Character Creation Spreadsheet

[Daryk]

Way back in the day (when Herb was the Line Developer) and I started my spreadsheet project, he asked me to "minimize verbatim content".  I'm on the threshold of version 5.0 of my spreadsheet, and I'd like to have it reviewed for just that.  To whom should I submit it for review?

Briefly, I've added life module and skill field "blocks" to reference sheets at the back so they can just be copied and pasted into the main sheet.  The blocks have none of the pre-requisites, flavor text, or rules for repeating modules; just Attribute/Trait/Skill names and XP values in the next column over, with a further asterisk to remind a player to specify a sub-skill or make a choice in the column after that.  I added some of my homebrewed stuff and marked those with asterisks in the title cell (e.g., "*Command and Staff College").

If the answer is no, no problem.  All this data entry on my part will eventually feed my retirement project of making an AToW character generator in the style of Solaris Skunk Werks (which will require me to learn Java first).

[Daryk]

I'm also adding modules (mostly affiliations) from Era Reports 2750 and 3052 with the same framework (no fluff or prerequisites).  I had already folded in the Aurigans from House Arano.  Wherever I found errors (like with the Aurigans), I submitted errata reports (or made sure I had done so in the past) and marked my proposed corrections with an "*".

[Daryk]

I've also added the "Faction Academies" I did based on Victor Shaw's work on an earlier edition.  I'm pretty sure that's all fan work, so it shouldn't be a problem.  I'll probably be posting a Gunslinger Stage 3 Module later today that will also be added to the spreadsheet before release.

[Daryk]

I've heard back from the one of the writers (unofficially, of course).  I'll roll with what they told me and post v5.0 in the Fan Rules forum on or about 21 JAN (just before my leave ends) unless I hear something different here.

[Daryk]

The writer I'm in contact with has told me he's still working with TPTB for clarity.  I'll hold off on posting until I hear more from him.

[Adrian Gideon]

Hi Daryk. We really can't review or comment on something like that. I understand what you're asking, and in a utopia it'd be no big deal, but I really can't review something unofficial and confirm if it's infringing or not. The earlier advice seems solid. Refrain from trademarks or copying text, and so on.

[Daryk]

Thank you for the response, kind sir!  I'll give Cray another week or two to get back to me, and post as I've described (or not) after I hear back from him.  FYSA, Knightmare also asked me to walk him through the spreadsheet, and I sent that to him via PM.

Given my earlier work posted here, I *think* I'm in the clear.  I'm just trying to boost AToW's viability going forward.  Character creation has been the chief complaint, and I'd like to think automating optimization is the biggest step in fixing that.  The Life Module system was a true stroke of genius, and I want to see it continue.  I'm still figuring out how to do Tech Empathy/Gremlins, but have solved Fast/Slow Learner (the critical difference being the former only applies to a subset of skills... that's some ugly IF/THEN programming).

Just so you know, I'm close to solving a real-world problem of somewhat larger scope in the Pentagon.  That gives me the confidence to think I can solve this one here too.

[Adrian Gideon]

You're very welcome, Daryk!