Creating Higher Level Characters

Not every campaign will begin at first level, so sometimes you need to build a character of higher level. Building a character of higher level is relatively easy, as it starts by building a Standard Character and then using the Character Advancement instructions to level them up to the appropriate level.

When starting a higher level campaign, your GM will give you an Experience Value that your character will start at. This experience value will determine your character's level at the start of the adventure, based on your Experience Rating. Since high attributes and character options can increase you Experience Rating, the base experience for a particular level will change from character to character.

To build your higher level character, first build your character at first level. You should include and First Level Talents that you would like to apply to your character. Once you've completed the first level version of your character, you will have determined your character's Experience Rating. You can then determine your character's level, based on the Experience Value given by your GM and your character's Experience Rating. Your result (rounded down) will determine your character's level.

Character Level = Experience Value ÷ (Experience Rating x 500)

For example, if your Experience Value was 8000 and your Experience Rating was 4, your character would be 4th level (4 x 500 = 2000, 8000 ÷ 2000 = 4). If your Experience Rating was 4.5, however, due to higher than average attributes, your character would be 3rd level (4.5 x 500 = 2250, 8000 ÷ 2250 = 3 rounded down).

Once you've determined your character's level, you can then use the Character Advancement guidelines to increase your character's level. Here are a few other considerations for creating characters of higher level.

Equipment: Your GM should provide you with equipment guidelines for your character, but you are typically granted approximately 100gp per level worth of equipment to start. You will typically not start with Magic Items, unless your GM says otherwise.
Destiny Points: Your GM should provide you with an appropriate Destiny Point total for you level, but on average you should be granted one for every even level plus two.
Talents: With your given Destiny Points, you may be able to purchase higher level Talents. If your talent requires some type of special training, it is generally assumed that your character would have had a chance to receive that training, but check with your GM to be sure.