Name: Obviously, this is where you put the name of the Character. This could be something simple as John Smith for a Natural to more esoteric and odd names like Igre for a Nightbreed Character. A lot can be derived from a name, such as possible ethnicity from a culturally unique last name to the evocative names of the Nightbreed, so make sure and spend at least a little contemplation on your Characters name.
Aliases/Nicknames: These are the names given by those that know the Character in one way or another. They can be abbreviations of longer names, such as Bob or Jim, or pet names given by intimate associates. More so than a Character’s real name, Aliases and Nicknames can give a good idea of what the Character is like. A Nightbreed who goes by the Nickname “Bloodbear” or the epithet “the Brutal” is likely to be a violent savage. Of course, a lot of Aliases and Nicknames can be ironic in nature.
Age/Apparent Age: Age determines a lot more in Natural society than in Nightbreed society, but still is important. Those Naturals under the age of 18 will be beholden to specific laws that govern them, such as truancy and age of consent laws. Nightbreed do not age like normal beings, thus they may appear to be younger or older than they actually are. Whatever age the Nightbreed appears to be should be given after their actual age, if their actual age can be calculated or known by others.
Gender: Gender determines the sex of a Character. Coquille is rural enough that this may determine the amount of respect and power a Natural can wield, but not always. A strong-willed female can exert quite a bit of influence, even if she may or may not be liked by her peers for her aggressive nature. Nightbreed on the other hand hold no prejudice for either sex. In fact, a Nightbreed may be male, female, both, or asexual and can sometimes spontaneously switch genders. Thus is the odd nature of Tribes of the Moon.
Type: A Character’s Type determines whether he or she is a Natural or a Nightbreed. Further, if they are a Nightbreed it determines what Breed they are. If a Character is a Nightbreed, record their Breed rather than putting Nightbreed in this section. Further, Natural Characters must decide if they are Naturals or Familiars. For more information of Character Type’s, please see the
Character Type Thread.
Height: A Character’s height is generally reliant on genetics and age, if they are a Natural. Nightbreed are of varying heights, and some can be behemoths while others are dwarves. Certain Abnormal Afflictions will determine a Character’s Height.
Weight: Weight is usually determined by a Character’s height, level of physical activity, and diet. Nightbreed do not have the same physiology as Naturals, so even those that eat the worst foods in large quantities may weigh next to nothing.
Build: Build is the body composition of your Character. Once again diet and exercise play into this for Naturals, but Nightbreed can have some interesting and varied builds. Generally a Nightbreed’s Breed will determine his or her Build, but not always. Catlike Beasties will have slender, lithe frames while some Mystics have the bodies of Greek gods.
Facial Features: Facial Features incorporate the bone structure of a face, general appearance of a Character’s face, and interesting features other player’s should be aware of. Try and be as descriptive as possible; the more information you give other players, they better a picture it paints in our minds. If an actor, musicians, or other famous figure is the face you have in mind, you can include that here.
Eyes: The color, shape, and appearance of your character’s eyes. They are generally the normal spectrum of human eye shades for Naturals, unless they use cosmetic contact lenses. Nightbreed on the other hand will have truly exotic and unique eyes, and sometimes even multiple sets of them.
Hair: The style, texture, and color of your Character’s Hair. If your character is a Nightbreed, especially a Beastie, they may have fur. Include the description of their fur here, with a real world animal for comparison if applicable.
Deformity: This is where you include your Nightbreed’s Deformities. No Nightbreed will look like a Natural. Even the most beautiful Nightbreed will at once seem inhuman to the Naturals, and some Deformities are not even physical in nature. Have fun with this one; this is what sets your Mystic or Aberrant apart from the rest, after all!
Other Forms: For Character’s with Metamorphic Afflictions, this is where you include their favorite forms, the animals they are most likely to change into. For Character’s with the Affliction Single Facsimile, a detailed description is appreciated and fun to read.
Personality Description: This is actually an optional section of the Character Creation Guide, as other players will get an idea of your Character’s Personality through play. However, it can be useful to both other players and the Character’s player
History: Yet again, an optional section. If your Character has a secret past or wants to reveal his or her History through play, by all means ignore this section of the Character Sheet. However, it can be interesting to brainstorm the History of your Character. It’s an interesting read for other players and can help you come up with your Character’s general attitude, beliefs, and personality. If you do opt to do this section, it will undoubtedly be the longest part of your Character Sheet. Don’t worry about this; if it’s boring we can just skip over it and you don’t have to pay per line or anything!
Afflictions: If your Character is a Nightbreed, include their five Afflictions here. Do not include their common Affliction Nightvision or their Primary Affliction here. Separate each Affliction on its own line to avoid confusion and state the Affliction first and then a description of its manifestation for your Character. Here is an example:
Claws – Long, curved black claws like that of a bear, useful for climbing and defense
Wings – Long, elegant white wings like those of a swan, one and a half-times the Nightbreed’s height in wingspan.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Afflictions and specific guidelines in using them. Detailed descriptions can be found on the
Afflictions Thread.
Common Dress: This is a general description of your Character’s usual style of dress or favorite outfits. While not extremely important, it creates a better image in the minds of other players about how your Character appears. After all, they say clothes make the man, so why can’t they make the monster?
Personal Belongings: Include any items special to a Character here. This could be knickknacks and mementos or more utilitarian objects such as weapons and tools. Be conscious that the setting for this game is 1990, so keep your objects appropriate for this time period; no iPods or Laptops, unless the laptops are absolutely huge! Also include pets, vehicles, and anything else your Character owns and is important.