Scott Christian
Hero
I think the best way to avoid a cliché is to have an individual session with each character. I have done it as DM and have seen other DMs do it, and it works wonders. It helps players to get to know their character, gives them something to talk about when meeting the other PCs, and allows them to understand the major motivations of specific NPCs.
When I did it, I made sure each individual session started out like an introduction to a character in a movie. Our bard's session started with him sleeping with a married woman and he had to escape. Our fighter's session started in the middle of a tavern brawl where she had not one but three beers poured on her. Our wizard's session started in the sewer where he was asked to go to find a rare mold. And our barbarian's session started with him leaving his wife and kids in order to go to the city in search of a thief who stole from their tribe (no fighting).
Obviously you need to know your player's characters prior to these being created. But it really helped them flesh out their character. Then, once they all finally met, it was great roleplaying.
When I did it, I made sure each individual session started out like an introduction to a character in a movie. Our bard's session started with him sleeping with a married woman and he had to escape. Our fighter's session started in the middle of a tavern brawl where she had not one but three beers poured on her. Our wizard's session started in the sewer where he was asked to go to find a rare mold. And our barbarian's session started with him leaving his wife and kids in order to go to the city in search of a thief who stole from their tribe (no fighting).
Obviously you need to know your player's characters prior to these being created. But it really helped them flesh out their character. Then, once they all finally met, it was great roleplaying.