So after a few players eagerly boast of how many 18's they have rolled they exclaim, "I've finished rolling up my character. Now I'll buy equipment." Is this ALL your players do, are you bored with the lack of depth the players go into, or don't go into for that matter, with their characters? Fear not! This article will help even the newest player develop his characters background and depth. No more cardboard heroes for you!

Step # 1

As the players are rolling up their characters ask them what class and race they want to be, then ask them WHY? Also you should ask the players to interpret the numbers as they relate to the characters personality (at least INT, WIS, and CHR, but the other stats as well).

Why is your character taken to his class? Lets say thief, Was a family member in the guild and they brought the player in? Maybe he was abandoned as a kid and found his way into the guild headquarters? (the Artful Dodger maybe) Was he kidnapped in a raid and made to work for the guild until he became trained enough to do "jobs"?

These details can be thought up while the character is deciding on a class and they start the process of character background.

Step # 2

Personality comes next. The player having interpreted his stats and done his partial background now does HOW his past has affected him. Let's take the above thief for example. If he was orphaned and "saved" by the guild he may have learned that the only way to matter in life is to steal. Maybe he may want to get revenge on society for abandoning him. Maybe it's just fun a way to make a name, and some money, for himselfa miscreant. Perhaps he dreams of becoming the guild leader and repeating the process of taking in orphans (a wonderful cover).

Step # 3

After WHY and HOW, comes WHAT. What is your characters goals as they relate to his past, his class, etc. The above thief may want to find out who his real parents were and why they abandoned him. Maybe he wants to kili them, discredit them. He could also go straight and set up a legitimate orphanage (shades of Batman here).

Fill in the Blanks Later

A player should try to answer these 3 questions as best as possible and if not do it for them, starting off with something simple to get them started and letting them "fill in the blanks" later.

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