D&D General Are your PCs "Adventurers" or just get caught up in the Adventure?

[DND_Reborn]

A question of philosophy when it comes to building your 1st level PC: do you create your character with the idea in mind that they will be an adventurer, so you might choose particular skills, spells, etc. to better prepare them for it. Or, do you build your character according to their "life" (backstory) even if it might make them a poor "adventurer" because they lack the right skill-set, etc.?

 

[TheSword]

I create them with a reason to adventure. I don’t create a character that the DM then has to drag to the group kicking and screaming.

 

[Stormonu]

I don't want my characters to be millstones around the party's neck, but I do want them to feel grounded in the world they came from, and a reason to keep adventuring with the group, so mostly 1 with some of 2.

 

[Minigiant]

I build characters based on their backstory.

I however curate those backstories, experiences, and skills to translate into being at least decent into adventuring so that it makes sense that the PC won't count themselves out as adventurers.

 

[Charlaquin]

Why are these things being presented as dichotomous? You create your own character’s backstory, don’t you? Create one that a character who is built based on it would be an effective adventurer.

 

[Baron Opal II]

Mostly 1, some of 2.

If they were content with their lot, they would have stayed on the farm. Obviously, however, if they are learned in some way that would have to start before whatever conflict occurred that spurred them into action.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Why are these things being presented as dichotomous? You create your own character’s backstory, don’t you? Create one that a character who is built based on it would be an effective adventurer.

It isn't. You have options besides 1 and 2.

 

[Blue]

For a "generic" campaign, my characters at 1st have usually chosen to adventure, regardless if they have admitted it to themselves or if they have done anything yet. So they will grow up as per their backstory, but at some point - which may have been years or second before the start of campaign - they have decided to do something more. Considering starting equipment is rather adventuresome, it's usually long enough ago to have that.

 

[beancounter]

I build my characters based on what I think is interesting.

I don't consider the setting unless it would put me at a significant disadvantage not to do so. For example, I would chose a fathomless warlock if we're going on an ocean adventure.

 

[steeldragons]

Little of column A, little of column B...and C-Z.

Sometimes their just outright adventurers looking to adventure on adventures -riches, fame, power, glory and honor, etc.. etc... etc..

Sometimes, they're just competent people in the right place at the right time...or right place at the wrong time...or wrong place at the right time...or not so competent at any of the above.

Sometimes, they want nothing but to get home/somewhere safe and can't understand why/how "this keeps happening to meeee!" as they find themselves in the midst of dangerous situations and/or extraordinary circumstances.

It's really just a matter of the character... where I had the idea from, what class I felt like playing, what species, what background/story...

I voted "#3," but it could really be anything.