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Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:10 pm
by AncientToaster
Anyone familiar with the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG is probably familiar with its "character funnel." The "character funnel" starts players off with 2-4 level-0 characters; incompetent farmers and blacksmiths venturing unprepared into a dungeon. Any who manage to climb from -100 XP to 1 XP graduate into 1st-level characters, and become full-time members of the campaign.

I adore this system, but prefer Basic Fantasy to DCC. So I cooked up a Basic Fantasy version! Download the pdf, which includes character sheets and everything you need to generate a character. You can also download a computer-fillable sheet.

For more about the design of this, please see my blog post.

EDIT (August 1): Version 1.2 is up. Added Occupations table, fixed typos, adjusted layout.
EDIT 2 (August 1):Version 1.3 is up. Added ability array, fixed minor errors.
EDIT 3 (August 7): Version 1.4 is up. Changed race generation frequency, added racial bonuses to saving throws.
EDIT 5 (March 10): Version 1.5 is up. Improves character generation to avoid "boring" characters. Also renumbered the tables, and fixed a few typos.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:18 pm
by MedievalMan
You sir are my hero. Downloaded and saved.

I really liked the idea of the character funnel, but I don't really like the DCC system. I just prefer BF. SO this is perfect for me. Good work!

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:51 pm
by Hywaywolf
Looks like fun.

On step 5, how many times do you roll the d20?

Also, if you put prices in on that chart as well, it would make chargen so much easier.
AC should just be 11 for no armor (normal man). Pick it up in the dungeon as you kill stuff.
For weapons, it would be cool if rolled on a chart consisting of stuff like pitchforks, cudgels, staves, slings, jawbone of an ass, blacksmith hammer, etc. Then they could pick up better weapons as they killed stuff in the dungeon.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:31 pm
by Blazeguard
Just curious - what is it that you don't like about DCC?

I picked up the pdf but I haven't had a chance to read through it yet.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:35 pm
by xav++
I think I might do that but as tryouts as to who can play in my games! But how would this work? Your players run a ton of characters and those that live go on to play?

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:40 pm
by MedievalMan
I just prefer BF, I do need to reread DCC. Its been awhile since I last read it.

Also Xav. Its pretty simple, group of weak characters go in. Few stronger survivors come out. Its a beautiful concept.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:41 pm
by xav++
That is pretty cool. :lol: I wanna do it.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:45 pm
by Steveman
It is hella fun. My only experience with DCC is running through the funnel.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:50 pm
by Hywaywolf
I think I would have a sinkhole appear in the middle of the village market square and have 4 time how ever many players I have fall into the pit and slide down into a dungeon and the slide close in behind them. various common place items fall in with them, some food, pitchforks, cudgels, staves, slings, jawbone of an ass, blacksmith hammer, various items from different market stalls, etc. All of that is the stuff they roll for in their haste to arm themselves before heading into the dungean looking for a way out.

Then its just hack and slash in a straight path thru the dungeons until each player only has one character left. At the end, add 1 ability point to every ability score ( i so dislike straight 3d6 for rolling PCs :) ) and then select your character class for that character and start normal play.

Re: Basic Fantasy Character Funnel

Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:53 pm
by xav++
Hywaywolf wrote:I think I would have a sinkhole appear in the middle of the village market square and have 4 time how ever many players I have fall into the pit and slide down into a dungeon and the slide close in behind them. various common place items fall in with them, some food, pitchforks, cudgels, staves, slings, jawbone of an ass, blacksmith hammer, various items from different market stalls, etc. All of that is the stuff they roll for in their haste to arm themselves before heading into the dungean looking for a way out.

Then its just hack and slash in a straight path thru the dungeons until each player only has one character left. At the end, add 1 ability point to every ability score ( i so dislike straight 3d6 for rolling PCs :) ) and then select your character class for that character and start normal play.
ooooh thats how I'm doing it.(if you don't mind me stealing your idea)