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20 Questions

The Game of Twenty QuestionsAlthough the process of creating a character mechanically is very important, the mostimportant aspects of your character have very little to do with mechanics at all. What

kind of character do you want to play What is his history like What are his goalsWhat is the most important thing in the world to him These are !uestions you shouldconsider "efore you even start to spend points.

#. What culture does your character "elong toA character$s culture is their most defining characteristic "ecause each culture has awell%esta"lished and distinct set of philosophies, pre&udices, and ideals. Whether acharacter adheres to they stereotypes of his culture or "reaks them, one way or the otherthey will prove very important to his personality.

2. What "ackground does your character "elong to'ust like a character$s culture, a character$s "ackground is an especially importantdefining characteristic. The stereotypes of each culture are "road, "ut individual

"ackgrounds within the culture have much more specific, detailed roles and attitudesthat further define the identity of the culture and those who serve it.

(. )s your character a scholar, a slayer, a treasure%hunter, a wanderer, or a warden*uty is an essential aspect of every hero$s life, and esta"lishing e+actly what manner ofduty a character is o"ligated to perform is an important step in "reathing life into him orher. )s the character a warrior and soldier, a scholar, or wandering adventurer

. -ow would others descri"e your character$s appearancevery character should have a rough description in order to give him some sort of life

when descri"ing him to others. What is the character$s most striking feature *oes hismood come through his appearance or is he inscruta"le *oes he make others feel atease, or make them uncomforta"le

/. What is your character$s primary motivationThough all hero are, in theory, solely devoted to fulfilling the wishes of their lord, mosthave their own goals as well. ome may "e simple, such as maintaining the peace in theland of your people, while others may revolve around the recovery of a lost heirloom orthe avenging of a slight to your family$s honor.

1. Who is the person your character trusts most in the worldharacters should have some developed "ackground in order to facilitate role%playing.

This !uestion not only includes the individual$s identity, "ut how that person met thecharacter, why they are so close, and other similar !uestions.

3. What is your character$s greatest strength and weaknesstrengths are what others see as respecta"le or admira"le in the character, while

weaknesses are what he would struggle to hide from others, lest they look down uponhim for his failures. What does the character regard as his strengths and weaknesses,and how does this differ from his actual a"ilities

4. What is more important for your character, wisdom or valour

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There are many different kinds of heroes. )s your character renowed for his courage andfighting skills or for his cunning mind and wise counsels Why is it so

5. What is your character$s opinion of his culture6f course all hero are accepted mem"ers of his culture, "ut that does not mean they do

not have their own opinions. *oes the character disagree with the culture$s currentenmities and alliances and the decissions of his king or ruler

#0. )s your character married7arriage is a very important in a character8s "ackground. A hero$s spouse is responsi"lefor managing the estate, and actually wields considera"le political power dependingupon the si9e of their holdings. Was the character$s marriage arranged, or is he or shestill "etrothed )s it someone the hero has actually met, or a complete stranger )s therea case of true love that will interfere with the wedding, or will the hero em"race dutyover the wants of the heart

##. *oes your character have any pre&udicesome cultures are negatively predisposed against some others, most often as a result of

conflicts that have endured for decades or even centuries. )s the character one whoreadily su"scri"es to these pre&udices or has he developed his own dislikes of othercultures, even allied ones, "ased on his own e+periences

#2. To whom does your character owe the most loyaltyThe simplest answer to this !uestion would of course "e :The ;ing,: "ut very few herohave the honor to serve a king directly, instead serving someone in a long chain ofauthority that could include counsellors, army captains, some local authority... or is thecharacter in his own, asking to no one Whom does the character serve immediately,and is that person the one to whom he is the most loyal

#(. What are your character$s favorite and least favorite thingsThis could address a wide variety of responses, including material possessions,activities, locations, or almost anything else that could spring to mind. Why does thecharacter revere these things What significance do they have to his history

# . *oes your character have any recurring mannerismsince everyone tends to act according to the same protocol and eti!uette, minor and

inoffensive details of "ehavior tend to get noticed more fre!uently. *oes the character

chew his lip when he is nervous

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although is not always easy to keep the word given. *oes the character always keep hisword, or will he forgive his promises

#3. -ow would your character$s parents descri"e him*evotion to one$s parents is considered proper "ehavior for any hero, "ut devotion can

"e offered without any real respect "etween a parent and child. *oes the character havea proper relationship with his parents or are they estranged Was the character$sup"ringing a source of &oy or dismay for his parents Are they still alive, or were theytaken from the character at a younger age

#4. What is your character$s highest am"ition*esire is a sin, "ut am"ition tempered "y duty is considered accepta"le among mostheros. Warriors often aspire to "ecome military leaders, for e+ample, while scholarsdesire nothing more than unlimited knowledge. What is the character$s ultimate goaland, perhaps more importantly, how far is he willing to go in order to accomplish it

#5. -ow religious is your characterAlthough religion is !uite a personal thing among the =ree alar and ru in his life. )sthe character a spiritual person, or has he dismissed the need for religion and insteadem"raced the rule of steel in his life

20. -ow will your character dieThis is a very important and intimidating !uestion, "ut one that should "e givenconsideration. very hero lives a few short feet from death, and death is a threat that canrear its head on any day of a hero$s entire life. What is the character$s destiny -ow willhe meet his end when the time comes for him to &oin his ancestors in the -alls of7andos, or go "eyond the ircles of the World