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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sorrowdusk" data-source="post: 5410745" data-attributes="member: 96342">Now this is a different approach. But I will agree that background is definitely a too-for me, backgrounds and histories (but for me, also regular In Character Journals-some about current events, some the past, and sometimes just 'thoughts' or 'ideas') help me build WHO the character is, it tells me why they make the decisions they do, more than 'thats just the way they are' or 'because'. Even if the DM didnt look at it at all, I'd do it for myself, but I would greatly appreciate it if some of it was taken into consideration, the same way we (PCs) regularly bother to let current events change us, take them into consideration rather than always remaining static. I will say though that events along the way of play definitely affect them, and pose more problems and challenges than what's in the past. AT THE SAME time, characters should have some distant goals or open ended ones. If a big part of your background is 'revenge' against this one guy...will you actually get it? IF you do, of COURSE its at 'the end of the story'. If you complete it halfway, does your character have motivations beyond that? Likewise with lost little sisters, etc, etc. If these are your primary motivations, what do you do when they are resolved? Your character will need a new goal. There must always be CONFLICT. It's the tension between the way things are in your life, and what you want them to be.     And see thats the thing, if the DM is just going to run what he wants and ONLY MAYBE include elements taken from a characters backstory, history, family members, personal fears, etc Then YES-you might be 'wasting your time'. Of course SOME people just like crafting these kinds of things, so it might be fun to do anyway. Personally, I like things the other way around. Have your PCs build the charaters they want and determine their backgrounds BEFORE you even think about the campaign of what kind of stories you're going to tell. Take their thoughts in as much as theirs. A character focused on revenge? Work that character into the plot. Player has an idea for an organization? Make use of it. But you need to plan. As with all things, YMMV</blockquote>

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