Backstory Questions

The Maelstrom Isles    Player Handbook    Introduction      Backstory Questions

Who is your character? At this point you should know what you want your character to look like, now you are deciding who they are as a person. These questions provide a baseline of personality to make your character distict, entertaining and easily role-playable. Use these questions to either delve deeper into your already created backstory or if you need help starting. You do not have to answer every question. These questions are to help you think outside the box as knowing who your character is and what they would do in a variety of different situations can be helpful in the game.

History

1. Where did they grow up?
2. What did they aspire to be as a child? What was their greatest fear as a child?
3. Describe a previous experience which formed, inspired or changed them.
4. Describe a previous experience which damaged or hurt them.

Relationships

1. Who is their current closest friend/person they know?
2. What is their relationship with their parents/family?
3. Do they have any rivalries or enemies? With who, and why?
4. Are they seeking any kind of relationship? A lover, friend, mentor, mentee, arch nemesis, etc.

Ambition

1. What is a specific, short-term goal they have?
2. What is a broad, long-term goal they have?
3. What kind of person do they want to be? What is their ideal lifestyle?
4. What kind of change do they want to see in the world?

Identity

1. Describe a hobby they have or community of which they are part.
2. Describe a unique mannerism, body language, expression or feature of appearance they have.
3. What is something of which they have an irrational like/dislike?
4. How do they speak? Do they have an accent, speak fast or slow, properly or with slang

Extra Questions

1. Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams/nightmares?
2. Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? why or why not?
3. What does your character idealize most: happiness or success?
4. Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?
5. What is your character's biggest relationship flaw? How has this flaw affected relationships in the past?
6. How does your character compare themselves to others? do they do this for self-validation or self-criticism?
7. If something tragic or negative happens to your character, are they more likely to place the blame inward on themselves or outward on others?
8. What does your character like/dislike in other people?
9. How quick is your character to trust someone new?
10. How does your character behave around children?
11. How does your character normally deal with confrontation? How quick or slow are they to result to violence?
12. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?
13. Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?
14. How does your character feel about animals? Have they had any bad experiences?
15. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, or do they feel they must earn it first?
16. What is your character's opinion on nobility/authority?