Ignitedstar
None
Many roleplays use the bare essentials that they need when making character sheets. By now, we know the drill: character's name, appearance, who they work for, etc. Every once in awhile people add extra things to character sheets. I encourage storytellers to do this-- it adds flavor to an otherwise cookie cutter character sheet.
This thread can be extended by anyone. Got an idea, but don't want to use it? If you need a place or it, or want to share it with others and get comments, write it down for everyone to see.
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For a few characters and a few roleplays, I have been beginning to do character sheets like this. It is not set or defined specifically; I like doing it this way because I always have character development as a high priority. So, instead of having people describe their character's personality, I ask them to split their character's personality into five major traits and four lesser traits. Having the numbers high or low doesn't matter; what it really does is show how a character is likely to act and react.
This is a point-based personality system from 1 to 20 where anything that is 1 to 4 or 16 to 20 is unrealistic unless someone is probably insane or they are not from this world. Or universe.
Style - How "traditional" a character is. A lower number means that a character likes sticking to rules-- the traditional way of doing things. These characters tend to be quite formal and if they know a skill of some sort, they probably learned it formally through a teacher or institution. A higher number means that a character is used to do things their own way. They may not like rules very much and stick to their own code. These characters are free style; they lean towards experimentation and can adapt easily to new situations and environments. If this character knows a skill of some sort, they probably learned it by themselves or adapted it to fit their own style.
Grace - This is a peculiar trait where is there is Physical Grace and Mental Grace, so a character has two Grace values, each one from 1 to 10 (max of 20). Characters with a lower number are likely to not think things through as they are doing them. They are clumsy either physically or mentally; they tend to run into people or objects and/or tend to forget things they probably should be remembering. These characters may be clumsy, but it also makes them unpredictable-- and depending on the side their on, dangerous. A higher number means that these characters like to plan. They like to calculate and make sure plans that they or someone else concoct go smoothly. If problems arise, they have prepared multiple ways to smooth them out or make them go away. However, these characters tend to be impatient and get frustrated when things aren't going their way.
Courage - A character with a lower number tend to be timid and unsure of their own opinions. They may be easily swayed by the opinions of others and may find it difficult to stand up for themselves when trouble arises. A character with lower Courage is also not as hard headed and likes to think before taking action. A higher number means a character knows what they are doing and why they are fighting for it. Their mind is already set and one would need an incredible argument to alter their opinion. These characters will rise, face, and fight the challenges in front of them with all they are capable of. However, they also tend to be stubborn and refuse to listen to others, even if the others are correct and they are wrong.
Joy - A character's outlook on situations. A lower number means that a character is more likely to criticize ideas and be cynical, but also tend to be honest when it comes to telling others how they feel and feel guilty if they cannot do something right. A higher number means that a character is a positive thinker and has faith in the words of others, but they may lie occasionally if it means not hurting another person's feelings. These characters let others know of their opinion and make sure their voice is heard, but it doesn't always mean they are telling the truth.
Friendship - How easy it is for a character to make friends and/or understand the feelings of others. A lower number means that this person is more introvert. They would prefer the indoors and may not be interested in small talk, but these people tend to be independent and very reliable as a friend. However, if they are troubled, they usually do not tell anyone. A higher number would mean they are more extrovert and may like to gossip about other people. It could be difficult for these people to keep secrets. They are active as a person and are comfortable talking to large groups of people.
The lesser traits are more straight forward, but just because they're called "lesser" doesn't mean they are not important.
Humor - How much does the character laugh or find things humorous? This doesn't necessarily mean that a character is good at being funny! A lower this number is, the less likely they are to find something to laugh at.
Approach - How easy is it for others to approach the character? Do they always look busy? The lower the number, the more difficult it is for another character to approach this character.
Education - How educated is the character? A lower number means they probably didn't care much for school. A higher number means they've learned quite a lot and value education.
Love - What does a character think about intimate and romantic love? The lower the number, the less interest one has about intimate and romantic love.
This strategy of doing personalities does not mention anything specific. Why? The second most important thing I find about a story: the secrets that characters keep. Biographies are demanding and sometimes a DM demands that everything is known about a character. Even the things that they would never talk about with other people. A normal person knowing this information without have ever meeting the character is unrealistic; they would never bring it up, so how is it possible for anyone to already know it?
Then I hear, "But I have this huge idea of the kind of person I want to roleplay." Write the full biography, then keep it to yourself. As for the character sheet a person is submitting, chop it up. Whenever I tell a roleplayer to give me a biography, I tell them to think of it this way: "What would this character tell someone about themselves if that someone is a person the character had never met before?" A random person off the street just got curious and wants to know who the character is. No normal person would talk about their entire life.
All I do (as DM) is verify the character's unbotched bio and make sure there's nothing game-breaking. Then a roleplayer must stash it away and play a character that knows nothing about everyone else. Is your character a good friend of another character? Does your character have some dirt on someone else? Work together; show your character bio to this other roleplayer, but only what a roleplayer would want this specific person knowing. Everyone has something they won't tell others. Not friends. Not family. It's stuff that is personal and no one elses' business. I've had people submitting biographies as short as "I'm just passing by. I don't like causing trouble." or "My character works for [X]. He as a badge as proof of being a part of the staff. They're here for [Y] reason."
This thread can be extended by anyone. Got an idea, but don't want to use it? If you need a place or it, or want to share it with others and get comments, write it down for everyone to see.
---
For a few characters and a few roleplays, I have been beginning to do character sheets like this. It is not set or defined specifically; I like doing it this way because I always have character development as a high priority. So, instead of having people describe their character's personality, I ask them to split their character's personality into five major traits and four lesser traits. Having the numbers high or low doesn't matter; what it really does is show how a character is likely to act and react.
This is a point-based personality system from 1 to 20 where anything that is 1 to 4 or 16 to 20 is unrealistic unless someone is probably insane or they are not from this world. Or universe.
Style - How "traditional" a character is. A lower number means that a character likes sticking to rules-- the traditional way of doing things. These characters tend to be quite formal and if they know a skill of some sort, they probably learned it formally through a teacher or institution. A higher number means that a character is used to do things their own way. They may not like rules very much and stick to their own code. These characters are free style; they lean towards experimentation and can adapt easily to new situations and environments. If this character knows a skill of some sort, they probably learned it by themselves or adapted it to fit their own style.
Grace - This is a peculiar trait where is there is Physical Grace and Mental Grace, so a character has two Grace values, each one from 1 to 10 (max of 20). Characters with a lower number are likely to not think things through as they are doing them. They are clumsy either physically or mentally; they tend to run into people or objects and/or tend to forget things they probably should be remembering. These characters may be clumsy, but it also makes them unpredictable-- and depending on the side their on, dangerous. A higher number means that these characters like to plan. They like to calculate and make sure plans that they or someone else concoct go smoothly. If problems arise, they have prepared multiple ways to smooth them out or make them go away. However, these characters tend to be impatient and get frustrated when things aren't going their way.
Courage - A character with a lower number tend to be timid and unsure of their own opinions. They may be easily swayed by the opinions of others and may find it difficult to stand up for themselves when trouble arises. A character with lower Courage is also not as hard headed and likes to think before taking action. A higher number means a character knows what they are doing and why they are fighting for it. Their mind is already set and one would need an incredible argument to alter their opinion. These characters will rise, face, and fight the challenges in front of them with all they are capable of. However, they also tend to be stubborn and refuse to listen to others, even if the others are correct and they are wrong.
Joy - A character's outlook on situations. A lower number means that a character is more likely to criticize ideas and be cynical, but also tend to be honest when it comes to telling others how they feel and feel guilty if they cannot do something right. A higher number means that a character is a positive thinker and has faith in the words of others, but they may lie occasionally if it means not hurting another person's feelings. These characters let others know of their opinion and make sure their voice is heard, but it doesn't always mean they are telling the truth.
Friendship - How easy it is for a character to make friends and/or understand the feelings of others. A lower number means that this person is more introvert. They would prefer the indoors and may not be interested in small talk, but these people tend to be independent and very reliable as a friend. However, if they are troubled, they usually do not tell anyone. A higher number would mean they are more extrovert and may like to gossip about other people. It could be difficult for these people to keep secrets. They are active as a person and are comfortable talking to large groups of people.
The lesser traits are more straight forward, but just because they're called "lesser" doesn't mean they are not important.
Humor - How much does the character laugh or find things humorous? This doesn't necessarily mean that a character is good at being funny! A lower this number is, the less likely they are to find something to laugh at.
Approach - How easy is it for others to approach the character? Do they always look busy? The lower the number, the more difficult it is for another character to approach this character.
Education - How educated is the character? A lower number means they probably didn't care much for school. A higher number means they've learned quite a lot and value education.
Love - What does a character think about intimate and romantic love? The lower the number, the less interest one has about intimate and romantic love.
This strategy of doing personalities does not mention anything specific. Why? The second most important thing I find about a story: the secrets that characters keep. Biographies are demanding and sometimes a DM demands that everything is known about a character. Even the things that they would never talk about with other people. A normal person knowing this information without have ever meeting the character is unrealistic; they would never bring it up, so how is it possible for anyone to already know it?
Then I hear, "But I have this huge idea of the kind of person I want to roleplay." Write the full biography, then keep it to yourself. As for the character sheet a person is submitting, chop it up. Whenever I tell a roleplayer to give me a biography, I tell them to think of it this way: "What would this character tell someone about themselves if that someone is a person the character had never met before?" A random person off the street just got curious and wants to know who the character is. No normal person would talk about their entire life.
All I do (as DM) is verify the character's unbotched bio and make sure there's nothing game-breaking. Then a roleplayer must stash it away and play a character that knows nothing about everyone else. Is your character a good friend of another character? Does your character have some dirt on someone else? Work together; show your character bio to this other roleplayer, but only what a roleplayer would want this specific person knowing. Everyone has something they won't tell others. Not friends. Not family. It's stuff that is personal and no one elses' business. I've had people submitting biographies as short as "I'm just passing by. I don't like causing trouble." or "My character works for [X]. He as a badge as proof of being a part of the staff. They're here for [Y] reason."
