Not any more, bub, what with the UPC Bar Code Character Generater. Just take a UPC barcode, key it into the page (or scan it with a wand, I suppose, if your PC is so equipped), and get a fully-fleshed-out PC or NPC, complete with stats and background. Cool.
So, for example, the copy of Starship Troopers I’m reading at the moment produces …
STR: 17 [+3]
DEX: 11 [+0]
CON: 11 [+0]
INT: 14 [+2]
WIS: 7 [-2]
CHA: 17 [+3]
Total ability modifier: +6
Where you were raised: (see Hero Builder’s Guide for details)
Temperature Zone: Cold (arctic or subarctic)
Terrain: Forest
Community Size: Religious, Arcane, Monastic, or Military Compound
Family notes:
Economic Status: Military Support
Social Standing: Positive Religious, Arcane, Monastic or Military Affiliation
Family Defense Readiness: Rudimentary
Private Ethics: Fair
Public Ethics: Normal
Religious Commitment: Strong
Reputation: Unknown
Political Views: Enfranchised
Power Structure: Divided
Ancestors of Note: Villian
Education:
Early Childhood Instruction: Arts
Formal Education: Agriculture
Learning a Trade: Hunter/Trapper
Life Events (thus far):
Early Childhood events: Became a Refugee
Youth Events: Crime
Pivotal Events: No Pivotal Events
Relationships:
Parents: Adoptive or Foster Parents
Siblings: Only Child
Grandparents: One Grandparent on Each Side Alive
Extended Family: Few Living Relatives
Friends: No Friends
Enemies: Jilted Lover
Instructors: No Instructors of Note
Again, cool (and a few amusing parallels to the source book, which is pure coincidence).
(via SfAD)
This is too cool Dave.
Actually, the randomizer is cool, but I like all the character description bits to use as a template.
Well, as I just finished rereading RAH’s uncut version of The Puppet Masters:
Gender: Female
Race: Human (Height: 5’0″, Weight: 113 lbs.)
STR: 8 [-1]
DEX: 14 [+2]
CON: 11 [+0]
INT: 12 [+1]
WIS: 16 [+3]
CHA: 13 [+1]
Total ability modifier: +6
Where you were raised: (see Hero Builder’s Guide for details)
Temperature Zone: Warm (tropical and subtropical)
Terrain: Nomadic People
Community Size: Large Town
Family notes:
Economic Status: Poor
Social Standing: Positive Religious, Arcane, Monastic or Military Affiliation
Family Defense Readiness: None
Private Ethics: Good
Public Ethics: Normal
Religious Commitment: Historical
Reputation: Bad
Political Views: Enfranchised
Power Structure: Divided
Ancestors of Note: Unsuccessful Merchant
Education:
Early Childhood Instruction: Book Learning
Formal Education: Math
Learning a Trade: Arcanist
Life Events (thus far):
Early Childhood events: Injury or Physical Defect
Youth Events: Great Romance
Pivotal Events: No Pivotal Events
Relationships:
Parents: Two Living Parents
Siblings: 3 older brothers & 1 younger sister
Grandparents: At Least one Great-Grandparent & Three Grandparents Alive
Extended Family: Few Living Relatives
Friends: Some
Enemies: Arcane Rival
Instructors: Exotic