Developing your character

This will be where you build your backstory and what ties you into the world. The more you understand your character and the ties to the world and story, the more immersed you will feel while playing the game.

Start by considering these areas. I will review backstories, help you flesh it out, and then add my own secrets and fill-ins to be discovered based on the story, and ultimately what type of goal or path you want for your character.

You don't need to fill out everything. Just read through and start to get ideas that help you create your character.

Homeland, Family, Childhood

Consider where you are from, who your family is, what your childhood was like.

• Homeland -

  • Landscape

    • Any nearby landmarks that make it feel like home, draw in visitors, or is essential for survival there?
    • How is the wildlife? Dangerous, sparse, tame?
    • Any major features that alter life here?

  • Town, village, hovel, city, single compound?

    Since this isn't from a documented setting, you can help me create and establish the entire town.

    • Anything about your hometown that stands out? What is it known for?
    • Culture, temperament, temperature?
      • How does your home feel about outsiders?
      • Do they have any banned races?
      • Are they religious, how many religions are allowed or restricted?
      • Is magic allowed, common place, sought after, idolized, feared?
      • Is there a curfew, night-watch, guard, military?
      • Is there yearly or seasonal traditions that motivates and excites the populous?
        • Do these originate from a need or for morale purposes? Do they honor an event or person?
      • Are there temples, libraries, schools?
    • Food, water, beer, spice, luxury goods?
    • Workforce -
      • Guilds?
      • Mercenaries?
      • Underground, or criminal gangs?
      • Travelers and Merchants?
      • Temples, knowledge, schools

  • Standard of living

    • How's the economy
    • Are there taxes, where does the funding come from, what does it fund?
    • What resources, goods, or sources of funds fuels the economy?

  • What is the governing body

    • Monarchy
    • Democratic electorate
    • Council of elected officials
    • Ruling family of nobles
    • Dictatorship
    • Governor, Baron, Lord -> someone who reports up to a higher power?

• Family -

  • Are your parents alive? What are their professions? Names?
  • Do you have siblings, how many? Names?
  • Any other adventurers in your family?
  • What class is your family - poor, modest, nobility, estranged monarchy?
  • Is there anyone apart of your family that isn't related by blood?

• Birth -

  • Adopted? Blessed? Omen? Prophesied? Reincarnated? Left to die? Heir to Legacy? ..you get the idea

• Any major childhood event?

  In my opinion these type of events shape who you are and ultimately open the horizon for possibilities. Start the process of morphing your character from NPC to Legend

  • Training, betrayal, bullied, won a competition, death in the family, did you die?
  • Fall of major power, war, fell in with bad crowed, troubled first love, imprisoned, abducted?
  • Gained inheritance, magical gift developed, survived a disaster, mentorship/patronage?
  • Met a mystical creature or being, plain childhood, raiders, world event?

• Did you commit crimes?

  • Adultery, arson, burglary, heresy, murder, treason, smuggling, unlawful use of X?

• What was the punishment?

  • Beating, branding, exile, monetary fine, imprisonment, stocks, torture, trial by- combat, fire, water?

Adolescence and Training

[References pulled from Pathfinder](<https://www.d20pfsrd.com/BASICS-ABILITY-SCORES/MORE-CHARACTER-OPTIONS/CHARACTER-BACKGROUNDS/BACKGROUND-GENERATOR/#step_2adolescence_and_training)

• Did you have any training in your youth?
• Did you start to develop abilities beyond your basic person?
• Did you have any influential associates?
  • Hunter, Pariah, Confidante, Mentor, Mercenary, Lover, Fool, Liege Lord, Wanderer, Champion, Crafter, Well-Connected Friend?

Conflict

• Conflict helps create meaningful arcs.

Character conflict -> Struggles -> Obstacles -> Choices -> Development -> Journey -> Story

Internal goals - Private desires, fears, duties, identity, morale dilemmas.

External goals