Character Generation

This information comes straight from the Baldur's Gate game Manual.

When you are in the character generation section follow the steps below: at any point in the process you may press "cancel" and will be prompted if you wish to return to the main gamke screeen. To go back during character creation press the up arrow at the bottom left of the screen.

Gender
The gender of your character is decided first. You can select either male of female, once selected press the "Done" button (as on every page).
 * Female of the Realms can excel in any area they wish, and are easily the equals of their male counterparts in every skill or respect.
 * Males of the Realms can excel in whatever proffesion they choose, whether wizardry, thievery, or the arts of war.

Appearance: Portrait Selection
Select a portrait for your character.

To import a custom portrait, check the instructions in the Read Me file on the installation CD.

Race
Select the race of your character. There are six available character races. Choose between human, dwarf, elf, goneme, halfling, or half-elf.

Descriptions of each race are given in the area beneath the selection boxes.

Class
The lasses and class combination that are available to the race you have chosen will be highlighted. Choose the class that you want from the lost.

Descriptions of each class are noted in the area beneath the selection boxes.

Multiclassed
Multiclassed characters are available to non-humans only and share the traits and restrictions of both classes. Human characters can choose to become dual class later in the game.

Dual Class
Dual class characters start their adventuring life as one class and then later switch to a different class, the abilities of the former class are unavailable until the character surpasses the level of their former class with the level of their new class. At this time, the abilities of both classes are available at their current level. The character can never advance further in the former class. Only humans can be dual classed characters.

Ability Scores
You'll see a screen with the abilities the computer has randomly determined for your character (calculated as if you rolled three 6-sided die for each ability, adjusted for character race). Any class minimums will be automatically selected for the character for abilitiesd that were too low (i.e. if the character needs a 17 charisma to be a paladin, and computer rolled a 12, then the player will recieve 17). You can subtract points form an ability to add to another; however you canoot take points away from an ability if it will lower the ability below racila or class minimums. Each ability will have a caption describing it. Reroll your abilities as many times as you like until you reach a combination you are happy with.

You may also store 1 set of abilities and roll again by clicking on the "store" button. You may bring the stored set up again by clicking on the "recall" button. Only one set may be stored a t a time but may be overwritten.

Alignments
The player has a choice of alignments according to his class and race. Each alignment will have a caption describing it in detail. Your alignment determines how your character interacts with his enviroment. Read over each carefully before choosing. If you stray severely from your alignment during the course of the game, there will be consequences - you may even suffere loss of some of your abilities.