Random Background Generator: WTF Is My DND Character?

[Neal Litherland]

I'm assuming since we're all fans of gaming that we've come across Who The F@#k Is My DND Character. I had an embarrassing amount of time sucked in by this simple page, and now I've got a dozen extra concepts running around and ready for my next campaign.

Just wanted to pass it along for those gamers who wanted to let fate decide their next concepts, or who were feeling stagnated and wanted a tool for something new.

[Kyrrion]

"Check this out, I'm going to be a peaceful half-orc wizard that was raised in a gnome run orphanage that doesn't believe in magic, ever".

... Whaaaaaaat?

[Xenre the Vague]

I strongly suggest not doing this. Random background generation can be fun, but give you some really strange results. I actually suggest using the "Twenty Questions" from the ShadowRun Second Edition Core Rulebook. It answers a lot of questions that can flesh out your character.
And it keeps you from ending up with the Dwarf-Raised High Elf Barbarian that, because of environment refers to others of his kind (Elves) as pointy-eared tree lovers.

[born_of_fire]

I got some interesting results but I prefer the random background generator from (I think) Paizo. There's a link to it on the d20pfsrd page.

[Ashtathlon]

Ultimate campaign has a excellent background generator..even has a trait system built into it.

[Kyrrion]

Xenre the Vague wrote:

I strongly suggest not doing this. Random background generation can be fun, but give you some really strange results. I actually suggest using the "Twenty Questions" from the ShadowRun Second Edition Core Rulebook. It answers a lot of questions that can flesh out your character.

And it keeps you from ending up with the Dwarf-Raised High Elf Barbarian that, because of environment refers to others of his kind (Elves) as pointy-eared tree lovers.

I would strongly suggest doing this.

Just for a one night one shot adventure when you want a break from your normal adventuring style. This is definitely a spontaneous "don't think just go" tool that will probably create many inside jokes for you and your friends in one evening. That sounds worth it to me.

Now, if you want an "actual" character that you put "serious" effort into, then obviously no. The language the site uses should be a clear indicator that it's for entertainment purposes only - the ideas are not meant to be epic ideas of legendary heroes. It's just a for fun random character generator erring on the side of humorous.

[Neal Litherland]

Perhaps it would be good for DMs to come up with quirky NPCs on the spur of the moment. Need a bartender with a bit of history? A random person met on the path? Here you go!

[Steve Geddes]

FWIW, I got a malware warning after following that link.

[Korthis]

Im a positive Dragonborn Bard from a ruined city who is a complete exhibitionist?
This site is hilarious
Also agree on the npc background bit. With a little creativity you can expand on it yourself. I like it.

[Petty Alchemy]

I'm guessing that's this but hosted on someone's blog? (Edit: I see, the site censor breaks the standard link).

It's had some interesting results, good enough to inspire characters. I wouldn't take the first result at face value unless it was for a oneshot though.