[meegar]

Ok, more fun and interesting questions!

What should be included in a character's history? In a campaign of such size as I'm trying to do, I understand the history should be a little more in depth. How far back does one need to go? Should I have my PCs write their histories from the day they're born? For some that could be several decades to write! Maybe major accomplishments? I just don't know.

Here's what I'm thinking though. If I go with a more basic history for the time being, then it would be quite easy to add in little bits and pieces to create, say, a new nemesis. But then in a sense, the player of that PC would be going through pretty much the same thing as Celur. You'll have to bear with me, I thought I'd just throw out thoughts and hope something comes to mind. And that maybe, in this rabble, somebody might be able to come up with another idea to help out as well.

I'm so confused!

Ok, the following is what I'm going to get the players to put in their character histories...

1) Place of birth
2) Parents names
3) Any siblings? Names?
4) Major accomplishments
5) Basic friends/enemies acquired so far that they know of (maybe 1 or 2 that could be used later in the campaign)

How does that sound? Would that be good for the time being? A lot of a character's history is going to be based around what they do during the campaign as well. Grrr. This stuff can be kinda frustrating at times. Ah well, I'll figure it out.

Cheers, mates!

Mr.Wizard

[Rintaran]

Hey Wiz. Don't stress it, you've got the basics. There are plenty of other things that could be included, but they're just extras for flavour. Think back in your own life, what do you remember of your early childhood? What was your education like? If something goes wrong at home, how prepared are you and your family for an emergency? These are just a few little extras that can be used for flavour. Of course, you could go way in depth, several generations indepth if you feel like it. I would suggest checking out the character histories written by "me" at http://rintaran.tripod.com . The most recent new character history {Adinsin} is quite lengthy, but I got tired near the end of it and was unable to continue. I woke up with keyboard marks on my face and a beeping computer if I remember correctly. Thank goodness for the highlighting function.

The general rule that I tend to put out for my players is that they require atleast one page per level. Although this doesn't get much history, it usually handles the basics and establishes their current location. Its unfortunately gappy, but you try getting stressed out university student to write much for "a game." They tend to go back and extend their histories after a couple of sessions and everything turns out just groovy.

[meegar]

A "little" lengthy? Wow man, that thing was huge! I see where you coming from though.

I think I prefer to be a char more than a DM, I'm afraid. Sadly, none of my friends make good DMs, and as such it falls upon me to make the adventure.

Anybody know of any good groups happening around the Vancouver area in BC, Canada? Maybe even out toward Abbotsford? I'd really like to get in on a group if I could. Or how do I get started with the whole online thing? Is it done on IRC or something? I'd definately be up for that!

I should get to bed though. Thanks for the input Rintaran!

Cheers, mates!

-- Wiz

[Rintaran]

Heh. You thought that was long? Maybe I'll not put up the story version then. I'm fancy myself as an author, so once I get started on something, I tend to go on forever.

Anyways, I don't know about any gaming groups in B.C. , but as for online RPs it really depends on what you're looking for. There are many different styles of online RPs, even over the different styles of table top. I'm not sure if it's still running, but there was an open-ended RP running over at http://www.outlanda.com and another at http://www.dragonslodge.net {or is it .com?}. By open ended, I am referring to unguided, though that really isn't the right word. Unlike a normal campaign, everyone is a player and you pretty much determine the plot lines by your characters actual actions. Although there are moderators, its pretty much free-form. As for a traditional-like campaign, I'm not sure where you could find those, though they do exist. I was running one over at my site, but it seems to have come to a grinding halt recently, which is too bad because we really had quite a storyline going.

Heh. I think I've gone on long enough for now eh? Have fun with your campaign.

[ladyofdragons]

Our group uses the character questionnaire here in the files for download section (search for questionnaire). It's got a score of questions (no really, there's 144!) about your character. While it may seem like a bit of overkill, it's really a good list to use to at least think about what's important about your character, and you answer the questions that seem to pertain and ignore those that don't. It's also a great thing to go back to once in a while, to see how your character has changed (for better or worse).

[david_peek]

Sounds like you've got a good framework there for character backgrounds. One thing you're players will notice is that a well-developed character is more enjoyable to play. Not only does it assist in role-playing the character in a unique and believable way, it also helps the DM to put in little things (or even big ones) that relate directly to a character or characters. It's a touch that helps ground the characters in the scenario and make the players feel like their actually involved in events.

I find there are very simple rules to it. Too little background, and the character often becomes just a two-dimensional character that isn't fun to play. Too much background, and the game can become burdened with all the quirks, extra baggage, and unnecessary details that can be thrown into the mix. Just enough to make the character seem real is good. Often a background of a character will provide just enough information to allow a DM to be able to hook the entire party into an adventure, because one of their allies is personally involved somehow.

[DwynnsPlace]

There are tons of RPG's going on at the following site.
Check it out!!!

http://www.Goandnet.com

Happy gamming

GG

[DwynnsPlace]

Character likes and dislikes, social background and family buisnesses have an effect on character concepts.

All the suggestions are great, I just wish I didn't have to surf all the posts to get the references.

[ladyofdragons]

I wish I had the time available to put links in the portal for every site suggested in the forum, but I don't. However, any site member can add sites to the portal if they find things worth sharing. That's the point of a 'community' site like this. And anyway, forums are for reading.

back to the topic of character questionnaires, I've never played with anyone who had 'too much' background information. Or rather, maybe someone who tried to stuff too much background into actual gameplay. I agree, if your background is more like baggage that slows down the game then somethings got to change. I think of background more as a jumping-off point for character decisions and behavior, and a way for your GM to incorporate things into the campaign that will keep your character's interest.

[meegar]

Everybody has so much input on this board. This is great!

Cheers!

Mr.Wizard

[infinity]

In my current, and old campaign, we have always thought character history to be ver important. Heh, it started out when my friend decided to make a half-orc sorcerer raised by orcs...now none of us could even imagine why a half-orc would become a sorcerer anyways, let alone when they are raised by orcs. So my friend went to the task of writing up a history for him, and ever since it's always been a requirement for making a new character.

We don't go into that much depth though, we just tell birthday, place of birth, family (can be extended family, but we don't require it), friends/enemies from early on in life, and at least three events that occured in the character's life (such as how the human was turned into a paladin, or why my gnome became a barbarian ).