Author
|
Topic: Character
Development Questionnaire (for GM's and PC's) |
Steve Russell
Member Member # 130579
|
posted April 02, 2003 04:19 AM
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
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The mighty
anarchist Member Member
# 128740
|
posted April 02, 2003 05:37 AM
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
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skyman
Member Member # 133451
|
posted April 02, 2003 03:20 PM
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 |
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Steve Russell
Member Member # 130579
|
posted April 04, 2003 01:45 PM
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
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Xythlord
Member Member # 70903
|
posted April 04, 2003 03:36 PM
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.
-------------------- 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
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skyman
Member Member # 133451
|
posted April 04, 2003 07:28 PM
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
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jacob_stroh
Member Member # 130621
|
posted April 08, 2003 06:46 AM
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
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Shadowkiller
Member Member # 110597
|
posted April 08, 2003 06:58 AM
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
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Freya
Member Member # 93267
|
posted April 08, 2003 08:54 AM
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]](Wizards_Com Boards Character Development Questionnaire (for GM's and PC's)_fichiers/smile.gif)
-------------------- felicia AKA Freya
Culadin
From:
dallas,tx | Registered: Jul 2002 |
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Steve Russell
Member Member # 130579
|
posted April 08, 2003 10:14 AM
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
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
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
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
| | |