Character Creation
This section outlines the basic process of creating characters in RPGs made using SPURG.
Character Points
Characters made using the SPURG ruleset do not follow any kind of "class" or "level" limitation. Instead, characters are built using Character Points (CP), which are spent on improving Ability Scores and purchasing Skills and Benefits. CP can also be gained by lowering Ability Scores or by applying Drawbacks.
In general, only players need to worry about how much CP their characters start with. It is recommended for GMs creating NPCs that the character be created simply based on what the GM believes the character should have, and then calculate the points afterward, rather than trying to work within a limited number.
While some attempt at balance has been considered when determining the CP value of Ability Scores, Skills, Benefits, and Drawbacks, it should be noted that rarity and the difficulty of acquiring a given advantage are prioritized over any kind of balance in terms of combat effectiveness, for example. This is because the RPG, and the GM running it, will place greatly varying priorities on what is most useful to a given character. For disadvantageous traits, such as reduced Ability Scores or Drawbacks, value is based upon expected detriment to a character's goals.
Starting Character Points
How much CP player characters start with is decided by the GM, assuming any restriction is put in place. A general guideline on general character competency or "power" is as follows, bearing in mind the above comments on balance:
- "Normal" every-day people one would typically meet in real life generally have up to 50 CP.
- Particularly competent or noteworthy characters with greater agency, such as the protagonists in a fairly realistic story, might have up to 100 CP.
- Heroic or villainous (but not impossible) characters in stories of high adventure might have up to 300 CP.
- Powerful characters of myth and legend, such as superheroes and demigods, may have 500 or more CP.
It is recommended that player characters not have Drawbacks which grant them more than half of their base starting CP — for example, if a character starts with 100 CP, they should not have Drawbacks with a value totaling more than -50 CP.
Character Advancement
There is no one prescribed way to handle character "advancement" or growth, except to note that, different from some videogame or wargame-based RPGs, SPURG lends itself more to RPGs where organic and narrative-driven character development is the norm. In this case, it is possible characters may lose Character Points as the story progresses, or they may gain CP by removing Drawbacks. It is suggested that GMs using SPURG-based RPGs award player characters 1 to 5 CP per several-hour play session, or else determine character growth and advancement situationally, such as by granting the Contact Benefit, or improving a skill which was used to great success during the session.