Character Creation: Personality and Backstory

There is not really a need for a full backstory, but answering a few questions can help round out your character enough to suit the purposes of the game.  You may come up with a detailed backstory if you wish to do so.

But we need to know why your character became an adventurer, what your character loves, hates, and fears.  Try these charts inspired by Professor Dungeon Master on the Dungeon Craft YouTube channel.  

Why did my character become an adventurer? 

Roll 2d8 or choose

1)      ------

2)      accused of crime (roll any die) Odd#=DID or Even#=Did Not commit

3)      escape slavery/indentured servitude

4)      swore an oath—to do what? Swore to whom?

5)      owe money—to whom?

6)      farm devastated by (roll 1d6) 1-2=drought, 3-4=flood, 5-6=locusts

7)      town/home destroyed by (roll 1d6) 1-2=plague, 3-4=monsters, 5-6=civil war

8)      guilt or shame—about what?

9)      flee loveless/arranged marriage

10)  seek revenge—against whom? What for?

11)  1=angel, 2=demon, 3=ghost, 4=vision appeared and inspired you to adventure

12)  fleeing religious persecution

13)  desert clergy/army

14)  wish to follow in their footsteps of adventurous relative/ancestor/idol

15)  relative/friend/idol died/vanished on adventure, wish to search for them—who is this person? What is your relationship with them?

16)  Youngest/bastard child of a noble, you will inherit nothing, adventure or join clergy

What do I Fear?

01- Bats
02- Bears
03- Being trapped/no way out
04- Bugs
05- Cats
06- Closed in spaces
07- Dogs
08- Dragons
09- Drowning
10- Falling
11- Frogs
12- High places
13- Lizards
14- Rats/mice
15-“Slimy” things
16- Snakes
17- Spiders
18-Undead
19- Wide open spaces
20-Other

What do I Hate?

01- Abusive Parent/Guardian
02- Abusive Sibling
03- Bully
04- Oppressive Authority Figure (teacher/town officer/religious leader)
05- Cats
06- Clerics
07- Dogs
08- Dwarves
09- Elves
10- False/Former Friend
11- False/Former Lover
12- Goblins
13- Halflings
14- Hobgoblins
15- Orcs
16- Slavers
17- Thieves
18- Warriors
19- Wizards
20- Other

Who/What do I love the most?

01- Parent/Grandparent/Guardian
02- Brother/Sister
03- Family Honor/Reputation
04- Family Heirloom/Artifact
05- Home Town
06- Home Country/Patriotism
07- Town or Country Ruler
08- Hero/Idol
09- Lover/Perceived Love Interest
10- Wealth/Money
11- Power (Political, Social, or Magical)
12- Social Status
13- The People (general lower class or of a specific town/kingdom)
14- Specific Type of Lower Animal (dogs, cats, fairies, etc)
15-Specific God or Belief
16-Specific Group/Organization (Royal Family, Order of Knights, Wizard’s Order, Thieves' Guild/Gang, etc)
17-Children
18-Art/Literature
19-Fame
20-Other

You may also want to use the new PC Background Chart or the PC Secrets Chart.

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

If you have a Dwarf or Halfling, roll a 1D6.  If you roll 1-3 subtract the modifer; if you roll 4-6 add the modifer.

If you have an Elf or any Human class, roll 1D10.  If you 1-2 subtract the modifer from the base; if you roll 8-10 then add the modifer.  

If you roll 3-7; modify the base by 1D4 inches; roll a 1D6 to determine if you add or subtract.

AGE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

He rolls up characters differently than I do, but pertinent backstory stuff starts around 6:10

Yes, having weaknesses seems antithetical as a game player; but we're trying to tell a story.  And we all know that the most interesting characters have flaws and detriments that they have to learn to overcome.  Plus it helps with role-playing.

I had 2 really good videos about backstory here.  They were by Professor Dungeon Master at the Dungeon Craft YouTube Channel.  But the lousy rat fink has reverted them to private, so we can use them.

However, here are some Really Good videos by Seth Skorkowsky!

Good stuff here about how a player can push his backstory.

More good stuff to help round out your characters.  Good stuff to keep in mind.

Sorry folks, but here's one more!