spolier for the Artesia RPG review Im writing...
Artesia RPG uses the lifepath system from R. Talsorian in character creation, and it creates some really cool characters. Essentially everyone starts with the same stats... everything at 5 and by rolling lineage, special events, star sign and so on the characters develop quite nicely. Cultures provide some everyman skills and professions provide more options. But I hadnt ever really considered using the lifepath in a fantasy setting before.
The drawback is that there is no simple character creation, because for all starting characters you need to consult dozens of charts and roll the dice a lot. Still you'll know what happened in your characters last five years of life (or more depending on how many years you want to age them). I really really dig it.
rpg.net says it pretty good actually.
Generally, you start your character off with standard characteristics (5 across the board) and a set of standard skills. You'll then figure out what culture you're from, what your social standing is, and what your probable occupation is (based upon those of your parents).A variety of factors (familial lineage, birth signs, omens, childhood) may then change some of your basic characteristics. At this stage you'll also learn who your family is and what they think of you (using an extensive reputation system).
Then you go through your character's adult years one-by-one, starting with age 15. Each year you decide upon your current occupation, and then determine if there were any special events that year. The process will give you training points to put into your skills and arcana points, which can go into skills, characteristics, gifts, or bindings.
