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<blockquote data-quote="prabe" data-source="post: 7908204" data-attributes="member: 7016699">As a DM I ask for (but do not require) a short backstory (which I'm about to define further, to less than 2000 words). If players want to include their traits and bonds and flaws and suchlike, that's fine, but I think of those as more for the player than for the DM (and I don't use Inspiration because it's kinda garbage). I will use elements from those backstories to tie characters to the world and to the campaign, and many of those threads will be resolved over the course of play. I have added a suggestion in my standard new campaign packet that players remember their characters are closer to the beginning of their story than to the end.I did have one player present me with a 10,000 page novella as his character's backstory, and that is ... a bit much, and seems to be demanding of the DM. That player rolled in the tables in Xanathar's, which I'm also thinking of at least asking players not to use, because it can generate a lot of backstory.As a player, I write exactly what I ask for as a DM, if the campaign is pitched as something open-ish, not a set adventure path or just door-kicking our way through an endless dungeon or somesuch thing where backstory would be a waste. I have come to realize in the past couple of years running that I DM the sort of campaigns I'd love to play in.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="prabe, post: 7908204, member: 7016699"] As a DM I ask for (but do not require) a short backstory (which I'm about to define further, to less than 2000 words). If players want to include their traits and bonds and flaws and suchlike, that's fine, but I think of those as more for the player than for the DM (and I don't use Inspiration because it's kinda garbage). I will use elements from those backstories to tie characters to the world and to the campaign, and many of those threads will be resolved over the course of play. I have added a suggestion in my standard new campaign packet that players remember their characters are closer to the beginning of their story than to the end. I did have one player present me with a 10,000 page novella as his character's backstory, and that is ... a bit much, and seems to be demanding of the DM. That player rolled in the tables in Xanathar's, which I'm also thinking of at least asking players not to use, because it can generate a lot of backstory. As a player, I write exactly what I ask for as a DM, if the campaign is pitched as something open-ish, not a set adventure path or just door-kicking our way through an endless dungeon or somesuch thing where backstory would be a waste. I have come to realize in the past couple of years running that I DM the sort of campaigns I'd love to play in. [/QUOTE]

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