Creating Pony Characters - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: the Role Playing Game

## My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: the Role Playing Game

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### Creating Pony Characters

To create a pony character, or “PC,” you must determine your pony’s attributes and talents. Then describe her character and personality. What are her strong points and weaknesses? What things does she identify with? What are her greatest qualities? Does she have any unpleasant traits? Finally, give your pony a physical description. All these small things will make her unique among all the other ponies.

Step One: Select what type of pony your character will be.

Begin by deciding if your pony is going to be an earth pony, pegasus, or unicorn, and decide if your pony is a boy (stallion) or a girl (mare). If the storyteller will allow it, you may also choose to play a zebra. Each different type of pony character has specific attribute bonuses and talents that are only available to that type of pony character.
Earth Pony: These special ponies have a magical connection to the land. Earth ponies are the only ponies that can make plants grow, and they help with the changing of the seasons by cleaning up the snow after winter, and by making the leaves fall in autumn by running through the forest. Earth ponies do not have any conscious control over their magic, they just know if the ground is good for farming, or if the time is right for planting. Earth ponies are also caretakers for many of the animals that live in Equestria, such as cows and sheep. Earth ponies receive a bonus of +1 to their physique, and are the only ponies that can choose a talent in any kind of farming. Earth ponies are also the only ponies that can have a primary talent in rodeo, and can learn and practice rodeo events at a reduced cost.
Pegasus Pony: The pegasi control the weather in Equestria. They move clouds around to either clear the sky or to bring a scheduled rain shower, and they make rainbows in a factory in their main city, Cloudsdale. Pegasi have the innate ability to walk on clouds, and can pull small carts and wagons along with them as they fly. Like the earth ponies, pegasi have no conscious control over their magic, controlling the weather and walking on clouds is just something they have the natural ability to do. Pegasus ponies receive a bonus of +1 to their agility, and are the only ponies that can have the talent of flying.
Unicorn Pony: Unicorns have conscious control over their magic and use it to levitate objects and perform a number of daily activities. At one time, the unicorns used their magic to control the rising and setting of the sun and the moon each day, but that task seems to have been relegated to Princess Celestia. Most unicorns can cast one or two simple spells to help with their main talent while those that have a talent for magic can learn many spells and tricks. Unicorn ponies receive a bonus of +1 to their realization, and are the only ponies that can have a talent in magic.
Zebra: Zebras come from a far away land, and some of them are experts at alchemy, creating all sorts of magical potions, herbal remedies and delicious soups. Zebras have the potential to be very interesting characters for your PCs to interact with. I personally believe zebras are best left as non-player characters, but in play testing several of the players expressed interest in playing a zebra. Zebras receive a bonus of +1 to their mental attribute and are the only characters that can have a talent in alchemy.

Example: To illustrate the pony character creation process, we are going to create a sample character. Our imaginary player has decided to play an earth pony mare named Pinwheel Daisy.

Step Two: Determine your pony character’s attributes.

The innate capabilities of your PC are represented by a set of 5 attributes: Physique, Agility, Mental, Social and Realization.

Physique represents a combination of your pony’s strength and stamina. It governs a pony’s ability to run long distance or pull a heavy cart. Physique is used for actions such as running, jumping, swimming, and hoofticuffs as well as a variety of talents involving sports and other physical occupations. Your pony’s physique is also used to calculate how quickly your pony tires when running, performing stunts or using speed while flying or casting a number of magic spells in succession.

Agility represents the pony’s coordination, reflex and speed. Keeping your balance, sneaking, hiding, throwing and catching a tossed ball are all functions of agility. Agility is used for dodging during hoofticuffs, climbing, slight-of-hoof, and balancing. Like physique, agility is used for a variety of other talents, including some sports. Pegasus ponies use agility for performing stunts while flying. Sneaking past sleeping hydra requires a light foot and a good agility score.

Mental represents a combination of perception and critical thinking skills. The ability to solve math problems, solve a puzzle, concentrate while distracted or find a small object hidden in tall grass are all part of the mental attribute. The mental attribute is used for searching and listening as well as general knowledge talents in science, first aid or other areas. It may also be used for some games or sports, such as playing hide-and-seek or chess.

Social represents empathy, charisma, and sensitivity. The social attribute is used for such actions as storytelling, trying to charm or persuade somepony, comforting a distraught friend, or bargaining for a good price. Convincing somepony to grant you a favor, or getting an extra serving of corn cakes from your party host requires a good social score.

Realization The ability to conceive of an idea and then follow it through to fruition is called realization. Realization represents the ability to be inventive, creative and imaginative. Skilled trades and crafts such as sewing, cooking, or designing buildings rely on realization. For unicorns realization governs the use of magic. Cooking a tasty meal without a recipe or wearing a clever and convincing disguise requires a good realization score.

Each of the attributes has a minimum score of 3 and a maximum score of 8. There are three different methods you can use to determine your pony character’s beginning attribute scores, the random method, the deliberate method, and the basic method.

The Random Method

Roll one six sided die and add 2 to the result, for a number between 3 and 8. Repeat this process four more times to generate a set of five numbers, then arrange the scores as you like among the five attributes. For example you might want to make a pegasus with a high agility, so you would assign your highest rolled number to that attribute. Once all of the numbers have been assigned, add your pony type bonus to the appropriate attribute, however no attribute can be raised above 8. For filly or colt characters, use 1d6. A roll of 1 or 2 counts as a 3, to generate a score between 3 and 6.

Example: Using the random method, Pinwheel Daisy’s attributes are figured as follows: The player rolls the dice five times, recording the numbers: 6, 3, 6, 5, and 7. Our player wants Pinwheel Daisy to have a high realization score, so he assigns the highest score, 7, to realization. The player also pictures Pinwheel Daisy as being somewhat socially awkward, and so he assigns the lowest score, 3, to the social attribute. He then puts a score of 6 into the mental attribute, and a score of 6 in agility. He assigns the last score of 5 to Physique. He then adds his characters pony type attribute, increasing the physique score to 6. So Pinwheel Daisy’s beginning attribute scores are: Physique 6, Agility 6, Mental 6, Social 3, and Realization 7.

The Deliberate Method

Those of you who would like a little more control in your pony character’s development may want to use the deliberate method. Under this method, each pony starts with a base score of 3 in each of the five attributes. Add the pony type bonus to the appropriate attribute, and then distribute 12 points (6 for fillies and colts) among the five attributes as you want. The maximum score for any attribute is 8.

Example: As an earth pony, pinwheel daisy starts out with the following base scores: Physique 4, Agility 3, Mental 3, Social 3, and Realization 3. The player then distributes 4 points to Realization, 2 points to Physique, 3 to Agility, 2 points to Mental, and 1 to Social. Pinwheel Daisy’s beginning attributes are follows: Physique 6, Agility 6, Speed 5, Mental 5, Social 4 and Realization 7.

The Basic Method

The basic method is best for making non-player ponies quickly, but may also be used for creating pony characters as well. Under this method it is assumed that most ponies have an average potential in their five attributes. Each pony character starts with an average score of 5 in each of the attributes. Younger ponies, (colts and fillies) will start with a score of 3 in each attribute. Add the pony type attribute bonus to the appropriate attribute, so that one attribute will start with a score of 6.
Pony Characters are assumed to be above average compared to other ponies. The pony characters are ponies that are curious, want to explore their world, make new friends and help each and everypony whenever possible.
When using the basic method to create pony characters instead of non-player ponies, players have the option adding one point to any one of the attributes in exchange for lowering the score of one other attribute by one point. Only one attribute may be increased this way. In this way you can have one attribute with a maximum starting score of 7. For example, a unicorn starts with a realization score of 6 and then by reducing her physique by 1 point she can raise her realization to 7. Or, she could reduce her physique by 1 and add it to agility, giving her a 6 agility and 6 realization. If the player did not plan for the unicorn player to specialize in magic, he could also reduce the realization by 1 (making it 5) and add the point to a different attribute.

Example: Using the basic method, Pinwheel Daisy’s player figures her attributes as follows: As an earth pony, her base attributes are Physique 6, Agility 5, Mental 5, Social 5, and Realization 5. The player wants Pinwheel Daisy to have a higher Realization, so he reduces her Social score by 1 and adds 1 to Realization, so her final attributes are Physique 6, Agility 5, Mental 5, Social 4, and Realization 6.

Throughout the rest of these rules, examples given use the attributes as determined using the basic pony character generation method.

Step Three: Determine your pony character’s talents.

Talents represent the general skills and areas of knowledge the pony character possesses. Talents are used along with attributes to modify the chance of success for various actions as described in the game system chapter. The degree of talent a PC has is defined using a level. The higher the level the more talent the PC has in that area. There are 4 possible levels:

Level 1 Novice

Level 2 Practitioner

Level 3 Seasoned

Level 4 Expert

Your pony character starts with one primary talent at level 4. This is your pony’s main talent, the one she earned her cutie mark for. Your pony also starts with a number of secondary talents. You may select up to eight levels of secondary talents during the character creation process. Secondary talents have a maximum starting level of 2. For example, you could take four secondary talents at level 2 or eight secondary talents at level 1, or any combination of secondary talents as long as the sum of the secondary talent levels equals 8.

Earth ponies are the only ones that can have any type of talent in farming or growing plants, or a talent for caring for animals except as noted in the box below. Earth ponies are also the only characters that can have a primary talent in rodeo; other ponies may only take rodeo as a secondary talent.

Exception: The talents Animal Friendship, Gardening and the talent General Knowledge: Animals may be chosen as a talent by any type of pony.

The talent magic is only available to unicorn ponies and flying is only available to pegasus ponies. Zebras are the only characters that can have a talent in alchemy. The magic and flying talents are not required to be the unicorn or pegasus pony’s main talent and unicorn and pegasus ponies are not required to have a magic or flying talent. Likewise, zebras are not required to have a talent for alchemy, nor are earth ponies required to be farmers or participate in rodeos.

Example: Pinwheel Daisy’s beginning talents are listed as follows:

Main talent: Gardening (level 4)

Secondary Talents: Floral Design (level 2), Animal Friendship (level 2), Knowledge, Plants (level 2), Cooking (level 1), and Sport: Running (level 1),

Some talents, specifically rodeo, flying, magic and alchemy, have a set of special skills, or sub-talents that can only be learned by ponies that have that talent. Taking a talent in flying allows a pegasi to learn stunts, a unicorn with magic talent can learn spells, and a zebra with an alchemy talent can learn formulas. Ponies with rodeo talent can learn to compete in specific events. Each level of sub-talent chosen counts as a secondary talent level.

The sub-talent speed is a sub-talent shared by both flying and rodeo, but may also be chosen as a sub-talent by anypony with a Running talent at a cost of one level of secondary talent for each level of speed. The use of the speed sub-talent for running, flying or rodeo is detailed in the racing rules chapter.

Earth ponies that have a primary talent in rodeo may take up to four rodeo event levels, at a cost of ½ level of secondary talent each. An earth pony with a secondary talent of rodeo may take up to two rodeo event levels at a cost of ½ level of secondary talent each. Any other type of pony with a secondary talent in rodeo may select up to two rodeo event levels at a cost of one level of secondary talent each.

Unicorns, pegasi and zebras may select a number of levels in spells, stunts or formulas equal to their magic, flying or alchemy talent level at a cost of one level of secondary talent each. All unicorns, even those without a talent in magic, have the ability to perform telekinesis and know the Horn Light spell at level one. These do not count against the unicorns secondary talent levels when creating the character.
Learning a sub-talent does not add to a pony’s base chance when performing actions, but in general the level of a sub-talent reduces the difficulty factor of that specific action by one level when using the governing talent. The sub-talent speed is a bit different; using the speed sub-talent may increase the difficulty of certain actions, as detailed in the racing chapter. The talents and sub-talents of rodeo, magic, flying and alchemy each have their own unique rules governing their use during game play, and are covered in more detail in the game system section of the rules.

Example: A second player has created a unicorn stallion character named Shadow Flax. The player selects magic as Shadow Flax’s primary talent, and is allowed to select up to four levels of starting spells. The player chooses the spells Teleport, Fix Things, Unlock and Stick in the Mud, each at level 1, so Shadow Flax can only take 4 additional levels of secondary talents.

A unicorn taking a secondary talent in magic, with a maximum starting level of 2, would only be allowed to select two levels of spells to start the game with.

Unique Talents and Abilities:

Some pony characters may have unique talents or special abilities. In the MLP:FiM show Applejack uses her tail to twirl her lasso, Pinkie Pie has her “pinkie sense,” and Fluttershy has her stare. In some cases, the pony can’t control when the talent works. Pinkie Pie doesn’t know when her tail is going to start twitching, it just happens. Fluttershy can’t use her stare at will; it only seems to work when really needed. If a player has an idea for a special ability, it should be discussed with the storyteller and details of its effect and when or how it works should be agreed upon.

List of Proposed Talents

There are limitless possibilities when it comes to choosing your pony’s talents and occupation. The following list is provided to give you some ideas, but storytellers and players are encouraged to invent new talents as needed. If you have an idea for a talent that is not listed below, discuss it with your storyteller.

Animal Friendship (anypony)

A pony with animal friendship talent has a natural affinity with all sorts of creatures. They can help calm nervous or scared animals, and help them feel better when they are sick. Animal friendship is not the same as being a veterinarian or farming sheep or herding cattle.

Alchemy (zebras only)

The character is skilled at using herbs and other ingredients in formulating magical potions, medicines and other concoctions. Alchemy includes a set of sub-talents listed in the alchemy chapter.

Arts and Crafts (anypony)

The pony character has a special talent for a specific type of art or craft. The craft should be specified at the time of character creation. Some examples: basket weaving, candle making, dressmaking, glass-blowing, jewelry making, quilt making, rope-making, sewing, soap making, stained glass.

Cooking or Baking (anypony)

The pony is a skilled chef, an expert at preparing tasty meals, or may be a skilled baker of breads and rolls, or pastry chef.

Farming (earth ponies only)

A pony with a farming talent may be skilled at growing a particular crop, like corn or wheat, or may be an orchard farmer growing things like apples or oranges. Any pony with a farming talent may also be a dairy or pig farmer or raise chickens, etc.

Fine Arts (anypony)

The pony is a talented artist working in a particular medium. The type of art should be specified at the time of character creation. Some examples: drawing, painting, pottery, sculpting.

Flying (pegasi only)

A pegasus with flying talent is capable of performing a number of stunts and feats, and may also be capable of amazing speed. Flying includes a set of sub-talents that are detailed in the flying chapter.

Games (anypony)

A pony with this talent has a particular skill or knack for playing a particular type of game, and almost always wins. Some examples: chess or checkers, horseshoes, ring toss, pin the tail on the pony, tidily-winks.

Gardening (anypony)

Gardeners grow flowers and vegetables, and may also have talent in creating topiary bushes and landscape design.

General Knowledge (anypony)

The pony is an expert on a particular subject that should be specified at the time of character creation. Some examples: animals, astronomy, geography, history, literature/lore, plants/flowers.

Hoofticuffs (anypony)

A pony with hoofticuffs talent is skilled at brawling, giving her an edge should hoof-to-hoof brawling occur. The hoofticuffs talent can be used for both attacking and blocking, as described in the hoofticuffs chapter.

Magic (unicorns only)

Unicorns with magical talent have access to a number of spells and tricks beyond what most other unicorns can do. Magic includes a set of sub-talents that are detailed in the chapter on magic.

Occupational Talents: (anypony)

A pony’s talent may be to excel at a particular occupation, which may include services, professional occupations or skilled trades. Some examples: banker, black smith, business or shop owner, carpentry, construction, engineer, furniture maker, hair dresser/barber, lawyer, librarian, lumber jack, mason, miner, politician, reporter, sheriff, teacher.

Performing Arts (anypony)

A pony with this talent is a talented performer or writer. Some examples: acting, balancing/tight rope walking, dancing, DJ, juggling, musical composition, musical instrument, poetry, singing, trapeze.

Photography (anypony)

A talent at taking pictures, it may be for a magazine or newspaper, or the pony may be a fashion photographer or one of the paparazzi.

Rodeo (earth ponies only as primary talent, all pony types as secondary talent)

Some ponies are especially skilled in competing in rodeo. Rodeo included a set of sub-talents that are detailed in the rodeo chapter.

Sciences (anypony)

The pony has knowledge as well as skill in researching in a particular field of science. Some examples: astronomy, medicine, veterinarian, weather making

Social Talents (anypony)

Social talents include things like throwing great parties, public speaking, being a DJ, or having a talent in etiquette or social custom allowing a pony to blend in with the rich and elite.

Sports (anypony)

The pony is a gifted sports pony in a particular sport. Some examples: acrobatics, archery, basketball, bowling, croquet, darts, fencing, karate, hang gliding, kite flying, sailing, skating, skiing, soccer, mountain climbing, zip lining.

Step Four: Describe your pony character’s personality.

Each pony should have at least one great quality and two to four lesser personality traits defined that are appropriate to the pony’s personality. Is she timid, grumpy, meddlesome, thoughtless, or talkative? Does she have any unpleasant traits, like being cowardly, lazy, or greedy?
In some cases, whether a personality trait is considered a quality or an unpleasant trait is up to interpretation. Is being a quiet a quality, because your pony is listening and thinking about her response? Or is she quiet because she’s afraid to speak her mind? Not everypony has a great personality. In some cases you might want to give a pony character an unpleasant trait instead of a great quality. This is primarily for non-player ponies used as antagonist by the storyteller, but if the storyteller agrees a player may want to make a PC with a greatly unpleasant trait instead of a great quality.
The following table provides a list of possible great qualities and unpleasant traits, but other traits and qualities are possible, feel free to add to the list as needed.

Possible Personality Traits

Ambitious / Content Curious / Apathetic Innovative / Conservative Responsible / Reckless

Calm / Nervous Dependable / Unreliable Intellectual / Crass Sensitive / Insensitive

Careful / Clumsy Docile / Stubborn Just / Arbitrary Sociable / Reserved

Cautious / Impulsive Elegant / Unrefined Leader / Follower Superstitious / Skeptical

Charming / Rude Energetic / Lazy Modest / Proud Sympathetic / Unsympathetic

Clever / Dull Forgiving / Vengeful Optimist / Pessimist Talkative / Quiet

Confident / Fearful Fussy / Messy Passive / Aggressive Temperate / Indulgent

Congenial / Complainer Generous / Greedy Patient / Impatient Thoughtful / Thoughtless

Constructive / Destructive Happy / Cynical Polite / Snide Timid / Extroverted

Cooperative / Obstinate Honest / Deceitful Pragmatic / Idealistic Trusting / Suspicious

Courageous / Cowardly Honorable / Dishonorable Reasonable / Unreasonable Well Grounded / Paranoid

Example: Using an example from the show, we know that Rarity’s great quality is generosity. However, she also has a couple of “unpleasant” traits, such as complaining, being a drama queen and being afraid of getting dirty. Our pony, Pinwheel Daisy, has a great quality of being patient, but she is messy and a bit clumsy.

You should also take some time to define your pony’s taste: What activities or type of things does she like, such as birds, cake, or rain showers? Does she hate bees or loud noises? Is she afraid of anything like the dark or parasprites? Does she have any dreams or aspirations, like a visit to Canterlot or to be the best at her profession?
Step Five: Give your pony a physical description.
How big is she? What are the colors of her mane, coat and eyes? Describe any distinctive features she might have, such as freckles or spots and her cutie mark. Describe what type or style clothing she wears if clothes are worn, such as a hat or scarf. The cutie mark should be distinctive and representative of the PC’s personality and talents.

Subpages (2): Pets Pony Character Sheets