Frothing Fascination: Character Creation (WIP DG HACK)

2026-05-14

Procedure (?) for creating characters for my Delta Green hack. Ideally done at the table with the whole group together.

Character Creation

Roll 3d6 for EMPATHY
Roll 3d6 for (WILL)POWER

Multiply EMPATHY by FIVE to calculate starting and maximum SANITY. Keep track of EMPATHY times FIVE.

Multiply POWER by FIVE and keep track of POWER times FIVE.

Choose / come up with a background or career. Roll on the scenarios list of relevant backgrounds.

d10	Generic Backgrounds
1	Investigator.
2	Occultist.
3	Bureaucrat.
4	Psychologist.
5	Academic.
6	Veteran.
7	Con Man.
8	Artist.
9	Non-Physical Laborer
0	Physical Laborer.

Use the result to come up with a more specific background. IE: investigator -> You run a burgeoning social media account that investigates paranormal rumors. If you'd like more direction roll on the tables below as needed.

d10	You work for/in
1	Self Employed.
2	Private Corporation.
3	Public Sector.
4	Government Agency.
5	Educational Instituation.
6	Content Creator.
7	Unemployed.
8	Minimum Wage.
9	Health Care.
0	Entertainment.

d10	Occupational Group Sparks
1	Business and Financial.
2	Community and Social Services.
3	Computer and Information Technology.
4	Education or Library.
5	Media or Entertainment.
6	Maintenance and Repair.
7	Retail or Food Service.
8	Transportation.
9	Arts and Design.
0	Protective Services.

From these results write a sentence that describes your characters background and occupation.

Use that description to come up with FIVE skills and THREE faults. Roll (2d6*5) FIVE times and assign the results to each of your skills. If applicable take a look at the skills the Investigation seeks. Roll (2d6*5) THREE times and assign them to your faults.

Come up with three BONDS. BONDS are your connection to humanity. BONDS start at a value equal to your EMPATHY and can never go higher than your EMPATHY. When a relationship with a BOND reaches zero, your relationship with that person is not salvageable.

Come up with three MOTIVATIONS. MOTIVATIONS can drive you further than you thought possible. MOTIVATIONS start equal to your POWER but they can increase beyond your POWER. Relate at least one of these to your curiosity for the unnatural.

d3	Age
1	Young Adult - Start With an Extra Bond
2	Middle Aged - Start With an Extra Skill
3	Retirment Age - Start with an Extra Motivation

Additional Tables to help Character Creation

Bonds Sparks

d6	Relationship Type
1	Friend
2	Family
3	Coworker
4	Partner
5	Rival
6	Romantic

d4	Relationship Dynamic
1	Mentor
2	Mentee
3	Peer
4	Boss

d4	Relationship Location
1	Work
2	Hobby
3	Neighborhood / Local
4	Long Distance

Skill Sparks

d8	Skill Type
1	Interpersonal
2	Technological
3	Field of Study
4	Superstition
5	Extensive Training
6	Sport and Physical
7	Career
8	Hobby

d8	Skill Use
1	Inflicting Harm
2	Subterfuge
3	Analysis
4	Arts
5	Extensive Training
6	Tool Use and Operation
7	Diagnosis and Repair
8	Defensive

Motivation Sparks

d8	Motivation
1	Glory
2	Pride
3	Selfless
4	Selfish
5	Ideological
6	Fascination
7	Shame or Guilt
8	Love

Faults Sparks

d3	Fault Impact
1	Minor
2	Major
3	Fatal

d8	Fault Sparks
1	Aversion
2	Fear
3	Compulsion or Habit
4	Moral
5	Judgement
6	Incompetence
7	Interpersonal
8	Physical

Final Touches

Roll a d100. If you roll over EMPATHY times FIVE (EMP*5 from now on) refer to the table below. Use the result of the ones place die.

d10	EMPATHY FAILURE
1	Turn one of your bonds into an enemy. They are actively trying to ruin your life.
2	Drop one of your bonds to 1d4.
3	Begin with an extra skill pertaining to violence.
4	Begin adapted to violence. Note it on your sheet.
5	Reduce two of your bonds by 1d6.
6	Begin with an extra skill pertaining to manipulation.
7	Begin with above average financial resources.
8	Begin with an extra fault pertaining towards connecting with others.
9	Begin with an extra fault pertaining towards self-centeredness.
0	Begin with involvement in a criminal network.

If you roll under EMP*5, start with an extra bond.

Roll a d100. If you roll over POW*5, refer to the table below.

d10	POWER FAILURE
1	A bond of your choice worries about you. They will be very interested in what you do.
2	Drop one of your motivations to 1d4.
3	Choose flight, fight, or freeze. You never react as chosen.
4	Begin adapted to helplessness. Note it on your sheet.
5	Reduce two of your motivations by 1d6.
6	Choose flight, fight, or freeze. You can always react as chosen.
7	Begin with an extra fault pertaining towards emotional regulation.
8	Begin with an extra fault pertaining towards a vice.
9	Begin with an extra fault pertaining towards self-conscious awkwardness and/or pathological doubt.
0	Begin with involvement in a cult.

If you roll under POW*5, turn one of your MOTIVATIONS into an OBSESSION.

Goals

I want this to be totally compatible with existing Delta Green adventures. My hope with this character creation procedure is that the Motivations and Faults will give the player dials to turn up or down as they go down the sanity death spiral.

This has not been play tested yet, I chose the amount of skills arbitrarily so I'll have to see how this amount works out. I expect not many people will take skills like spot hidden or notice which is fine.

To Explore

Maybe connect the characters more to each other and some shared community? The stonetop review is bouncing around in my head at the moment. Would make this a different game but worth exploring.