Character creation challenge day 7

 Day 7

System: Adventurer Conqueror King System (ACKS)

Ability scores rolled: 5, 10, 13, 12, 13, 15

Starting gold: 110 gp

ACKS is very similar to classic (B/X and BECMI) D&D, with some AD&D influences thrown in. Abilities are 3d6 in order, with 2-for-1 point trading to raise prime requisites. These scores seem good enough for a bard character, one of the "campaign classes" listed after the four core classes in the rule book. With both Dexterity and Charisma as prime requisites, it makes sense to sacrifice a couple points of Wisdom to bump Dex up to 13 and get the 5% XP bonus. An ACKS bard rolls 1d6 for hit points, with a result in this case of 6. 

Cerith Rainsong, 1st level bard

Strength 5 (-2 to melee attack and damage rolls)

Intelligence 10

Wisdom 11

Dexterity 13 (+1 to missile attack rolls, AC, and initiative)

Constitution 13 (+1 hp per die)

Charisma 15 (+1 to reactions, number of retainers, and retainer morale)

AC 3  (ascending, from base of 0)     Hit points: 7        Alignment: Lawful

Leather armor, short sword, dagger, sling, lyre, backpack, standard rations, 2 water skins, mirror, lantern, 3 flasks of oil, 8 gp left.

Special abilities: Inspire courage 50' radius (+1 attack, damage, morale, and saves against fear for allies)  once per day per level.

Proficiences: Adventuring, Performance (instrument,) Loremastery, Arcane Dabbling, Healing, Mystic Aura

Height: 5'0"        Weight 105 lbs.        Age: 22

A former street urchin whose talent for music saved her from a life of petty thievery. Light-hearted and optimistic, with a streak of mischief.

This one took a while, due to having to pore over the proficiency lists. I can hardly believe I once liked this sort of skill system in my game! It really drags out the character creation process, and a beginning ACKS character only gets two proficiencies plus Intelligence bonus (besides free ones from certain classes, such as the bard.) I've evolved so far past those old preferences that I highly doubt I'd be keen to play ACKS as written, despite its classic D&D pedigree.

On the plus side, I really like this iteration of the bard class, which manages to be flavorful and useful without kludging in spellcasting. The Inspire Courage ability seems pretty straightforward and fitting, and the Loremastery and Arcane Dabbling skills make for a character who gathers trivia and odd knowledge like an intellectual packrat. I'd just prefer they be built in as a class feature rather than through the proficiency system.