Create Your Own Character Tome

Good morning minions! (Or afternoon, evening or night depending!)

For this glamourous and glorious IGGPPCamp activity, I will be your Dungeon Master! You’ll find below a basic summary of what we plan to accomplish today! (And of course, in the days, weeks and months to come)
Now. You may be wondering just what we plan on doing. What this is, or where this came from. To put it simply, my plan is to help you achieve your goals. But to do it in a super fun way. I credit The Nerdist himself, Chris Hardwick for the basis of this fun activity! After reading his book “The Nerdist Way” (Pictured below)

This book changed my life, in the weirdest yet coolest way possible. Inside, he explains how to succeed in life and to do it nerdy (or geeky). He then introduces the idea of the Character Tome, or Nerd Map.

Now, I’ve taken this idea and built on it. Taking my previous experience in RPG and online RPG, I adapted, added and changed it to fit my needs and to make it more interesting.

Now let’s begin!

The materials you’ll need for this project are simple and easy to find. It’s recommended that you use a graphing notebook. However, if you prefer to use a regular notebook go for it! (I opted to not use my Lisa Frank notebook for the graphing one for this example Tome).

As you can see, all you need are some pens/pencils and a notebook. I bought a huge thing of pens, because I like to color-coordinate. You could use any color you want, or keep it simple.

Now we can really begin. ^__^

1. Step one is simple. Come up with a name. No, it doesn’t have to be your name. It’s your character’s name after all! This site works, along with this one. I used the latter. I kept Elysia (a name I love) and got Irisrune as a last name. I thought it was pretty, so I kept it. If you don’t want a last name, you don’t have to have one. It’s all preference.
2. Step two gets a little more interesting and complicated. It requires you taking a test. I recommend this one. It can be somewhat time consuming, but it can also be fun. As you can see, I’m Lawful Good, which makes sense to me!
3. While you’re at it, go ahead and pick your class. I’d say pick two at most. Ranger, Thief, Warrior, Bard, etc. That’s totally up to you. I love the Ranger/Bard combo. At this point, you can also pick your race if you want (I forgot to).
4. Step four is easy. And one that will constantly change! That’s your level. Now, everyone starts at Level 1 (obviously) and goes up a level per large goal reached (or two small goals achieved), to which you’ll understand shortly. It’s up to you what the max level is. Personally, I think 100 is always a good level max, but you definitely don’t have to go that high! To mark your first level, just fill in a square (that’s what I did, this is entirely open to your own interpretation though).
5. Step five you’ll find to be slightly time consuming, but I’ll tell you now; it definitely won’t be the most. As you can see in the picture above I’ve listed certain attributes and then given them each a score. These attributes are the same ones you’ll use! On a scale of 1 to 5 you’ll rank yourself on these parameters. Don’t worry, as you progress you can always change them!

1. Now, this step is probably going to take up the entire page, and that’s okay. Heck, it’s okay if it takes two! For my example Tome, I only did one. This step is probably going to be the most time consuming, next to goals (unless you know your goals, unlike me). This is your skill set. Any and every skill you have or want to have or want to improve, is listed here. Every skill doesn’t have to start at Point 1 (like in my example above), but you don’t want all of them maxed out either. The max points per skill is going to be 10. So take that into consideration when you put starting points. Depending on how many goals you have (long and short term) will determine how many points you can gain in skills per level. I’ll let you decide that yourself.
2. Speaking of goals. Let’s make that the next step (not pictured). Now, I’m not including a picture of this in my post, because this point is entirely up to you. On the next free page, you’ll list both your Adventure Goals (long term) and Side Quests (short term). Long term goals are what you are aiming for in the future, that have long-standing effects. Finishing college, buying a house, etc. Short term goals are ones that don’t necessarily fit this criteria. Going to a con, buying a dress/shoes/outfit you really want. It’s entirely up to you. You can value each of these to how many levels you want to gain when accomplishing, and how many skill points they’re worth.
3. If you want to spice things up, you can also join a guild! A guild is basically the same as your party. You team up with someone (or more than one), and gain 1 extra skill point every time they complete a goal. If it’s a goal that you both share (going to a con together, etc.), you both get 2x as many points and you gain 1 extra level!

1. The final step is one you don’t have to do, but I recommend, because it’s fun and you can’t go on an adventure without weapons and supplies! That’s right. It’s your inventory. You don’t have to do like I did and get creative on the names, but personally I prefer it! Lol. It makes it more interesting. And honestly, your inventory can be WHATEVER you want it to be. Just look at mine!

And there you have it! You’ve just created your own tome. Now you’re ready to set out and complete your goals! And if you really want, a side step for the first page….Would be to draw your character! I personally cannot draw. And thus, did not want to embarrass myself with my hideous skills. Lol. This can fit in below your attributes and level. Or wherever you want really.

If you have any questions, concerns, improvements (which are ALWAYS welcome) just send me a Tweet or leave a comment! And if you read this all and enjoyed it use the achievement code rpgcharacter to unlock my special achievement!

The Twitter hashtag is totes #iggletome by the way! Enjoy!

P.S. I’m always looking for guild members!