D&D Character Questionaire

[Azure Trance]

I think I recall them from the past (2Ed; either that or Shadowrun). Basically asking about the character background - family, history, personality, motivation, loyalties, etc. I'd make one myself ... but I'm lazy ;D And not as thorough either I imagine. '

Any links?

 

[shilsen]

Here's a very basic one I got from somewhere:

In-Character Questions:

1. What is your father's name?

2. What does your father do?

3. What is your mother's name?

4. What does your mother do?

5. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

6. If you do what are their names?

7. What do they do?

8. Are they older or younger than you?

9. Are your parents still alive?

10. If they are not, how did they die?

11. Who taught you your skills?

12. Do you like that person?

13. Are they still alive?

14. If not, how did they die?

15. Do you have any short-term goals?

16. Do you have any long-term goals?

17. Are you afraid of anything?

18. Do you believe in the gods?

19. What are you willing to fight for?

20. Why did you take up your profession?

Note: All of the answers to the questions are subject to the Dungeon Master's approval. The answers to the questions will be used to create adventures tailored to your character. They may also affect your standing in the game world, your starting equipment, and any other happening that is determined by the Dungeon Master on completion of the questions. If you have anything to add, please feel free to do so.

Out-of-Character Questions:

Do you want a high magic or low magic game?

What kind of adventures (dungeon crawl, city crawl, intrigue, etc.) would you like?

What kind of setting would you like (borderlands, deep in the heartlands, on the sea,
underground, etc.)?

 

[shilsen]

And another one I found:

Descriptive

What is the color of your characters hair? Eyes? Skin?
How does your character typical wear or style his/her hair?
What is the character's general appearance? Does the character stand erect, or stooped? Dress sloppily, stylishly or inauspiciously? Look generally intimidating, casual or cowardly?
What might somebody seeing the character for the first time think?
Does your character have any reoccurring mannerisms or habits?
Does the character have any nicknames?

Background

Where was the character born? Into what type of culture?
Who are the character's parents and siblings? What do they do? Where are they currently?
Does the character have a wife or children? Who are they?
How was the character educated, if at all? For how long?
Has the character ever had a profession other than adventuring? Did he leave it completely to adventure? If so, why?
What motivated the character to leave a normal life and go off adventuring?
What was the best moment of the characters life? Worst?
How did his peers treat the character as a child? His elders?

Personal

Who does your character trust the most?
Does your character have any prejudices?
What types of people is your character attracted to? Turned off by?
What would your character consider the best way to die? At home in bed? Violently?
What are the characters religious beliefs? Political beliefs?
What do the characters moral codes consist of?
Does the character have any personal goals? How does he plan to attain them?
What special qualities does the character possess? Does he get along well with other people? Is he a skilled businessman? Well organized?
What flaws does the character have? Is he quick to judge people? A slob?
What does the character love? Hate?
How did the character learn his main skills and/or feats?
List the 6 most important people in this characters life.
What is your characters favorite season?
What is your characters favorite weather?

DM related

What does your character hope to accomplish by adventuring?
What would be the ultimate magic item for this character?
What would be the worst curse that could befall this character?
Which of these is most important to your character; fame, wealth, prestige, power, experience (not points) or knowledge? Which is least?
When your character has attained 20th level overall, what would he like to be? (Classes, levels and abilities - in general)
If you had to pick one monster (or type of monster) that you want your character to fight (now or eventually) what would it be?

 

[Kamard]

I've got one right on the first page of my campaign website.

www.geocities.com/shardworldgm/wasted.html

 

[~Joseph~]

I don't know if any of you guyes have a copy, but the White Wolf core books have a little questionaire in the character creation area for the "storyteller" to ask you before startgin the game. It's really good and may need only a little changes to fit into the D&D world. I don't have a book with me, but if someone know's what I'm talking about, could you post it? It's actually pretty good.

shilsen-
for your's, maybe drop the names, they're mostly unimportant and I find thinking up half dozen names (atleast for me) takes up allot of time that could better be used for playing. And maybe add questions like:

was your family religious?
Which god did they worship?
How Powerful was the church in your area?
Do you worshipt the same god? why or why not?
what was your families social status?
How did the government treat you/your family?
How do you feel about this?

the church and government can have a strong influence on a characters motivations and drives.

Just some thoughts

 

[Azure Trance]

Ahhh, muchos gracias. I'll compile this up into a nice list. Names can be difficult to come up with; I imagine as long as they eventually get it filled it's all good.

 

[shilsen]

shilsen-
for your's, maybe drop the names, they're mostly unimportant and I find thinking up half dozen names (atleast for me) takes up allot of time that could better be used for playing. And maybe add questions like:

was your family religious?
Which god did they worship?
How Powerful was the church in your area?
Do you worshipt the same god? why or why not?
what was your families social status?
How did the government treat you/your family?
How do you feel about this?

the church and government can have a strong influence on a characters motivations and drives.

Just some thoughts

The questionnaire isn't mine - I just found it somewhere. But if I use it, I'll probably change some questions around, and yours look like good ones. Thanks.

 

[Mordane76]

Actually, forcing a player to sit down and think about their family is important. Who they are, what their names are, what they do... all of these can later become plot hooks in the campaign. I think dropping that section of the questionaire would be ill-advised.

 

[DSC-EricPrice]

The Hero Builders Handbook has a section in the back that will even help you build a new character concept if you dont have something particular in mind. I never gave it much credibility, but I had occassion to use it a couple of weeks ago. I was amazed what an interesting character it gave me.

 

[EcCenTriC fairy]

That was very helpful. *Goes to fill out the whole thing on each of her characters*

EDIT: typo