Summary
Creating a solid backstory is an important part of any character creation, and it can be the very foundation of what canultimately be a fantastic heroor riveting villain inDungeons & Dragons. It does not have to be the first thing on the player’s list, but it can help shape the character that they would want to embody inDungeons & Dragons.
From tragic origin stories to humble beginnings, there are countless ways for an adventurer to begin their journey. However, it is still just that: the backstory. It has already happened, and it does not have to define them or control their every action. But every good story begins somewhere, and it is as much a part of the character, as their class or magical items.
10Consult The Dungeon Master
Assistance & Approval
The Dungeon Master is there for a reason, and they can help with any and all aspects of the game, andcharacter creation is no exception. Aside from helping out with choosing certain traits, or explaining the specifics of background choices, they can help players navigate in the existing world, and tie their story more closely to the setting itself.
On top of that, if the choices presented by the books are not enough and players would like to flavor and tweak some of them or even look at homebrew options, the DM would need to approve such changes. Ultimately, the communication between the player and the DM is absolutely vital, and establishing that early on is helpful for everyone at the table.
9Consider The Setting
A Backstory That Works For The World
A hermit outcast who denies money and anything material can be quite fun to play, but doing so in aGame of Thrones-like political intrigue story might not work out as well as one might imagine. Tailoring the backstory to the actual setting can make a character that fits very well into the game, and might make it more enjoyable for the player as well.
On top of that, it can really increase one’s immersion, if they didn’t come from some unnamed town far, far away, but from the actual town the players are trying to save, raising the stakes dramatically.
8Connect The Backstory To The Class
Role-play
While a Barbarian that comes from a wizarding school can be quite a lot of fun to role-play, consider synergizing the class with the backstory. Aside from actual useful bonuses, they might add a lot of class-appropriate challenges down the line.
Perhaps a Rogue is being hunted by the old organization they escaped from, and they might need tosteal an important artifactto rid themselves of the debt. Or a Paladin is asked to help their order to vanquish an old demon. While it is certainly not necessary, tying the two together can be an effective way to choose a backstory.
7Keep In Mind The Starting Level…
…And Leave Room For Growth
Old warriors can be interesting characters to meet and to play as, but there should at least be an explanation of why they are currently level 1 after countless battles. Beginning as a seasoned veteran or an expert mage can be quite jarring if they start at a lower level, especially if the rest of the party are learning adventurers.
And after all, if the character is already a legend, what is left for them to conquer? There should be space for growth, both from a technical standpoint of class levels, and the growth of their personality and worldviews.
6Create A Story Hook/Goal
A Character’s Motivation
Personal motivation is an important aspect of a character. It is what drives them forward, gives them the will to go through the dangerous journey, and braces the many perils that await adventurers. And so, what is it that this specific character is looking for?
Perhaps they wish to find an old family member or want to find thatspecific Wizard’s tower and their many hidden tomes. A DM can incorporate a player’s hook into the story, and together they can make for a fantastic game and a satisfying resolution.
5Think Of How The Backstory Affects The Personality
A Backstory Is Not Just Fluff
A character that was raised in an unforgiving tribe of warriors will certainly have a mark left on them. They might consider physical strength of utmost importance, and govern themselves by “survival of the fittest”. Likewise, a scholar who spent most of their life among books will have at least some trouble adjusting to the real hardships of the world.
Again, the backstory does not have to completely define the character, but it is still something that has left an impact. And if done well enough, it can be a great talking point for player-to-player interactions.
4Consider The Perks And Bonuses
Best Background For A Character
Dungeons and Dragonsis still a game, and players canlook at the game side of this particular topic. Every background comes with its unique set of Skill Proficiencies, Languages, Equipment, and sometimes even Abilities. Certain backgrounds can be more useful to specific characters, giving them much-needed stats and power-ups.
However, not all perks are equally useful on a stat block, some might come with out-of-combat perks, such as being on good terms with the Nobles or having the support of a powerful Ravnica Guild.
3Keep It Manageable
Don’t Take On Too Much
The exact length of “manageable” is completely up to the group of players, and some groups might be more used to writing long and extensive backstories than others. However, in most cases, a single sheet of paper will more than suffice.
There is much adventure to be had, and an overly complicated backstory that reads like a crime novel might become too heavy to bear at some point. Keeping a good balance between simplicity and details is key, and players should try to aim somewhere in between.
2Add A Personal Twist
The Player’s Character
It might be tempting to make an exact copy of one’s beloved hero, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, in a world only governed by imagination, why not add a personal detail to one’s own Batman?
Everyone recognizes a barbarian from a tribe, what makes this one special? Perhaps they can play the flute like no other, or have an absolutelydashingsuit that they refuse to take off.Players can truly be anything, and the backstory is a great place to consider what makestheircharacter special.
1Make Sure Everyone At The Table Will Be Comfortable
Session Zero Can Help Too
While this advice is just as vital to any tabletop game, its importance cannot be understated. Creating a dark and tragic backstorycanbe made well, but certain topics can be in bad taste, or treading on extremely uncomfortable grounds.
Understanding the table is crucial, and if players are at all questioning if their idea might betoo much, they should discuss this with both the DM and their fellow players. After all,Dungeons and Dragonsis collaborative storytelling, and players should work together to make the most out of the experience, with everyone at the table in mind.
