Character Details

Once you've got a fair idea of your character's basic life and looks, the next thing is to give them something to work with in the world. A story element is any being or thing that is associated with your character in the story.

This might be a companion, a magic sword, a servant, your favourite horse, that place in Shadow where you spend a lot of time, your private rooms in that Shadow, or whatever.

Not all story elements are magical, but for a fantasy character, the most important ones are. Usually though, it's your character's relationship with them that is most important, not what they can do.

So if you'd like a magical sword for your character, don't just leave it at that. Describe it in detail, think up some history for it, some opponents that you and the sword have cut down, when and how it was made, and so forth.

Here are some sample questions to consider about potential story elements.

Your character has a favourite horse. Describe the steed's size, colouring, build, training, and personality.
Did your character ever have a pet? What kind of pet? Where is it now, or what happened to it?
What servants does your character use? Which is most trusted? Most liked? Most indispensable? Describe each of them.
Where does your character get the laundry done?
Strange as it seems, your find yourself in need of the service of a hunter-killer beast from the realms of Chaos. Since it can take any form you request, and, in this case, it will be something of a calling card, how would you like it to look? Are there any particular abilities that such a thing should have?
After a month-long conflict which you won, but your objectives were destroyed, you are in need of a rest. You decide to spend some time in Shadow. What would this Shadow be like?

After deciding on the description of the element, and its relation to your character, you can work out the powers and abilities that should be available to it. These can often cost points.

Do you want personal control of some Shadow for your character?

In this phase of the design you can also develop your characters likes, dislikes, habits and those little foibles that mark them out from the others.

Actively use these ideas in the campaign to set up a strong picture of your character.

Here are some sample things about your character to describe.

Does your character sleep well? What kind of dreams do they have? For a certain time, your character has a recurring dream or nightmare. Describe it.
What is your character's favourite food? Drink? What food do you hate?
What little, minor habit does your character have that would annoy anyone after a while?
Describe your personal bedroom or suite. What Shadow do they occupy? Describe the contents and the various rooms. What is the style of the furniture? Describe your favourite reading spot, and your favourite chair.
Everyone has some little item they regard as somehow sacred. A piece of clothing, a memento of some event, whatever. What is your character's favourite item? Tell the story of how and why it came to be important.

Think up some secrets for your character to keep (and decide who to keep them from). Role-Playing an Amberite is much more fun if you start out wanting to keep secrets as well as discover them.

The basic secrets to keep are the extent of your Powers, Attributes and magical possessions. But there's plenty more potential secrets to keep. People you know, things you've done, little bits of things you've seen and heard, powerful emotions and so forth.

Tuesday, August 19, 1997
Suhuy
Want more?

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page