CHARACTER CREATION AND YOU!

Step 1: Character Backgrounds
I think you'll be able to handle yourself. Some comments though on some story stuff:
Within reason, just about any concept should fit along with this game. From sanitation engineer to Stormtrooper, from contracted bounty hunter to backwater farmer. All that is necessary is that somehow, in some way, they are now part of the Empire. They will be recruited directly from within the Empire by the Imperial Security Bureau and will operate with some autonomy. How you got there is up to you.

Step 2: Obligation
We won't be using the "Obligation" rules from Edge of the Empire. We will handle story stuff in a different way. If you feel so inclined you may rate and describe story threads related to your character in this way but it will have no impact on actual game mechanics.

Step 3: Selecting a Species
Species restrictions have been relaxed, but please get my permission in advance if you want to play something truly out there or that may not exactly fit the bill.

Step 4: Choosing a Career and Specializations
A "Career" is what your character is while a "Specialization" represents what the character does well. The book puts it best: "... no matter how much he gets caught up in politics, military campaigns, or rescue missions, Han Solo will always be a Smuggler."
For the most part, Careers and Specializations from both Edge of the Empire and Age of Rebellion are open for character creation, in addition to some of the other sourcebooks. Unless provided with an incredible concept, Force and Destiny and all related material are off limits at this time.
If there are any issues with wording (ie, if anything directly alludes to 'Rebellion') we'll resolve that.

Careers and Specializations:
Career
Specializations
Ace: Beast Rider, Driver, Gunner, Hotshot, Pilot, Rigger
Bounty Hunter: Assassin, Gadgeteer, Survivalist
Colonist: Doctor, Entrepreneur, Marshal, Performer, Politico, Scholar
Commander: Commodore, Squadron Leader, Tactician
Diplomat: Advocate, Agitator, Ambassador, Analyst, Propagandist, Quartermaster
Engineer: Mechanic, Saboteur, Scientist
Explorer: Archaeologist, Big-Game Hunter, Driver, Fringer, Scout, Trader
Hired Gun: Bodyguard, Demolitionitst, Enforcer, Heavy, Marauder, Mercenary Soldier
Smuggler: Charmer, Gambler, Gunslinger, Pilot, Scoundrel, Thief
Soldier: Commando, Medic, Sharpshooter
Spy: Infiltrator, Scout, Slicer
Technician: Mechanic, Outlaw Tech, Slicer


Step 5: Invest Experience Points
Spend experience points to increase your character's power. All characters gain XP based on their race, plus an additional 30 XP at character creation.

Edit: Characters may have a maximum of TWO skills at 3 ranks during character creation.

Options
Cost
Character Creation Limits
May spend experience to increase characteristics. This is the only time characters can increase characteristics with experience points.Ten times the purchased rating in experience. Each rating must be purchased sequentially.May not purchase any characteristic above 5 during character creation.
May spend experience to purchase ranks in skills.Five times the purchased rank in experience. Each rank must be purchased sequentially. (Each rank in a non-Career skill costs 5 additional XP)May not purchase any skill above 2 during character creation.
May spend experience to purchase talents within specializations.Depends on talent's position within specialization tree.No special limits, only standard limits apply.
May spend experience to purchase new specializations.Ten times the number of purchased specializations including new specialization (non-Career specialization costs 10 additional XP).No special limits, only standard limits apply.



Step 6: Determine Derived Attributes
Wound threshold: Based on your character's starting value plus Brawn rating
Strain Threshold: Based on starting value plus Willpower Rating
Defense: Typically zero. Increased by gear, talents, racial abilities, etc.
Soak Value: How much incoming damage you prevent. Soak is equal to your Brawn, plus any talents, armor, etc.

Step 7: Determine Motivations
Another step that is helpful in character creation: what motivates the character. Edge of the Empire has a chart divided into ambitions, causes and relationships. I'm not going to post all of it here because it's a lot.

Step 8: Gear and Appearance
How does your character look? A quick description or even a picture would be great.
For equipment, characters receive a total of 2,500 Credits to purchase starting equipment. Please get special permission for any items with rarity 6 or higher.