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<blockquote data-quote="howandwhy99" data-source="post: 913322" data-attributes="member: 3192">I'm writing up a character history for a new PC of mine and was looking for inspiration.&nbsp;&nbsp; Below are some details I'm thinking of filling in, but I remember reading the Character Contests awhile back and was wondering if anyone had a link. If you could post something about your own theory on character design, I'd appreciate.&nbsp; In the past I've always gone with the &quot;less is more&quot; philosophy where personality is developed while gaming.&nbsp; But since I've been brushing up on my DMing skill, I know that more would be helpful; especially background storyhooks.&nbsp; The list below is mostly details.&nbsp; I'm looking more for fun and fascinating character hooks, things you've seen and liked in the past, and/or your theory on what makes for a good character.&nbsp;Likes &amp; Dislikes:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Loves, hates, fears, worst fear 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Hobbies, interests 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Lifestyle, food, drink, equipment, toys 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Music, books, pastimes, sports, games 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; How do you relax?</li>
</ul>Attitudes &amp; Beliefs:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Religion – attendance, afterlife, death, rites, undead, church 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Magic - 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Nature – water, forests, farming 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Moral code – chivalry, violence, sex, good and evil, killing, helping others, drinking, life, love, honor, loyalty, competition, deceit, law, heroism, military 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; People – social, friends, prejudice 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Science and Philosophy –</li>
</ul>Edges &amp; Flaws:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Enemies, flaws, weaknesses, bad habits, neuroses, psychoses, obsessions, phobias, allergies – (seasick, airsick) 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Knacks, style, wit, uniqueness, quirks 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Secrets, conflicts – hunted 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Awards, honors, etc.</li>
</ul>Background:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Birthplace, birthdate 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Social status, previous occupations, schooling 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Family, parents, siblings, extended family, star chart, birth position, age, age of relatives, names, locations, description, accessibility, birth rank, dowry, titles, fame, relationship status, social class, occupations, marital status, living or dead, teen rebellion 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Friends, from childhood, current 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Major Events, quality of childhood, unique benefits, traumas, family moves, boons 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Previous adventuring experience 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Rolemodels, mentors, heroes, and idols – have you met them?</li>
</ul>Miscellaneous Information and Sketch:<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Meeting of other PC’s, forming of the group, adventures together 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Impression of fellow adventures, pacts, loyalties, friendships, dislikes 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Pets, familiars, steeds, animal companions 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Followers, squires, apprentices, paid laborers 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Unusual possessions, family heirlooms; Value of each – practical, sentimental, familial, combat stats 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Dreams, desires, practicality of these, advancement towards, forgotten, heeded 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Objectives, aspirations, goals – short and long term, drives 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Net worth, bank accounts, cash on hand, monthly income 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Carried weight, current readiness and placement of carried items 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Weapons, artillery, location, night storage 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Residences, property owned, livestock, slaves, businesses 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Most treasured possessions – charms, pictures, watch, etc. 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Combat styles, strategies, tactics, personal function in the group 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Will, burial preference, attitude towards resurrection, memorial – how would you prefer to die?</li>
</ul>Appearance &amp; Personality<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Race, gender, attractiveness, style of dress, personal style, hair, eyes, body weight, height, build and/or frame, type, size, hygiene, beard, tattoos (significance and location), jewelry, complexion, coloration, handedness, birthmarks, scars, speech patterns, mannerisms, limbs, tail, fur, fins, gills, wings, exotic features 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Name, full name, nickname, secret name, real name, aliases, titles 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Sayings, quotes 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; First impressions 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Dynamics – selfish/selfless, emotional/unemotional, pure/corrupt, optimistic/pessimistic, pride/insecurity, introversion/extroversion, trust/distrust, active/inactive, town/country, (some may not be listed or may not apply) 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Poise, balance, grace, expressiveness, vocal tone, sophistication 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Cosmetics, make up, hair pieces 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Normal daily routine, dominant traits. 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Things your PC doesn’t know about themselves.</li>
</ul>Education &amp; Job<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Work history, training (apprenticeships or journeyman status) – formal, informal, self-taught 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Teachers, Masters – relationships, description, treatment 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Fellow students, accomplices 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Length of positions, self-employment, time and dates, locations 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Literacy levels by language 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Military experience, criminal experience, criminal record, wanted or not 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Type of student, learning style 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Current means of support</li>
</ul>Friends &amp; Allies<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Friends – childhood, adolescence, adulthood, adventuring, best friends 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Contacts – by city, speciality, background, how met, accessibility 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Connection to groups, membership status, qualifications, duties, rank 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Type of aid available to you.</li>
</ul>Love &amp; Relationships<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Number of past loves, length, gender, orientation, reciprocation, description 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Spouse, current, description, current relations, children 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Are you looking for a spouse, kids? 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Who or what is your ideal mate?</li>
</ul>Culture &amp; Society<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">·&nbsp; &nbsp; Class, wealth, titles, reputation, fame 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Morals of the culture, nationality 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Political views, towards law, theft, murder 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Governmental preference, regulation, military 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Patriotism, opinions, witness to any historical events 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Town name, location rules, rulers, laws, personal involvment. 
·&nbsp; &nbsp; Where do you live?</li>
</ul>Why did you choose your class?Why did you become an adventurer?What advice would you give to this character?If you went missing, who would notice? (how long?)If you were in danger, who would fight to protect you?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="howandwhy99, post: 913322, member: 3192"] I'm writing up a character history for a new PC of mine and was looking for inspiration. Below are some details I'm thinking of filling in, but I remember reading the Character Contests awhile back and was wondering if anyone had a link. If you could post something about your own theory on character design, I'd appreciate. In the past I've always gone with the "less is more" philosophy where personality is developed while gaming. But since I've been brushing up on my DMing skill, I know that more would be helpful; especially background storyhooks. The list below is mostly details. I'm looking more for fun and fascinating character hooks, things you've seen and liked in the past, and/or your theory on what makes for a good character. Likes & Dislikes: [list]· Loves, hates, fears, worst fear · Hobbies, interests · Lifestyle, food, drink, equipment, toys · Music, books, pastimes, sports, games · How do you relax?[/list] Attitudes & Beliefs: [list]· Religion – attendance, afterlife, death, rites, undead, church · Magic - · Nature – water, forests, farming · Moral code – chivalry, violence, sex, good and evil, killing, helping others, drinking, life, love, honor, loyalty, competition, deceit, law, heroism, military · People – social, friends, prejudice · Science and Philosophy – [/list] Edges & Flaws: [list]· Enemies, flaws, weaknesses, bad habits, neuroses, psychoses, obsessions, phobias, allergies – (seasick, airsick) · Knacks, style, wit, uniqueness, quirks · Secrets, conflicts – hunted · Awards, honors, etc.[/list] Background: [list]· Birthplace, birthdate · Social status, previous occupations, schooling · Family, parents, siblings, extended family, star chart, birth position, age, age of relatives, names, locations, description, accessibility, birth rank, dowry, titles, fame, relationship status, social class, occupations, marital status, living or dead, teen rebellion · Friends, from childhood, current · Major Events, quality of childhood, unique benefits, traumas, family moves, boons · Previous adventuring experience · Rolemodels, mentors, heroes, and idols – have you met them?[/list] Miscellaneous Information and Sketch: [list]· Meeting of other PC’s, forming of the group, adventures together · Impression of fellow adventures, pacts, loyalties, friendships, dislikes · Pets, familiars, steeds, animal companions · Followers, squires, apprentices, paid laborers · Unusual possessions, family heirlooms; Value of each – practical, sentimental, familial, combat stats · Dreams, desires, practicality of these, advancement towards, forgotten, heeded · Objectives, aspirations, goals – short and long term, drives · Net worth, bank accounts, cash on hand, monthly income · Carried weight, current readiness and placement of carried items · Weapons, artillery, location, night storage · Residences, property owned, livestock, slaves, businesses · Most treasured possessions – charms, pictures, watch, etc. · Combat styles, strategies, tactics, personal function in the group · Will, burial preference, attitude towards resurrection, memorial – how would you prefer to die?[/list] Appearance & Personality [list]· Race, gender, attractiveness, style of dress, personal style, hair, eyes, body weight, height, build and/or frame, type, size, hygiene, beard, tattoos (significance and location), jewelry, complexion, coloration, handedness, birthmarks, scars, speech patterns, mannerisms, limbs, tail, fur, fins, gills, wings, exotic features · Name, full name, nickname, secret name, real name, aliases, titles · Sayings, quotes · First impressions · Dynamics – selfish/selfless, emotional/unemotional, pure/corrupt, optimistic/pessimistic, pride/insecurity, introversion/extroversion, trust/distrust, active/inactive, town/country, (some may not be listed or may not apply) · Poise, balance, grace, expressiveness, vocal tone, sophistication · Cosmetics, make up, hair pieces · Normal daily routine, dominant traits. · Things your PC doesn’t know about themselves.[/list] Education & Job [list]· Work history, training (apprenticeships or journeyman status) – formal, informal, self-taught · Teachers, Masters – relationships, description, treatment · Fellow students, accomplices · Length of positions, self-employment, time and dates, locations · Literacy levels by language · Military experience, criminal experience, criminal record, wanted or not · Type of student, learning style · Current means of support[/list] Friends & Allies [list]· Friends – childhood, adolescence, adulthood, adventuring, best friends · Contacts – by city, speciality, background, how met, accessibility · Connection to groups, membership status, qualifications, duties, rank · Type of aid available to you.[/list] Love & Relationships [list]· Number of past loves, length, gender, orientation, reciprocation, description · Spouse, current, description, current relations, children · Are you looking for a spouse, kids? · Who or what is your ideal mate?[/list] Culture & Society [list]· Class, wealth, titles, reputation, fame · Morals of the culture, nationality · Political views, towards law, theft, murder · Governmental preference, regulation, military · Patriotism, opinions, witness to any historical events · Town name, location rules, rulers, laws, personal involvment. · Where do you live?[/list] Why did you choose your class? Why did you become an adventurer? What advice would you give to this character? If you went missing, who would notice? (how long?) If you were in danger, who would fight to protect you? [/QUOTE]

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