Defining a Hero

Heroes are the people at the center of the narrative in From Gods to Gold.

Step One: Create an Image

First you create an image for the hero, think of this as a line of text that best sums up who they are, what you might think after just meeting them. This could be anything from “rogue warrior without a master” to “petty thief and lover”. Let this image shape the rest of the choices which follow, take direction from it.

Step Two: Develop Traits

Second, you develop between two to five traits for your hero. Each trait is something special about your hero, these fall into the types: Aspects, Disciplines, and Features.

Aspects are the special properties of your hero, the things that allow them to do the spectacular. Strength, Speed, and Agility are all physical aspects for instance; while Patience, Cunning, and Wisdom are mental aspects. A hero has always inherited or developed each Aspect from someone in their lives.

Disciplines are extensive training in some profession or wide area of ability. A valid discipline is Blacksmith, Soldier, or Farmer, and also areas of ability like: Wilderness, Problem Solving, and Carousing. A hero has always learned each Discipline from someone in their lives.

Features are the conspicuous qualities of a hero, ones that both help and hinder them depending on the situation. Vices such as Gluttony and Wrath are features, as are Virtues like Honor and Compassion. Features must motivate the Hero to action. A hero has always discovered or developed their features by interaction with someone in their lives.