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Character Background and Personality Help Sheet

Mistress Legacy

Mistress Legacy

Star
Joined
Aug 7, 2011
Location
Bakersfield, CA
I hope this is the right thread to post this in. Because I there are some people that might not know how to make a well rounded character. There are things to do that. Their personality, what they look like, their background. And actually explaining why they are the way they are because of something in their background.

At the time it seems hard to think about that kind of things right on the spot, but once you get the description of what they look like down, their personality comes next, And so and and so forth.

So please don't post in here until you see me say that I'm done. You'll know when, because it will be in purple letters. Also Keep going down and read everything. I might add more information that would help you make a well rounded character when the time comes. If you need any help, don't be afraid to contact me. I will be more than willing to help out.


Main Character​

Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Family members:
Personality traits:
Character History:
Highest Level of Education:
Physical traits:
Biggest Motivation:
Biggest Fear:
Things he/she likes:
Things he/she dislikes:
Where does he/she live:
What kind of music does he/she like:
What does he/she like about him/herself:
What does he/she dislike about him/herself:
Favorite childhood memory:
What is his/her most traumatic life event:
What is his/her most prized possession:
What kind of transportation does he/she use:
What is his/her favorite food:
Most interesting thing about her:
What does his/her voice sound like:
What is your motto or favorite saying?
What is your greatest strength?
What type of person would be your ideal mate?


Minor Character​


Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Brief Physical description:
Brief History:
Relationship to main Character(s):
Purpose in the scene:
What does he/she reveal about main character(s):


Some eye colors to keep in mind so you don't use the same boring ones over and over again

Some Enticing Synonyms
Green- dark-green, emerald, sage, jade, olive
Brown- chocolate, cocoa, sandy, bronze
Grey- gunmetal, silver, steel, *great to compare to storm clouds
Blue- aqua, azure, cobalt, midnight blue, sky blue
Hazel- caramel, sienna, amber
Violet- lavender, lilac, purple, plum, amethyst

Eye Colors and Personality Traits
Green- youthful, compassionate, immense creativity and healing power
Blue- always thinking, forceful, direct, gift for insight and observation
Brown- sensitive, thoughtful, protective
Dark Brown or Black- mysterious, misleading, mean, dangerous, seductive
Grey- intelligent, persistent, stern, volatile, forceful and calculating
Violet- natural leader, noble, superior, mysterious
 
PERSONALITY​

PRIMARY MOTIVATORS
1-5% Achievement To overcome obstacles and succeed; to become the best
6-10% Acquisition To obtain possessions/wealth
11-15% Balance/Peace To bring all things into harmony and equilibrium
6-20% Beneficence To protect the helpless, heal the sick, feed the hungry, etc.
21-25% Chaos To disrupt, to cause confusion and discord
26-30% Creation To build or make new, such as art, culture, invention, design, etc.
31-35% Destruction To annihilate, exterminate, unmake, and bring to ruin
36-40% Discovery/Adventure To explore, uncover mysteries, and pioneer
41-45% Education To provide information, teach, enlighten, or train
46-50% Enslavement To force others into servitude
51-55% Hedonism To enjoy all things sensuous
56-60% Liberation To free the self and/or others from perceived captivity or enslavement
61-65% Nobility/Honor To exalt ideals such as generosity, honesty, bravery, and courtliness
66-70% Order To arrange, organize, and reduce chaos
71-75% Play To have fun, to enjoy life
76-80% Power To control and lead others
81-85% Recognition To gain approval, social status, or fame
86-90% Service To follow a person, government, order, religion, etc.
91-95% Torment To inflict pain and suffering, on others and/or the self
91-100 Understanding To seek knowledge or wisdom (spiritual, scientific, magical, etc)
* Domesticity: to get married, have children, and live a family life
* Tranquility: to live a life with minimal conflict or disturbance
* Rebellion: to act out against or contrary to any and all forms of authority
* Competition: to enter into or create zero-sum opportunities to win over others

A NEW UPDATE! SOMETHING I FOUND TO BE INTERESTING FOR YOU ALL

The following is 66 Character Traits that might not have been mention up top.


Adaptability Appreciation Attentiveness
Availability Commitment Compassion
Concern Confidence Consideration
Consistency Contentment Cooperation
Courage Creativity Decisiveness
Deference Dependability Determination
Diligence Discernment Discretion
Efficiency Equitableness Fairness
Faithfulness Fearlessness Flexibility
Forgiveness Friendliness Generosity
Gentleness Gratitude Honesty
Humility Integrity Joyfulness
Kindness Love Loyalty
Meekness Mercifulness Observance
Optimism Patience Peacefulness
Perseverance Persistence Persuasiveness
Prudence Punctuality Purpose
Resourcefulness Respect Responsibility
Security Self-Control Sincerity
Submissiveness Tactfulness Temperance
Thoroughness Thriftiness Tolerance
Trustworthiness Truthfulness Virtue

SENSE OF HUMOR​

1-10% Crude
11-20 Dry
21-30 Slapstick
31-40 Jokey
41-50 Cynical
51-60 Pranks
61-70 Mean-spirited
71-80 Gleeful
81-90 Surreal
91-100 None
Sexuality​

ORIENTATION—Determines to which gender your character is sexually attracted. For extra spiciness, you can also choose to add various races that are included.
1-50% heterosexual; 51-85 bisexual; 86-100 homosexual
LIBIDO—The strength of your character's sex drive
0-25% anemic; 25-75 healthy; 76-100 lascivious
SEXUAL DEMEANOR—How your character tends to act when, um, inspired. It can also be useful to take experience and Charisma into consideration.
Expressiveness: 0-33% Modest; 34-66 Flirtatious; 67-100 Brazen
Style: 0-33% Crude; 34-66 Seductive; 67-100 Romantic
Openness to experience: 0-33% Narrow; 34-66 Moderate; 67-100 Adventurous Promiscuousness: 0-33% Low/Monogamous; 34-66 Medium/Polyamorous; 67-100 High/Noncommittal
Tastes: 1-10% Bondage; 11-20 Cross-dressing; 21-30 Role-playing; 31-40 Spanking; 41-50 Massaging; 51-60 Masochism; 61-70 Exhibitionism; 71-80 Orgies; 81-90 Voyeurism; 91-100 Think of your own
:cheese:
Religion & Spirituality​

ADHERENCE—Strength of belief or association with a belief system
1-25% atheist; 26-50 agnostic; 51-75 casual adherent; 86-100 orthodox adherent
TOLERANCE—Willingness to accept differences of belief in others
0-33% inclusive; 34-66 tolerant; 67-100 intolerant
RELIGIOUS DEMEANOR—How your character tends to acts in regards to religious beliefs
Expression of beliefs: 0-33% none; 34-66 occasional; 67-100 constant
Converting others: 0-33% never; 34-66 casual; 67-100 aggressive
Attitude: 0-20% irreverent; 21-40 fearful; 41-60 judgmental; 61-80 humble; 81-100 ecstatic
RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION
1-20 Church Generally an established, hierarchical organization
21-40 Cult A large or small group usually attached to a single charismatic leader
41-60 Fellowship Small group(s) that lack formal organization and a charismatic leader
61-80 Solitary When a character either has unique beliefs or chooses not to affiliate religiously with others
81-100 Indigenous Religious traditions within a cultural group, such as a family or village
RELIGIOUS ROLES—(Also useful for background information in Part II)
1-7% Abbot/Abbess Leader of a monastery or convent.
8-13% Cult Leader Usually a charismatic head of a small group of highly devoted followers
14-20% Disciple Dedicated follower of a religious teacher or leader 21-26% Guru Spiritual teacher
27-33% Hermit One who follows a solitary and isolated spiritual path
34-40% Inquisitor An official tasked with finding and "correcting" people who have broken religious rules
41-46% Jihadist A religious warrior
47-53% Missionary Dedicated to converting others, usually in distant geographic areas
54-59% Monk/Nun Belongs to a monastery or convent
60-66% Patriarch/Matriarch Leader of an organized religion, such as a pope
67-73% Pilgrim One traveling to a holy site or landmark
74-79% Priest/Priestess Someone authorized to administer sacraments as an ordained member of a church
80-86% Prophet One inspired to utter revelations or predictions, often in service to a specific deity
87-93% Sacred Courtesan Has sex, often with strangers, in service to a religion and for a symbolic price
94-100% Shaman A medium between the material and spirit world who practices healing and divination
:!:
Habits and Hobbies​

QUIRKS, HABITS, & ODDITIES
1-2% Humming
3-4 Dancing
5-6 Sleepwalking
7-8 Facial tics
9-10 Exhibitionism
11-12 Fingernail biting
13-14 Eavesdropping
15-16 Daydreaming
17-18 Talking in sleep
19-20 Stuttering
21-22 Compulsive lying
23-24 Whistling
25-26 Name dropping
27-28 Self-inflict pain/injury
29-30 Mumbling
31-32 Constant grooming
33-34 Foot tapping
35-36 Lip biting/licking
37-38 Coin flipping
39-40 Chewing (e.g. sticks, small bones)
41-42 Knuckle cracking
43-44 Collects odd things
45-46 Singing
47-48 Snacking (nuts, seeds, etc.)
49-50 Reciting poetry
51-52% Constant eating
53-54 Pacing
55-56 Blade sharpening
57-58 Counting
59-60 Hair pulling
61-62 Snoring
63-64 Walking backwards
65-66 Teeth sucking
67-68 Excessively touching others
69-70 Substance use (non-addicted)
71-72 Hair pulling
73-74 Animal hater
75-76 Insomnia
77-78 Beard/hair stroking
79-80 Nose picking
81-82 Needless apologizing
83-84 Exaggeration
85-86 Superstitious (omens, luck, etc.)
87-88 Belching
89-90 Sleeping in odd places
91-92 Repeating others
93-94 Smelling things
95-96 Teeth picking
97-98 Stealing
99-100 Tree climbing
 
HOBBIES & ENJOYMENTS

1-2% Acrobatics
3-4 Acting
5-6 Astrology
7-8 Music appreciation
9-10 Theater
11-12 Gaming (e.g. chess)
13-14 Boating/Sailing
15-16 Brewing
17-18 Calligraphy
19-20 Cards
21-22 Carving
23-24 Combat competition
25-26 Cooking
27-28 Dancing
29-30 Dicing
31-32 Animal fighting
33-34 Eating
35-36 Drinking
37-38 Embroidery
39-40 Falconry
41-42 Fishing
43-44 Fortune-telling
45-46 Singing
47-48 Gambling
49-50 Gardening
51-52% Glassmaking
53-54 Animal racing
55-56 Horse riding
57-58 Hunting
59-60 Invention
61-62 Jewelry making
63-64Jousting
65-66 Juggling
67-68 Metalwork
69-70 Painting
71-72 Philosophizing
73-74 Reading
75-76 Research
77-78 Riddles
79-80 Sewing
81-82 Sports (Wrestling, racing, etc)
83-84 Storytelling
85-86 Swimming
87-88 Art appreciation
89-90 Weaving
91-92Woodworking
93-94 Writing
95-96 Playing an instrument
97-98 Pipe smoking
99-100 Bird watching
MENTAL & EMOTIONAL DISORDERS​

1-4% Addiction
(This is just a brief list. Anything can become an addiction as long as there is a destructive need to engage in it.)
1-10% Mood-altering substances (e.g. alcohol)
11-20% Food
21-30% Gambling
31-40% Money
41-50% Tobacco
51-60% Power
61-70% Risk-taking
71-80% Sex
81-90% Battle
91-100% Work​
5-8% Amnesia Severe memory loss; can be loss before a certain point (retrograde) or after (anterograde).
9-12% Anxiety Restlessness; being on edge; easily fatigued; difficulty concentrating or mind going blank; irritability; sleep disturbance
13-16% Bipolar Disorder Erratic swings from periods of mania to severe depression.
17-20% Borderline Personality Disorder Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior; emotional instability; transient, stress-related paranoid delusions.
21-24% Dementia Impaired memory, intellect, abstract thinking, and judgment; usually accompanied by a severe personality change.
25-28% Dependent Personality Disorder Goes to excessive lengths to obtain nurturance and support from others; needs reassurance from others and for them to assume responsibility for most major areas of life; difficulty expressing disagreement; unrealistically preoccupied with fears of being left to take care of him or herself.
29-32% Depersonalization Disorder Feelings of unreality, that your body does not belong to you, or that you are constantly in a dreamlike state.
33-36% Depression Impaired physical functions (e.g., sleep, appetite); loss of interest and pleasure; low energy & motivation; possibly accompanied by severe pessimism, hopelessness, guilt, and suicidal thoughts/intent.
37-40% Fugue Abrupt travel away from home, an inability to remember important aspects of one's life, and the partial or complete adoption of a new identity.
41-44% Histrionic Personality Disorder Must be center of attention; sexually seductive or provocative behavior; shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion; suggestible, i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances; considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.
45-48% Hypochondria Preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease or physical problem based on little or no real evidence.
49-52% Kleptomania An overpowering compulsion to steal.
53-56% Mania Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity; decreased need for sleep; talkative; racing thoughts; distractibility; increase in goal-directed activity; excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences.
57-60% Masochism Powerful need to be humiliated, beaten, bound, or made to suffer in some way.
61-64% Multiple Personalities Existence of more than one distinct identity or personality within the same individual. The identities will "take control" of the person at different times, with important information about the other identities out of conscious awareness.
65-68% Narcissism Grandiose sense of self-importance; preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love; believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people; requires excessive admiration; has a sense of entitlement; takes advantage of others; lacks empathy; arrogant, haughty behavior.
69-72% Nymphomania Powerful compulsion to engage in sexual behavior with others (does not include forcefulness, i.e. likelihood of rape).
73-76% Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Existence of both regular compulsions (overwhelming need to engage in a ritualized behavior) and obsessions (persistent, often irrational, and seemingly uncontrollable thoughts).
77-80% Panic attacks Pounding heart; sweating; shaking; shortness of breath and choking; feeling dizzy or faint; feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself; fear of losing control or going crazy; fear of dying.
81-84% Paranoia Suspects, without basis, that others are exploiting, harming, or deceiving him; preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends; reads hidden threatening meanings into benign remarks or events; persistently bears grudges, i.e., is unforgiving of insults, injuries, or slights.
85-88% Phobia Extreme anxiety and fear associated with an object or situation. (This is only a tiny list of phobias. Anything can be a phobia, such as cats, crowds, the sun, travel, storms, fog, loud noises, elves, or string.)
1-10% Darkness
11-20% Insects
21-30% Enclosed spaces
31-40% Fire
41-50% Heights
51-60% Magic
61-70% Monsters (general or specific)
71-80% Open spaces
81-90% Water
91-100 Weapons (general or specific)​
89-92% Pyromania Obsession with fire, or an overpowering compulsion to set fires.
93-96% Sadism Powerful need to cause the humiliation or physical suffering of others.
97-100% Schizophrenia Delusions (unreal beliefs, e.g. savior complex or assigning unusual significance or meaning to normal events); hallucinations (unreal sensations, usually auditory, i.e. "voices"); disorganized speech; grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior; paranoia.
BACKGROUND​

Quests
Revenge
Solve a mystery
Resolve a conflict
Fulfill an oath
Deliver a message or package
Find or save someone or something that was lost or taken
Discover a mythical place
Solve a crime
Remove a curse
Provide a suitable person as a physical vehicle for your deity
Earn membership in an exclusive organization
Kill every last troll in the Brashduk Clan
Open the portal to the Fifth Dimension
Depose the local baron
Fix the terrible mistake I made long ago
Obtain Brad's Chest of Neverending Gold from the Cave of Certain Death
Existing Conflicts

  • Who exactly is the conflict with?
    Why does the conflict exist? What happened?
    Why can't it be worked out?
    How do you think it will end?
    What are the emotions surrounding it—hate, jealousy, vengefulness, grief, bitterness, regret, fear?

Personal events

  • Were you ever really sick or injured?
    What kind of education did you have, if any?
    Were you ever betrayed?
    Did you find a magic item buried in the woods? Or did a rabbit suddenly start talking to you?
    Were you ever dirt poor or filthy rich for a brief time?
    Did you ever commit any crimes, or be falsely accused of one?
    Did something happen that revealed an unusual talent?
    Did you do anything interesting, like travel with a performing troupe, join the military, serve the local nobility, or jump a trading ship for a year?
    Were you ever active in a church, religion, cult, or secret order?
    Did you ever have a chance to show leadership, such as leading a local rebellion, founding a school or animal sanctuary, being elected mayor of your small village, etc.
    Did anything really funny ever happen to you? Embarrassing stories can make for great tavern entertainment.
Mysteries

Who murdered my best friend?
Who is my real mother?
I had a strange vision when I was ten—what did it mean?
Why do I keep having recurring nightmares about a flaming sword?
One morning I woke up with this strange mark on my chest
Why does the full moon fill me with dread?
What did that cryptic prophesy given by an oracle mean?
Why did the king grant 100 acres of land to my father 20 years ago without an explanation?
Every now and then I think I see strange creatures out of the corner of my eye—what are they?
Just before he disappeared, my father gave me a magical box that I can't open.
A black cloak appeared one day in my room; I don't know who put it there or what it's about
I was drinking one night at the local tavern and the next thing I remember I was alone, naked, and lying on a stone altar in an outdoor temple dozens of miles away


Family-related events

Did your father tell you a dark family secret?
Any unusual problems, deaths, illnesses, or trauma? E.g. did the landlord throw your family into the street? Were your parents or yourself taken into slavery?
Or did something of great fortune happen?
Were you taken far away from your family for some reason?
Were there any interesting traditions, celebrations, or holidays in your family?
Did you ever fall in love or have a serious relationship?
Do you have a spouse or any children of your own? Where are they now?
1. Character name and meaning:
2. Birthday and age:
3. Hair color:
4.Hair style:
5. Eye color:
6. Facial features:
7. Body type:
8. Distinguishing body features:
9. Type of clothes most often worn:
10. Pet peeves about appearance:
11. Body features that boost confidence:
12. Thing people generally notice first about appearance:
13. Location - where do they live?
14. Have they always lived here?
15. Do they like this location?
16. Why?
17. If they don’t like the location - why?
18. What is the occupation?
19. Was this the occupation they'd always desired?
20. If not, what is their "dream" occupation/career?
21. What is the character's educational background?
22. How did they do in school?
23. If they did really well - what were the ramifications?
24. If they did poorly - what were the ramifications?
25. Financial information - how is the character set financially?
26. What kind of spender are they?
27. Do they budget and account for every dime or do they just sort of squeak by month to month?
28. What kind of house do they live in?
29. What kind of furnishings do they have?
30. What kind of furnishings are important to them?
31. What are their hobbies?
32. Why do they gravitate toward these hobbies?
33. What are their personal goals?
34. What is the deepest unfulfilled desire of their heart?
35. What is the thing they are most proud of accomplishing?
36. What is the thing they are least proud of having done or been a part of?
37. What was their childhood upbringing like?
38. What is their relationship with their parents?
39. What are they looking for in their friendships?
40. What kind of friends do they have?
41. From what circle have they found their friends? Church - work - school - neighborhood, etc.
42. How do their friends affect their life?
43. What personality traits are most evident in your character?
44. What one trait are they better known for than any other?
45. What kind of love life does this character have?
46. Have they ever been in love?
47. If so, how did that experience affect their life?
48. If not, how has that affected their life?
49. What do they want in a romantic relationship?
50. What are they looking for in a mate?
51. Do they even desire to marry?
52. Do they want a family?
53. If so, why?
54. If not, why?
55. If your character had one day to live - how would they spend that day?
56. What is their idea of the ideal vacation site?
57. What is their idea of the perfect way to spend a quiet day?
58. Do they like to read?
59. What do they like to read?
60. Do they like to watch movies or television?
61. What do they like to watch?
62. What kind of music do they like - or do they like music?
63. Do they have siblings?
64. What kind of relationship do they have with their siblings?
65. Why? 66. How does this affect the story or does it affect the story?
67. What are their political interests?
68. How involved are they in current events?
69. How involved are they in their surrounding community needs?
70. What type of causes are they involved with?
71. What is their general health?
72. Have they ever had a close brush with death?
73. If so, how did it come about?
74. What kind of bearing does their health or body condition have on the story?
75. If they could change one thing about their body - what would it be?
76. Does this desire affect their relationships with others?
77. What kind of car do they drive?
78. What kind of recreational interests do they have?
79. Are they athletic?
80. What are their phobias?
81. What are their joys?
82. What type of temper do they have?
83. What motivates your character to do the things they do?
84. What kind of obstacles would most challenge them?
85. What is their spiritual walk with god?
86. Are they a Christian?
87. When did they become a Christian?
88. Are they faithful in attending church, reading the bible and fellowshipping?
89. Do they pray and what are their thoughts on prayer?
90. Do they actively seek god on a daily basis or only when they are in crisis?
91. Do they share their faith or are they less outspoken and more reserved in issues of faith?
92. If they aren't "saved" or even interested in faith issues - why?
93. What will it take to bring this character to god?
94. How do they perceive god?
95. What is their initial feeling about church and fellowshipping?
96. What is the pivotal issue of faith that will draw them to god or draw them to a closer relationship?
97. How will their coming to god affect their relationship with other significant people in their lives?
98. Does this person have other "gods" in their life to deal with first?
99. What might those "gods" be?
100. Is this character real?
Okay so I can't separate each thing like I wanted. One because BM won't let me and two AT&T is being a fucking bitch

But that is all you need

I'M DONE YOU CAN START COMMENTING IF YOU LIKE
 
This is a remarkable body of work! Your knowledge, not only of role-playing but of human nature in all its intricacies, is astounding! Anyone who needs help of any kind in "fleshing out" a character, no matter to what degree, would be well-served to consult this guide.

Interesting 'Hole, too!
 
Oh thank you.
smileyvault-cute-big-smiley-animated-025.gif
 
That is one of the biggest (literally!) character development sheets I have ever seen. I have written a 3 page (A4 size paper, 8pt font) background story for one character before, without using any sheet like that - but that was before I had access to things like that. I also have an active imagination, and sometimes spend hours working on a character persona.
 
Well personality goes along with that. And there are different ways to make a character break down. Just use what you think would make your character likable or not XD
 
Lol well Once I have had time to really look that sheet over, I might even start using it, or at least parts of it.
 
That last addition list you made, finding where the entries in it would fit in to the main posts for it and putting them there. That way it's all neatly organised and up to date.
 
this is true, teh only other system that i have seen that helps with character generation is from Dungeons and Dragons, Go a head and laugh I'm a Geek, but quite honestly teh only system that i know of is from D&D and it is fucking huge, teh javascript for all of it is nearly 50 sheets of paper, front and back. this is good for a little or a lot of detail.
 
This is a very insightful thread, some of the things mentioned i would never think to add to a character! Iam glad i looked at your request thread now! :)
 
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