In the last year, I have played a lot of new RPGs, from some warhammer 40k, shadowrun, L5R, and dungeon world. I was particularly fond of L5R's "20 questions" which did a decent job presenting a character to the expectations of the world around them.
I decided to try a similar approach in my current pathfinder game, making a series of 20 questions for the campaign's theme (in this case, the players where young warriors from a barbarian society).
I was wondering, what other tools have people used to put players into the context of a world?
A series of hats. One lists species, one lists class with skills, one lists background with more skills. Just draw one item from each hat.
Got any examples of 20 questions?
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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I've been pondering the idea of breaking up character creation into something along these lines:
Origin/Childhood—What was your parents' situation in life? What does that mean about what kind of childhood you had? For example, if your parents were rich/noble, does that mean you were well-tutored and taught manners, or that you constantly chafed against all the rules, etc? Jot down a couple of character mechanics (but not a whole build) that would represent the effects of your answers.
Adolescence—What was your situation in life during your rise to adulthood, and how did that affect you? For example, were you a street urchin learning to pick pockets, a well-read student studying magic in an academy, a young militia recruit desperately trying to defend your small town from monster attacks, etc? Jot down a couple more character mechanics that would represent the results of this period of your life.
Pre-Campaign Adulthood—If your character was already an adult for a good while before the start of the campaign, what were they doing? Practicing a profession? Serving in the military? Influencing politics? Jot down some more character mechanics that would represent this phase of your life.
Conversion to Adventure—If your character made a conscious choice to turn to a life of adventure (as opposed to being thrust unwilling into a dire situation as part of the campaign's opening premise), why did they make that choice? What, if anything, have they done to prepare for this path? Jot down a couple more relevant character mechanics.
Put it All Together—Hopefully by now you have enough of a framework to put a character together, with a set of capabilities that all relate somehow to your personal history and experiences.
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I have a question list I ask my players:
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This has the added benefit of helping me filter out applicants on Roll 20 as well, because the answers to number 6 and number 7 can be a huge red flag.
Whilst I love giving characters backgrounds I almost never do it until the character has been played a couple of times. It seems much easier that way, as they have already acquired some traits and mannerisms, and reacted to other characters, so it is easier to figure out why they act that way
For fun, here is my version of the 20 questions (heavily inspired by those of l5r), "setting adapted" considering the following factors my own setting.
1) Which of the nine clans does your character belong to?
There are nine clans in the north. See the player document for more details.
2) What class (low, medium or high) does your character belong to?
Wealth (material wealth, much more than just gold) is of critical importance in the north. More food, more goods, better homes, and more allow you to survive the cruelty of nature. As such, society is divided into three economic classes. The low classes mainly consist of subsistence farmers & miners, surviving by working the land (often serving the more powerful). The middle classes own many slaves, allowing them to produce much more than what they need as farmers, miners, lumberjacks and quaryers. The high class comes from those of great wisdom and cunning who accumulated great wealth though canny skill, or who sponsored successful raids to the south bringing much riches. These are treated as nobility, and lead the people in their day to day lives.
3) How would other’s describe your character’s appearance?
Every character should have a rough description in order to give him some sort of life when describing him to others. What is the character’s most striking feature? Does his mood come through in his appearance or is he inscrutable? Does he make others feel at ease, or make them uncomfortable?
4) What is your character’s primary motivation?
Though all warriors are, in theory, solely devoted to fulfilling to protecting the people of the north, most have their own goals as well. Some may be simple, such as maintaining their honor, while others may revolve around the recovery of a lost heirloom or the avenging of a slight to your family’s honor.
5) Who does your character’s trust most in the world?
Characters should have some developed background in order to facilitate role-playing. This question not only includes the individual’s identity, but how that person met the character, why they are so close, and other similar questions.
6) What is your character’s greatest strength and weakness?
Strengths are what others see as respectable or admirable in the character, while weaknesses are what he would struggle to hide from others, lest they look down upon him for his failures. What does the character regard as his strengths and weaknesses, and how does this differ from his actual abilities?
7) What is your character’s attitude towards the druids?
Druids serve as nominal leaders and guides of northern society. They are aloof and distant, and often appear very strange to all others. As such, those who have had limited (or negative) dealings with them often fear or despise them.
8) What is your character’s opinion of your clan?
While all warriors are theoretically bound to the protection of their clan, many do not completely agree with the direction their leaders (and clansmen) follow. Does he differ from the stereotypes of his clan?
9) Is your character married or promised in marriage?
Your characters will start at the age of 16. Traditionally, this is the start of courtship in northern society, where the Providers seek out warriors that interest them. Few are married as young as 16, as they have yet to accumulate the accomplishments to attract attention. Some few however are exceptional enough to attract attention beforehand. The high class often arranges marriages to assure the continuity of their wealth.
10) What prejudices does your character hold?
The ignorant nature of the warrior caste means many know little about the wold, and prejudice is common. Most clans are negatively predisposed to several other clans, and most have strong prejudices against the other races. Is the character one who readily subscribes to these prejudices or has he developed his own dislikes of other Clans, even allied Clans, based on his
own experiences?
11) Who has trained your character in the arts of war?
The most obvious answer would be “your warrior parent”. But many seek wider training from more skilled individuals.
12) What are your character’s favorite and least favorite things?
This could address a wide variety of responses, including material possessions, activities, locations, or almost anything else that could spring to mind. Why does the character revere these things? What significance do they have to his history?
13) What superstitions does your character hold?
The brutish nature of northern life makes many individuals highly superstitious. Innumerable actions are considered unlucky, largely based on personal prejudice and experience. The savagery of nature, and the numerous magical beasts that roam the wilds make many thouroughly convinced of the magival nature of the world.
14) Where did your character grow up?
Settlements are small in the north, the largest barely passing a couple thousand. Most people grew up in small villages and hamlets. Many grow up in small thorpes containing as few as two families.
15) What about your character’s emotions?
It is expected for warriors to be wildly emotional, and to be carried by them into the glory of battle. While this is traditional, many (including the providers) see this as problematic to the proper functioning of northern society.
16) How would your character’s parents describe them?
Devotion to one’s parents is considered proper behavior for any northerner, but devotion can be offered without any real respect between a parent and child. Does the character have a proper relationship with his parents or are they estranged? Was the character’s upbringing a source of joy or dismay for his parents? Are they still alive, or were they taken from the character at a younger age?
17) What are your weapons?
Each warrior choses their weapons; one for far, one for close. Few are those who wield many weapons, though they do exist, as most warriors are quite versatile. What weapons does your warrior favor?
18) What is your highest ambition?
As all warriors seek glory, all must find a grand ambition if they are ever to gain great honor. Some seek to kill great beasts; other to lead grand armies, or to run successful raids. What ambition does your character seek?
19) How religious is your character?
Many warriors disregard the will of the gods, as the Warrior herself disregards them. Some however, venerate assiduously, even dedicating their life to the purest warrior ideals. What does your character do to show their faith?
20) How will your character die?
This is a very important and intimidating question, but one that should be given consideration. Every warrior lives a few short feet from death, and death is a threat that can rear its head on any day of a warrior’s entire life. What is the character’s destiny? How will he meet his end when the time comes for him to join his ancestors