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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 4657200" data-attributes="member: 20323">Sometimes the "menu" approach of D&D can stifle creativity. Also, surprising as it may be for those of us who life the dramatic parts of role-playing there are plenty of gamers who aren't interested in an immersive world - their dwarven paladin doesn't need any more definition than that. I'd make sure everyone is on the same page - maybe have the players "type" themselves based on the player motivations section at the beginning of the DMG?For the mother of all questionnaires check out:<a href="http://www.roleplayingtips.com/articles/character_questionnaire.php" target="_blank">Roleplaying Tips - RPG advice for roleplayers, gamemasters, all role-playing systems</a>If this kind of structure feels forced or draws blank stares, one trick is to use a lifepath system to generate a background - a series of tables you roll on and then weave a cohesive story. It often produces interesting stories. I'm finishing one for my upcoming D&D campaign.Here's an example of how a character created with this lifepath might look:Lifepath Example: Huric the RogueHuric was born in the woods as his mother was gathering herbs. (Birthplace = Wilderness)Born under the sign of the Centaur he exhibited all the vigor and brashness of youth, and was a particularly good shot with his sling – to the chagrin of the neighbors. (Star Sign = Centaur)His parents argued over his future, and he was an intermediary. (Childhood Environment = Angry)The son of a poor free laborer family, he was used to doing hard work. (Caretaker’s Origin = Birth Parents; Caretaker’s Background = Free Laborers)He is an only child and wishes he had an older sibling to guide him. (Siblings = Only Child)Both his parents live in a small town and are still arguing. (Caretaker’s Status = Alive)His father had hopes of him becoming a guardsman like him, but a fall while trying to repair the roof left Huric with a permanently injured leg. (Tragedy = Accident)His luck improved when Huric befriended a beautiful hedge mage and learned a bit of magic from her. (Enlightenment = Arcane)With a bit of magical knowledge he tricked a merchant out of a large sum. (Fortune = Financial Boon)He also used his magic to seduce the merchant’s daughter, but ended up getting her pregnant. The merchant’s family forced a wedding. (Romance = Pregnancy, Crossbow-point Wedding)However, his wife died during childbirth, leaving behind a baby girl. (made this part up)The merchant’s family took the baby girl away from Huric. This has led them to become bitter enemies. (Enemy = Patron, Heft = Clan, Animosity = Rift, Intensity = Angry)Huric and the hedge mage have feelings for each other, but haven’t consummated their relationship because of local custom. (Romance = Lingering Flame)Abilities: +1 Constitution, -1 WisdomSpecial: Prime ShotBonus Class Skills: Athletics, NatureSkill Bonuses: +1 Diplomacy, +1 InsightGold: +175Bonus Feat: Arcane InitiateWound: Leg (slowed, speed 2)Enemy: Merchant’s family</blockquote>

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