Bribing Players

[Crothian]

Okay, I'm going to be starting a new game Sunday. I like players who have rich backgrounds, but I don't think many players of my current group are likely to do them. So, what are your thoughts on bribing characters to get this type of information? And what type of bribes do you think work the best?

 

[Kilmore]

You could always run them through Central Casting.

AAGH! Don't hit me!

 

[the Jester]

Experience points!

In Amber, one of the things you can do for extra "stuff" (roughly the equivelent of xp) is keep a campaign diary, do art, or something similar. I personally reward props with xp; I'd call a written background or something a prop.

 

[jgbrowning]

i'd use the bribe them with a big stick method. if they don't come up with x amount of information on their characters tell them you'll give them the character they'll play. does mean you'll have to come up with a bunch of background but you can use that to show them its not hard to do and fun. and when your done, you have some good backgrounds for potential villains and what not.

joe b.

 

[LiVeWiRe]

I don't see anything wrong with 'bribing' players in order to get this type of info...although it would be nice if they had the desire to do this type of thing.

What method are you using to determine attributes?

I have had DMs in the past give extra points for attributes (they used the point-buy system in 3e). I have also had DMs/GMs give extra skills as long as they were reasonable and developed in the character's background...

 

[hong]

XP is good. It's the universal currency.

 

[Roland Delacroix]

In my game all the characters start with 30 point buy. If they give me a character writeup i'll make it at least 31 point buy for them, but varying up to 33 point buy for a very good writeup. How 'good' they are is based on background, hooks, NPC's mentioned, etc, not any sort of writing talent. I usually get a decent background, I think i've had four 33 point characters so far.

 

[Buttercup]

I give all players a certain number of points to distribute among the 6 stats, not point buy, but just one for one. Then I give them a list of items I'd like to see covered in their background. Every two things on the list they include buys their character another point. Also, if they include a character illustration, they get a point. They can earn a total of 7 points by doing this. So far, it has worked well. None of them want to have lousy stats compared to the rest, so they write lengthy bios.

 

[Tsyr]

Also, if they include a character illustration, they get a point.

Does it have to be their own work, or can they root through Elfwood and stuff? I do that alot for character illos, but I can't draw worth crap, and wouldn't much enjoy being forced to try

 

[Umbran]

There's also the simple expidient of saying, "If you don't at least touch on these topics, you don't play."

There is one problem with giving character generation points or XP for certain things - what hapens if the player wants a character who's life was unremarkable before the current story begins?