Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Linera 03-31-06, 12:44 AM	How do you come up with a great history/storyline about your character?
Kythras 03-31-06, 01:35 AM	Haha, nice question, how about: What is the sound of one hand clapping? If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound? etc, etc... Well, for me, there are generally two methods, make the story to suit the character, or make the character to suit the story. Generally the second one makres better characters from a Roleplaying perspective, but the latter makes stronger ones rule-wise, I've played both, but generally try to make character < story e.g character > story = You want to play a ranger, so you say your character served as a scout in his country's army, when he finished his service he used the skills learnt as a military man to take up an adventuring career character < story = You want to play a military character, e.i. lawful alignment, appropriate skill selection with a strong martial theme who, after completing his service, uses his military skills to take up a career in adventuring. Eventually you settle on a lighter combatant/archer and decide to play either a scout, ranger or rogue, eventually settling on ranger. There, one could arrive at a the same end point by taking either of two different routes... Hope my two coppers were helpful...
Linera 03-31-06, 04:11 AM	This looks like very short stories. What about a history?
Adrian_Crane 03-31-06, 05:17 AM	Fond of vague questions? This seems like it would be fun to answer, so I'll do it anyways. ;) Figure out a starting point. Either race, class, or something as general as "I want a character who is close to the Gods." Next up is personality. Do you want an outgoing character? An introvert? A selfish jerk? An angsty goody-two-shoes? Ask yourself some questions about how he'd respond to things that might be thrown at him, or just look up an online DnD alignment test and take it in the mindset of your character to find out what he is. Then start getting more specific. Does "close to the Gods" mean Paladin? Cleric? Monk? A religious rogue? Work out what exactly your character does to get by in life. Perhaps he's a bard who uses his skills to sing the praises of his diety. Next up is history. What made him what he is now? If he's nervous or withdrawn or evil or just out-of-the-ordinary, perhaps there was some traumatic event that prompted it. Perhaps it's simply the norm for the area he grew up in: Bob the Bugbear doesn't need to explain himself if he's a warlike, evil savage. That's par for the course. If, however, he's a friendly Cleric who wanders alone, exiled, and heals/repairs damage caused by Bugbear raids, then you're definitely gonna have to explain why. Figure out the quirks first, so you have a solid justification for being how you are. Then work on the ordinary stuff, such as family, how you got your training, what connections you have, and so forth. Maybe throw in a rival or two for good measure, it's always fun for the DM to have someone to introduce when he wants to shake things up. Pre-made arch-enemies can be a blast for storyline twists, or just for getting into a fight when it's a slow session. With a good footing on where you've been, the final thing is figuring out where you are and where you're going. Come up with the character's main motivation in life. What is it that drives him to adventure? What are HIS plans for the future? The last step is translating it into game rules. Okay, so what class(es) could he be? What builds could I go for? If you're worried your concept may be horribly sub-par and drag down the party in a dungeon simply due to limitations from game rules, pop by the Character Optimization boards and ask them what route they'd take to make sure the character is still viable in combat. Iron it out, let it simmer awhile, work out the bugs, and if you want, toss it past the folks in Char Development to see if they think it works and makes sense. Voila. Character. :cool:
Linera 03-31-06, 08:50 PM	wow, big help thanks.
Harrow Blade 04-01-06, 03:01 AM	If you are after some guidelines or questions to help flesh out a character background there is a link in my Signature that can help. Then if you need more help have a look at the FAQ at the top of the thread list for more info and links. After you have some basics I would be more than happy to help you create something you are happy with.
Linera 04-01-06, 03:34 AM	Here is my idea for my character so far: Name: Linera Whisperwind Gender: Female Race: Elf Age: ?? Height: about 7 feet (elves are naturally tall) Eyes: Silver Hair: Amber Skin: Shadowy Purple Weight: 225 She is the queen of a dark empire. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm not sure what to call the land she rules over. Or anything leading up to the present.
Need_A_Life 04-01-06, 06:44 AM	1) Start by writing a line or two about her parents. Were they... Rich? Poor? Of noble blood? Bastards? Disowned by family? [etc.] 2) Insert a quick reference to her personality Is/was she... Gentle? Fond of confrontations? Quick to anger? [etc.] 3) Throw in a conflict... Is it... A rival? Emotions? (fear, hatred etc.) The law? Tradition? Her parents? [etc.] 4) Insert "solution" to above conflict Does she... Win? Lose? Flee? Deny it? [Etc.] 5) Insert consequences to conflict Does it... Maim her? - physically? - emotionally? - mentally? Make her stronger? Doubt her abilities? Doubt herself? [Etc.] 6) Insert ending Fadeout... - She walked tired through the rain, it was all over... - She held back the tears, she would show no weakness... - The tears ran lose and the world blurred before her eyes... - Finally it was complete. A content smile spred upon her lips. - She had succeded, yet victory was not as sweet as she had thought it... [Etc.]
Linera 04-01-06, 02:15 PM	How about the names of the lands she rules over currently?