Warhammer - Acolyte Character Creation

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For more than a hundred centuries the Emperor has sat immobile on the Golden Throne of Earth. He is the master of mankind by the will of the gods, and master of a million worlds by the might of his inexhaustible armies. He is a rotting carcass writhing invisibly with power from the Dark Age of Technology. He is the Carrion Lord of the Imperium for whom a thousand souls are sacrificed every day, so that he may never truly die. Yet even in his deathless state, the Emperor continues his eternal vigilance. Mighty battlefleets cross the daemoninfested miasma of the warp, the only route between distant stars, their way lit by the astronomican, the psychic manifestation of the Emperor's will. Vast armies give battle in his name on uncounted worlds. Greatest amongst his soldiers are the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines, bio-engineered super-warriors. Their comrades in arms are legion: the Imperial Guard and countless planetary defence forces, the ever-vigilant Inquisition and the techpriests of the Adeptus Mechanicus to name only a few.

But for all their multitudes, they are barely enough to hold off the ever-present threat from aliens, heretics, mutants - and worse. To be a man in such times is to be one amongst untold billions. It is to live in the cruellest and most bloody regime imaginable. These are the tales of those times. Forget the power of technology and science, for so much has been forgotten, never to be relearned. Forget the promise of progress and understanding, for in the grim dark future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods.

You are an Acolyte in the service of the Emperors' Inquisition. You stand in the front line of a great and secret war where your duty is to hunt out the foul stench of heresy, the vile alien, nd the twisted influence of Chaos. You will tread where others fear, venturing to distant planets, ancient space hulks and the unsavoury depths of the under-hive.

You will never know fame nor reward, yet if you stand resolute your deeds will be whispered to the God-Emperor of Mankind and your name will be revered for millennia.

Stage One: Home World

The very first step in creating your character is to determine your Home World. The Imperium is a vast place, filled with innumerable worlds, cultures and civilisations. Dark Heresy contains eight home world types common to the Calixis sector: Feral World, Hive World, Imperial World, Imperial World, Void Born, Forge World, Schola Progenium, Noble Born, and Mind Cleansed.

Feral World: Feral Worlders are born to worlds trapped in a state of barbarism. They are natural survivors, and commonly big, strong and tough. Feral worlders make for characters that are exceptional at physical action and combat. Allowable careers: Assassin, Guardsman, Imperial Psyker, & Scum.

Hive World: Hivers are the products of vast and crowded hive cities. They are fast talking, quick thinking individuals accustomed to looking after themselves - perfect if you want to play a roguish character who lives by their wits. Allowable careers: Arbitrator, Assassin, Cleric, Guardsman, Imperial Psyker, Scum, & Tech-Priest.

Imperial World: Much of humanity hails from one of the myriad civilised worlds of the Imperium, where despite bewildering diversity, Imperial culture and faith in the God-Emperor is strong. Adaptable and varied, characters with this origin make good all-rounders and have the widest choice of careers available to them. Available careers: Adept, Arbitrator, Assassin, Cleric, Guardsman, Imperial Psyker, Scum, & Tech-Priest.

Void Born: Born from the bloodlines of human star travellers, voiders have lived most of their lives in space within the metallic bastions of great vessels. Uncommonly lucky and strong willed, they are perfect if you want to play a psyker or risk-taking adventurer. Available careers: Adept, Arbitrator, Assassin, Cleric, Imperial Psyker, Scum, & Tech-Priest.

Forge World: Those raised in the shadow of the Omnissiah have survived the Machine God's harsh regime and possess an innate familiarity with the higher mysteries of arcane science, amking for excellent scholars and tech-priests. Available careers: Adept, Assassin, Assassin, Scum, & Tech-Priest.

Schola Progenium: Progena are orphans of Imperial servants trained in mind, body and spirit form birth. They make for superior warriors and knowledgeable leaders, if lacking in experience of life's more sordid side. Available careers: Adept, Arbitrator, Cleric, Guardsman, & Sororitas.

Noble Born: Nobles are privileged individuals, raised in wealth and steeped in tradition and etiquette. They are ideally suited for those who prefer charm and guile over brute force. Nobles make superb spies, diplomats and assassins. Available careers: Adept, Arbitrator, Assassin, Cleric, Guardsman, & Scum.

Mind Cleansed: Those whose minds have been emptied of identity and their memories wiped or sealed off. These rare individuals have been "re-made" by their Inquisitorial masters to serve the Holy Ordos. Available careers: Arbitrator, Assassin, Cleric, Guardsman, Imperial Psyker, Tech-Priest.

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Stage Two: Generate Characteristics

Characteristics represent your character's raw ability in a variety of physical and mental areas. Characteristics are rated on a scale of 0 to 100.

Weapon Skill (WS) - Measures skill in hand-to-hand fighting.

Ballistic Skill (BS) - Reflects accuracy with ranged weapons.

Strength (S) - How physically strong a character is.

Toughness (T) - How easily a character can shrug off injury.

Agility (Ag) - Measures a character's quickness and reflexes.

Intelligence (Int) - A measurement of a character's acumen, reason and knowledge.

Perception (Per) - Describes how well the character perceives the surroundings.

Willpower (WP) - Demonstrates the character's ability to withstand fear and horror.

Fellowship (Fel) - Represents the character's ability to interact with others - to deceive or charm.

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Stage Three: Determine Career Path

A career path helps guide your character's development, determining your starting gear, Skills, Talents and a variety of other factors.

Adept
Adepts are wise and learned scholars, at least they hope to be one day. They are skilled with languages, knowledge, and often act as the brains of the group. They are not very good at fighting, and some are very poor at talking to people. When it comes to the realm of the mind however, they everyone else for dust.