Bribing Players

[La Bete]

For a d20 modern game (depending on what sort of game it is), the following info might make a good start on character background..


Family: Are they alive, how many siblings, relationships, extended family.

Friends/acquaintances/contacts: what relationships the player has with others, do they stay in touch with the 'hood etc.

Education: Level of schooling, whether they went to uni, did they join any secret societies/frats/drinking clubs, what did they study (i.e. if theyre a phd, what in?)

Military service: if any. Cadets? ROTC (sp?)

Popular culture: how they fit in. What sort of music/film/arts etc.

Recent events - have they been invloved in any recent major events: Served in the gulf war, lost a close friend in sept 11, served as an aid worker in the balkans, etc.

Special abilities (if any): how/why/from who...

+ lots more. IIRC the shadowrun 2nd or 3rd ed has a '20 questions' section during character creation.

As for bribes, xp is very good. Fate points (fr. WHFRP) are also good - give them 1-2 if they have a great background, and they can expend these points to reroll a die (or automatically succeed if you're generous). maybe give them more if they roleplay/play really well....

 

[Buttercup]

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

They can get the portrait from any source. I just want them to have visualized who they are going to be. I want the rest of the party to know what they look like too.

So far, I've only had one person draw a portrait. Two have used Hero Machine, and the other two have found images on the web.