Hello, if you are looking for a character generator for the "The Dark Eye" [en.wikipedia.org] basic-rules you have come to the right place. The program is licensed under GPL, so it can be freely distributed.

To run the program you need a Java runtime environment installed on your computer. You can get Java here. The program needs at least version 6 of Java.

The rules used by the program are the German TDE rules of the revised 4th edition. They are not 100% compatible with the English rules. For example there are more Special Abilities and (Dis)Advantages. There is a translation of the additional rules available in the files section of the dark eye yahoo group. If you have still questions about the rules or The Dark Eye in general, you can always write to the group's mailing list.

Version 0.8.5 update 6 realeased on 2010-02-09.

• The programm now needs at least Java in version 6 to run.
• The profession Explorer lacked the Disadvantage Curiosity 5.
• The profession Magican got TP bonuses on the languages Tulamidyan and Zahjad instead on the scripts.
• Thanks to Gwena and friends there is a Polish translation of available.

Version 0.8.5 update 5 realeased on 2009-05-31.

Bugfix: Character Creation wasn't possible for some combinations of Race, Culture and Profession.

Version 0.8.5 update 4 realeased on 2009-05-17.

Bugfix: It wasn't possible to export the metadata and, for example, create own professions.

Version 0.8.5 update 3 realeased on 2009-05-16.

Bugfix: The meta editors did not work.

Version 0.8.5 update 2 realeased on 2009-05-09.

Bugfix release. There was a program error during Character Creation, when selecting a Advantage that has a stronger version, like Good-Looking and Outstanding Looks.

Version 0.8.5 update 1 realeased on 2009-05-05.

Bugfix release. For example it wasn't possible to select the Talent for the Advantage Aptitude for [Talent].

Version 0.8.5 realeased on 2009-05-05.

Some new Features, but nothing new for the rules.

• The user interface works better on small screens like the Eee PC 4G.
• The language can be changed dynamically while the programm is running.
• The applications Look & Feel is selectable.
• While selecting the bonuses during character creation all the other bonuses to come are displayed on the left side.
• The warning when quitting character advancement is more intelligent. You are only warned if the current hero contains unsaved changes.

Send comments, suggestions, bug reports, praise and blame via e-mail to chargen<at>tdechargen<dot>de.

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Current state of the project

From: 2008-04-26

There are no plans to implement more rules, but I still fix all the bugs you find and add new features as they are requested. The next planned feature is to be able to go back to a previous step during character creation.

Send comments, suggestions, bug reports, praise and blame via e-mail to chargen<at>tdechargen<dot>de.

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Download, Installing, Uninstalling

There are three ways to get the generator running. The simplest is to click on the text 'install current version' further down the page. By this, the program will be automatically downloaded, installed and started. If you install a shortcut on your desktop (read below) the program will be automatically updated whenever there is a newer version available.

The second option is to download a zip file containing the program. The zip file will unpack into a directory and contain a file 'dsacharaktergenerator.jar' oder 'chargen.jar'. Double-click on the file to start the generator.

The third way is to download a installer. The installer installs the program and can create a desktop shortcut. The shortcut creation doesn't work on Mac OS. The installer also creates a uninstaller, to remove the program.

If you use the first option to install the programm you'll want to install a desktop shortcut. For that you'll need to use the Java Cache Viewer. Where it can be found depends on your system.

Windows

Control Panel->Java->General->Temporary Internet Files->Display....
note: This might not be 100% correct. I translated it from the German Windows settings, as I have no English Windows version. I hope you'll find your way around nevertheless.

Linux

You can always use "javaws -viewer" to start the Cache Viewer but there is probably a link somewhere in your desktop manager.
Kubuntu Dapper: Menu->Internet->Sun Java 6 Web Start.
Ubuntu Dapper: System->Settings->Sun Java 6 Plugin Control Panel
But creating a shortcut only works under Gnome. For KDE you can download this shortcut and save it to your desktop, but you'll have to be online to use it. Sorry.

MacOS

Utilities->Java->J2SE 5.0/Java SE 6->Java Cache Viewer.

In the Cache Viewer there is a option "install shortcut".

To remove the program you can also use the Cache Viewer.

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Additional races, cultures and professions

Since Version 0.7 it is possible to enter new races, cultures and professions in the program. I entered a lot of data from the rule book "Wege der Helden" (Chosen Heroes) and this data is available for download. The download is a zip-File. If you unzip it a directory "tdechargendata" is created. In the program select Data->Select Data Source ... from the menu and select the directory as Data Source.

Download additional races, cultures and professions. (106 KB)

Version 0.8.4 update 1 realeased on 2009-04-18.

This is a pure bufix release. No new features.

• The name generator created only names like "Azog Son of Azog".
• The program could not be started on systems that are neither English nor German.

Update to V0.8.4: 2009-02-28

• A name generator was added. It can automatically create culture specific names for your hero. The names are taken from the rule book Wege der Helden (Chosen Heroes). Because there is no official list of english names available and I'm not able (and willing) to translate the about 3000 names you will get the original german names, when using the name generator.

Update to V0.8.3: 2009-01-15

• Rules correction:The Dwarf Mercenary receives Amor Use II in addition to Amor Use I, not instead.
• The hero's age can be changed again.
• The program's language can be selected.
• There is a warning if one switches between editors and panels and the setting would be lost.
• The size of the main window is preserved between sessions.

Update to V0.8.2: 2008-07-22

• Rules correction: During character creation a language's default ACT column is used to calculate the advancement costs. The column is no longer raised, if the language is from a foreign language family. This is only done during character advancement.
• Bug fixed: The character's values displayed on the equipment panels are now updated, when a Special Ability is selected that changes the values.

Update to V0.8.1: 2008-04-26

• A bug prevented the selection of the directory where to save the data (Races, Wapons, ...) entered by the user.
• Program released under GPL 3.

Release Date V0.8: 2007-11-20

In the new version of the program the character can be equipped with weapons, armor and shields. All data for the equipment is editable, so you can enter additional weapons. There is a new page on the character sheet, with all the equipment and combat values.

Release Date: 2007-11-07

Now it is possible to enter own races, cultures and professions in the program.

Other changes:

• The Advantage Contortionist now makes some Special Abilities cheaper.
• The profession explorer costs 6 instead of 0 GP.

Release Date: 2007-10-01

For this version of the program character advancement was implemented. It's possible to load, save and advance characters.

Other changes:

• Advancement column F is used for Supernatural Gifts.
• Quarter-Spellcasters can learn Regeneration I.
• The program checks, that only half of the AP can be used for Spells and magical Special Abilities.
• The Hero Sheet shows the additional bought points for Attributes.
• The Spell Wing of Eagle can be taken more than one time, for different animals.
• Iron raises the Wound Treshold by 2.

Released on: 2007-09-05

This release contains the magic rules. Spells, Astral Energy, Special Abilities and so on.

It contains also a lot of bugfixes. The last version of the program had a lot of bugs. Too many. But now, that I have more time, I can concentrate more on quality than on quantity. :-)

Released on: 2007-08-20

Version 0.4.3 is the first version of the program with English translation.

All races, cultures and professions are available.

Nearly all rules are implemented, only the magic rules are missing (Spells, Special Abilities, ...).