Welcome

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.

Latest Version

Version 0.8.7 update 2 released on 2015-08-07.

Resolved bug when saving a hero with Spell Wing of Eagle.

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. (117 KB)

Version 2 released on 2010-02-28: Added Profession Road Guard.

Current state of the project

From: 2012-08-03

There are no plans to implement more rules, but I still fix all the bugs you find and might add smaller features as they are requested.

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

Web Start

If you install the application via the Web Start link of the latest version, you will receive automatic updates. Clicking on Web Start will lead to a jnlp-file. You can, but you do not need to download the file, just execute it directly. This will download, install and start the program. If you downloaded the jnlp-file you can use it to start the programm. If you want a real shortcut on you desktop you will have to use the Java Cache Viewer.

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 don't have a 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 Java entry somewhere in your menu.

MacOS

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

In the Cache Viewer there is a button "install shortcut". To remove the program you can also use the Cache Viewer.

Version 0.8.4 update 1 released 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, ...).