Anyone ever attempt adapting GURPS to a random character creation system or lifepath generation style?

Because of the STAR TREK mini-campaign that I'm about to run I've decided to try and adapt the old FASA lifepath character creation outline to GURPS mechanics.

After I do that  - thinking about doing a version meant for any background or setting. The main inspiration for this would both be classic TRAVELLER character creation and FASA character creation for Star Trek RPG.


Anyone have good suggestions or tip for this sort of thing?


I am basically adapting or converting a percentile system to a 3D6 system....and trying to get the percentages and probabilities to be roughly equal.


- Ed C.

Well, I'd imagine you could assign ten points a year or some such thing.  Build a random event table and a random talent table or two, a physical one and a mental one I'd think.

I've often thought about building a GURPS sorter where you answer questions and are given abilities as a result, generally in the context of superheroes.

For instance:
Where are you from?  (First World Nation, Third World Nation, Hidden Realm, Another Planet, Another Dimension)

What is the nature of your powers?  (Devices, Implants, Genetic Engineering, Racially Innate, Mutation, Magically Bestowed, Exceptional Training, Spells)

What do your powers do?  (Various Packages)

This is similiar to the current system of lenses and templates but it would be built with fixed points per question so the character would be complete at the end of answering the questions.

This could probably be done with life paths as well.

At the moment I am working on this for Starfleet Academy graduate characters for the STAR TREK universe. If you remember that system there were plenty of spots where dice had to be rolled as you went along. There were also spots where you got or 'learned' skills automatically while going through Basic Academy and Branch schools.


I may later concoct a "lighter" version of this pseudo-TRAVELLER style and for Modern-day games.

At the end of the character creation I hope to have 10 to 20 points leftover that a player can apply toward whatever they want to sort of balance things out.


- Ed C.

Why not just make the modules uniform?

I know some people prefer some customization but if its done by picking packages why leave loose points dangling?

Quote from: David Johansen;351730Why not just make the modules uniform?

I know some people prefer some customization but if its done by picking packages why leave loose points dangling?

Because I still like some loose points to give the characters individuality and personality. Thats where the quirks, trivia and connoisseur skills come into play and get chosen.


- Ed C.

I'd even stuff those into packages.

Chapter 11 in the 3e GURPS Basic book deals with random character creation.  Also, in chapter 7 under the section Meaning of Skill Levels, there is a chart which gives the percentage chance of success for a 3d6 roll.  You could use these two sections as a basis for your conversion.