A Questionnaire for DM's to give their Players

[DeadDM]

I've tried a few types of questionaires on my players. Most of them don't know how to properly define their own characters, and, even if they did come up with an adequate profile, they usually tend to hate trying to follow it.

Now, I just let them play their characters based on the mood of the day.

 

[Ravilah]

In all of my campaigns so far, the backstories of the players' characters have, in one way or another, eventually played an integral part of the story. It helps the players feel that they actually have something invested in their adventures--which makes dying SO much more awful.

But I agree with Zurai that it depends on the style of the GM and players. I run a very story-oriented game where sessions involve almost as must diplomacy, political intrigue, and character development as ogre disembowelment, fireball explosions, and treasure stealing (though I make sure never to go a session without at least one good bloodbath).

This style comes rather naturally to my group, so its still a casual leisure activity for us too. Gamers of different temperament would likely find staying "in-character" exhausting and annoying.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Personally, I think that questionnaire is silly. Aside from the magical implications of some of them, I don't even know how I would answer all of them, let alone answer for a fictional character. Moreso, I don't see those particular questions as relevant. If I were the player, I would answer them randomly and then decide later how I would respond in each situation, telling the DM beforehand what my "plans" were. The character's life should shape his choices. This questionnaire seems targeted to force the character into major decisions that have no bearing whatsoever right now.

Back stories are great. Questionnaires like this are stupid.

 

[Nail]

I have to admit, a questionnaire would annoy th' heck outta me.

Playing the game is about.....<wait fer it!>......playing the game!Answering the questionnaire about the game before I've played the game is about as useful as drawing a map without knowing anything about the territory.

 

[Aleolus]

Well, this was just something to try to help this particular DM's players get into the mindset of the character, so they play them consistently, even if that consistency is chaotic in nature.

 

[Fifth Element]

I love these types of questionnaires. I typically have a very in depth background for my characters whether the DM asks for it or not. These types of character quizzes are great for getting at the root values of a character.

It's good that you like it, since it's something you can do for all of your characters regardless of whether the DM even reads it.

But the problem is it assumes all the players will enjoy it. If all of the players in a campaign are up for it, that's great. But a large proportion of players will probably look at this as needless homework, and would rather get playing. I know my eyes would glaze over.

As a player and a DM, I like characters to have an idea of their background, maybe something that can be summed up in a short paragraph. The amount of detail in that questionnaire is off-putting, especially since much of a character's character often develops in gameplay.