Player Character Backgrounds

[Paul_Klein]

This question means *overall*. I understand sometimes players might make a background, and sometimes not, but 'for the most part', what would you say?

There are three questions. First, answer wteher or not they make backgrounds. Second, answer how "complete" those backgrounds may be (IF they do make backgrounds that is). Finally, answer the question about "bribing" them to make a background for their character.

I hope the options above are clear enough for you to understand

Thanks.

 

[David Argall]

backgrounds

I greatly encourage backgrounds, and routinely add to those offered. In general, this is necessary to get any background at all. There are exceptions of all degree, but my bet would be that the typical player would provide zero background if the DM did not actively encourage it.

 

[Drawmack]

I don't give xp for a ackground but I give stuff. Usually a feat and some skill ranks sometimes a magical weapon or something. Though if you don't write a background I can't do that.

 

[Patrick-S&S]

Hmm... My players do their background in junction with me. That way you will have more plausible characters to the game you are planning/are running.

 

[Zappo]

I don't give XP, but I just might give freebies (items, social connections, whatever) that help representing the background in the game.

 

[megamania]

If a player writes up a reasonable and believable background I use these in my overall story and try to make something important happen because of it. The player may have an important contact or the such come of it.
I give bonus EXP for writting one and when we do draw from that background, I allow the oppertunities for bonus EXP for role-playing it.

 

[Dinkeldog]

I consider it a mixed bag. If they give a detailed background, the DM has more to play with and make the game personal for the character. However, writing up a detailed background and then having your character get killed by a pack of kobolds at first level is sort of unsatisfying, so it's incumbent on the DM to allow ways to revive or prevent a character death from happening--at least early. I prefer a simple character concept to a detailed background.

 

[Tonguez]

I require my players to have a full compliment of NPC 'connections' and associations with at least one group (be it a family group, a Merchants guild or Religious order) and also get them to establish 'Why they are together now in this particular setting' during the first session'

Good well fleshed out Backgrounds don't get XP but do get bonus skills/ranks, the ability to gain 'favours' from their background NPCs and of course social status...