I'm pritty sure this has been asked before but I need some advise/clearfication. Every time I make a custom character, even if its done to in a way where there SHOULDEN'T be an issue, my custom characters just seem to keel over before I can even get far enough into the game to enjoy it. I've done some experimentation, even using the guide the devs give to create a vampire character exactly as intended. Character dies a year or so in. I lose the game.

So I guess the main list questions I have to anyone who can answer:
1) Dose the mod punish non-canon/custom characters or this just something to do with the way I'm creating characters?
2) What is the correct way to make a race, outside of vampires?
3) Is there a way to prolong a custom characters lifespan, if the mod punishes normal characters.

Disclamer: I use "punish" for lack of a better term. I know more often then not its not intentional and just is more often or the way the game is played. Just wanted to clear that up.