Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Harrow Blade 03-21-05, 01:42 AM	Guide to a Comprehensive Character Backgrounds This guide is broken into 5 parts. Family, Growing up, Reasons for adventuring, Fleshing out and Game Mechanics. By answering the questions in each section about your character you can begin to generate a reasonably comprehensive background that can only help you when it comes time to roleplay your creation. The words in italics are examples and clarifying questions. The First question you should ask is why. Why are you playing this character, is it becuase you want to be a melee master or spell casting king? Have you got an image burned into your brain and just have to play that character but need some extra padding? Did you just get back from the optimisation boards with a killer build and are now looking for a way to tie it all together? How ever you have come to this point I think it is important that each character have atleast some sort of history to draw on during the game. It is also a great way for your DM to involve you more in a game if they have a character background to draw from. Family: Do you have a family? (Are you an orphan? Were you adopted? Are you an imaculate conception of the gods will? Did you force your way into existance? Do you have parents, siblings etc.?) Are they dead or alive? (How did they die? Are they healthy as horses? Are they horses? Are they sickly?) Who are they? (Names, parents, brother/s, sister/s. For help generating names you can gohere (http://rinkworks.com/namegen/ ) .) Where are they? (Do they live in a major city? Are they lost on the astral plane? Are you an orphan with no idea about family?) What do they do? (Eg. Father is the local blacksmith and Mother a powerful sorcerer. Younger brother still at home wants to be a cleric) What is your relationship with your family? (Do you still love your parents? did they kick you out of home? do you still go home between adventures? Are you sworn to hunt down one of your siblings or parents?) Did your family influence your decision to begin adventuring? (Were your Parents adventurers and you wanted to follow in their footsteps? Did they expressly forbid you to take up the life of an adventurer which only drove you to do it anyway?) Growing Up: What is your Name? ( Do you have a family name, a nick name? Do you have a name that says something about you Eg. Sedgrid Toadlicker, Maximus Rockbiter, Ghost Who walks or Rydan Swiftblade. For help generating names you can gohere (http://rinkworks.com/namegen/ )) What do you look like? (What colour is your hair, eyes, skin etc. Are you big, small, in between, round, thin, Hurculean god-like build? What is your favourite thing to wear, what are most people likely to see you in?) Where did you grow up? (Did you grow up in a major city, Dwarven stronghold, country town, Elven forest village or wilderness? Did you travel a lot whilst growing up?) Were you part of the majority race in your home land? (Were you the only half-orc in a dwarven mining town or were you one of thousands of humans in your city?) Who influenced you whilst growing up? (Did you have close friend/s? A kindly mentor, a Harsh Task Master, a childhood sweet heart?) Were you subject to persecution? (Did your race, class, family or other factor lead you to be persecuted by the locals or were you pert of a family held in high esteem?) Did you grow up rich or poor? Do you bear a trait that identifies you as coming from a particular area? (Does your accent scream ‘I am from here’, do you dress in a fashion particular to one region, do your physical features tell others you came from a particular area? Do you have black skin and white hair and pointy ears?) Did you choose your class or did it choose you? (Did you purchase an apprenticeship to a wizard or did you have to steal to survive or did magic run in your blood or were you drafted into the army or did you join the clergy out of choice?) Reasons for Adventuring: What is your primary motivation? (revenge, greed, curiosity, love, peer pressure, divine appointment, geas, debt, freedom, hatred, friendship…etc) Was there a pivotal point in your life? (Did you witness a horrible event, were you the victim of a cruel injustice, did you meet a great hero or deity, were you taken as a slave?) Was being an adventurer always your dream? Do you do it for the money or power? Do you want to become a hero revered across the country? Have you begun adventuring for love? ( Are you in love with some one who has gone / been taken away and you are seeking them out? If they are with you what keeps you adventuring?) Is your dashing young hero trying to win the hand of the princess/prince or some other powerful nobility? Were you banished or had to flee for loving a noble's daughter/son? Did you kill a rival and are now banished-never to see your love again? Did you flee your home to avoid a forced mariage? Why do you continue to adventure? (If you have had an adventure already why do you keep coming back? Fleshing out: What is it that makes you unique? (Why are you different to countless other people in this world?) Do you have a hobby? (Do you play an instrument even though you’re not a bard? Do you carve chess pieces from the tusks of dead orcs? Do you paint? Do like to build boats even though you’re a dwarf from the mountains?) Are you or were you married? If yes, why are you adventuring. (Did your wife/husband kick you out because all you do is sit around drinking and telling tales of the good old days with your adventuring buddies?) Why is it that you think you do best? (not necessarily your best skill. eg Bouncing is what Tiggers do best! I am a card shark but I'm not telling you that. I am the best beauracrat you will ever meet, and if you do find one better I have 15 forms for you to fill out to prove it.) Do you have a distinct feature? (Do you have a unique tattoo, a facial scar, a very large nose, a lock of white in your black hair, only one hand, oddly coloured eyes or a twitch?) Do you have a personality quirk that makes you different from the average? (Do you always wash your hands after talking to a cleric? Do you blink three times before casting any spell? Do you refrain from talking to anyone shorter than you? Do you insist on learning every form of last rite so that you can lay to rest any one you come across?) What are your plans for the future? (Do want to travel the planes and chat with demons? Are you hunting a particular person / monster / organisation / item? Do you want to build a keep and rule some land? Do you want to protect your village from every threat under the sun and under the earth?) What do you want your character to achieve?(Is it enough to be able to cast fireball, do you want to achieve notoriety in an area, is your primary goal to achive acceptance into a particular organisation?) Game Mechanics Do you want your character to take Prestige Classes in the future? If yes, do you need a 'role-playing' reason for that? Does your DM require a specific training to take a Prestige Class? For your character, is progressing in a Prestige Class a long term goal, or is it only a mean for higher goals? "I always wanted to be an Eldritch Knight!" vs "I hate deities, but the power they give is cool. Oh, I just learned that an Ur-Priest could steal spells from deities! Interesting..." Is there a chain of feats you want to take (like whirlind attack)? If yes, is it a long-term goal your character wants to reach? Or is each feat chosen one at a time? With all of that in mind don't be afraid to be creative and go out on a limb. The only limit on this is your imagination. Good luck and Good Roleplaying. If you have read this thread and are still looking for something more comprehensive take a look at Trydan's Creating a Role-Playing Character (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=105563) .
thegreatbuddha 03-21-05, 01:44 AM	Thank you. This is going to be the questonairre I use for all for all future PCs/NPCs.
Purpledragonfire 03-21-05, 08:51 AM	I think this is a good thread a great prompt for character aspects please use for your feral mineral warrior freaky squid warrior....... :) seriously is a useful prompt for generating a quick background or as a check for a more in depth character nice work
Master Mage Regdar 03-21-05, 03:09 PM	hey purpledragonfire i like ur last little thing ther never criticize someone before you've walked a mile in their shoes........that way you're a mile away and they hav no shoes. :rimshot: :coolcthul now my mindflayer will eat yum! friggin hilarious :rofl: :heehee
Harrow Blade 04-19-05, 10:12 AM	If any one can think of any additional questions that would help improve this thread please post them here. I want to be able to have a frame work that players struggling with character background can use to flesh out their story. Thanks
Morka 04-20-05, 12:12 PM	If any one can think of any additional questions that would help improve this thread please post them here. I want to be able to have a frame work that players struggling with character background can use to flesh out their story. Thanks I would add Goals. Some players get out off the Character Optimization forum with a 20-level build including a few level of every Prestige Class around, and they start playing as a first-level character. While most of them don't really care about the background of those Prestige Classes, it might be interresting to include an In Game reason why the character would be a Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/Ur-Priest/True Necromancer.
Kintara 04-20-05, 01:18 PM	How about a question about why you're playing this character. What is it about this character's background that makes you want to play him? If they can't answer that, then either wait until they do or stop worrying about backstory.
Harrow Blade 04-21-05, 08:01 AM	I would add Goals. Some players get out off the Character Optimization forum with a 20-level build including a few level of every Prestige Class around, and they start playing as a first-level character. While most of them don't really care about the background of those Prestige Classes, it might be interresting to include an In Game reason why the character would be a Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/Ur-Priest/True Necromancer. What sort of goals based questions were you thinking of? I had a brief think about it earlier today but didn't really come up with much. If you could clarify or even post the questions you would like to add it wouuld be helpful. I know every person does something a little different to the next when it comes to character creation. I tend to have a hazy semi idea that floats around in my head for a while until it coalesses into an image usually tied to a personality or general manner and then go looking in the books for something that will suit my idea. I then like to write a short story about them and how they got to where they begin adventuring and along the way try to answer many of the questions I have posed in this thread. But that is just me.
Morka 04-21-05, 08:30 AM	In fact, I'm not sure about specific questions. Personnally, I like creating backgrounds, but when I create a character, I start with a build, then I try to come with a background for this build. Creating a background for a wizard/fighter is different from creating a background for a Wizard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight/Ur-Priest/True Necromancer. Ok, I think I've make up my mind with this: Do you want your character to take Prestige Classes in the future? - If yes, do you need an "role-play" reason for that? - Does your DM require a specific training to take a Prestige Class? For your character, does progressing in a Prestige Class a long term goal, or is it only a mean for higher goals? ("I always wanted to be an Eldritch Knight!" vs "I hate deities, but the power they give is cool. Oh, I just learned that an Ur-Priest could steal spells from deities! Interesting...") The same thing for a few feats: Is there a chain of feats you want to take (like "whirlind attack")? If yes, is it a long-term goal your character want to reach? Or does each feat is chosen one at a time? Note: My first language is french, some syntax might be awkward. Feel free to correct it!
Ashianyl 04-23-05, 04:23 AM	Cool thread. :) For the Game Mechanics section, I would suggest that you actually give your build to the DM and a list of things you need to achieve to qualify for some of the things to allow the DM to plan the game in such a way that the campaign story and your own character development story isn't out of whack. Ex. If you need perform (dance) 8 ranks for a prestiege class, tell the DM. He could actually plan it out that one of your adventures while you are Level 4 include an opportunity to dance to impress someone, give you the opportunity to go shopping for the accessories (along with the appropriate disguise checks to dress up really nice with matching makeup and stuff). That way, you combine both your quirks and traits in the Fleshing Out section with the character build in Game Mechanics section. It makes your character stats reflect the personality and more believeable as a person. I personally like having my character known for something else other than 'Best Fighter in the Realms' tag. :)
Harrow Blade 05-11-05, 02:16 AM	If anybody happens to use this Guide please post to let me know how helpful it was, if there is anything that appears redundant or less helpful. thanks.
kubelick 05-11-05, 05:17 PM	well, it is definitely a start. our dm came in with a list some time ago, asking us to develop superstitions or beliefs, every once in a while, based on something that happened. it chiseled some characters, defined them. (we have a very cowardly rogue, when it comes to anything chickenlike. he had a cockatrice encounter that turned him into a block of stone. after vivification, he raided a barn, killing 20+ hens, whose heads still adorn his thick neck as a necklace. every time he goes into battle, he shakes the necklase like a shaman. go figure.) another character, a female wizard (played by a man) actually went on a diet because of all the teasing she got. the cleric refused to take her on an air walk. the time we spent counting pounds when she would teleport was loads of laughs. there are many things that remain invisible or undetected yet manifest themselves in other ways. on a superficial level, i always think of marcello mastroiani, who said that starting to slip into the role, making it believable, the charcter had to have a tick. it could be utterly absurd, such as a twitch of an eye, or another one of his characters had a fly follow him around. that way his girlfriend always new when he was to arrive. like a familiar i guess. just thinking out loud. but people are like that: everybody has their little particular way. when i dm my players seem to like my npc's. i try to attribute one or two colorful characteristica and the npc's come alive. tolkien said one has to go through the senses to make it believable. i don't know. one tiefling rogue of mine always had a scent of cinammon about her. it didn't save her life, but my players knew i was around when i was hiding. one could also sweat a lot. my two pennies.
braindead345 05-12-05, 02:25 AM	If any one can think of any additional questions that would help improve this thread please post them here. I want to be able to have a frame work that players struggling with character background can use to flesh out their story. Thanks You forgot about lovelife. Try these on for size: Is there someone you are in love with? Why are you adventuring and not with them? Is your dashing young hero trying to win the hand of the princess/prince? Were you banished for loving a noble's daughter/son? Did you kill a rival and are now banished-never to see your love again?" Are you married? If yes, how many spouses? Did you flee your home to avoid a forced mariage? In many cases the these can be used to round out the character on a deeper level-or at least give the DM some plot hooks.
kubelick 05-12-05, 03:53 AM	well, the chivalry codex takes care of lovelife. as a matter of fact, sexual orientation can be lots of fun. (typical bard, know what i mean!) there are several pregenerated psychological settings that work well, if you need a quick character sketch. just take greek mythology son/father plot 1. son goes off to prove his courage (*yawn*) 2. father sends son away because the son has disappointed him 3. son flees because he is second born and could be killed (or bound up in some dungeon with a mask ;))) 4. son hates father and goes off to find/found an army to seize the throne 5. prodigal son (son searching for his father) lovelife works only with non-clerical charcters. their love is of a different type: either for their deity of for knowledge. complex character background are demanding. come on, we are not striving for an oscar. characters who stray from the simple "good vs. evil" background are a tough undertaking. i tried playing a fighter worshipping loviathar, flaggelating at night, and waking up in the morning exhausted having beaten myself half-dead. it's a tad counterproductive.
Harrow Blade 05-13-05, 12:59 AM	Thank you for your input. I will endevour to incorporate your ideas into my post as soon as I have more than 5 minutes in a row free.
braindead345 05-13-05, 03:02 AM	lovelife works only with non-clerical charcters. their love is of a different type: either for their deity of for knowledge. :confused: That assumes a whole lot on the cleric and the dieties. Very few religions require celibacy from their clergy and/or followers. After all, the new faithful have to come from someplace. Are you going to tell me that a Diety of Nature, or of Home, or especially of Love domains would demand their clerics to forsake loving all others? Yes, the cleric must be devout; but that does not mean forgoing mariage or procreation in most religions.
kubelick 05-13-05, 03:51 AM	well, i am not about to start debating on this subject. but i would think, that at least high clergy would be celibate, even of nature deities. i think it is only logical. i believe you can not remain virtues if interacting with creatures intimately. creatures can procreate and deities of oerth and suchlike support not only the harvesting of fields but also bring fertility to the home. their clergy however must sustain their celibacy in order to devote themselves wholly to the service of god. as a matter of fact, i have rarely witnessed amarous backgrounds in groups. foresakening a loved one for adventuring clearly exposes the priorities and preferences: hanging around with the guys and killing monsters is far more exciting than sitting around at home and tending to the fields or going hunting. it is sort of self-defeating. here then the background would be less that of love and more of boredome and restlessness. if you are happy with your partner, you don't go off adventuring. she/he won't let you get killed and reason with you, that "no, you don't have to prove your manliness to me, dear." more often then not, it is a tragic love story that pushes an adventurer onto the road. amorous relations among the adventurers of one group are very precarious. they can arouse suspicion among other party members (in game) and be very destructive for the group. deep friendship can also bring on doubt and lead to the formation opposing groups within a group. but if you travelled with a buddy then joined the others, you will have a deeper understanding and sympathy for/with your buddy than for the others.
Harrow Blade 05-13-05, 04:22 AM	well, i am not about to start debating on this subject. but i would think, that at least high clergy would be celibate, even of nature deities. i think it is only logical. i believe you can not remain virtues if interacting with creatures intimately. I can understand that some organisations would require thier high clergy to remain celebate as a form of worship, loyalty or testing yet on the other hand there are those deities who I think would actively promote loving, intimate and sexual relationships among thier clergy as it fits within the scope of thier domains. However I suggest that we leave it up to the individual player and character as to how they and thier character tackle the issue of sex and sexuality in thier game. (if it should come up at all.) I will get to include something concerning love in the guide as it is often a very powerful motivator.
braindead345 05-14-05, 01:03 AM	Harrow Blade, I think you are a true diplomat and your decission pleases me. Kubelick, let's just agree to hold different opinions on the subject. After all, this is only a tool for players to develop their own characters as they see fit-reguardless of class, race or alignment.
kubelick 05-14-05, 04:52 AM	very well put. to justify my adamant standpoint on celibacy: i just finished reading "the name of the rose" and this point is subject to many a debate among the monks. not procreation, but fleshly pleasures. k.v.k.
rbingham2000 05-15-05, 02:00 PM	well, the chivalry codex takes care of lovelife. as a matter of fact, sexual orientation can be lots of fun. (typical bard, know what i mean!) there are several pregenerated psychological settings that work well, if you need a quick character sketch. just take greek mythology son/father plot 1. son goes off to prove his courage (*yawn*) 2. father sends son away because the son has disappointed him 3. son flees because he is second born and could be killed (or bound up in some dungeon with a mask ;))) 4. son hates father and goes off to find/found an army to seize the throne 5. prodigal son (son searching for his father) As far as father/son are concerned, there's also: Son doesn't want to end up like his father, and has run away from home (this would be especially good if the father is of a normally evil vocation, such as an assassin, a dark sorcerer, or a cleric of an evil god. Father has been taken away by some evil force, and the son seeks to rescue him at any cost, or avenge him if whoever took him has killed him.
MT-296 "Dagger" 05-20-05, 06:57 PM	"Reads the First post" "Proceeds to dance" Great guide! Im planning on using this to flesh out a Elf Weretiger cleric of mine that im planning. "Bounces off in search of more bounciness"
Harrow Blade 05-20-05, 10:29 PM	"Reads the First post" "Proceeds to dance" Great guide! Im planning on using this to flesh out a Elf Weretiger cleric of mine that im planning. "Bounces off in search of more bounciness" :rofl: Thank you very much, please come again. (read in poorly imitated indian accent)
Trydan 05-23-05, 09:54 AM	While I must say that I've seen these sorts of lists of questions before, the examples in brackets after each question were very different, and I found them rather inspiring. I really like things such as "washing hands after dealing with clerics" - how quirky! Nice post. Well done.
Harrow Blade 05-23-05, 11:39 AM	While I must say that I've seen these sorts of lists of questions before, the examples in brackets after each question were very different, and I found them rather inspiring. I really like things such as "washing hands after dealing with clerics" - how quirky! Nice post. Well done. Thank you ever so much. I have read a number of your posts many of which are quite comprehensive and thus I am pleased to have your approval. :) I am honnored by your comments. :bow:
MrsGeek 05-26-05, 12:27 PM	I am new to D&D and someone suggested I check out this thread. They were right! This is a great post and very helpful. Now I can begin to work on my character more seriously.
Jodjod 05-26-05, 01:09 PM	Sticky, sticky! C'mon you know he deserves it! What is more...incorporate Galahad Knight and Trydan's guides! *hails to the three gods of CD*
D.K.R. 06-10-05, 05:54 AM	Here's one I tacked together from a few sources as well as several 'original' additions a few years back when I got back into DMing after a hefty break... Basic Character Background 1. What is your character's Full birth name? 2. What other name(s) or nickname(s) does your character use? 3. What is your character's race (and subrace)? 4. What is your character's Gender? 5. What is the exact date of your character's birth? 6. What is your character's eye color? 7. What is your character's hair color, length, and style? 8. What is your character's skin color? 9. What is your character's height/weight/build? (Build = curvy, muscular, thin, average, stocky, fat, wiry, athletic, etc.) 10. Which is your character's dominant hand? 11. Describe your character as a stranger would see them on first glance, from across a room or down the street. (essay) 12. Describe your character as a stranger would see them on close scrutiny, from a few feet away. (essay) 13. What is your character’s ‘occupation’? (not ‘class’ but what the character might call themselves, such as ‘wanderer’, ‘lady’s man’, ‘tracker’, ‘adventurer’, ‘mercenary’, ‘soldier’, ‘singer’, ‘archer’, ‘fletcher’, ‘miller’, ‘fisherman’, ‘guide’, ‘merchant’, ‘tanner’, etc. ) 14. What is the name of the town or area your character calls ‘home’? (this may or may not be the town of their birth, or the town in which their family resides) 15. What is the name of the town in which the majority of your character’s family resides? 16. What is the name of the town that your character was born in? 17. Briefly describe your character's early childhood (human equivalent of 1-8 years). (essay) 18. Briefly describe your character's youth (human equivalent of 9-16 years). (essay) 19. Briefly describe your character's young adulthood (human equivalent of 17 - 21 years). (essay) 20. What is your character's Father's full name, age and race, and is he still alive? (Notate step-father(s) as well as birth father.) 21. What is your character's Mother's full name, age and race, and is she still alive? (Notate step-mother(s) as well as birth mother.) 22. How many siblings does your character have? (List them by name, age, and gender. Notate any half- or step- siblings, including their race) 23. List any extended family (uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, etc.) who are still alive and currently have any current relationship to your character, or have had serious impact on your character in the past. (Include name, relationship, age, and how they affect(ed) your character.) 24. What is the relationship your character has with his or her family? (essay) 25. List any deceased relatives of note, either famous or infamous in The land for some achievement, or having had some impact upon your character by their actions. (Include name, relationship, and what they are known for or how they affected your character.) Character Choices 26. Describe your character's childhood friends - who they were,why they were considered friends, and what they and your character did together. Note any that your character still maintains contact with, and how (if at all) the relationship has changed. (essay) 27. Describe your character's childhood enemies - who they were,why they were considered enemies, and what they and your character did to one another. Note any that your character still maintains contact with (or maintains enmity towards), and how (if at all) the relationship has changed. (essay) 28. Describe your character's early childhood (human equivalent of 1-8 years) education. Include subjects covered, teachers or mentors studied under, and how formal or informal it was. (essay) 29. Describe your character's education as a youth (human equivalent of 9-16 years). Include subjects covered, teachers or mentors studied under, and how formal or informal it was. (essay) 30. Describe your character's young adulthood (human equivalent of 17 - 21 years) education. Include subjects covered, teachers or mentors studied under, and how formal or informal it was. (essay) 31. List any specific apprenticeships, organizations, military experience, or other similar activities your character has participated in since leaving behind their ‘education’ (including any they currently belong to), and how they have been affected by those experiences. (essay) 32. List any other significant experiences your character has had – odd jobs, brief apprenticeships, travels, etc. which have given him or her skills or abilities he or she uses still. (essay) 33. Describe any traumatic or unusually joyful experiences in your character's early childhood (human equivalent of 1-8 years) which have had a lasting effect on your character. (essay) 34. Describe any traumatic or unusually joyful experiences in your character's youth (human equivalent of 9-16 years) which have had a lasting effect on your character. (essay) 35. Describe any traumatic or unusually joyful experiences in your character's young adulthood (human equivalent of 17 - 21 years) which have had a lasting effect on your character. (essay) 36. Describe any traumatic or unusually joyful experiences since that time which have had a lasting effect on your character. (essay) 37. What one person or figure (factual or fictional) has had the most impact on your character’s life, and how/why? (essay) 38. What are your character’s religious beliefs: - Which god(s) or force(s) does your character revere (if any), - Which god(s) or force(s) does your character dislike (if any), - How strongly does your character pursue those beliefs, - What were the influences for your character to develop those beliefs? 39. What (regardless of actual statistics) does your character believe is their best skill/talent/feature? 40. What (despite actual statistics) does your character believe is their worst skill/talent/feature? Character Interaction 41. What does your character most wish to improve about themselves, and why? 42. What does your character do when in deep thought? 43. What does your character do to relax? 44. Does your character have any common phrases they use a lot? 45. Does your character have any habits (such as cracking their knuckles, biting their nails, scratching their buttocks, picking their nose, etc.) which may be offensive to others? 46. Does your character have any ‘pet peeves’; things which bother him more than they might bother most people? 47. Does your character have any specific and unusual fears? (Mild fear of death and pain is natural; a fear of water or of birds is not). 48. Does your character hate or fear members of any specific race or species (humanoid or otherwise)? 49. Does your character have an unusual attraction to members of any specific race or species (humanoid or otherwise)? 50. Is your character romantically involved? (If so, describe their lover(s) and the depth of their relationship(s)). 51. How does your character react to members of the opposite sex (or, if bisexual/homosexual, to the same sex)? 52. Does your character have any secrets? What are they, and how do they affect them in day to day life? (essay) 53. Does your character have any sort of ‘code of honor’? If so, what is it, and how faithful are they to it? 54. Is there anything your character will absolutely not do even if threatened by death? 55. To what lengths will your character go to achieve a goal once they have set it? 56. List your character’s vices. 57. List your character’s personality quirks. 58. List your character’s good qualities. 59. List your character’s favorite: food, color, clothing, weapon, drink, music, city, activity. 60. How well does your character get along with others? Travel 61. Does your character get seasick, or motion-sick (riding an animal or in a wagon)? 62. Does your character enjoy traveling more on foot, on animal, or in a vehicle (land or sea)? 63. Does your character have any fears about traveling, whether in a certain environment or just in general? 64. Does your character have any issues with traveling underground, or underwater? 65. What would your character generally take with themselves when preparing for a long journey? 66. Describe your character’s first trip from home. (essay) 67. Describe your character’s first interaction with a ‘monster’. (essay) 68. Describe the ‘scariest’ place your character has ever been. (essay) 69. Describe the place your character feels is the ‘best’; be it for beauty, safety, or some other feature. (essay) Miscellany 70. Does your character have any birthmarks, scars, or tattoos? If so, where are they – are they always visible or typically hidden by clothing, etc.? 71. If your character’s features were destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other means by which their body might be identified? 72. Does your character have any possessions which are special to them? Why are they special? 73. What does your character consider to be their most valuable possession, and why? 74. What does your character’s voice sound like (low, high, deep, airy, etc.)? Do they have an accent, or a lisp, or any other unusual vocal mannerisms? 75. Does your character attempt to hide any specific features or possessions from the general public? 76. Does your character have a pet/animal companion/familiar? If so, describe it and how they came together.. 77. Did anything unusual happen at the time of your character’s birth (strange storms, death of someone famous, unusual accidents, etc.) that people today might still remember? 78. If so, how was it associated with your character (if at all) and how has it affected them? 79. Is your character literate (in which languages)? 80. How important are books, letters, etc. to your character? 81. Does your character usually carry any writings and/or writing materials? 82. What are your character’s beliefs about death and the afterlife? (essay) 83. How important are the following to your character: Power, Wealth, Fame, Honor, Friends, Family, Love, Knowledge, Religion? 84. How often does your character dream? 85. How often do they remember their dreams? 86. What do they typically dream about? Goals 87. What are your character’s short-term goals (within the next few days/weeks)? (essay) 88. What are your character’s long-term goals (over the next few months or years)? (essay) 89. What are your character’s life-long goals (something that may take an entire lifetime or longer)? (essay) 90. Explain why your character is an adventurer (by choice, by a quest they have been given, for need of money, etc.) and how long they plan to continue adventuring. What (if any) plans does your character have made for after they are finished adventuring? (essay)
Harrow Blade 06-10-05, 10:24 PM	That is certainly a comprehensive list of questions for characters to go through. I will look at incorporating the ones that aren't covered already when I have more time. The defining feature of my questionaire however is the example answers to give people an idea of where they can go with their answers. If you have any you want to edit in I would appreciate it otherwise it will take me a while to get through them all. Thank you for your contribution.
pres_man 10-06-05, 07:58 PM	:bump:
Harrow Blade 11-23-05, 02:07 AM	this is an unsolicited shameless self :bump:
Nani? 12-04-05, 09:04 PM	bump