A Heroic Orc Cobbler?
Not too long ago, whilst talking with Terry and Eric instead of continuing our small-scale post-apoc Savage Worlds campaign, we brainstormed a bit about running D&D’s The Keep on the Borderlands as a reverse dungeon. The players would make up orcs, goblins, et cetera as characters to defend the Caves of Chaos against the human invaders who’ve set up shop in the nearby keep.
Around the same time, I almost got to play in a Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) game (but the GM backed out before the start). I’ve never played DCC, but I’ve read parts of the rulebook, especially the character creation material. For those unfamiliar, DCC players make up two 0-level characters who have little in the way of equipment, abilities, or hit points. The process is highly random. Ability scores, race, and background are all generated via dice rolls. These character are then run through an introductory adventure, called a funnel, and those that survive become 1st-level characters.
These two things — the reverse dungeon and DCC character creation — merged in mind. I’ve put together about a half dozen pages written for 5E D&D that address semi-DCC-esque character creation that randomly generates ability scores, race, and background.
(N.B. The two links above are affiliate links.)
Here’s an example of a 0-level character made using the process I’ve come up with:
Orc Guild Artisan (Cobbler)
Strength 15
Dexterity 12
Constitution 15
Intelligence 10
Wisdom 17
Charisma 10
Luck 12
Birth Sign/Boon Unicorn/Medicine Skill Expertise
Hit Points 4
Proficiency Bonus +2
Skills Insight, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies Cobbler’s Tools
Languages Common, Giant, Orc
Equipment Cobbler’s tools, a letter of introduction from your guild, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp
