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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 2361609" data-attributes="member: 20323">I have to say I've never been given a personality by the DM, nor have I given one to players when I DM. Also, I've never used ability scores to define a character.Like dericho, I focus on several key points:1. Breaking the mold -- I choose some archetype, or some defining quirk or background trait that springs to mind, and then I start playing with it. For example, take Prince Sanjar who was built on the "charismatic fighter" archetype. I decided he practiced barbaric techniques on the battlefield gained from a period of time among a tribe of cannibals; only his closest advisors know of his barbarism, which otherwise remains a secret.2. Teachers & Training -- How has the character's life changed their baseline personality? What parts of their personality have been supressed or exaggerated over the course of their life? Prince Sanjar was the apple of his father's eye until his younger sister was adopted from a city the king conquered. This event brought out Sanjar's mistrust of his family, and suppressed his desire for his father's love.3. Motives & Tactics -- What does the character want most? What are they willing to do to acheive those goals? Sanjar wants to take over his father's throne, believing it to be the only way to end the practice of sacrificing to the manticore-on-the-hill. To this end he hopes to win support covertly from key military leaders and politicians. He plans to win the people by conquering their enemies and winning the famous Chariot Races. He is willing to hurt, murder, kidnap, and extort to reach his goals, though he has a strong sense of honor and will never lie about his intentions.4. Dirty Little Secrets -- What core flaws does the character have? What could others use against the character as leverage? Sanjar used to sleep with prostitutes in his younger years, and has recently learned he had an illegitimate son. Sanjar has recruited a group of rogues to kidnap all the women he slept with and question them about the whereabouts of his son. He both afraid of his son blackmailing him, and afraid for his son being attacked by Sanjar's enemies. He hopes to be the father the king never was for him.</blockquote>

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