(For those that don’t know, in BW you don’t pick a class and stats to make a character, you pick their history from birth to present day, and what “lifepaths” you pick determines what stats and abilities you have.)
Here’s an example of a character generation in Burning Wheel (though the character stats aren’t here).
Born Noble 8 yrs 15 rp — Any
Skills: 5 pts: General
Traits:1 pt: Mark of Privilege, Your Lordship, Your Eminence, Your Grace
Page 6 yrs 15 rp +1 P Soldier, City, Servitude
Skills: 7 pts: Riding, Brawling, Read, Write, Sword, Etiquette
Traits: 1 pt: —
If chosen, this path must be the character’s second lifepath and may only be taken once.
Squire 6 yrs 15 rp +1 M, P Soldier, City, Servitude, Outcast
Skills: 9 pts: Sword, Shield, Armor, Lance, Knives, Mounted Combat, Crossbow
Traits: 1pt: —
Requires Page or any Professional Soldier lifepath.
**Knight **5 yrs 20 rp +1 P Soldier, City, Outcast, Religious
Skills: 10 pts: Mounted Combat, Shield, Armor, Appropriate Weapons, Intimidation, Falconry, Conspicuous
Traits: 2 pts: Sworn Homage
Requires Squire or Cavalryman.
Duke 10 yrs 90 rp +1 M/P Noble Court, Soldier
Skills: 3 pts: General
Traits: 1 pt: Noblesse Oblige, Regal Bearing, Pompous, Sharp Dresser, Callous
Requires Knight and the Your Grace trait.
Advisor to the Court * yrs 10 rp/year +1 M/P Any
Skills: 1 pt: General per year of tenure
Traits: 1 pt: —
Requires Captain, Sea Captain, Magnate, Master Craftsman, Artisan, Bishop, Rogue Wizard, Mad Summoner, Heretic Priest, Dame, Baron, Viscount, Count, Duke or Prince.
*Note: Players may choose their tenure. The player determines number of years: Character earns 1 general skill point and 10 resource points per year. The stat and trait bonus are one time only.
**Constable **6 yrs 50 rp +1 M City, Soldier, Outcast
Skills: 5 pts: Soldier-wise, Cavalry-wise, Heraldry, Logistics
Traits: —
Requires Captain, Baron, Viscount, Count, Duke or Prince.