Sharing a character's backstory

[Wednesday Boy]

When your group makes new characters do they share the secret parts of their backstory with the other players or do they keep them hidden to the other players?

I think our groups generally keeps the histories hidden until they come out in the story--I suppose so it's as much a surprise for the players as it is for the characters.

But revealing the secrets of your character's past to the other players could be good to avoid possible character conflicts ahead of time (one character's grandpappy was a soldier who fought against another character's grandpappy) and can let the other players share in the excitement when something happened that is connected to your character's past.

Which do you all generally do? Do you see any advantage to either way?

 

[fba827]

Which do you all generally do? Do you see any advantage to either way?

Generally, when our group first meets up, we say a little as a way of general introduction (I'm so and so from place up yonder and i came here to do blah). Any of the specific details (my family was all killed by kobolds, I am searching for my kidnapped daughter) tend to be revealed over the course of the campaign as it becomes relevant.

I guess our general rule of thumb is... what would a person say to another as casual introductions vs. saying in the heat of the moment after sharing some struggles together, that sort of thing.

I like it that way because it allows some sense of "growing familiarity" with the group. I mean, whether we like it or not, the PCs are often put together/stay together for somewhat meta-forced reasons. So the idea that they grow as a group over time and share little secrets about their backstory helps foster the sense of natural group growth.

The down side is, sometimes people have stuff in their backstory that either the player's forget, or that could be key to other things but that PC hasn't mentioned it so other players or PCs can't make the connection.

 

[Jhaelen]

In our group it depends on who's the DM. When I DM, character stories are kept secret, but players are free to share any or all of it (in character!) if they like.

Other DMs let the player read the backstory as a way of introducing the character to the group.

I think both approaches are fine.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

I guess our general rule of thumb is... what would a person say to another as casual introductions vs. saying in the heat of the moment after sharing some struggles together, that sort of thing.

fba827, that's what our character generally do as well. How about from an out-of-character perspective? Will your players tell the other players stuff from their character's background or keep it to themselves until it comes up during the course of the game?

 

[Crothian]

We do small introductions like the first time you meet friends. Then over the course of the friendship you gradually learn more about each other. Except if it is Ironwolve's character. I swear he keeps his secrets even if it means the group will suffer. Of course he never seems to do this on purpose, he keeps the secrets from himself as well. He seems geenrally suprised as the rest of us when his character's secrets are revealed.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I make two backstories one for myself and the DM and another for the players. The DM one has everything, so he can weave a plotline if he wishes, or add NPCs, etc. from my character's past into the game.

The player's one it just reveals whatever their characters would know at the start of the game.

 

[Hereticus]

When your group makes new characters do they share the secret parts of their backstory with the other players or do they keep them hidden to the other players?

Some players prefer to minimalize their backgrounds, mostly the pure combat types. Others detail a list of rivals and allies, and already at first level have sup plots they're working on (like me). As a DM, I encourage the latter. It makes it easier for me to add plot twists that involve the characters.

But revealing the secrets of your character's past to the other players could be good to avoid possible character conflicts ahead of time (one character's grandpappy was a soldier who fought against another character's grandpappy) and can let the other players share in the excitement when something happened that is connected to your character's past.

Certain elements of a background should be kept between the DM and the player. For example my Wizard was a member of a guild, but I was also part of a sub-group within that guild. And i was sent to join the character group for a reason...