is it too much? [Archive] - Wizards Community

is it too much? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Malyss the defender
10-14-03, 05:39 PM I'm going to start a new campaign this week and I asked my players to write a story of their character about 1 page long.I also give them bonus xp depending on the lenght of the story.The problem is that some of my players don't like it(but some of my player don't care or think it's a good idea too)

I was wondering what you asked from your players before the beginning of the campaign.If you ask them to do a text:what is the minimum lenght?do you give bonus xp?etc.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
10-14-03, 06:26 PM I belive you should give the EXP away for the quality of the story and not the quantity. A person could have a paragraph and have a great story or incident compared to a person who wrote two pages but its boring or doesn't really explain anything important.

And im asuming your starting out at 1st lvl, so I wouldn't give them any more exp that would bring them halfway to the next level.
Gingerbread Guy
10-15-03, 01:01 AM Hiho,

I love giving away XP for things like this. Journals are big in my book too. I always require a history and description.. it doesn't have to be typed out, but it should be at least a page long if it WERE to be typed. I don't give out XP for that - you can't play in my game if you can't tell me who your character is. And no "He's a fighter with blahblah feat and str 18" is not a history.

Its not too much at all, but some players are going to complain because they want to hack and slash and skip any talking that isn't shouting battle cries and what not.

God, I hate that kind of play..

~Ginger
Midnight Lurker
10-15-03, 05:51 AM Personally, I don't like to see XP being given for things the character hasn't done, and you may hear this complaint from the people who disagree with your proposal. Why should the character have a head start experience-wise because the player is a good writer? Its perfectly reasonable to expect every player to have a character's background figured out, and be able to give either a verbal or written history. I prefer oral, because it offers an opportunity for question/answer which often fills in the holes or helps a player realize the consequences of their story. But I wouldn't reward them with XP, rather with a campaign that uses their background to fill out the story and give the whole adventure more life. That should be enough of a reward.

(This is what my writing looks like late at night... sorry)
Vexxan
10-15-03, 06:52 AM I've had both types of players; ones who will gladly write a deep, engrossing background and ones who despise the effort involved.
I don't require detailed backgrounds from my players, but I do ask for very simple things like place of birth and role in the community they live in. For those who do give backgrounds, I find they are simply happy with a well thought out character who has an exciting history. Those who don't sometimes just don't have a 'feel' for the character or campaign setting and would much rather take small steps at first. I also don't give XP for background; I think it's unfair. Players should enjoy their characters, and for some a background not only isn't of much importance, it's just not fun.
I give XP for roleplaying after a session. For players who wrote a background, I try to incorporate some of it into the game so they have an opportunity to roleplay it. For those who didn't I watch for how they develop their character as the game progresses; attitudes, habits, beliefs, etc. As players get accustomed to their character and the world I take them aside briefly before a game and ask them how they see their character and how they think the world sees them. Lo and behold some of the players with a disdain for the initial background information usually come up with ideas for places they would have liked to have been, things they have done or people they've met. I tiptoe around any metagaming but generally incorporate these desires into a future session.
It doesn't take long for the good players, background or not, to flesh themselves out.
On a side note, this also lets both players and DMs see when a character just isn't 'vibing' with it's player. That leads to disgruntled campaigns and if you can catch it quickly enough, you can stem the tide of discontent by allowing a character change if necessary.
Gingerbread Guy
10-16-03, 11:26 AM Originally posted by Midnight Lurker
Personally, I don't like to see XP being given for things the character hasn't done, and you may hear this complaint from the people who disagree with your proposal. Why should the character have a head start experience-wise because the player is a good writer?

Hiho,

The obvious answers to these complaints is that

a) the whole point of a history is that IS stuff the character has done.

b) the DM doesn't have to give out XP based on good grammar and sentence structure [otherwise I'd be screwed]. Its only fair to take into account everyone's potential. Its a matter of how hard they work at it. The whole point of the exercise is to encourage people to write and create a character that is more than just a set of numbers and feats.

Its always important to remind your players that they don't have to come up with something epic. Not every hero was born to equally heroic parents, and not everyone had an interesting childhood or adolescence. It isn't about the magnitude of the events, its about how the events shaped a character into who they are now.

Saying "My character killed an ogre with his bare hands when he was 18 months old. The ogre was going to eat him, but my character pulled off his diaper and threw it in the ogre's mouth. It choked to death, but when the town's guard arrived, it looked like the baby had killed an ogre. Now he's a sorcerer," is eventfull, but its missing the point if its had little to no effect on his life.

Conversely, a background such as "My character tended a flock of sheep most of his life. He's really had a very borning life, free from war, poverty or any major responsability besides keeping the flock together. Because of this, he's idealisitic and naiive, and prone to procrastination." is uneventfull, but its realisitc and interesting. It explains something about the character, and that kind of thinking should be rewarded. If not with XP, then with free pizza or something. lol

~Ginger
Winternova
10-16-03, 11:32 AM That's a freakin' awesome idea. I'd do that, but i'd lose my players. good luck man!
Serric Ral
10-16-03, 02:07 PM It’s really easy for just about anyone to write a good, long, useful background using the system I use, in my opinion. Because most of my characters are pretty mundane before they become adventurers, the only way I can write a good background for them is by talking about who they know and how those people influenced who they are. While most of it may appear to be fluff, I think that it can really help the DM to have something happen to you based on your background without them having to sift through pages of bio for a name.

The first background I wrote using this method ended up being 17 pages long total (for Ally), the actual characters took up 14 pages. The best thing about this system for me is that it doesn’t require you to write anything long winded, and because of how I generate the NPCs, I usually get inspiration for my character in the process.

In my experience, unless the DM likes to read, this is a good system to get a deep back story without hurting the Dms head.

For Example here is Ally:
Chapter One: A Brief Overview of Ally

Generic Information:

Name: Ally Silan
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Blood Type: A+ (if you must know, the DM suggested I put this in, so I did)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Profession: Waiter/wants to be an adventurer

Physical Information:

Eye Color: Gold
Hair Color: Blond

Personal Information:

Favorite Color: Blue
Likes: Junk food, playing dice, tests of balance and agility, talking, keeping clean
Dislikes: Sports, running, people shouting, being board
Disappointments: Never being able to win at the balanced combat contest

Personality Description:

Talkative; very careful, cautious, and meticulous; likes to try and have fun with any situation; optimistic and cheerful most of the time.

Other Information:

At the age of 18, she and her boyfriend ran away from their home town to get married. Though Jamie would have rather got married right away once they found a city, Ally wanted to wait until the right time. She wanted to live separately from Jamie until they got married, however money restraints prevented her from being able to.

And here is Mevlon, an NPC:

Generic Information:

Name: Mevlon Terel - “favored enemy”
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Blood Type: A+
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Profession: Nobel

Physical Information:

Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black

Personal Information:

Favorite Color: Red
Likes: Picking on people he sees as weaker, flaunting his parents wealth and position
Dislikes: Ally, people fighting back
Disappointments:

Personality Description:

Very arrogant; pushes people around

Basic Description:

He is the son of the lord of the town, and he is hated by just about everyone. No one would dare say a bad word about him, however, out of fear of what his father would do. His father does not have a bad reputation, but they would rather not try him. He has to be the best at everything he does, even though he isn’t that good at anything.

A table of contents really helps out with this type of system for obvious reasons:
Table of Contents

Chapter One: A Brief Overview of Ally - Page One

Chapter Two: A Brief Overview of Ally’s Family - Page Two
Linda Silan (Mother) - p. 2
Joseph Silan (Father) - p. 3
Tommy Silan (Big Brother) - p. 4
Reisila Silan (Big Sister) - p. 5
Sally Silan (Twin Sister) - p. 6
David Silan (Little Brother) - p. 7

Chapter Three: A Brief Overview of People Ally Know - Page Eight
Cindy Tesisn (Best Friend) - p. 8
Jamie Eders (Fiancé) - p. 9
Ross Felurn (Friend) - p. 10
Mevlon Terel (“Favored Enemy“) - p. 11
Justin Terel (Friend) - p. 12
“Miss Neria” (Role Model) - p. 13

Chapter Four: A Brief Overview of the Town of Reinia - Page Fourteen
General Information - p. 14
The Festival of the Second Month - p. 15-16

Chapter Five: “Cheat Sheet” - Page Seventeen (Can’t forget the “Cheat Sheet” so the DM has an easy to use reference to all of the characters.)

Next to every NPC I had a picture for them, but that may be a bit excessive. It was easy for me to do with my massive collection of random characters from RPGs that no one in my group has ever played.

As for giving EXP for a good backstory, in my opinion a back story should be written for two reasons: 1) to make the character have more depth, and 2) so the DM can include it in some small way in his campaign so it feels more like you are a part of it. If you need EXP to feel like your backstory has accomplished something or you need some incentive to write one, then you are writing one for the wrong reasons. Of course there is nothing wrong with a character without a backstory, but I think that it helps out. Requiring one is really up to the DM, I can't really comment because I love to write backstories.
Tharkos
10-17-03, 05:52 AM Part of the reason why RPGs are good is that they are meant to activate the creativity of people and that includes the players. So giving them XP bonus for a good background is nice.

In my campaign I gave out xp according to the number of ideas as well (and thus rewarding active players more than those just waiting to roll in a fight):
- during sessions just count the number of good ideas someone has and proposes,
- add up the total XP for the adventure and give out the same amount of XP proportionally for the number of ideas.
Example:
- Player A: 3 idea, Player B 1 idea, Players C and D 0 ideas
- 1000 XP for the adventure >>> 250 for each character
- Player A gets 1000 * 3/(3+1+0+0) = 750 bonus
- Player B gets 1000 * 1/(3+1+0+0) = 250 bonus
This WILL make a difference but most of the time the difference wont be this big because everyone has a good idea sometime (unless youre playing with morons ...).
Kethka
10-17-03, 11:23 AM For Example here is Ally: [Blah, blah, blah] Chapter Five: “Cheat Sheet” - Page Seventeen...

I certainly feel sorry for the poor guy who has to read all that and incorporate it into his campaign :rolleyes: .

:D
Kalanth
10-17-03, 12:18 PM Originally posted by Malyss the defender
I'm going to start a new campaign this week and I asked my players to write a story of their character about 1 page long.I also give them bonus xp depending on the lenght of the story.The problem is that some of my players don't like it(but some of my player don't care or think it's a good idea too)

I was wondering what you asked from your players before the beginning of the campaign.If you ask them to do a text:what is the minimum lenght?do you give bonus xp?etc.

Actually, what you asked for is close to what I expect from players. I ask for a one page physical description and, on top of that, I ask for a minimum four page history. In essence, providing all of this information helps a player get into the character more easily. Another thing I do, is I give them an ending point to reach in the story, which becomes the begining of the campaign. Once that is all said and done, then the game can start. If the players then post their characters on Hall of Heroes (http://www.hallofhero.com), then I award a 500xp bonus.
Winternova
10-17-03, 12:34 PM The more I visit this thread, the more I like the idea. Yeah, next time we roll it's assignment time. One paragraph bio minimum, good XP to be earned. If they still can't RP, i'm gonna tell 'em to play D2, and just go find a different group.
Kalanth
10-17-03, 07:51 PM Originally posted by Winternova
If they still can't RP, i'm gonna tell 'em to play D2, and just go find a different group.

Thats a hint harsh. You are not willing to try and teach a player? You know, help them develop and become worth while? I realize that it can be difficult, but it can be rewarding as well.
Winternova
10-17-03, 08:14 PM i've been working with my players for some time on the subject, but when it comes down to the fact that they've some how managed to blend powergaming and metagaming into one giant bastard machine, i tend to get a little irked. I mean well with this, which is why i'm not making it mandatory. I think they could benefit from learning more about each other's characters as well - might help kinda glue the group together. All this nastiness being said, i've got two PCs that I know are gonna come up with simply brilliant products. Another i'm certain won't do the assignment at all, and likely complain nonetheless, but that's to be expected. He's always said his character exists only to help the group. I'm certain it's car envy though :D
Lhiannon Sidhe
10-17-03, 09:10 PM Standard practice in my gaming circle is to write a minimum of one page background for a character. As we see it, your character sheet isn't completed until you have this background. Everyone in the group likes this idea, so it's not really a chore to have to do it.
Ghoti
10-17-03, 09:50 PM The way I do it is this, BGs are optional. I like it when people do them, but no one is required to do so. However, if you do have a BG, you get certain related in game bonuses. For example, one PC wrote up a really nice history that explains his life upto this point and why he looks like he does, acts like he does and why he adventures. I think it's at least 2 pages long, and he designed so I could easily integrate it into the campaign. So, because his character is a noble, and has a good BG, he gets some equipment that he should have as a noble (A MW sword he wouldn't normally be able to afford, and some stuff like that, nothing game breaking). I also have a PC who made a BG and didn't write it down. It's shorter and less detailed but still fits in with the world and is designed in such a way that I can take advantage of it later, so he'll get something BG related later. The last player has no BG except where he came from, he gets nothing special except what he earns in game.

I don't require BGs because I have trouble getting some of these PCs to name their characters (I insisted this time because it's part of the campaign), and I don't really think all of them would do it. I also don't give XP because I want them to all be the same level (or ECL), because it simplifies things for me (CR and whatnot). We never want to ahve PCs of different levels because then I can't just make up a number that would get them to the next level whenever I don't feel upto caltulating XP (this isn't often but it happens).

But hey, if it works for you that's great, and you'll probably have more in depth roleplaying.

Ghoti :g:
OrigamiCommando
10-19-03, 08:07 PM Originally posted by Malyss the defender
I was wondering what you asked from your players before the beginning of the campaign.If you ask them to do a text:what is the minimum lenght?do you give bonus xp?etc.

I ask that my players give me a backstory and a character portrait.

They don't have to, but if they do, I award them a bonus ability score point for each to assign how they wish. My only stipulation is that they can't use it to raise it past their racial maximum at level one (the score they'd have if they assigned an 18 to it).

Backstory must be detailed and humanize the character: no supermen who can do no wrong and always got the best out of life allowed. If life were that simple you wouldn't be an adventurer.

Character portrait can be a drawn picture or one ripped off the net. Additionally, you can simply describe your character's physical appearence in words, if you wish. All of these are acceptable, but only one point will be awarded.
Rogue_Jedi_99
11-25-03, 08:21 PM 1) A BACKSTORY SHOULD BE A STORY.

Some people think a good back story is a character description, but the DM has your character sheet for that. Tell me a tale (preferably short) about your life, maybe your family, and definiately include your defining moments.

2) BACKSTORIES THAT TAKE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES TO READ ARE TOO LONG.

This is not your life story it is an adventure hook. It tells me less about your life and more about why you will adventure. 10 minutes worth of story should be able to cover it.

3) IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BACKSTORY THEN YOU WON'T KNOW ANYONE IN THIS AREA.

In my games if someone doesn't make a backstory no problem they're a wander.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Malyss the defender 10-14-03, 05:39 PM	I'm going to start a new campaign this week and I asked my players to write a story of their character about 1 page long.I also give them bonus xp depending on the lenght of the story.The problem is that some of my players don't like it(but some of my player don't care or think it's a good idea too) I was wondering what you asked from your players before the beginning of the campaign.If you ask them to do a text:what is the minimum lenght?do you give bonus xp?etc.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 10-14-03, 06:26 PM	I belive you should give the EXP away for the quality of the story and not the quantity. A person could have a paragraph and have a great story or incident compared to a person who wrote two pages but its boring or doesn't really explain anything important. And im asuming your starting out at 1st lvl, so I wouldn't give them any more exp that would bring them halfway to the next level.
Gingerbread Guy 10-15-03, 01:01 AM	Hiho, I love giving away XP for things like this. Journals are big in my book too. I always require a history and description.. it doesn't have to be typed out, but it should be at least a page long if it WERE to be typed. I don't give out XP for that - you can't play in my game if you can't tell me who your character is. And no "He's a fighter with blahblah feat and str 18" is not a history. Its not too much at all, but some players are going to complain because they want to hack and slash and skip any talking that isn't shouting battle cries and what not. God, I hate that kind of play.. ~Ginger
Midnight Lurker 10-15-03, 05:51 AM	Personally, I don't like to see XP being given for things the character hasn't done, and you may hear this complaint from the people who disagree with your proposal. Why should the character have a head start experience-wise because the player is a good writer? Its perfectly reasonable to expect every player to have a character's background figured out, and be able to give either a verbal or written history. I prefer oral, because it offers an opportunity for question/answer which often fills in the holes or helps a player realize the consequences of their story. But I wouldn't reward them with XP, rather with a campaign that uses their background to fill out the story and give the whole adventure more life. That should be enough of a reward. (This is what my writing looks like late at night... sorry)
Vexxan 10-15-03, 06:52 AM	I've had both types of players; ones who will gladly write a deep, engrossing background and ones who despise the effort involved. I don't require detailed backgrounds from my players, but I do ask for very simple things like place of birth and role in the community they live in. For those who do give backgrounds, I find they are simply happy with a well thought out character who has an exciting history. Those who don't sometimes just don't have a 'feel' for the character or campaign setting and would much rather take small steps at first. I also don't give XP for background; I think it's unfair. Players should enjoy their characters, and for some a background not only isn't of much importance, it's just not fun. I give XP for roleplaying after a session. For players who wrote a background, I try to incorporate some of it into the game so they have an opportunity to roleplay it. For those who didn't I watch for how they develop their character as the game progresses; attitudes, habits, beliefs, etc. As players get accustomed to their character and the world I take them aside briefly before a game and ask them how they see their character and how they think the world sees them. Lo and behold some of the players with a disdain for the initial background information usually come up with ideas for places they would have liked to have been, things they have done or people they've met. I tiptoe around any metagaming but generally incorporate these desires into a future session. It doesn't take long for the good players, background or not, to flesh themselves out. On a side note, this also lets both players and DMs see when a character just isn't 'vibing' with it's player. That leads to disgruntled campaigns and if you can catch it quickly enough, you can stem the tide of discontent by allowing a character change if necessary.
Gingerbread Guy 10-16-03, 11:26 AM	Originally posted by Midnight Lurker Personally, I don't like to see XP being given for things the character hasn't done, and you may hear this complaint from the people who disagree with your proposal. Why should the character have a head start experience-wise because the player is a good writer? Hiho, The obvious answers to these complaints is that a) the whole point of a history is that IS stuff the character has done. b) the DM doesn't have to give out XP based on good grammar and sentence structure [otherwise I'd be screwed]. Its only fair to take into account everyone's potential. Its a matter of how hard they work at it. The whole point of the exercise is to encourage people to write and create a character that is more than just a set of numbers and feats. Its always important to remind your players that they don't have to come up with something epic. Not every hero was born to equally heroic parents, and not everyone had an interesting childhood or adolescence. It isn't about the magnitude of the events, its about how the events shaped a character into who they are now. Saying "My character killed an ogre with his bare hands when he was 18 months old. The ogre was going to eat him, but my character pulled off his diaper and threw it in the ogre's mouth. It choked to death, but when the town's guard arrived, it looked like the baby had killed an ogre. Now he's a sorcerer," is eventfull, but its missing the point if its had little to no effect on his life. Conversely, a background such as "My character tended a flock of sheep most of his life. He's really had a very borning life, free from war, poverty or any major responsability besides keeping the flock together. Because of this, he's idealisitic and naiive, and prone to procrastination." is uneventfull, but its realisitc and interesting. It explains something about the character, and that kind of thinking should be rewarded. If not with XP, then with free pizza or something. lol ~Ginger
Winternova 10-16-03, 11:32 AM	That's a freakin' awesome idea. I'd do that, but i'd lose my players. good luck man!
Serric Ral 10-16-03, 02:07 PM	It’s really easy for just about anyone to write a good, long, useful background using the system I use, in my opinion. Because most of my characters are pretty mundane before they become adventurers, the only way I can write a good background for them is by talking about who they know and how those people influenced who they are. While most of it may appear to be fluff, I think that it can really help the DM to have something happen to you based on your background without them having to sift through pages of bio for a name. The first background I wrote using this method ended up being 17 pages long total (for Ally), the actual characters took up 14 pages. The best thing about this system for me is that it doesn’t require you to write anything long winded, and because of how I generate the NPCs, I usually get inspiration for my character in the process. In my experience, unless the DM likes to read, this is a good system to get a deep back story without hurting the Dms head. For Example here is Ally: Chapter One: A Brief Overview of Ally Generic Information: Name: Ally Silan Age: 19 Sex: Female Blood Type: A+ (if you must know, the DM suggested I put this in, so I did) Alignment: Chaotic Good Profession: Waiter/wants to be an adventurer Physical Information: Eye Color: Gold Hair Color: Blond Personal Information: Favorite Color: Blue Likes: Junk food, playing dice, tests of balance and agility, talking, keeping clean Dislikes: Sports, running, people shouting, being board Disappointments: Never being able to win at the balanced combat contest Personality Description: Talkative; very careful, cautious, and meticulous; likes to try and have fun with any situation; optimistic and cheerful most of the time. Other Information: At the age of 18, she and her boyfriend ran away from their home town to get married. Though Jamie would have rather got married right away once they found a city, Ally wanted to wait until the right time. She wanted to live separately from Jamie until they got married, however money restraints prevented her from being able to. And here is Mevlon, an NPC: Generic Information: Name: Mevlon Terel - “favored enemy” Age: 22 Sex: Male Blood Type: A+ Alignment: Chaotic Evil Profession: Nobel Physical Information: Eye Color: Black Hair Color: Black Personal Information: Favorite Color: Red Likes: Picking on people he sees as weaker, flaunting his parents wealth and position Dislikes: Ally, people fighting back Disappointments: Personality Description: Very arrogant; pushes people around Basic Description: He is the son of the lord of the town, and he is hated by just about everyone. No one would dare say a bad word about him, however, out of fear of what his father would do. His father does not have a bad reputation, but they would rather not try him. He has to be the best at everything he does, even though he isn’t that good at anything. A table of contents really helps out with this type of system for obvious reasons: Table of Contents Chapter One: A Brief Overview of Ally - Page One Chapter Two: A Brief Overview of Ally’s Family - Page Two Linda Silan (Mother) - p. 2 Joseph Silan (Father) - p. 3 Tommy Silan (Big Brother) - p. 4 Reisila Silan (Big Sister) - p. 5 Sally Silan (Twin Sister) - p. 6 David Silan (Little Brother) - p. 7 Chapter Three: A Brief Overview of People Ally Know - Page Eight Cindy Tesisn (Best Friend) - p. 8 Jamie Eders (Fiancé) - p. 9 Ross Felurn (Friend) - p. 10 Mevlon Terel (“Favored Enemy“) - p. 11 Justin Terel (Friend) - p. 12 “Miss Neria” (Role Model) - p. 13 Chapter Four: A Brief Overview of the Town of Reinia - Page Fourteen General Information - p. 14 The Festival of the Second Month - p. 15-16 Chapter Five: “Cheat Sheet” - Page Seventeen (Can’t forget the “Cheat Sheet” so the DM has an easy to use reference to all of the characters.) Next to every NPC I had a picture for them, but that may be a bit excessive. It was easy for me to do with my massive collection of random characters from RPGs that no one in my group has ever played. As for giving EXP for a good backstory, in my opinion a back story should be written for two reasons: 1) to make the character have more depth, and 2) so the DM can include it in some small way in his campaign so it feels more like you are a part of it. If you need EXP to feel like your backstory has accomplished something or you need some incentive to write one, then you are writing one for the wrong reasons. Of course there is nothing wrong with a character without a backstory, but I think that it helps out. Requiring one is really up to the DM, I can't really comment because I love to write backstories.
Tharkos 10-17-03, 05:52 AM	Part of the reason why RPGs are good is that they are meant to activate the creativity of people and that includes the players. So giving them XP bonus for a good background is nice. In my campaign I gave out xp according to the number of ideas as well (and thus rewarding active players more than those just waiting to roll in a fight): - during sessions just count the number of good ideas someone has and proposes, - add up the total XP for the adventure and give out the same amount of XP proportionally for the number of ideas. Example: - Player A: 3 idea, Player B 1 idea, Players C and D 0 ideas - 1000 XP for the adventure >>> 250 for each character - Player A gets 1000 * 3/(3+1+0+0) = 750 bonus - Player B gets 1000 * 1/(3+1+0+0) = 250 bonus This WILL make a difference but most of the time the difference wont be this big because everyone has a good idea sometime (unless youre playing with morons ...).
Kethka 10-17-03, 11:23 AM	For Example here is Ally: [Blah, blah, blah] Chapter Five: “Cheat Sheet” - Page Seventeen... I certainly feel sorry for the poor guy who has to read all that and incorporate it into his campaign :rolleyes: . :D
Kalanth 10-17-03, 12:18 PM	Originally posted by Malyss the defender I'm going to start a new campaign this week and I asked my players to write a story of their character about 1 page long.I also give them bonus xp depending on the lenght of the story.The problem is that some of my players don't like it(but some of my player don't care or think it's a good idea too) I was wondering what you asked from your players before the beginning of the campaign.If you ask them to do a text:what is the minimum lenght?do you give bonus xp?etc. Actually, what you asked for is close to what I expect from players. I ask for a one page physical description and, on top of that, I ask for a minimum four page history. In essence, providing all of this information helps a player get into the character more easily. Another thing I do, is I give them an ending point to reach in the story, which becomes the begining of the campaign. Once that is all said and done, then the game can start. If the players then post their characters on Hall of Heroes (http://www.hallofhero.com), then I award a 500xp bonus.
Winternova 10-17-03, 12:34 PM	The more I visit this thread, the more I like the idea. Yeah, next time we roll it's assignment time. One paragraph bio minimum, good XP to be earned. If they still can't RP, i'm gonna tell 'em to play D2, and just go find a different group.
Kalanth 10-17-03, 07:51 PM	Originally posted by Winternova If they still can't RP, i'm gonna tell 'em to play D2, and just go find a different group. Thats a hint harsh. You are not willing to try and teach a player? You know, help them develop and become worth while? I realize that it can be difficult, but it can be rewarding as well.
Winternova 10-17-03, 08:14 PM	i've been working with my players for some time on the subject, but when it comes down to the fact that they've some how managed to blend powergaming and metagaming into one giant bastard machine, i tend to get a little irked. I mean well with this, which is why i'm not making it mandatory. I think they could benefit from learning more about each other's characters as well - might help kinda glue the group together. All this nastiness being said, i've got two PCs that I know are gonna come up with simply brilliant products. Another i'm certain won't do the assignment at all, and likely complain nonetheless, but that's to be expected. He's always said his character exists only to help the group. I'm certain it's car envy though :D
Lhiannon Sidhe 10-17-03, 09:10 PM	Standard practice in my gaming circle is to write a minimum of one page background for a character. As we see it, your character sheet isn't completed until you have this background. Everyone in the group likes this idea, so it's not really a chore to have to do it.
Ghoti 10-17-03, 09:50 PM	The way I do it is this, BGs are optional. I like it when people do them, but no one is required to do so. However, if you do have a BG, you get certain related in game bonuses. For example, one PC wrote up a really nice history that explains his life upto this point and why he looks like he does, acts like he does and why he adventures. I think it's at least 2 pages long, and he designed so I could easily integrate it into the campaign. So, because his character is a noble, and has a good BG, he gets some equipment that he should have as a noble (A MW sword he wouldn't normally be able to afford, and some stuff like that, nothing game breaking). I also have a PC who made a BG and didn't write it down. It's shorter and less detailed but still fits in with the world and is designed in such a way that I can take advantage of it later, so he'll get something BG related later. The last player has no BG except where he came from, he gets nothing special except what he earns in game. I don't require BGs because I have trouble getting some of these PCs to name their characters (I insisted this time because it's part of the campaign), and I don't really think all of them would do it. I also don't give XP because I want them to all be the same level (or ECL), because it simplifies things for me (CR and whatnot). We never want to ahve PCs of different levels because then I can't just make up a number that would get them to the next level whenever I don't feel upto caltulating XP (this isn't often but it happens). But hey, if it works for you that's great, and you'll probably have more in depth roleplaying. Ghoti :g:
OrigamiCommando 10-19-03, 08:07 PM	Originally posted by Malyss the defender I was wondering what you asked from your players before the beginning of the campaign.If you ask them to do a text:what is the minimum lenght?do you give bonus xp?etc. I ask that my players give me a backstory and a character portrait. They don't have to, but if they do, I award them a bonus ability score point for each to assign how they wish. My only stipulation is that they can't use it to raise it past their racial maximum at level one (the score they'd have if they assigned an 18 to it). Backstory must be detailed and humanize the character: no supermen who can do no wrong and always got the best out of life allowed. If life were that simple you wouldn't be an adventurer. Character portrait can be a drawn picture or one ripped off the net. Additionally, you can simply describe your character's physical appearence in words, if you wish. All of these are acceptable, but only one point will be awarded.
Rogue_Jedi_99 11-25-03, 08:21 PM	1) A BACKSTORY SHOULD BE A STORY. Some people think a good back story is a character description, but the DM has your character sheet for that. Tell me a tale (preferably short) about your life, maybe your family, and definiately include your defining moments. 2) BACKSTORIES THAT TAKE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES TO READ ARE TOO LONG. This is not your life story it is an adventure hook. It tells me less about your life and more about why you will adventure. 10 minutes worth of story should be able to cover it. 3) IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BACKSTORY THEN YOU WON'T KNOW ANYONE IN THIS AREA. In my games if someone doesn't make a backstory no problem they're a wander.