NOMADS Unbound was designed to be fast-paced, and character creation is no exception. Players pick a name and age for their character, then choose a Trait, an Archetype, and a Skill.
• The Trait defines the character’s main strength, the thing they’re naturally good at. Think of it like the highest attribute on a traditional RPG sheet.
• The Archetype represents who the character is — often tied to lifestyle or profession. It works like a Class.
• The Skill highlights what sets this character apart, the thing they do exceptionally well. Can they shoot? Know the streets? Have tons of contacts? Or maybe master investigative techniques?
The combination of these three elements shapes the character’s identity. For example, you might create an Intelligent Journalist who knows how to fight. Maybe it’s a reporter who moonlights as a martial artist? A blogger who earns some extra cash as a bouncer? These choices will come into play whenever there’s a test or a question — just like we saw in Part I — giving characters an edge in their actions.
Since NOMADS Unbound is a narrative-driven game, players are encouraged to always justify and weave their character’s traits into the story, showing how they help in each challenge.
There’s also the Conflict. This is the driving force behind the character, the motivation that pushes them forward. Maybe they want to find a lost sibling, avenge a loved one’s death, lead the biggest gang in the North area, or simply explore the edges of the universe. Whatever it is, Conflicts are human needs and desires — and they’re what keep the story moving.
On top of that, NOMADS Unbound offers a vast variety of gear, weapons, and artifacts — over 25,000 of them — to further customize your character.
And finally, characters may also acquire a Gift — tied to the rules of reality-bending powers. But that’s a topic for another time!
See? Character creation is so simple you won’t even be sad when an extraplanar creature from the Hollow eventually eviscerates your beloved hero… ok, you will, but you will move on faster. ;)