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Author Topic: Character Development Questionnaire (for GM's and PC's)
Steve Russell
Member
Member # 130579



posted April 02, 2003 04:19 AM      Profile for Steve Russell   Email Steve Russell    Edit/Delete Post
Character Development Questionnaire

To create Epic Characters for any campaign I run I always ask the following questions of my PCs(I often use them to develop 3-dimensional Npcs too.) I found it more useful than a character history because it made sure I had useful information. Arafel is listed specifically because that is where my current campaign started. I gave my players examples of answers to these questions via an Npc’s answers. I have not included the examples to save space. If anyone can think of a question not on this list please post it as I would like to include anything that would help me build a better mousetrap. Special thanks to Skyman, Thantrax, Ma'caldazar, and Germaine for encouraging me to post this. My goal is eventually to have 101 character development questions (currently at 74).

PLAYER QUESTIONS to help the GM create a story you will enjoy, but remember these are guidelines not absolutes.

1.) What would you like your characters full name, titles, heraldry to be at the end of your epic?

2.) What type of literary archetype do you want you character to emulate?

3.) Would you want you character to become infamous, famous or remain anonymous?

4.) What is the Arch of your character's story?

5.) What type of story hook will your character have to encourage him to adventure?

6.) What is the major difference in personality between you and the player character you are going to portray?

7.) What is the biggest similarity in personality shared by you and the player character you are going to portray?

8.) What secret does you character keep that he fears anyone discovering? (Must have one)


First person character questions: so that we can guide your own epic story these are guidelines not absolutes a GM may have to change an answer for story purposes.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. Why did you choose this vocation?

3. What are you trying to do?

4. Why are you trying to do that?

5. How do you measure your degree of success or failure?

6. What will you do if you fail?

7. What do you consider the greatest obstacles to your success?

8. What are you doing to ensure that you overcome these obstacles?

9. If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be?

10. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?

11. Do you fear anything?

12. How would others describe you?

13. How would you describe yourself? (Give 3 traits two general and one contradictory trait)

14. Are there any individuals you trust or rely on?

15. Are there any individuals who trust or rely upon you?

16. Do you enjoy the company of others or do you prefer to be alone?

17. Do you have servants or employees? How do you gain their cooperation?

18. Are you a servant or employee? How does this relationship benefit your personal interests?

19. How do you spend your leisure time?

20. What do you like to wear?

21. What do you enjoy most about your work?

22. What do you like to eat?

23. Do you collect anything?

24. Do you have any pets?

25. Where in the Wheel of Time did you live before you came to Arafel?

26. Why did you live there?

27. What is your daily routine?

28. How do you protect yourself?

29. What is your name?

30. How old are you?

31. Where were you born and raised?

32. Did you know your parents (if they did not play a significant role supplement who did, and in what respect for all parent/sibling questions)?

33. How did you feel about them?

34. Are your parents alive?

35. Do you have any brothers or sisters?

36. If yes do you know where they are?

37. Did you have any friends in your youth? What role did you family play in your upbringing?

38. Are you married if yes, what do (es) your spouse(s) do for a living?

39. Do you have any children? How many? What ages?

40. What is your race (include background)?

41. Did you receive formal education?

42. How did you learn to do what you are doing now?

43. What has been your greatest achievement?

44. What has been your greatest disappointment?

45. Who are your influential acquaintances?

46. Who are your personal enemies?

47. Who do you interact with on a daily basis?

48. What do you look like?

49. What aspect of your physical appearance is most distinctive or easiest to identify you?

50. What is your allegiance (Wheel of Time)?

51. What are your most developed skills? (These do not refer to game mechanics)

52. What are your least developed skills?

53. How did you come to be in Arafel?

54. Why have you come to the Arafel?

55. What is there in your life that is worth living for?

56. What is there in your life that is worth dying for?

--------------------
I have a reading lesson with the Lady Riselle. She lets me rest my head on her bosom while she reads to me.
-Olver

Please visit and review my Epic Level Homebrew Setting: A Brave New Worldat the Commonplace Book.

From: dayton ohio usa | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
The mighty anarchist
Member
Member # 128740



posted April 02, 2003 05:37 AM      Profile for The mighty anarchist      Edit/Delete Post
This is exactly what I miss in most d&d campains.
Charaters with life, personality and motivations, not only stats on a sheet.
This list is great, and thanks for making it.
If I have this list, mabe my players at least will try do give their charaters more collour.

Good job Steve, I think all players should use this kind of list when making a character, epic or not.

--------------------
Did it die??

From: Norway | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged
skyman
Member
Member # 133451



posted April 02, 2003 03:20 PM      Profile for skyman      Edit/Delete Post
Although I haven't had other players use it yet (I haven't started my next campaign) I used it myself to create my character for an upcoming game. It made developing a three-dimensional MUCH easier and quicker. Thanks again Steve.

--------------------
"Death comes sooner or later to everyone unless they serve the Dark One, and only fools are willing to pay that price."
-Lan Mandragoran

From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
Steve Russell
Member
Member # 130579



posted April 04, 2003 01:45 PM      Profile for Steve Russell   Email Steve Russell    Edit/Delete Post
thank you. I developed this about 5 years ago for dming and writing long term campaigns. A large majority of it was stolen from the Ad&D 2e The complete book of villians. So I don't take all the credit.

ANY ONE GOT A QUESTION I SHOULD ADD? PLEASE!

[ April 04, 2003, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Steve Russell ]

--------------------
I have a reading lesson with the Lady Riselle. She lets me rest my head on her bosom while she reads to me.
-Olver

Please visit and review my Epic Level Homebrew Setting: A Brave New Worldat the Commonplace Book.

From: dayton ohio usa | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
Xythlord
Member
Member # 70903



posted April 04, 2003 03:36 PM      Profile for Xythlord   Email Xythlord    Edit/Delete Post
Maybe favorite food, most disliked type of food (spicy, bland, vegitables, meat, etc.)

Do they like to sleep in, or just up and at 'em.

Nervous habits (tap fingers, etc.)

What do they like to drink?

How do they react when they get tired, nervous?

Three things that make them smile.

Can they dance, do they like to?

Three things that will make them angry.

These are just a few things that I like players to think about when making a character so that the character has some personality beyond their skills and class, it helps flesh them out when they roleplay and makes the players think.

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

From: Denver, Co | Registered: Mar 2002  |  IP: Logged
skyman
Member
Member # 133451



posted April 04, 2003 07:28 PM      Profile for skyman      Edit/Delete Post
Maybe "What actions/people/creatures do you consider evil?"

"What possessions are special to you?"

--------------------
"Death comes sooner or later to everyone unless they serve the Dark One, and only fools are willing to pay that price."
-Lan Mandragoran

From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
jacob_stroh
Member
Member # 130621



posted April 08, 2003 06:46 AM      Profile for jacob_stroh   Email jacob_stroh    Edit/Delete Post
I think you should expand question 46.
"who are your personal enemys?"
and question 50.
"what are your alegiances?"

With some questions like:

How do you feel about Whitecloaks?
How do you feel about Aes sedai?
How do you feel about Aiel?
ETC

More pertinant to your curent campaign might be:

How do you feel about southlanders.

Other key questions would have to do with world leaders. Like the king or queen, Amerilan Seat, local lords, and depending on te time settting, the dragon reborn.

From: Xenia, OH USA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
Shadowkiller
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Member # 110597



posted April 08, 2003 06:58 AM      Profile for Shadowkiller      Edit/Delete Post
This is great. If you don't mind, when its complete, I'd like to post it on my website. With your permission and stating that it is owned by you of course. Sorry, I dont have anything to add, just skimmed through it...busy busy busy

--------------------
Children of the Dragon
^My Website^

From: Currently-Germany | Registered: Oct 2002  |  IP: Logged
Freya
Member
Member # 93267



posted April 08, 2003 08:54 AM      Profile for Freya      Edit/Delete Post
There can also be class/PrC specific questions like:

Describe your first channeling experience.

Do you belong to a tradition?

If so, what are your feelings about your training.

If not, do you wish to be trained? If so, by whom, ideally? If not, why?

Do/Did you have a channeling block? If so, what was it, and if applicable, how did you break it?

Given your character's outlook and personality, do you think your character would avoid the use of a particular weave/talent? (ie. My character is a very compassionate healer type, she had Compulsion used on her once before. She refuses to ever use Compulsion for any reason.)

Given your character's outlook and personality, do you think your character would gravitate to particular weaves/talents? (ie. again, my character is a healer, she would definately gravitate to new healing weaves. Or, in counterpoint, our other player channeler's husband was killed by Trollocs. She is always on the lookout for more effective ways to kill Shadowspawn.)

Which affinity would you say your character is weakest in? (ie. I've always played it that my character is weak in Earth. In d20 there is no mechanic for that, but it's good for flavor)

Do you have any desire to marry or have children in the future? How have you reconciled that with your decision to be a(n) [Aes Sedai/Wise One/Windfinder/Ashaman/Wilder-on-the-run]?

For Warder/Warder-to-be types, what motivated you to want to become a Warder? Was there a specific event, if so, describe it.

Do you have any desire to marry or have children in the future? How have you reconciled that with your decision to be a Warder?

For Wolfbrother/Wolfbrother-to-be types, how do you feel about cities? Is it a welcome release from the presence in your head, or a loss of the same presence? Or something different?

Do you embrace your empathy with the wolves, or spurn it? Describe your feelings on the subject.

Did you have any desire to marry or have children before discovering your Wolfbrother-ness? How has becoming a Wolfbrother changed that desire, if at all?

That's all I have at the moment. enjoy. [Smile]

--------------------
felicia
AKA Freya Culadin

From: dallas,tx | Registered: Jul 2002  |  IP: Logged
Steve Russell
Member
Member # 130579



posted April 08, 2003 10:14 AM      Profile for Steve Russell   Email Steve Russell    Edit/Delete Post
i know this will probably defeat the purpose of somepeople but you have to remember this has to be usable by a newbe.

I avoiding adding things like how do you feel about "whitecloaks, or Aiel" because the newbie will be lost.

Also making it setting specific would limit its use to the third age. and it should be usable in the Wot Modern or the shadow made flesh.

Shadowkiller I will send it too you in a few days in an updated form for you to post

--------------------
I have a reading lesson with the Lady Riselle. She lets me rest my head on her bosom while she reads to me.
-Olver

Please visit and review my Epic Level Homebrew Setting: A Brave New Worldat the Commonplace Book.

From: dayton ohio usa | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
skyman
Member
Member # 133451



posted April 08, 2003 09:41 PM      Profile for skyman      Edit/Delete Post
One could always post variants. For example "Third Age: Experienced Roleplayers" and such. Anyone could specifically tailor the questions to their campaign.

--------------------
"Death comes sooner or later to everyone unless they serve the Dark One, and only fools are willing to pay that price."
-Lan Mandragoran

From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
Steve Russell
Member
Member # 130579



posted April 17, 2003 03:42 AM      Profile for Steve Russell   Email Steve Russell    Edit/Delete Post
Ok I sat down with all the suggestions and came up with 101 questions.

101 character Questions

by Steven Russell (aka Qwillion) with special thanks to Freya, Germaine, Jacob_Stroh, Ma'caldazar,The Mighty Anarchist , Skyman, Thantrax, Xythlord for thier assitance and/or encouragement and of course to Shadowkiller who bloody well asked for it!

PLAYER QUESTIONS to help the GM create a story you will enjoy, but remember these are guidelines not absolutes.

1.) What would you like your characters full name, titles, heraldry to be at the end of your epic?
2.) What type of literary archetype do you want you character to emulate?
3.) Would you want you character to become infamous, famous or remain anonymous?
4.) What is the Arch of your character's story?
5.) What type of story hook will your character have to encourage him to adventure?
6.) What is the major difference in personality between you and the player character you are going to portray?
7.) What is the biggest similarity in personality shared by you and the player character you are going to portray?
8.) What secret does you character keep that he fears anyone discovering? (Must have one)
9.) What was the event that made your character become his starting class?
10.) How did that event change your character’s previous outlook?
11.) What is one secret not revealed in the books that you as a player would like to discover?

First person character questions: so that we can guide your own epic story these are guidelines not absolutes a GM may have to change an answer for story purposes.

1. What do you do for a living?
2. Why did you choose this vocation?
3. What are you trying to do?
4. Why are you trying to do that?
5. How do you measure your degree of success or failure?
6. What will you do if you fail?
7. What do you consider the greatest obstacles to your success?
8. What are you doing to ensure that you overcome these obstacles?

9. If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be?
10. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?
11. Do you fear anything?
12. How would others describe you?
13. How would you describe yourself? (Give 3 traits two general and one contradictory trait)
14. Are there any individuals you trust or rely on?
15. Are there any individuals who trust or rely upon you?
16. Do you enjoy the company of others or do you prefer to be alone?
17. Do you have servants or employees?
18. How do you gain their cooperation?
19. Are you a servant or employee?
20. How does this relationship benefit your personal interests?
21. How do you spend your leisure time?
22. What do you like to wear?
23. What do you enjoy most about your work?
24. What do you like to eat?
25. Do you collect anything?
26. Do you have any pets?
27. Where in the Wheel of Time did you live before you came to (insert DM’s starting point)?
28. Why did you live there?
29. What is your daily routine?
30. How do you protect yourself?
31. What is your name?
32. How old are you?
33. Where were you born and raised?
34. Did you know your parents (if they did not play a significant role supplement who did, and in what respect for all parent/sibling questions)?
35. How did you feel about them?
36. Are your parents alive?
37. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
38. If yes do you know where they are?
39. Did you have any friends in your youth?
40. What role did you family play in your upbringing?
41. Are you married if yes, what do (es) your spouse(s) do for a living?
42. Do you ever want to get married?
43. Do you have any children? How many? What ages?
44. Do you ever want to have children?
45. What is your race (include background)?
46. Did you receive formal education?
47. How did you learn to do what you are doing now?
48. Did you have a mentor?
49. What has been your greatest achievement?
50. What has been your greatest disappointment?
51. Who are your influential acquaintances?
52. Who are your personal enemies?
53. Who do you interact with on a daily basis?
54. What do you look like?
55. What aspect of your physical appearance is most distinctive or easiest to identify you?
56. What is your allegiance (Wheel of Time)?
57. What are your most developed skills? (These do not refer to game mechanics)
58. What are your least developed skills?
59. How did you come to be in (insert DM Starting point)?
60. Why have you come to the (insert DM starting point)?
61. What is there in your life that is worth living for?
62. What is there in your life that is worth dying for?
63. What do you refuse to eat?
64. What are your sleeping habits? (lay abed all day, light sleeper, insomniac)
65. Do you have any signature habits. (Thumb your earlobes and hum at pretty women, appraise the price of everything valuable etc.)
66. Do you like to dance?
67. Can you dance?
68. What are three things that always make you angry
69. What actions do you consider good/evil outside of the social norm? (Is gentling better as opposed to killing insane channelers?)
70. Who do you consider good/evil outside of the social norm? (Did you believe a False Dragon was the Dragon Reborn?)
71. What creature did you consider good/evil outside of the social norm? (Can a Trolloc choose to follow the light?)
72. Are there any organizations you wish to belong too?
73. Are there any organizations you mistrust?
74. Are there any organizations you Hate?
75. Is there a particular background of people you are unsure of? (ie. Southlanders, Treekillers, Aiel Savages, Witch-trained etc.)
76. How does your Character view the use of the One Power? Saidin as opposed to Saidar?
77. What would you do if you learned you could use the One Power?
78. How would your character view someone with Gifts? (ie dreaming, Ta’vereen, fortelling)
79. What would you do If you found something you thought was associated with the One Power?
80. What would you do If you found something you thought was associated with the Shadow? (Shadar Logoth, Thakan’dar forged weapon etc..)
81. What would the person your character is most likely to fall in love with be like?
82. How do you feel about becoming bonded? (Adoption, Warder, Asha’man)
83. How would you feel if you were bonded against your will?
84. Do you believe in the Dark One? Would you say his true name aloud?
85. Do you suspect any one you know of being a darkfriend?
86. Would you scrawl the dragon’s fang on someone’s door you knew to be a darkfriend?
87. Under what terms would you become a darkfriend?
88. Do you know about the Prophecies of the Dragon?
89. Would you follow the Dragon if he was Reborn?
90. What would it take for you to believe the Dragon was Reborn?

[ April 17, 2003, 04:02 AM: Message edited by: Steve Russell ]

--------------------
I have a reading lesson with the Lady Riselle. She lets me rest my head on her bosom while she reads to me.
-Olver

Please visit and review my Epic Level Homebrew Setting: A Brave New Worldat the Commonplace Book.

From: dayton ohio usa | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
skyman
Member
Member # 133451



posted April 18, 2003 11:27 AM      Profile for skyman      Edit/Delete Post
Even better than the last version! Some of the questions (what do you consider evil outside of the societal norm?) might be confusing to newbies though. I guess the dm could just choose which ones to use. Thanks for your hard work Steve!

--------------------
"Death comes sooner or later to everyone unless they serve the Dark One, and only fools are willing to pay that price."
-Lan Mandragoran

From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged


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