Creating the Player Character
Generation of Ability Scores (p.11) 
| The vanilla DMG offers several ability score generation methods. Method I — roll 4d6 and drop the lowest die for each ability — is adopted in Oath-Bound because it statistically skews the distribution curve so that player characters are probabilistically marginal exceptions against the standard NPC population. This is the mechanical expression of the Exceptional Actor premise: not chosen ones, but people whose capability profile sits at the upper edge of what is possible for ordinary humans. |
Apply Method I. For each ability, roll 4d6 and drop the lowest die.
Non-Player Characters (p.11)
| NPC ability scores in Oath-Bound are distributed around a standard curve, against which player characters are mildly exceptional — a consequence of Method I generation rather than a narrative conceit. |
General NPCs are generated with straight 3d6 for each ability. Henchmen and significant NPCs are rolled or chosen by the GM according to their role and the needs of the campaign.
The Effect of Wishes on Character Ability Scores (p.11)
| Oath-Bound is a magically constrained milieu. Wishes of the scope described in this section are extraordinarily rare — their expenditure would itself be a major plot event rather than a tactical decision. The mechanical rules apply as written; the fictional conditions under which they could be invoked are another matter. |
Characteristics for Player Characters (p.11) 
This section applies in Oath-Bound as written in the DMG.
Player Character Non-Professional Skills (p.12) 
| Vanilla AD&D secondary skills are a categorical list selected at character creation. In Oath-Bound, non-professional competencies are part of the Competency Profile established at Session Zero through mediated agreement, alongside professional and domain competencies. There is no separate selection procedure. |
A character beginning at elevated level will have a richer profile — more entries, more developed competencies, greater range across professional and non-professional domains — reflecting the life already lived before play begins.
Starting Level of Experience for Player Characters (p.12)
| The default starting point in Oath-Bound is level 1 with no XP. This does not mean the character is inexperienced — they arrive with a Competency Profile reflecting a life already lived, and are not assumed to be beginners at anything their profile establishes them as knowing. The level describes where they sit in the advancement structure, not what kind of person they are. |
The GM retains discretion to begin a campaign at an elevated level where the nature of the game warrants it. In such cases the starting Competency Profile is richer accordingly, established through the same Session Zero mediated agreement.