Character Matters
Thoughts on creating role-playing characters
I remember too many games where I met with my Game Master for a “Session Zero” (before that was a common label), spending hours flipping through the rulebook to create a character I’d play only a handful of times before the game fizzled out. I want to create something that players can complete in a half hour as part of their first game session.
The idea I’ve been working on combines narrative prompts and keywords, so players can create their characters without needing an open rulebook in front of them. For now, I’m calling these pieces the “Character Elements.”
The Six Character Elements
Six key elements describe every character: Concept, Bonds, Goal(s), Traits, Tools and Story Points.
Concept
A short description of who the character is and what makes them unique. This will serve as a guide to the rest of the character creation.
Examples:
Aragorn, a Dúnedain chieftain and Ranger of the North.
Ellen Ripley, a tough but professional spaceship Warrant Officer.
Danny Ocean, a charming, mischievous con artist from Las Vegas.
Bonds
Connections to other characters, the world and the current adventure. Bonds suggest how the character will interact with other characters and provide hooks for the game’s story.
Examples:
Aragorn: The secret heir of the thrones of Arnor and Gondor. In love with Elrond’s daughter Arwen. Gandalf assigned him to protect Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin.
Ellen Ripley: Employed by Weyland-Yutani. Assigned to the Nostromo. Frustrated by Parker and Brett. Has a daughter named Amanda.
Danny Ocean: Has been pulling jobs with Rusty since they were kids. Learned gambling from Saul. Tess divorced him after his last stay in prison.
Goal
The character’s motive or personal objective. It helps you create the character’s story and choose actions that strengthen that story.
Examples:
Aragorn: Escort Frodo and the One Ring to Rivendell. Convince Elrond to let him marry Arwen.
Ellen Ripley: Return to Earth and her daughter.
Danny Ocean: Reunite with Tess.
Traits
Abilities, skills, profession or powers that help the character accomplish tasks. In some settings these might also include race/species/lineage, nationality and so on if they can provide in-game benefits.
I want Traits to work in a way similar to Clichés in Risus or Aspects in Fate, where they can affect a broad range of tasks.
Examples:
Aragorn: Wise, Dúnedain, Ranger
Ellen Ripley: Smart, Determined, Warrant Officer
Danny Ocean: Charismatic, Con Artist, Connected
Tools
The character’s external resources, like gear or allies. Tools are used to help the character accomplish tasks but unlike Traits they can be freely swapped, lost or upgraded as the story progresses.
Examples:
Aragorn: The broken sword Narsil. Narsil is later reforged into Andúril.
Ellen Ripley: Jonesy the cat. Later she picks up a flamethrower but leaves it on the Nostromo. Finally she picks up a harpoon gun.
Danny Ocean: Bruiser, a goon working for Terry Benedict.
Story Points
A resource that characters can use to shape the story. How characters earn and spend these points depends on the game’s setting.
Examples:
Aragorn: In an epic fantasy game, Aragorn earns points when he rolls more successes than he needs. He spends points to add successes to any die roll.
Ellen Ripley: Since this is survival horror, Ellen earns points when the referee creates complications for her. She spends them to find temporary Tools in a scene.
Danny Ocean: As part of a heist game, Danny earns points for clever planning and successful bluffs. He spends points to start flashback scenes, revealing contingency plans that benefit his current situation.
Using the Elements for Other Things
I’m playing with the idea of using these same six elements to describe settings, adventures, locations and so on. I like the idea of writing up each story aspect the same way, but I’m not 100% sure how to make it work. Something I’ll have to explore later.
Other Thoughts
Risus Clichés, originally by S. John Ross and now maintained by Dave LeCompte: Characters and Clichés
Aspects in Fate Core: Aspects & Fate Points
Abby Emmons presents her “ultimate character profile”, a set of questions meant for generating characters for short stories but also useful for RPGs: