The Character

To describe a character in Amar RPG, we use Characteristics, Attributes, and Skills - three hierarchical tiers that build upon each other.

The Three-Tier System

Amar RPG organizes all character abilities into three tiers:

Characteristics (Tier 1)

The fundamental nature of a being: BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT

Attributes (Tier 2)

Grouped abilities under each characteristic (e.g., Strength, Melee Combat, Intelligence, Casting)

Skills (Tier 3)

Specific trained abilities under each attribute (e.g., Climb, Problem Solving, Litteracy)

The Characteristics

BODY

The physical nature of the character's body - strength, endurance, agility.

Attributes under BODY:

• Strength - Physical power and lifting capability
  • Skills: Carrying, Weight Lifting, Wield Weapon
• Endurance - Physical resilience and stamina
  • Skills: Fortitude, Combat Tenacity, Running, Poison Resistance
• Athletics - Coordination and physical movement
  • Skills: Hide, Move Quietly, Climb, Swim, Ride, Jump, Balance, Tumble
• Melee Combat - Close-quarters fighting
  • Skills: Specific weapons/combinations
• Missile Combat - Ranged weaponry
  • Skills: Specific weapons
• Sleight - Fine motor skills and dexterity
  • Skills: Pick Pockets, Stage Magic, Disarm Traps

MIND

The mental capabilities of the character - intelligence, knowledge, awareness, and willpower.

Attributes under MIND:

• Intelligence - Reasoning and problem-solving
  • Skills: Innovation, Problem Solving
• Nature Knowledge - Understanding of natural world and magic
  • Skills: Medical Lore, Plant Lore, Animal Lore, Animal Handling, Magick Rituals, Alchemy
• Social Knowledge - Cultural and linguistic understanding
  • Skills: Social Lore, Spoken Language, Literacy, Mythology, Legend Lore
• Practical Knowledge - Applied survival and craft skills
  • Skills: Survival Lore, Set Traps, Ambush, Crafting skills
• Awareness - Perception and awareness of one's surroundings
  • Skills: Reaction Speed, Alertness, Tracking, Detect Traps, Sense Emotions, Sense Ambush, Sense of Direction, Sense Magick, Listening
• Willpower - Mental fortitude and determination
  • Skills: Pain Tolerance, Courage, Hold Breath, Mental Fortitude

SPIRIT

The magical and spiritual nature of the character - spellcasting ability and divine connection.

Attributes under SPIRIT:

• Casting - Magical manipulation of spells
  • Skills: Range, Duration, Area of Effect, Weight, Number of Targets
• Attunement - Elemental and magical resonance
  • Skills: Self, Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Life, Death, etc.
• Innate - Inborn magical abilities
  • Skills: Flying, Camouflage, Shape Shifting, race-specific abilities
• Worship - Connection to deities and entities
  • Skills: Specific Gods and major entities

Numbers and Ratings

The general description of the character such as appearance, weight and height is determined freely by the player. The GM may wish to exclude extremes.

The characteristics, attributes, and skills of a character are rated by numbers. Human potential varies by tier:

• Characteristics: 0-3
• Attributes: 0-5
• Skills: 0-8+

The mean human value is 1 for characteristics, 2 for attributes (ages 15-30).

SIZE remains a special attribute determined from weight (not purchased with points):

Size

Size	Kgs	Size	Kgs	Size	Kgs
½	< 10	6	< 300	12	< 1000
1	< 20	7	< 400	13	< 1150
2	< 50	8	< 500	14	< 1300
3	< 100	9	< 600	15	< 1450
4	< 150	10	< 725	16	< 1600
5	< 225	11	< 850	+1	+200

Optional Rule: Half-Size Points

For more granular size representation, GMs may use half-size increments between the standard SIZE values. This provides finer detail for creatures and characters whose weight falls between the standard thresholds.

Half-Size Table (SIZE 0.5 to 8)

Size	Weight (kg)	Size	Weight (kg)	Size	Weight (kg)
0.5	< 10	3.5	75-99	6.5	263-299
1	10-14	4	100-124	7	300-349
1.5	15-19	4.5	125-149	7.5	350-399
2	20-34	5	150-187	8	400-449
2.5	35-49	5.5	188-224	8.5	450-499
3	50-74	6	225-262

Note: This optional system is used in the Amar RPG online tools for precise NPC generation.

To get an idea of skill ratings:

Skill Ratings

Skill	Description
0	Untrained
1	Novice
2	Trained some
4	Competent
5	Well trained
7	Professional
12	Master
16	Legendary

Making a Character

To create a new character, use the following starting values:

Characteristics: Choose to start with 1 in two characteristics, 0 in the third

• Example: BODY 1, MIND 1, SPIRIT 0

Attributes: Distribute these values: 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1

• Assign them to attributes under your chosen characteristics
• Example with BODY 1, MIND 1: Strength 3, Endurance 2, Intelligence 2, Awareness 1, Willpower 1, Athletics 1

Skills: Distribute these values: 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1

• All characters start with 2 in Spoken Language (native tongue) - add any skill points on top of this
• Example: Climb 3, Carrying 2, Fortitude 2, Problem Solving 2, Reaction Speed 1, Running 1, Literacy 1, Tracking 1, Swim 1, plus Spoken Language 2 (base)

Total Skills

When we talk about the total value for a skill, we mean: The Skill value pluss its corresponding Attribute value and its corresponding Characteristic value.

• Example: The total in Fortitude would be the PC's value in Fortitude + Endurance + BODY
• Example: The total in Dodge would be Dodge + Melee Combat + BODY
• Example: The total in Reaction Speed = Reaction Speed + Awareness + MIND

If a character has MIND of 2, Awareness of 1 and Reaction Speed of 0, the total for Reaction Speed would be 3.

We always use the total Skill value for rolls. Never the Attribute or the Characteristic. Success is determined by the total Skill pluss a dice roll.

Character Sheets

To make and record a character, use the Character Sheet. Mark training and experience with a pencil.

Advancement System

Amar RPG uses a marks-based advancement where progress cascades upward through the tiers.

Gaining Marks

Skills gain marks through use and training:

• 1 mark for attempting a skill where a dice roll of 1 or more is required
• 2 marks for five consecutive attempts at using a skill
• Training with a teacher (one week): 2 marks
• Training without a teacher (one week): 1 mark for BODY skills, ½ mark for MIND/SPIRIT skills

Attributes gain marks from skill advancement:

• When a skill increases a level, it gives 1 mark to its parent attribute
• Training: Half the rate of skills (1 mark with teacher, ½ mark solo for BODY, ¼ for MIND/SPIRIT)

Characteristics gain marks from attribute advancement:

• When an attribute increases a level, it gives 1 mark to its parent characteristic
• Training: Half the rate of attributes

Mark Conversion

You can convert 3 marks at one tier to 1 mark at the tier above:

• 3 skill marks = 1 attribute mark
• 3 attribute marks = 1 characteristic mark

Advancing to Next Level

To advance from level N to the next level (N+1):

• Requires 5 × (N+1) marks
• Example: Going from 4 to 5 in Climb requires 5 × 5 = 25 marks
• When marks are reached, roll d6 - you must roll 2 or higher to advance (roll all but a 1)

Key Modifiers

These derived values are calculated:

Body Points (BP): SIZE × 2 + Fortitude/3

• Wounded (½ BP): -2 to all rolls
• Heavily Wounded (¼ BP): -4 to all rolls
• 0 BP: Helpless
• Negative BP: Unconscious
• Minus total BP: Dead
• Bleeding: Roll d6 every minute. On 1, lose 1 BP

Damage Bonus (DB): (SIZE + Wield Weapon)/3

Magick Defense (MD): (Mental Fortitude + Attunement Self)/3

Encumbrance

Based on Carrying skill (under BODY → Strength):

• Up to 2 × Carrying value: No penalty
• Up to 5 × Carrying value: -1 penalty
• Up to 10 × Carrying value: -3 penalty
• Up to 20 × Carrying value: -5 penalty
• Swimming: All weight multiplied by 5

Fear and Courage

Fear checks use the total Courage skill (under MIND → Willpower).

Roll Courage + d6 vs. the fear-inducing creature's DR:

• Success: No effect
• Failure by 1: -1 to actions this round
• Failure by 2: -1 to actions for two rounds
• Failure by 3: -1 to actions for three rounds
• Failure by 4: Frozen for 1 round
• Failure by 5+: Flee in panic
• Critical Failure: Heart attack (Endurance check or unconscious)

Roll each round in presence of fear source until Success. A negative effects are cumulative.

Skill Rolls

The core mechanic uses the O6 (Open d6) system: d6 + Attribute + Skill vs. DR

O6 Rolling Procedure:

1. Roll a d6
2. On a 6: Continue rolling. As long as you roll 4, 5, or 6, add +1 to your total. Stop when you roll 1, 2, or 3
3. On a 1: Continue rolling. As long as you roll 1, 2, or 3, subtract 1 from your total. Stop when you roll 4, 5, or 6
4. Two consecutive 6s: Critical success (can occur during the extended roll)
5. Two consecutive 1s: Fumble (can occur during the extended roll)

Example O6 Rolls:

• Roll: 1, 1, 5 = 0 & Fumble
• Roll: 1, 5 = 1
• Roll: 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 4 = -5
• Roll: 2 = 2
• Roll: 6, 2 = 6
• Roll: 6, 5, 1 = 7
• Roll: 6, 6, 5, 2 = 8 & Critical
• Roll: 6, 4, 4, 6, 5, 2 = 10

Complete Skill Check:

When making a skill check, roll: O6 + Total Skill vs DR

Example: Climbing a cliff (DR 8) with BODY 1, Athletics 2 and Climb 3

• Roll O6: 6, 5, 2 = 7
• Total: 7 + 2 (Athletics) + 3 (Climb) + 1 (BODY) = 13
• Result: Success (13 ≥ 8)

Skill Criticals and Fumbles

Combat has its own Critical and Fumble tables (see Combat). For general, non-combat skill rolls, use the tables below. On a Critical (two consecutive 6s) or a Fumble (two consecutive 1s), roll for the category (1 to 6) first, then for the specific entry (1 to 6). If a result does not fit the task, take the row above on the Critical table or the row below on the Fumble table.

Notation: O is the O6 total of the triggering roll; D is a plain d6; a "mark" is one experience mark.

Skill Criticals

1, Impression (how it looks to onlookers)

d6	Result
1	Clean work, a small flourish, people notice
2	Impressive, one ally gets +1 on their next related roll
3	Very impressive, allies get +1 on related rolls for the next D rounds
4	Inspiring, allies get +3 on their next related roll
5	Renowned, word spreads, +3 reaction from those who hear of it
6	Legendary, the feat becomes a story (lasting reputation boon, GM's discretion)

2, Efficiency (speed and resources)

d6	Result
1	Brisk, the task takes 3/4 the normal time
2	Quick, half the time
3	Swift, a quarter of the time
4	Frugal, uses half the expected materials
5	Effortless, no resources consumed, or a free follow-up action
6	Instant, a fraction of the time and minimal resources

3, Increased effect (quality beyond the goal)

d6	Result
1	Solid, clearly beat the DR
2	Fine, one grade of quality better
3	Excellent, effective result raised by +O
4	Superior, markedly better than asked (GM: one grade up)
5	Masterful, double the intended magnitude or quality
6	Flawless, treat as the best possible outcome

4, Added effect (a bonus beyond the task)

d6	Result
1	You learn something useful, +1 on the next related attempt
2	You spot an extra detail or opportunity (GM reveals a clue)
3	The result also helps an ally or the next task, +3 there
4	You clear a secondary minor objective for free
5	You create a reusable advantage (a shortcut, a sample, a mark made)
6	Windfall, an unexpected tangible bonus (GM's discretion)

5, Special (lasting or unusual boon)

d6	Result
1	Insight, +1 to this skill until the next session
2	Breakthrough, gain 1 experience mark in the skill
3	Reputation, witnesses remember you favorably
4	Keepsake, you gain a useful by-product or token
5	Teaching moment, an ally also gains a mark in this skill
6	Epiphany, gain 1 mark now and your next attempt is at +3

6, Roll twice on this table (ignoring any subsequent 6s), and add one experience mark.

Skill Fumbles

1, Roll twice on this table (ignoring any subsequent 1s), and subtract one experience mark.

2, Setback (lost progress or time)

d6	Result
1	Slow, the task takes 1.5x the time
2	Clumsy start, lose your next action or restart the step
3	Wasted effort, double the time
4	Lost ground, undo the last increment of progress
5	Stalled, start the task over from scratch
6	Dead end, this approach will not work, find another method

3, Unwanted effect (tools, materials, surroundings)

d6	Result
1	Scuff, minor cosmetic damage to a tool or the work
2	Damage a tool or the materials, usable but at -1 until repaired
3	Tool jammed or stuck, fix-roll DR 10 to recover
4	Ruin the materials, consumables spent for nothing
5	Break your tool, needs repair or replacement
6	Collateral mishap, you damage something nearby (GM's discretion)

4, Personal cost (only if the task could plausibly harm you)

d6	Result
1	Off balance, -1 to your actions next round
2	Strained, -1 to this skill until you rest
3	Tweaked, Status -3 until Medical Lore DR 8 or an hour's rest
4	Rattled, -3 to related actions for D rounds
5	Hurt, take D damage fitting the task (a slip, cut, or burn)
6	Badly hurt, take O damage and -3 to actions for the scene

5, Added effect (the problem spreads)

d6	Result
1	Your slip hinders an ally, they are at -1 on their related roll
2	It compounds, the next related roll is at -3
3	False confidence, you believe you succeeded until it matters
4	You waste a resource an ally was counting on
5	You create a hazard others must work around (GM's discretion)
6	Cascade, a second thing goes wrong as a result

6, Impression (social and morale)

d6	Result
1	Awkward, it looks clumsy
2	Botched, onlookers snicker
3	You make a fool of yourself, laughter is heard
4	Bad showing, allies -1 to related rolls for the round
5	Embarrassing, -3 reaction with witnesses for the scene
6	Humiliating, word spreads (lasting reputation ding, GM's discretion)

Playable Races

See the race pages for racial modifiers:

• Human - Balanced, 2 bonus skill points
• Elf - +1 SPIRIT characteristic
• Dwarf - +1 BODY characteristic
• Others - See individual race pages

See Also

• Legacy_The_Character - The legacy system
• Magick - The magick system
• Incantation_Magic - Incantation rules
• - Race options and modifiers