How to make a compelling roleplaying character.

 Character Creation Guide

1. Establish the Fundamentals:

• What is your character's race? (Consider typical societal roles and expectations for this race in the campaign setting.)

• What is your character's class? (How did they come to this profession or calling? What was their training like?)

• What is your character's background? (What was their life like before adventuring? What skills and connections did they gain?)

2. Understand the Campaign Context (Collaborate with your DM!):

• What is the campaign setting? (What are the dominant cultures, religions, and political forces? How does your character fit into this world?)

• What are the major themes of the campaign? (How can your backstory connect to these themes?)

• What is your character's starting level? (Your backstory should be appropriate for their current level of experience.)

• Are there any existing party dynamics or opportunities for connections with other player characters?

3. Delve into Origins and Upbringing:

• Where and when was your character born? What was their early life like?

• What was their social standing? What kind of community did they grow up in?

• Who were their parents or primary caregivers? What were their professions and personalities? What is your character's relationship with them?

• Did they have any siblings or close childhood friends? What are their current statuses?

• What kind of education or training did they receive (formal or informal)?

4. Explore Significant Relationships:

• Who are the most important people in your character's life (past and present)?

• Are these individuals still alive? If so, where are they and what are they doing?

• What are the nature of these relationships? (Loving, strained, supportive, etc.)

• Do they have any mentors, rivals, or enemies from their past?

5. Define Motivations and Goals:

• Why did your character choose the life of an adventurer? What event or series of events led them down this path?

• What are their short-term goals? (What do they hope to achieve in the immediate future?)

• What are their long-term goals? (What are their ultimate aspirations?)

• What are their ideals? What principles guide their actions?

6. Identify Pivotal Life Events:

• What are the most significant events that have shaped your character's life?

• Have they experienced any traumatic events or significant losses? How did these experiences affect them?

• What are their moments of greatest triumph and deepest regret?

• Did they make any significant choices or sacrifices in their past?

7. Uncover Secrets, Flaws, and Regrets:

• Does your character have any secrets? (Consider if you want to share these with the DM or keep them private.)

• What are their flaws? (These should be more than just mechanical disadvantages; think about personality flaws, fears, or compulsions.)

• What are their bonds? (What people, places, or ideals do they care deeply about?)

• Do they have any lingering regrets from their past?

8. Connect to the Campaign:

• Are there any people, places, or organizations from your backstory that the DM could potentially incorporate into the campaign?

• Why is your character with the adventuring party? What are their initial reasons for working with them?

• How does your character feel about the current situation or the overall goals of the campaign (as you understand them at the start)?

9. Refine and Collaborate:

• Review your backstory. Is it concise and engaging? Does it provide enough detail without being overwhelming?

• Share your backstory with your DM and be open to feedback and suggestions. They may have ideas on how to integrate it even further into the campaign.

Be flexible! Your backstory might evolve as the campaign progresses and you learn more about the world and your character's place in it.