Creating a character for Halcyon Aces takes about 15 minutes. You'll choose a background, assign your stats, pick a starting template, select talents, and choose your signature techniques.
Step 1: Choose Your Background
Your background tells us who you were before adventure called. Pick one that resonates with your character concept, or work with your GM to create a custom background.
- Wandering Swordmaster
- Apprentice Mage
- Former Soldier
- Street Thief or Con Artist
- Sheltered Noble
- Hermit or Monk
- Merchant or Trader
- Monster Hunter
Your background gives you narrative context and may include starting equipment or skills.
Step 2: Assign Your Four Stats
You have 12 points to distribute among Heart, Body, Mind, and Spirit. Minimum stat is 1, maximum is 5 at character creation.
- Balanced — 3, 3, 3, 3
- Specialist — 4, 3, 3, 2 (excels in one area, weaker in another)
- Bimodal — 4, 4, 2, 2 (strong in two areas, weak in two)
- Extreme — 5, 3, 2, 2 (master of one, novice in others)
Remember: higher stats mean you draw more cards (more options, but faster deck depletion).
Step 3: Choose a Starting Template
Templates provide a suggested distribution of traits and techniques for common character archetypes. You can use a template as-is or customize it.
- Warrior — Heavy on Swordcraft, Body-focused
- Mage — Heavy on Magecraft or Spiritcraft, Spirit-focused
- Rogue — Shadowcraft, balanced stats
- Cleric — Faithcraft, Heart and Spirit-focused
- Ranger — Wildcraft or Guncraft, Mind and Body-focused
Step 4: Choose Talents & Perks
Talents
Talents are minor proficiencies. Pick 2 Talents at character creation. Each Talent grants +2 effective value on checks within its domain.
- Combat Talents — Swordplay, Brawler, Shield Wall, Mounted Fighting, etc.
- Social Talents — Persuasion, Deception, Silver Tongue, Intimidation, etc.
- Exploration Talents — Tracking, Climbing, Navigation, Perception, etc.
- Knowledge Talents — Arcana, History, Religion, Beast Lore, etc.
Perks
Perks are passive abilities that modify core mechanics. Pick 1 Perk at character creation. Perks open new playstyles rather than just providing flat bonuses.
- Adrenaline Surge — Draw 2 bonus cards when you drop below half Vitality
- Vanguard — +1 to all checks on Round 1 of combat
- Grudge Bearer — +2 damage against creatures that damaged you
- Pack Tactics — +1 damage when fighting alongside an ally vs. same enemy
Step 5: Select Your Signature Techniques
Techniques are your signature special moves. You're a sword master with a devastating Whirlwind Strike? A fire mage with Inferno? That's your Technique.
At character creation, select 2 Techniques from your chosen Trait Trees. Techniques cost cards to use (drawn from your deck) and represent your character's unique martial or magical abilities.
- Name — Your signature move's title
- Cost — How many cards it costs to use
- Stat — Which stat you draw for (Body, Mind, Spirit, or Heart)
- Effect — What happens when you use it
- Requirement — Tier in the associated Trait Tree
Step 6: Calculate Derived Values
- Guard — Your physical defense (typically Body + armor bonus)
- Resolve — Your magical/mental defense (typically Spirit + magic resistance)
- Vitality (Health) — Your hit points (typically 10 + (Body × 2))
- Stride — How far you move in combat (typically 1 zone)
Character Creation Example
Stats: Heart 2, Body 4, Mind 2, Spirit 2 (total 10... they had 12 and added +1 to Body and Heart)
Template: Warrior (customized toward finesse, not strength)
Traits: Swordcraft Tier 2 (Finesse package), basic Spiritcraft
Talents: Swordplay (+2 on sword attacks), Acrobat (+2 on balance/agility checks)
Perk: Vanguard (first round combat bonus)
Techniques: Whirlwind Strike (Swordcraft), Parry Riposte (defensive/counterattack)
Derived Values: Guard 16 (4 Body + 2 armor), Vitality 18, Stride 1
Stats: Heart 3, Body 2, Mind 3, Spirit 4 (total 12)
Template: Mage (customized toward support)
Traits: Magecraft Tier 2, Faithcraft Tier 1
Talents: Arcana (+2 on magic knowledge), Healer's Touch (+2 on healing magic)
Perk: Soulbound Deck (reduce non-combat fatigue by 1)
Techniques: Fireball (Magecraft), Heal Ally (Faithcraft)
Derived Values: Guard 12 (2 Body + 1 armor), Resolve 16 (4 Spirit + 2 aether), Vitality 14
Next Steps
Once you've created your character, learn about the Trait Trees and the full catalog of techniques. Then explore the Equipment section to gear up your hero!