Cthulhu Eternal: Character Creation Reference

This document contains the core logic and data for creating Protagonists in the Cthulhu Eternal system. Use this as a schema/reference for character generation logic.

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1. Core Statistics (Stats)

Protagonists have six core statistics.

Stat	Name	Description
STR	Strength	Physical power.
CON	Constitution	Health and resilience.
DEX	Dexterity	Agility and coordination.
INT	Intelligence	Memory and reasoning.
POW	Power	Willpower and psychic resilience.
CHA	Charisma	Charm and leadership.

Generation: Roll 4D6 (drop lowest) for each stat.

Alternative — Points-Based Allocation: Instead of rolling, distribute 72 points freely across the six stats. Each stat must be at least 3 and no higher than 18.

Distinguishing Features

A stat of 8 or below, or 13 or above (i.e., outside the average range of 9–12), is exceptional and grants a Distinguishing Feature — a descriptor that reflects how that stat manifests physically or mentally. Features in the average range (9–12 inclusive) are not listed on the character sheet.

Statistic	3–4	5–8	9–12	13–16	17–18
Strength	Feeble	Weak	(Average)	Muscular	Huge
Constitution	Bedridden	Sickly	(Average)	Perfect Health	Indefatigable
Dexterity	Barely Mobile	Clumsy	(Average)	Nimble	Acrobatic
Intelligence	Imbecilic	Slow	(Average)	Perceptive	Brilliant
Power	Spineless	Nervous	(Average)	Strong-Willed	Indomitable
Charisma	Unbearable	Awkward	(Average)	Charming	Magnetic

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2. Derived Attributes

Attribute	Calculation
Hit Points (HP)	ceil((STR + CON) / 2)
Willpower (WP)	POW
Sanity (SAN)	POW × 5 (Normal) or POW × 4 (Harsh/Very Harsh)
Breaking Point	SAN - POW
Damage Bonus	STR 1–4: −2; 5–8: −1; 9–12: 0; 13–16: +1; 17–18: +2
Max SAN	99 - Unnatural skill
Recovery SAN	POW × 5 (always)

Incidents of SAN loss

Violence ☐ ☐ ☐

Helplessness ☐ ☐ ☐

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3. Upbringing & Adversity

Upbringing dictates starting skill modifiers and SAN.

Upbringing	Stat Bonus	SAN	Adversity Skill Picks
Normal(-ish)	None	POW × 5	0
Harsh	+1 to STR or CON	POW × 4	1 pick (+20%)
Very Harsh	+1 to both STR and CON	POW × 4	2 picks (+20%)

Adversity Skills can only be used to increase: First Aid, Military Training, Regional Lore, Survival.

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4. Skills & Bonus Picks

Every Protagonist starts with 10 Bonus Picks.

Use	Effect
Standard	Each pick adds +20% to a skill (max 80% at character creation).
Resource	Sacrifice a Bonus Pick to increase Resources (see below).
Bond	Sacrifice a Bonus Pick to increase a Community Bond (see below).

Special Skills

• Unnatural: Base 0%. Cannot be increased with Bonus Picks.

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5. Resources & Bonds

Resources (Rating 0–20)

Starting value is defined by the Archetype:

Starting Level	Resources Value
Poor	5
Average	10
Wealthy	15

Improving Resources with Bonus Picks:

• First Pick: +5 to Resources.
• Subsequent Picks: +2 to Resources.
• Capacity Cap: Regardless of rating, the maximum breakdown is 6 / 6 / 8 (At Hand / Stowed / In Storage).

Resources Capacity Table

This table dictates how many items of significant cost/rarity a Protagonist can maintain.

Resource Rating	At Hand / Stowed / In Storage	Check Boxes
0	0 / 0 / 0	0
1	1 / 0 / 0	1
2	2 / 0 / 0	1
3	3 / 0 / 0	1
4	4 / 0 / 0	1
5	5 / 0 / 0	1
6	6 / 0 / 0	1
7	6 / 1 / 0	2
8	6 / 2 / 0	2
9	6 / 3 / 0	2
10	6 / 4 / 0	2
11	6 / 5 / 0	2
12	6 / 6 / 0	2
13	6 / 6 / 1	3
14	6 / 6 / 2	3
15	6 / 6 / 3	3
16	6 / 6 / 4	3
17	6 / 6 / 5	3
18	6 / 6 / 6	3
19	6 / 6 / 7	3
20+	6 / 6 / 8+	3

Bonds

Number of Bonds is defined by the Archetype.

Bond Type	Starting Rating	Represents
Individual Bond	CHA	Specific people.
Community Bond	Resources / 2	Organizations, churches, or neighborhoods.

Improving Community Bonds with Bonus Picks:

• First Pick: +5 to a Community Bond.
• Subsequent Picks: +2 to a Community Bond.

Note: Individual Bonds cannot be increased with Bonus Picks — they are tied to CHA.