Religious experience (Roll Chart 4E)/ Magic occurrence (Chart 4F)

3 Responsible for death of relative (Chart 3B)/other (3C)

4-5 Developed virtues (Chart 4C)/ vices (Chart 4D)

6-7 Conscripted/volunteered for military service (Chart 4A)

8 Romantic affair (25% chance of child)

9 Learned occupation (Chart 2)

10 Traveled abroad

11 Survived plague

12 Moved to big city

13 Moved to borderlands/wilderness

14 Sold into slavery (escaped)

15 Committed a crime (3D)

16 Home village/town wiped out by others (3C)

17 Encountered monster

18 Served wealthy patron/noble court

19 Saved life of relative (3B)/other (3C)

20 Apprenticed to mentor (2A)

Chart 4A: Military Service (Roll 1-4 d20)

1 Promoted

2 Demoted

3 Lone survivor of unit

4 Captured by enemy and tortured

5 Deserted

6 Joined mercenaries/landsknechts

7 Responsible for the deaths of comrades

8 Best friend killed at your side

9 Prevented the destruction of innocents

10 Spent most time in “rear echelon” non-combat (Roll Chart 4B)

11 Committed an unsanctioned crime (Chart 3D)

12 Ran away from battle

13 Displayed heroism on the battlefield

14 Learned use of exotic weapons

15 Learned seigecraft

16 Led mutiny

17 Survived disease/magical occurrence

18 Developed virtues (4C)/vices (4D)

19-20 Transferred to other service (4B)

Chart 4B: Other Service (Roll 1d12)

1 Palace guard

2 City guard/watch

3 Temple guard

4 Border militia/rangers

5 Private bodyguard

6 Engineer/sapper

7 Scouts

8 Navy

9 Shipboard marine

10 Messenger

11 Caravan guard

12 Border guard

Chart 4C: Virtues (Roll 1-4 d20)

1 Cleanliness

2 Benefactor for the poor

3 Well-mannered

4 Friendly

5 Teetotaler

6 Pious

7 Sincere/earnest

8 Quiet/good listener

9 Honest

10 Defender of the oppressed

11 Loving

12 Tolerant of all faiths

13 Self-confident

14 Hard-working

15 Humble

16 Good negotiator/diplomat

17 Hard bargainer

18 Punctual

19 Sensitive/tender

20 Gregarious

Chart 4D: Vices (Roll 1-4 d20)

1 Heavy drinker

2 Drug problem

3 Gambler

4 Randiness

5 Swears like a sailor

6 Duplicitous

7 Mistrustful

8 Loner

9 Pushy

10 Loud

11 Poor Hygiene

12 Loves brawling

13 Quick-tempered

14 Selfish

15 Braggart

16 Lazy

17 Greedy

18 Intolerant

19 Lacks self-confidence

20 Sacrilegious

Chart 4E: Religious Experience (Roll 1-4 d20)

1 Joined faith

2 Lost faith

3 Vision of demi-god/saint

4 Vision of deity

5 Vision of demon/elder god

6 Became lay clergy (non-spell casting)

7 Pilgrimage to holy place

8 Excommunicated

9 Persecuted for faith

10 Involved in holy war (Roll 4A)

11 Became religious hypocrite

12 Made prophetic statement

13 Discredited faith

14 Sent to religious school

15 Started own sect

16-20 Developed virtue (4C)/vice (4D)

Chart 4F: Magical Occurrence (Roll 1-4 d10)

1 Survived magical disaster

2 Witnessed summoning

3 Saw magical omens

4 Visited by witch

5 Gathered spell components for hedge wizard

6 Found magical place

7 Found arcane scrolls

8 Discovered ancient book

9 Spell cast on you

10 Learned cantrip

Yet More Online Generator Fun

Thanks to Cheepicus over at Dragonsfoot there's now a version of the generator that you can use offline.

According to him, "You can view the page source and copy/paste, or "Save As" to get a local copy." And that, "I took the liberty of making some small changes to some of the table items, like coinflips of the "A/B" things (so you get "parents loved" or "parents protected", not "parents loved/protected")."

His version also allows you to generate multiple characters at a time. Another nifty tool.

More Quick Character Generator Fun

Chris Gonnerman from Dragonfoot (and creator of the Basic Fantasy RPG ) has kindly put together an automated online tool based on my background generator. Cuts a good 5-10 minutes off the 15-minute generator with the click of the button. How cool is that?

Also, to honor a request from a compa, I modified and posted a version of the generator to be compatible with the Basic/Classic versions of D&D and its like-minded retro-clones.

15-Minute (or Less) Full Character Generator

Got your fighter squashed under the heel of a troll and wanting to jump back in the saddle before the night ends? Need to slot in a new player at the table PDQ before your players get ornery? Want a character with a fun, minimal backstory, but feeling just too damn overworked/lazy/uninspired? Then friends, this is the random table generator for you. Get a PC or NPC up and running from stats to equipment to background lickety-split on the following downloadable charts.

All rolling chart steps are optional. System can be used for Castles & Crusades. Pre-second edition versions of D&D (and retro-clones) can also be used with minor modifications for class and equipment.

1. Roll on Chart A stat block chart. Use stats in order or re-arrange to suit.
2. Pick character class and race.
3. Pick prime attributes.
4. Roll hit points.
5. Roll on Chart B equipment charts.
6. Roll on Chart C character backstory.
7. Choose Alignment
8. Play!

Any and all feedback will be much appreciated.

(Backstory generator adapted from Paul Jaquays' "previous history system" in Dungeoneer #9. Thanks to Chgowiz for inspiration on stat block chart for quick sandbox insertion. Thanks to Microlite20 for quick pick pack idea.)

Quickie Character Backstory Generator

(Adapted from Paul Jaquays' previous history system in Dungeoneer #9)


Chart 1. Birth Order (Roll d10)

1 First born
2-3 Second child
4-5 Third child
6 Fourth
7 Fifth
8 Sixth
9 Seventh
10 Eighth or more


Chart 2: Parent Occupation (Roll d20)
1 Beggar/Drifter
2 Criminal
3 Peasant/Farm worker
4 Farmer/Fisherman
5 Miner/Forester
6 Sailor
7 Soldier/Mercenary
8-9 Craftsman/Skilled worker (Roll on Chart 2A)
10 Sage/Scholar/Alchemist
11 Scribe
12 Slaver
13 Adventurer
14 Actor/Bard/Courtesan
15 Government Official (Roll on Chart 2B)
16-17 Merchant (Roll on Chart 2C)
18 Clergy (Roll on Chart 2D)
19 Gentleman
20 Noble (Roll on Chart 2E)


Chart 2A: Craft (Roll d20)
1 Tailor
2 Fletcher/Bowyer
3 Glass Blower
4 Carpenter
5 Animal trainer/Beast master
6 Cartographer
7 Smith
8 Cobbler
9 Weaver
10 Armorer/Weaponsmith
11 Brewer/baker
12 Mason
13 Potter
14 Miller
15 Dyer
16 Shipwright
17 Jeweler
18 Artist/Sculptor
19 Musician
20 Roll twice


Chart 2B: Government Officials (Roll d8)
1-2 Tax collector
3 Sheriff/shrive
4 Forest warden
5 Magistrate
6 Town mayor
7 Free City mayor
8 Royal/Ducal advisor


Chart 2C: Merchant (Roll d6)
1 Shopkeeper, foodstuffs
2 Shopkeeper, dry goods
3 Shopkeeper, exotic goods
4 Innkeeper
5 Local trader
6 Long-Distance trader


Chart 2D: Clergy (Roll d6)
1-2 Parish/lower clergy, mainstream religion (Sun Lord in the Hill Cantons)
3 Upper clergy, mainstream
4 Clergy, heretical religion (Followers of the Celestial Lady)
5 Pagan/Druidical
6 Elder gods


Chart 2E: Nobility (Roll d20)
1-3 Landless Knight
4-6 Knight Banneret
7-10 Knight
11-15 Baron/Landgraf
16 Count
17 Margrave
18 Hetman
19 Duke
20 Royalty