To make a PC (an experiment) [Archive] - Wizards Community

To make a PC (an experiment) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-07-08, 02:48 AM I have an idea on a formula for creating PC backgrounds. I'd like the boards here to help me with turning this into a more fleshed out BG generator such as we occasionally receive requests for.

My concept is to create a listing of relations and then expand upon them.

I want to see how well we can make this work and get as much input as possible involved so I'm gonna use the next post for the actual generator and edit as I get suggestions.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-07-08, 02:49 AM How I came to be and Who I am today (a CharDev excercise)

The goal of this post is to create a simple system for players to learn how their characters came to be and help determine how to roleplay them. In addition, it should provide hooks for a DM who wants to use your character's past. No indiviual listing should need to be filled out but any left blank should come with an explanation as to why there is nothing there. Many may also blend together but hopefully if thought through this will help.

INSTRUCTIONS Start with names. Add little bits such as proffesions to each until you see someplace to start and go from there. This isn't the most scientific method for char. creation I've heard of but I think it may help a lot for some of you. Especially those who just need a bit of oomph to get the inspiration going.

1. Parents :: The most obvious role-models in any character's life. It all starts here.
--Who were your parents and what did you make of them?
--Did you respect them or cast off their ideals and in either case what did they believe in?

2. Siblings :: Alongside parents there are few who can provide more influence over who you are today.
--Were you an only child or one of many?
--Did you desire siblings (or value ones you had) or did you hate the competion?
--Were you a good egg or a black sheep?
--Was there another who was like you in the fold? Unlike?

3. Friends :: If your parents tell you who to be then your friends must surely tell you who you are, right?
--Most people hang with like-minded others forming bonds which, for the first time, are of choice. Were your friends your fist choice?
--Did you choose well with your friends? Poorly?
--Did you lead or follow in your circle?
--Were you happy with the direction the others often went? If not did you go anyway?
--Do you still maintain these friendships? Have they been lost to time or more direct action on the part of you or your friends?

4. Authority :: Who was in charge when you grew? Often a less direct influence they make up for it by influencing all the others.
--Who was the biggest authority you knew? Who had the biggest impact?
--Was it a local or bigger authority?
--Were they benevelont or cruel?
--Another case of respect or rebellion; which were you?

5. Teachers :: Someone had to give you the skills you possess today. Didn't they?
--What were they supposed to teach? A trade or something less substantial?
--What did they teach?
--Where they widely known, wealthy, or powerful? If so was it for what they were teaching or supposed to be teaching you?

6. Larger Society :: Rather then individuals here is where we look at trends and traditions that surrounded you
--Mobile or stationary
--Advanced or primitive
--Rational or superstitous
--Warlike or peaceful
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-07-08, 06:11 AM developing list of samples

1. Parents

--Position, profession, etc
---Nobility (of rank or obscure, in favor or out, wealthy and powerful or minor associate of much more powerful forces)
---Farmers, Potters, Tailors, etc. Common tradesmiths
---Vagrants, street theives, beggars
---Priests, cultists, etc
---Merchants
---Traveling Folk, performers, etc.
---Military
---Criminals
---Foster (may include close ties to orphanage staff)
---Unknown (many, many, reasons)
---Seperated (still together applies as a despite in many cases)
----By social class
----By war/national boundary
----By race
----By wealth
----By familial difference
----By class (D&D class system)
----By age
----By "personal" differences
----By death

--Relationships with
---Love and respect (Of course mother.)
---Hatred (Yes, mother, of course.)
---Desire for (Will you be my mommy?)
---Devotion (Look what I can do Ma! Loook!)
---Competition (You're in my way old man.)
---Left behind (You don't need me I don't need you)
---Reverse parenting (I only drive when mom's too drunk to.)
---One favored (Dad said I could so there.)

--Inheritance
---Genetic (Mom was a dwarf, dad was a dwarf, guess I'm not a duck after all)
---Power (Dad was third in line to receive the power of the ancient pact, I am fourth)
---Curses (Mom can never have a second female child and is bound to lose any sons. I will suffer the same.)
---Wealth (Cash, land, legacy weapons, etc.)
---Title (Sir, Lord, Your Highness)
---Insanity (Not necessarilly genetics alone. See Frankenstein legacy.)

2. Siblings

--Numerous
---Love and respect (I'm gonna grow up to be just like Bro.)
---Hatred (You're the worst thing to ever happen to me.)
---Envy (Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!)
---Competition (Third in line? Make that second.)
---Parent (Don't worry I'll take care of you. We're all we have in the world now.)
---Baby (So what now sis?)
---Brat (He took my lunch money. Get 'em big brother.)
---Twin (We're upset today.)
---Twin (Would you stop that! You're bumming me out... seeing that look on my face.)

--Only child
---fawned upon (Noone hurts my baby!)
---cared for self (Shut up and go watch TV)
---Longed for sibling (Today I found my friend/ he's in my head/ oh well, whatever, nevermind)

3. Friends

-- Close
---gang of theives
---close knit band of trouble-makers
---shared workloads (more of us gets the work done quicker)
---explorers (dare ya ta go in the cave)
---secret (no girls or grown-ups allowed)
---single or few (You and me against the world. We attack at dawn.)
---single or few (We'll make as long as we have each other)

--Distant
---The children from the village. (Sooo. Can I play too?)
---Friends of the family. (go play with Timmy while we talk)
---Strange (But why can't I tell anyone about you Mr Dragon?)

--Few
---unavailable (far from civilization, seperated by parents' station, etc.)
---non-sentient (animal, construct, etc.)
---unwanted (loner)
---ostrasized
----brilliance
----ignorance
----racial
----rumors
----bullied
----bully
----privledged
----poor

--Leader
---Beauty (All the boys looove me!)
---Noble (Of course they'll listen. I am a Smith after all.)
---Manipulator (You all just like Billy more than me don't you)
---Wealthy (Look at what I just got)
---Bully (Because I'll pound ya if ya don't thats why)
---All star (I'm going to Disneyland!)
---Protector (Leave him alone)

4. Authority

--Close
---Mayor, village elder, etc.
---Sherriff, Captain of the guard, etc.
---Local priest
---Head Guildsman
---Mine/building/etc Foreman (Dad's boss)
---Unofficial (Merchant power, local hero, forest bandits, etc.)

--Distant
---King, Duke, etc.
---Military
---Higher church powers (pope, etc.)

--Cruel/Benevolent
--Powerful/Weak
--Omnipresent/Sparse
--Rightful/Illegitimate

5. Teacher's

--Trade teachers
---School
---Local mage, priest, etc
---Master (master/apprentice)

--General teachers
---See Previous Catagories.

6. Larger Society

--Trends and Traditions
--Superstitions
--Prophecies (not neccessarily relating directly to you but of interest in general)
--Size

More will come. I'm still working this thing out. Feel free to make suggestions and I'll add in when I get a chance.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-07-08, 06:13 AM Reserved

In case I need it.

Likely a list of more general tips.

1. Remember this is your story not the story of the people you knew. It's more about the effect they had on you than who they were.

2. Think on what it is you shared with these people. Both in terms of traits and more literally. This tells you a great deal about who you are.
Aaarrrgh
02-07-08, 11:29 AM If you like questions, try these: http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-361984
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-08-08, 12:52 AM I've seen a couple of these and even have a good one saved for my own use. My hope is to make this one follow a more organic proccess. I figure a person grows out of influences in their life so why not start with influencing factors and try to "grow" a pc. Many of the others fit the rules system better than I hope to make this one but I'm reaching for a system that will inspire, as well as offer structure to, the pc generation proccess.

Still I may well use several of the questions listed there once I have more time to read through it. This one is still a work in progress as is and I'm coming up with it as I write.
Dakr
02-11-08, 07:07 PM As usual, your posts rule, Terjon. Way to go! :)
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-14-08, 06:44 AM Thank you. I still need to fix up the instructions into a bit more useful of a form and I may sblock the suggestions. Other than that I'm more or less done. I hope it's of use to someone.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-07-08, 02:48 AM	I have an idea on a formula for creating PC backgrounds. I'd like the boards here to help me with turning this into a more fleshed out BG generator such as we occasionally receive requests for. My concept is to create a listing of relations and then expand upon them. I want to see how well we can make this work and get as much input as possible involved so I'm gonna use the next post for the actual generator and edit as I get suggestions.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-07-08, 02:49 AM	How I came to be and Who I am today (a CharDev excercise) The goal of this post is to create a simple system for players to learn how their characters came to be and help determine how to roleplay them. In addition, it should provide hooks for a DM who wants to use your character's past. No indiviual listing should need to be filled out but any left blank should come with an explanation as to why there is nothing there. Many may also blend together but hopefully if thought through this will help. INSTRUCTIONS Start with names. Add little bits such as proffesions to each until you see someplace to start and go from there. This isn't the most scientific method for char. creation I've heard of but I think it may help a lot for some of you. Especially those who just need a bit of oomph to get the inspiration going. 1. Parents :: The most obvious role-models in any character's life. It all starts here. --Who were your parents and what did you make of them? --Did you respect them or cast off their ideals and in either case what did they believe in? 2. Siblings :: Alongside parents there are few who can provide more influence over who you are today. --Were you an only child or one of many? --Did you desire siblings (or value ones you had) or did you hate the competion? --Were you a good egg or a black sheep? --Was there another who was like you in the fold? Unlike? 3. Friends :: If your parents tell you who to be then your friends must surely tell you who you are, right? --Most people hang with like-minded others forming bonds which, for the first time, are of choice. Were your friends your fist choice? --Did you choose well with your friends? Poorly? --Did you lead or follow in your circle? --Were you happy with the direction the others often went? If not did you go anyway? --Do you still maintain these friendships? Have they been lost to time or more direct action on the part of you or your friends? 4. Authority :: Who was in charge when you grew? Often a less direct influence they make up for it by influencing all the others. --Who was the biggest authority you knew? Who had the biggest impact? --Was it a local or bigger authority? --Were they benevelont or cruel? --Another case of respect or rebellion; which were you? 5. Teachers :: Someone had to give you the skills you possess today. Didn't they? --What were they supposed to teach? A trade or something less substantial? --What did they teach? --Where they widely known, wealthy, or powerful? If so was it for what they were teaching or supposed to be teaching you? 6. Larger Society :: Rather then individuals here is where we look at trends and traditions that surrounded you --Mobile or stationary --Advanced or primitive --Rational or superstitous --Warlike or peaceful
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-07-08, 06:11 AM	developing list of samples 1. Parents --Position, profession, etc ---Nobility (of rank or obscure, in favor or out, wealthy and powerful or minor associate of much more powerful forces) ---Farmers, Potters, Tailors, etc. Common tradesmiths ---Vagrants, street theives, beggars ---Priests, cultists, etc ---Merchants ---Traveling Folk, performers, etc. ---Military ---Criminals ---Foster (may include close ties to orphanage staff) ---Unknown (many, many, reasons) ---Seperated (still together applies as a despite in many cases) ----By social class ----By war/national boundary ----By race ----By wealth ----By familial difference ----By class (D&D class system) ----By age ----By "personal" differences ----By death --Relationships with ---Love and respect (Of course mother.) ---Hatred (Yes, mother, of course.) ---Desire for (Will you be my mommy?) ---Devotion (Look what I can do Ma! Loook!) ---Competition (You're in my way old man.) ---Left behind (You don't need me I don't need you) ---Reverse parenting (I only drive when mom's too drunk to.) ---One favored (Dad said I could so there.) --Inheritance ---Genetic (Mom was a dwarf, dad was a dwarf, guess I'm not a duck after all) ---Power (Dad was third in line to receive the power of the ancient pact, I am fourth) ---Curses (Mom can never have a second female child and is bound to lose any sons. I will suffer the same.) ---Wealth (Cash, land, legacy weapons, etc.) ---Title (Sir, Lord, Your Highness) ---Insanity (Not necessarilly genetics alone. See Frankenstein legacy.) 2. Siblings --Numerous ---Love and respect (I'm gonna grow up to be just like Bro.) ---Hatred (You're the worst thing to ever happen to me.) ---Envy (Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!) ---Competition (Third in line? Make that second.) ---Parent (Don't worry I'll take care of you. We're all we have in the world now.) ---Baby (So what now sis?) ---Brat (He took my lunch money. Get 'em big brother.) ---Twin (We're upset today.) ---Twin (Would you stop that! You're bumming me out... seeing that look on my face.) --Only child ---fawned upon (Noone hurts my baby!) ---cared for self (Shut up and go watch TV) ---Longed for sibling (Today I found my friend/ he's in my head/ oh well, whatever, nevermind) 3. Friends -- Close ---gang of theives ---close knit band of trouble-makers ---shared workloads (more of us gets the work done quicker) ---explorers (dare ya ta go in the cave) ---secret (no girls or grown-ups allowed) ---single or few (You and me against the world. We attack at dawn.) ---single or few (We'll make as long as we have each other) --Distant ---The children from the village. (Sooo. Can I play too?) ---Friends of the family. (go play with Timmy while we talk) ---Strange (But why can't I tell anyone about you Mr Dragon?) --Few ---unavailable (far from civilization, seperated by parents' station, etc.) ---non-sentient (animal, construct, etc.) ---unwanted (loner) ---ostrasized ----brilliance ----ignorance ----racial ----rumors ----bullied ----bully ----privledged ----poor --Leader ---Beauty (All the boys looove me!) ---Noble (Of course they'll listen. I am a Smith after all.) ---Manipulator (You all just like Billy more than me don't you) ---Wealthy (Look at what I just got) ---Bully (Because I'll pound ya if ya don't thats why) ---All star (I'm going to Disneyland!) ---Protector (Leave him alone) 4. Authority --Close ---Mayor, village elder, etc. ---Sherriff, Captain of the guard, etc. ---Local priest ---Head Guildsman ---Mine/building/etc Foreman (Dad's boss) ---Unofficial (Merchant power, local hero, forest bandits, etc.) --Distant ---King, Duke, etc. ---Military ---Higher church powers (pope, etc.) --Cruel/Benevolent --Powerful/Weak --Omnipresent/Sparse --Rightful/Illegitimate 5. Teacher's --Trade teachers ---School ---Local mage, priest, etc ---Master (master/apprentice) --General teachers ---See Previous Catagories. 6. Larger Society --Trends and Traditions --Superstitions --Prophecies (not neccessarily relating directly to you but of interest in general) --Size More will come. I'm still working this thing out. Feel free to make suggestions and I'll add in when I get a chance.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-07-08, 06:13 AM	Reserved In case I need it. Likely a list of more general tips. 1. Remember this is your story not the story of the people you knew. It's more about the effect they had on you than who they were. 2. Think on what it is you shared with these people. Both in terms of traits and more literally. This tells you a great deal about who you are.
Aaarrrgh 02-07-08, 11:29 AM	If you like questions, try these: http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-361984
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-08-08, 12:52 AM	I've seen a couple of these and even have a good one saved for my own use. My hope is to make this one follow a more organic proccess. I figure a person grows out of influences in their life so why not start with influencing factors and try to "grow" a pc. Many of the others fit the rules system better than I hope to make this one but I'm reaching for a system that will inspire, as well as offer structure to, the pc generation proccess. Still I may well use several of the questions listed there once I have more time to read through it. This one is still a work in progress as is and I'm coming up with it as I write.
Dakr 02-11-08, 07:07 PM	As usual, your posts rule, Terjon. Way to go! :)
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-14-08, 06:44 AM	Thank you. I still need to fix up the instructions into a bit more useful of a form and I may sblock the suggestions. Other than that I'm more or less done. I hope it's of use to someone.