Others are related to the narrative goals and dramatic needs of the story. Although the balance between story and rules varies according to the preferences of the game system and the group, all role-playing game characters are defined by a combination of narrative elements and game statistics. When characters were game pieces rather than actual characters and most games had complex characters, players created their characters separately before meeting for the first game session. Modern games encourage players to meet to develop characters. This meeting is sometimes called ‘session zero.’
Add Some Details to Your Characters
These steps do not necessarily have to be done in the same order. You can also complete one step before moving on to the next. Although the character concept is the most crucial starting point, statistics can be generated randomly in older games. This means that you can’t know which concepts will work until you roll the dice. This order is simply what I find most helpful in guiding new players through the character creation process. Once you are comfortable with the process, you can do it in whatever order feels right.
Create a Character Concept
A character concept is a summary of your character. It usually contains only a few words. This is how the character would appear in a dramatis personae or movie trailer. A character concept usually consists of a gender occupation or archetype and some descriptive terms that distinguish it from others with the same profession. Character concepts can be somewhat clichéd.
These concepts are a starting point for developing a character. They should be easy to understand. As you grow and interpret the surface, you will add more nuance. You risk creating a messy pile of excellent traits, skills, and plot hooks that aren’t consistent. Instead of a fully realized character that both you and other players can identify with, you end up with a poorly thought out concept.
Know the Role of the Character
Your character is not the only hero in the story. You need to know how you fit into the group in the story. Your role is usually apparent, mainly if you use a familiar gender archetype. For example, wizards can do magic, and detectives have to solve puzzles. Borderline cops will shoot a lot of people. Your character is likely to be used on the other side when put in situations that require you to cast spells, solve puzzles or kill people. You’ll need to know why others keep your character if you don’t see the point.
It may be because the character is helpful for more than just his profession or skills (the seemingly incompetent slacker is the son of a wealthy banker, and the rest can take advantage of his dad’s credit cards), or because he has a close relationship with another character (the warrior won’t leave his little brother for the orcs, no matter how useless the kid is). You and your fellow players should have an idea of the situations the characters will find themselves in. Ask your game leader for help if you are not sure. It is best not to think of the role of ‘group leader’ as dependent on the approval of the other players. Even if your character concept suggests that you might be suitable for a part, you should stay away from roles requiring other players’ approval. Even if you are the highest-ranked member of the group, this does not necessarily mean that you are the highest-ranked player.