Each player receives a set number of points with which to purchase the DIE TYPES for each of their ten Traits. I usually allot 20 points but other Marshals may choose to raise (for more powerful characters) or lower the amount (for weaker characters) by an increment of 5 depending upon their individual tastes. Each die type costs a certain number of points, here are the costs:
Die
Type Cost
d4 -1
d6 1
d8 2
d10 3
d12 4
Thus a player who wishes their hero to have a die type of d10 in their Cognition would have to spend 3 of his/her 20 points leaving 17 to spend elsewhere. A negative point costs indicates a rebate of one point for use in improving another Trait. Under no circumstances may a character have more than 4 traits at the d4 level.
Now comes the COORDINATION NUMBERS. Each hero receves 25 dice to distribute as they see fit. Each die costs one point so a coordination of 3 would cost 3 points out of 25. The minimum Coordination number is 1, maximum is 4.
Another system is much quicker and nets the same results is to have players distribute a set number of d6's, d8's, d10's, and d12's, I recommend the following dispersal strategy:
Die
Qty Types
4 d6's
3 d8 's
2 d10's
1 d12
Once the die type of each Trait is determined the players then distribute 25 dice among their 10 traits to determine their Coordination Numbers. As before one die costs 1 of their 25 points, the minimum is 1 and the max is 4. Simple! If a player wishes to have one or more traits at the d4 level he/she may do so. By selecting a die type of d4 the player may increase the die type of one of their other Traits by one step.
As for the Mysterious Pasts I converted these to Edges & Hindrances, if anybody is interested I could post them.
Game on!