Holmes, being based on OD&D is a 3d6 in order system. Our initial rolls, in the ability order in Holmes are Strenght-15, Intelligence-11, Wisdom-6, Constitution-10, Dexterity-9, Charisma-16. The dice want me to have a fighting man given my strength of 15 is just enough to qualify for a ten percent experience bonus. Holmes does allow trading of ability score points to raise prime attributes but the only one I could lower is intelligence to 9 to get a strength of 16. Given the limited bonuses of Holmes there is no benefit to doing so. I'll stick with my initial roles.
The next question is do I wish to be a human, dwarf, or halfling. I could also be an elf which is a combination fighting man and magic user. Let's just stick with humans for now.
The next step in Holmes is hit points. Fighting men in post-Greyhawk OD&D use a d8 for hit points. I roll a 7 and with no constitution bonus or penalty will begin in the top 25% of first level fighting men with 7 HP.
Finally, I roll 3d6 for gold pieces and get an 8 for 80 gold. I can afford plate mail armor as it is 50gp leaving me 30gp. I need a weapon and a shield. Choosing a hand axe and a round shield costs another 13gp leaving me with 17gp. A leather backpack and a week of standard rations eat up 10gp leaving me 7gp to find a meal or two and a couple of nights at an inn.
I do have two more decisions left, a name and an alignment. For a name let's go with Alfred, a good Anglo-Saxon name, perfect for an axe and shield fighter.
Recently on Twitter I had a thread on alignment about mapping Palladium alignments to D&D. Stepping a bit outside of Holmes I see Alfred as a good guy but not a paragon. We'll go with Chaotic Good for someone who will help the good and do good for them but not so tied to rules as to think he owes even evil individuals.
I think Alfred's family was betrayed by orcs under a banner of peace, killing his father and brothers and destroying their family lands. From this he learned the lesson that honor and trust for good but only for other good individuals.
After destruction of his family he has wandered, fighting as a mercenary here and there, until rumors of treasures under the ruins of the tower of a dead wizard named Zenopus. Following those rumors to Portown he signs on as a caravan guard and arrives in the city with 2gp and a week of food left in his pack. Now he needs to find companions to hunt for Zenopus's treasure.
In fine 1970s form, I present Alfred on an index card.
