CHARACTER BACKGROUND WORKSHEET

This great character history worksheet was submitted to Community: 3E by Wondering9. I believe it is one of the most comprehensive history design lists that I have seen yet! Thanks for the submission Wondering9!

Character Background Worksheet

What is your view on…?

1. The law? Should it be upheld to the letter? Should it be followed only to help stabilize society? Should it be followed only when it makes sense? Should it be followed only when it suits you?

2. Religion? Do you believe in religion at all? If not, why (keep in mind that in fantasy most everyone believes in at least a “god” if not many)? If yes, is it something that has a strong or weak hold on your life?

3. Stealing? Is it completely wrong? Is it okay to steal from those that have so much that they don’t know what to do with it when you’re in need? Is stealing from the rich to give to the poor okay? Is it okay to steal as long as you leave something else behind, like taking something from someone else’s saddlebags and leaving soiled undergarments behind?

4. People? Do you like people or are you disappointed by them? What is your view of the other races? What stereotypes do you hold?

5. Helping others? Are you always willing to help those in need, only those that are your friends, or only yourself? Or are you a nice person that will do whatever you can to help others so long as it does not prove dangerous for yourself?

6. Drinking? If you had some time on your hands would you go get blasted at the local tavern?

7. Sex? Would you try to make out with the bawdy-serving wench while getting blasted at a local tavern? Do you feel guilty afterwards? Or does your character have no problem with casual sex?

8. Love? Could you character fall in love? Is there no room in your life for someone else? Or is there already someone in your life (maybe even a long lost love or some other thing)?

9. Life? Cynical and bitter with stick up your ass? Bright and idealistic with queer-like chipperness? Or are you a realist?

10. Your family? Do you like them? Does your uncle have a bit too much of a preoccupation with your mother, his horse, etc.?

11. Goals and aspirations? In other words, what drives you? Fame? Fortune? Fun? Or do you want nothing more than a peaceful life, but you’ve been forced down a different path…?

12. Honor and those that do not seem to have it? Would you die to keep your honor stainless?

13. The codes of Chivalry?

14. Magic? Is it evil? What do you think magic is and what is does it mean to you?

15. Loyalty?

16. How you want to live out and end your life? Nice and peaceful telling your stories to your grandchildren (like the time a friend of yours was sodomized by a mad Ogre named Tiny)? Do you want to be fantastically wealthy, would you rather your name be in the annuals of history, or just settled down with a little land, a little lady, and the pitter patter of little feet running around?

Actions to hypothetical questions…?

1. If you witness an act of something terrible, such as a murder. Would you make it a personal mission to make sure that those that responsible were brought to justice? If not what level of action would you take?

2. A friend of yours has been wrongly accused of murder, and is scheduled hung in three days. You know that if you try to defend him you will probably be hung with him. What do you do? What if the person is a stranger, not a friend?

3. A friend is being sodomized by the mad Ogre named Tiny. What do you do?
A) Point and laugh, but remain a safe distance away.
B) Try to help your friend by attacking Tiny.
C) Run away for fear that you’ll be next.
D) Make sure your friend has something about this on his epitaph.
E) Join in.
(Keep in mind that this question is a reflection of your personality, not necessarily what you would do.)

4. A rich and powerful man, perhaps a noble, has offered you a large some of money to carry out some business for him. Once you find out that the business goes against your morals (even if you have almost no morals), do you do job? Even if refusing means that you just made a powerful enemy or maybe even immediate death?

Personality…?

1. List any notable personality traits.

2. What are your short-term goals?

3. Do you like other people; in other words, are you an antisocial or social person?

4. How do you see yourself? Are you shy and timid? Bold? Confident? Always the center of attention or are you the one alone in the corner at parties? Do you think other people see you like this as well?

5. Do you have any prejudices (ex. Magic is for the weak, a dislike of bald Halfling women, etc.)?

6. Do you have habits or some such thing that a person that knows you could identify you by?

7. What are your hopes and fears?

8. What is it that drives you?

9. What would you like to be doing in 5 or 10 years?

10. What is your most vivid memory?

11. Why did you choose your particular profession/class?

12. List any fears you may have. (heights, magic, blades, spiders, your mother, etc.)

13. List any secondary or minor objectives that you would pursue if the opportunity presented itself.

14. What is more important: protecting yourself, your friends, innocent victims, or the damsel in distress that has a rich father?

15. What is your favorite season?

True/False

1. The church should always get a percentage of wealth attained.
2. Magic is evil.
3. You only give money to a church when you want a favor or good luck from its god (ex. you only give money to the god of travelers when you are about to set out on a journey).
4. You believe in the gods but basically never go to any of their churches or temples. Instead you send up little prayers every now in then when doing something in their field.
5. Honor exists among thieves.
6. Lying is wrong.
7. Stealing is wrong.
8. Law and order is good.
9. One should do whatever one wants rather than doing only what society’s laws and morals dictate.
10. Government is good.
11. The more government regulation, the better.
12. All things evil must be fought at all costs.
13. Chivalry is dead.
14. Government and Law are instruments that repress individual expression and the creative spirit.

Which best describes your point of view…?

1. A) You do not break laws.
B) You like to refrain from breaking laws.
C) It is okay to break laws whenever it suits you.
D) It is okay to break stupid laws because laws just get in the way.

2. A) You always try to help those in need, even if it means sacrificing your life.
B) You always try to help those in need except when it means endangering your own life.
C) If it is not too much trouble you will help those in need.
D) If it suits you, you will help those in need.

Rate your character from 1-5 on the following. Are/Do you…?

1. Religious?
2. Vengeful?
3. Heroic?
4. Like science?
5. Like philosophy?
6. Like mysteries?
7. Like to use magic?
8. Like to see magic?
9. Like forests?
10. Like mountains?
11. Like the ocean?
12. Like deserts?
13. Like snow?
14. Like to compete?
15. Like games?
16. Like sports?
17. Like to drink?

Background…?

1. What is your full name?
2. Have you ever had any aliases? (How long in use? Why?)
3. How old are you?
4. Where were you born?
5. Describe your parents, including current status.
6. What was/is your families social status (Poor? Well-to-do? Wealthy?)
7. Do you have any relatives and how close are you?
8. Where are these relatives now?
9. Education?
10. What jobs, positions, or titles have you held? (When? Where?)
11. Did you ever serve in the military?
12. Do you have a criminal record? (Why? Are you still wanted?)
13. Where do you live now?
14. Where did you spend most of your life?
15. Have you ever traveled much?
16. Are you or have you ever been married or romantically involved? (With who? Where are they now? What is the status of your relationship?)
17. If you can, describe a significant event in your life.
18. How do you describe your lifestyle or the lifestyle that you want to lead?
19. What are your hobbies?
20. List a couple of your favorite foods/drink.
21. List a couple of your favorite pieces of equipment/toys (sharp pointy things and miscellaneous objects).
22. List any notable physical traits.


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