Welcome to Tales of Fablecraft, a wonderfully simplistic system with a great premise behind it. If you have ever wondered what if a tabletop game was more like a video game, then this system is for you! With their own dedicated Virtual Tabletop (VTT) program freely downloadable on steam, along with plenty of engaging and great Game Masters (GMs) on StartPlaying running the system, it is great for both newcomers and veterans of Tabletop RPGs (TTRPGS). 

Part of what makes this system great is how easy the character creation process is. It contains enough complexity to allow for fun build options, but is simple enough to not overwhelm the player with too many options and descriptions. Once you have found a game to join on StartPlaying, follow the step-by-step guide on how to navigate the Tales of Fablecraft VTT and create a brand new character.

Accessing The Character Creation Screen

The first step to creating a character is to access the character creation screen.

1. Download the Tales of Fablecraft VTT on Steam.
2. Log into the VTT using an account of your choice (Steam, Google, etc.)
3. Proceed to use, or skip, the in-game walkthrough of the VTT to proceed to the next step.
4. On the title screen, select the “HEROES” option, as shown below.

5. In the “HEROES” page, select the “CREATE” button to start the character creation process.

Creating A New Character

To assist in learning the character creation process, I will be providing steps to create a specific character named Leaf Longwind. The steps will show you how to create Leaf, providing you all of the knowledge and tools needed for you to create your own adventurer of myth.

1. Decide your hero's name and select the “NEXT” button. Here I will be using the name “Leaf Longwind.”
   NOTE: The button on the right side of the name input bar will create a randomized name for your character.

2. Select where you hail from. This is effectively your character’s background and will provide some benefits for your character. Each locale will have a description for the type of creatures seen from the area, what they are naturally good at, the title for creatures from the locale, and a specific spell learned by creatures from that area. These spells focus more on enhancing roleplay than providing a mechanical combat boost. 
   NOTE: You can hover your mouse over a spell to obtain its description.

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Let's pick “Wildwoods” for Leaf, giving us the spell “Whisper of the Woods.” Once picked, select the “NEXT” button to continue.

3. Now you select your character portrait. There are many provided by Tales of Fablecraft in the VTT, but, you can also upload your own. To upload your own image, select the right-facing arrow to scroll through the various premade portraits until you see a blank one with the phrase “ADD PORTRAIT.” Select that one and follow the steps in the VTT to upload and use the image you would like. Otherwise, select one of the premade options.
   
   For Leaf, let’s use the premade portrait shown below. Once picked, select the “NEXT” button to continue.

4. Now for the fun part, choosing your class. Your class provides a variety of key skills with various bonuses. These bonuses indicate the number of dice rolled when using that skill. On the right-hand side of the screen, there is a description for the class, and in the center is the class-specific spell.
   
   For Leaf, let’s choose the “NATURALIST” class, giving us key skills focused on nature and communication. We also obtain the class-specific spell “SPEAK TO NATURE,” which lets us communicate with plants or animals. Once picked, select the “NEXT” button to continue.
   
   
5. Finally we pick our combat style. This is where your actual fighting spells come from and where you get to stylize how your character fights. Each fighting style allows you to choose 1 of 3 combat spells to learn at the start of the campaign, allowing you to pick more as you level-up.
   
   For Leaf, let’s pick the “ELEMENTALIST” combat style. This provides him with access to elemental combat spells, like everyone’s favorite, FIREBALL!

Conclusion

You have officially made Leaf Longwind, a Woodlander Naturalist who focuses on Elementalist spells and is ready to make his mark on the world. Now it is time for you to create your own adventurer. Make a character you can really love, find a campaign to play in on StartPlaying, and start crafting your own fable.

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Hello, I am the Tavern Teller, an avid enjoyer of TTRPGs and a professional GM on StartPlaying with 5+ years of experience in running TTRPGs to the enjoyment of my players. Feel free to join the Tavern and check out my Discord server.