Chapter 3: Generating Statistics
In Demayth, your Demigod's inherent capabilities, both physical and mental, are represented by six core Attributes. These Attributes are not merely abstract numbers; they are reflections of your character's connection to Demayth, their lineage, their training, and their innate potential. They shape how your character interacts with the world, how they overcome challenges, and how they wield the power of their divine spark.
The Six Attributes:
- Strength (STR): This represents raw physical power, the ability to lift, carry, and manipulate heavy objects, and the force behind melee attacks. A Demigod with great Strength might be a mighty warrior, capable of cleaving through enemies with ease, or a tireless laborer, able to move mountains with their bare hands. This is a reflection of how well they can use their body in terms of force.
- Dexterity (DEX): This represents agility, reflexes, balance, and hand-eye coordination. A Demigod with high Dexterity might be a nimble rogue, able to move silently and strike with precision, or a skilled archer, capable of hitting targets at great distances. This shows how well they can move, and react.
- Constitution (CON): This represents health, stamina, and resistance to injury, disease, and toxins. A Demigod with high Constitution is resilient and enduring, able to withstand blows that would cripple others and to recover quickly from harm. Constitution also fuels Fortitude, the ability to resist powerful attacks and harmful conditions that seek to overwhelm the body. This shows how well their body can handle strain.
- Intelligence (INT): This represents knowledge, learning, memory, logic, and reasoning skills. A Demigod with high Intelligence is a quick thinker, a strategic planner, and a master of arcane lore. This shows how one can quickly adapt with new ideas, and learn new skills.
- Wisdom (WIS): This represents perception, intuition, insight, and spiritual awareness. A Demigod with high Wisdom is perceptive, discerning, and attuned to the subtle currents of Demayth. Wisdom enhances their senses and guides their understanding of the world, bolstering their Will, the ability to resist mental and magical manipulation. This shows how well one is with perception, understanding, and insight.
- Charisma (CHA): This represents force of personality, persuasiveness, leadership ability, and artistic expression. A Demigod with high Charisma is captivating, inspiring, and able to influence others through their words and actions. This represents the Demigod's force of personality.
Generating Attributes:
You have two methods for determining your Demigod's Attributes:
The Random Method:
This method reflects the unpredictable nature of Demayth, the influence of fate, and the inherent variability of Demigod lineages.
- For each of the six Attributes, roll four six-sided dice (4d6).
- Discard the lowest die result.
- Add the remaining three dice together. This will give you a number between 3 and 18.
- Repeat this process for each of the six Attributes. You may choose to do this only one time, or reroll an entire new set. However, you must take the new rolled set.
This method can result in a Demigod with exceptional strengths in some areas and significant weaknesses in others, reflecting the unpredictable nature of fate and the diverse potential of Demigod kind.
The Selective Method:
This method allows you to carefully craft your Demigod's abilities, prioritizing certain Attributes over others to reflect their background, training, and intended role.
- You are given the following set of values: 18, 15, 12, 12, 9, 6.
- Assign each of these values to one of the six Attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma).
This method allows for a more balanced or specialized character, depending on your preferences.
Choosing Your Focus (Spellcasting Modifier)
Once you have determined your Demigod's Attributes, you must choose one to be their Focus, also known within the game as their Spellcasting Modifier (SCM). This represents the area where their connection to Demayth is strongest, the aspect of their being that most readily channels their divine spark.
This choice will influence the types of magic your Demigod is most attuned to, or the effectiveness of their abilities, granting them a distinct advantage in actions related to that Attribute. Mechanically, your chosen Focus receives a +3 bonus, reflecting your Demigod's enhanced connection to Demayth through that particular Attribute. This is not merely a numerical advantage; it represents a deeper attunement to the flow of Demayth, a more intuitive grasp of the forces that shape reality.
- Strength: A Strength Focus might make your Demigod a powerful warrior, excelling in melee combat and feats of physical might.
- Dexterity: A Dexterity Focus might make your Demigod a nimble rogue, skilled in stealth, acrobatics, and ranged attacks.
- Constitution: A Constitution Focus might grant your Demigod exceptional resilience and resistance to harm, making them a formidable tank or a tireless endurance specialist.
- Intelligence: An Intelligence Focus might make your Demigod a powerful spellcaster, particularly adept at schools of magic that require precision and control (Alteration, Conjuration, Reprisal).
- Wisdom: A Wisdom Focus might make your Demigod a powerful healer or diviner, attuned to the subtle currents of Demayth and the whispers of fate (Restoration, Divination, Protection).
- Charisma: A Charisma Focus might make your Demigod a powerful leader or enchanter, capable of influencing others through their words and presence (Psyche, Witchcraft).
Attribute Limits:
While Demigods are beings of extraordinary potential, their abilities are not limitless. At the beginning of their journey, even the most gifted Demigod is unlikely to possess the raw power of an ancient hero or a seasoned warrior. A starting Demigod's Attributes represent a level of mastery rarely seen, even among Demigods, but they are still within human limitations. However, through training, experience, and the acquisition of powerful artifacts, a Demigod can push beyond these initial limitations, achieving feats of strength, skill, and magical power that defy mortal comprehension. And, it is said that those who become Intent Gods transcend even these limitations, their connection to Demayth growing to rival that of the Elder Divine themselves.
Calculating Modifiers
Each attribute has a numerical value, which directly translates into a modifier used for various rolls and checks within the game.
How It Works:
- Base Attribute: You'll assign a base value to each attribute, ranging from 0 to 40. This reflects your character's innate abilities and potential.
- Modifier Calculation: The modifier is determined by the following formula:
Modifier = -3 + (Base Attribute / 3)
(Note: Always round down the result to the nearest whole number).
This formula, while seemingly abstract, is believed by some scholars to reflect the inherent structure of Demayth energy, the way in which raw potential is translated into tangible effects. The "-3" represents the inherent limitations of even a Demigod's physical and mental form, the baseline from which their divine spark allows them to deviate.
Attribute Table:
For ease of reference, here's a table showing the Modifier for each possible Base Attribute score:
| Base Attribute | Modifier | In-World Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | -3 | Noticeably Deficient: The Demigod struggles significantly with tasks related to this Attribute. Their weakness is apparent to even casual observers. |
| 3-5 | -2 | Below Average: The Demigod is less capable in this area than most Demigods, though perhaps still comparable to a skilled mortal. |
| 6-8 | -1 | Slightly Below Average: The Demigod is a little less capable than most. |
| 9-11 | 0 | Average: The Demigod possesses a typical level of ability in this area, comparable to most other Demigods. |
| 12-14 | +1 | Slightly Above Average: The Demigod is a little better than most. |
| 15-17 | +2 | Above Average: The Demigod is noticeably skilled in this area, demonstrating a clear aptitude. |
| 18-20 | +3 | Exceptional: The Demigod possesses remarkable talent in this area, surpassing most of their peers. |
| 21-29 | +4 to +6 | Masterful/Prodigious: The Demigod's ability in this area is truly extraordinary, approaching the limits of Demigod potential. |
| 30-38 | +7 to +9 | Legendary: The Demigod's ability in this area is the stuff of legends, spoken of in whispers and inspiring awe in those who witness it. |
| 39-40 | +10 | Godlike: The Demigod's ability in this area is on par of the gods. |
Example:
If your Demigod has a Strength of 16, their Strength Modifier would be:
Modifier = -3 + (16 / 3) = -3 + 5 = +2
This means your Demigod would add +2 to any rolls or checks that involve their Strength.
Understanding Modifiers:
- Positive Modifiers: Enhance your character's abilities in that attribute, making them more likely to succeed at related tasks.
- Negative Modifiers: Hinder your character's abilities in that attribute, making them less likely to succeed.
- Zero Modifier: Represents an average level of ability for a Demigod in that attribute.
By understanding this system, you can strategically allocate your Demigod's attribute points during character creation, crafting a hero with the strengths and weaknesses that best suit your desired playstyle and their envisioned role in the world of Demayth. Remember, however, that even the most carefully crafted character is subject to the whims of fate, and the roll of the dice will always play a part in their destiny.
Character Size
Your Demigod's size plays a crucial role, influencing health, movement, and other capabilities. Your chosen race often dictates your size category.
- Health and Constitution: Larger sizes generally grant higher starting Health Points (HP), representing greater vitality. Your Constitution modifier further adjusts this value.
- Movement and Speed: Size dictates base movement speed in combat (measured in 5-foot spaces). Smaller creatures are sometimes slower.
- Other Effects: Size impacts Strength, carrying capacity, Stealth (smaller is better), and potentially attack reach.
Size Table:
| Size | Height Range | Weight Range | Base HP | Movement (Battle) | Base Initiative | Additional Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny | Inches to 2 ft | 30 lbs. or less | 10 (+/- Con Mod) | 1d4 spaces | +2 (+/- Dex Mod) | Advantage on Stealth checks |
| Small | 2 - 5 ft | 40 - 145+ lbs. | 15 (+/- Con Mod) | 1d6 spaces | +1 (+/- Dex Mod) | |
| Medium | 4 - 7 ft | 165 - 200+ lbs. | 20 (+/- Con Mod) | 1d6 spaces | +0 (+/- Dex Mod) | |
| Large | 6 - 10 ft | 200 - 500+ lbs. | 25 (+/- Con Mod) | 1d8 spaces | +0 (+/- Dex Mod) | Disadvantage on Stealth |
(Note: Some races, like Titans, may have unique size considerations or fall into larger categories not listed here, subject to Battle Master approval.)
Saving Throws
Saving throws represent your Demigod's ability to resist or avoid dangerous effects through resilience, reflexes, or willpower.
- Fortitude (CON): Measures physical endurance against poison, disease, physical trauma, etc. Your Fortitude modifier is typically based on your Constitution modifier.
- Reflex (DEX): Measures agility and speed to dodge area effects, traps, and certain attacks. Your Reflex modifier is typically based on your Dexterity modifier.
- Will (WIS): Measures mental fortitude against spells, psychic influence, and effects targeting the mind or spirit. Your Will modifier is typically based on your Wisdom modifier.
Making a Saving Throw:
When required to make a saving throw, the Battle Master will state the type (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will) and the Difficulty Class (DC). You roll a d20, add your relevant saving throw modifier (including your attribute modifier and any other bonuses), and compare the total to the DC.
- Success: If your total equals or exceeds the DC, you succeed, avoiding or reducing the effect.
- Failure: If your total is less than the DC, you fail and suffer the full effect.
Weight Points and Carrying Capacity
The Weight Point (WP) system quantifies the amount of gear your Demigod can carry before becoming encumbered.
Calculating Carrying Capacity: Your character's carrying capacity in WP is determined by their size and Strength modifier:
Carrying Capacity = Base WP (from size) +/- Strength Modifier
| Character Size | Base WP |
|---|---|
| Tiny | 3 |
| Small | 10 |
| Medium | 15 |
| Large | 20 |
| Massive & Larger | 25+ (BM Discretion) |
Example: A Medium-sized Demigod with a Strength modifier of +3 has a carrying capacity of 18 WP (15 + 3).
- Miniscule Creatures: Creatures of this size (often minions) typically have a Base WP of 1 but can only be carried; they cannot carry significant items themselves.
Weight Point Rules:
- Most handheld items or small bundled items count as 1 WP.
- Small, similar items can be stacked (e.g., 20 arrows, 6 potions) to count as a single WP.
- Bulky or unusually heavy items may count for more WP at the BM's discretion.
Encumbrance Penalties:
- Overburdened: Exceeding your carrying capacity halves your movement speed and imposes disadvantage on all Strength- and Dexterity-based ability checks and saving throws.
- Heavily Encumbered: Carrying 5 or more WP over your limit prevents movement entirely and imposes a 1d6 penalty on Strength and Dexterity checks.
Equipped vs. Carried Items
Your inventory is divided into two categories, which is crucial for managing your Weight Points:
- Equipped Items: Items actively worn or wielded (armor, main weapon, offhand item, trinkets). Equipped items do NOT count towards your carrying capacity (WP).
- Carried Items: All other items stored in your inventory (backpack, pouches, etc.). Carried items DO count towards your WP limit.