Sources for Interesting Characters?

[Loonook]

So I ran across something I had completely forgotten about that I used to have a hard copy around for...

Professional Criminals of America . This is utterly fantastic... And probably the best source of a rogue's gallery I have seen in, ever. Dozens of sketches exist within the pages detailing the intricacies of thieves in the 1880s.

The actual book comes with some great looks into a time before modern dentistry, health care, as it contains the first published 'rogue's gallery' (at least that I know of...).

Anyone have anything similar? Do you have specific texts that you work from for character creation?

Slainte,

-Loonook.

 

[Memnoch3434]

Usually If I need help making a character I take a look at Central Casting, I roll it up and if it's a serious game Limit the amount of sillyness therein. There are three central casting books, Heroes of Legend, Heroes Now! and Heroes of Tomorrow.

 

[rkwoodard]

non-fantasy lit.

RK
Non Fantasy Lit. Moby Dick is awesome for characters. To be honest, I didn’t really like the book. But there are some great characters in there. There is a ex-sailor who is a Church Minister, to ascend the Pulpit each week, he uses rope like he is not the 3 steps at the back of the pulpit.

The main character off of the original CSI show for me was always a perfect inspiration for a Paladin.

Westerns are good inspiration as well.

RK

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I just keep my radar on at all times- I've gotten inspiration from literature, the news, TV/movies, music, pictures...you just never know.

 

[Thanael]

Usually If I need help making a character I take a look at Central Casting, I roll it up and if it's a serious game Limit the amount of sillyness therein. There are three central casting books, Heroes of Legend, Heroes Now! and Heroes of Tomorrow.

Actually there are 5.

The Central Casting books were :
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Central-Casting-Heroes-Paul-Jaquays/dp/0922335001/] Heroes of Legend[/ame] But there are 2 Editions of this. The [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0922335702]extremely rare 2nd edition of Heroes of Legend[/ame] has double the pages of the first edition.
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Central-Casting-Character-Creation-Century/dp/0922335117/]Heroes Now![/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Central-Casting-Tomorrow-Character-Creation/dp/0922335036/]Heroes for Tomorrow[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0922335524/]Central Casting Dungeons[/ame]


Dungeons and Legend 2nd Edition's author is Robert Sassone, the others are by Paul Jaquays. All are by Task Force Games.

Here's a site with pictures of all 4: Fantasy & Sci-Fi Campaign Building Guides - Wayne's World of Books


Some older threads on lifepaths systems:
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/187883-roll-up-life-path-3.html
http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/252939-central-casting-2.html
http://www.enworld.org/forum/genera...roes-legend-there-pdf-out-there-now-like.html


And yes i love lifepath systems. There are many great ones available. And with a bit of fudging it can be a great tool.

 

[Memnoch3434]

Wow, I did not know about the larger casting book, i gotta get one!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Got a couple of those myself- very well done.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Some RPGs to consider:

Traveller has a nice PC background system that could be used with almost any sci-fi RPG.

Everway has a nice system for FRPG characters background generation.

 

[Elf Witch]

I get ideas from all over movies, tv , the news, history, books.

Two idea floating around in my head right now is a dark wizard who makes deal. Based on Rumpelstiltskin/Mr Gold from Once Upon a Time. The idea of a man who risked taking on power for the sole reason of protecting his son only to go dark from it make in my mind a great three dimensional villain.

The other is a character based on Monroe from Grimm a monster who has tried to go mainstream and fit in and not prey on humans any longer.