But Ralf I need more on Character Creation, well then let’s get our role on! Part 1

Your probably all like … Get our role on!?!?

Yes get our role on. For you see adventurers in my journey to be a better writer I happened upon … dun dun dun … D&D and Vampire The Masquerade

Now your probably asking how did that help you be a better writer?

Or maybe you’re not but here is how it helped me. One of the first things you do in D&D or VtM or any roleplaying game is create your character. Your given a world a setting a story that is happening and you need to make your character fit into this world. No worries you’re not alone the DM or storyteller will help you, guide you and be there if you have questions. A helpful hand is always welcome especially when we are being creative.

Side note since we are on the topic of help. It is always good to commune with other writers. Join a writing group in person or online. I know, I know, you fear that someone might take your idea and run with it. One of my big worries as well, just know that only you will be able to write or create your idea the way you are imagining it. It is very helpful to be able to talk with other writers pick their brains see how your work is going. Let me know if you want me to go on a little more with this.

Now back to creating your character. So your mission if you should decide to accept it is to create a character that will fit the world you will be playing in. So let’s say your DM has this world…

The king has died and the kingdom is in turmoil. Rumors abound that the kings death was suspicious but no one knows for sure. A power struggle has arisen as multiple people try to fill the Vacuum that the king has left. He has left no heir and many feel that they should succeed him. Criminals are taking advantage of the power struggle since everyone is too busy fighting each other to pay attention to them.

Ok this is the world your character is a part of. The game itself helps you by giving you choices. Fighter, monk, cleric, barbarian, Ranger, mage and so on. Also choices of races you can be human, elf, dwarf, gnome, halfling and so on. Of course depending on what the lore of the world is. This all gives you a lot of freedom In creating your character. I say all the time playing in someone else’s sandbox is a good way to flex your writing muscle. You get to create your character in a world already created.

So let’s say you decide to play a fighter. You have left your house to make a mark on the world. You have been taking odd jobs here and there and have started to make a name for yourself.

Ok we have something basic it’s a good start but let’s flesh it out a bit more.

Why did you decide to leave your home?

Criminals tried to take your home from you. You and your family were able to run them off. Yet you have heard that others weren’t as lucky. So you wanted to go off to help people.

Ok now we have something more. Yet we can do more with this.

You lived in your home with your mom and dad brother and sister. You were the middle child and always felt outshined by both siblings. You have decided to prove yourself by going out and helping others.

Now we are even more fleshed out. And our character has motivation and a call to action.

And as simple as that your on your way to adventure. Your also ready to tell a story with your character as much as you are ready to be a part of a story.

As you can see D&D has helped me create this character. Yet we could also have done this on our own. But that’s the fun of it on top of that we will also be able to flesh out our character as we roleplay them as part of this story. Giving us even more insight on our character.

You have been traveling for days helping people all the while. You find yourself at a town tired dirty hungry what do you do?

I find the closest inn/tavern to get some rest and some food.

You enter the inn it’s noisy as people are enjoying their drink their food and just life in general. What do you do?

I look for either a seat at the bar or an empty table and go sit down.

You find an empty table sit down and a waitress comes over to you asking you what would you like. She’s pleasant and has an inviting smile.

I greet her smile back and ask for some food and drink.

She walks off to get your order as a bard starts playing music on the stage. What do you do?

I look around the inn what do I see.

As you look around you see people singing dancing enjoying their food and being all sorts of merry. At one table is a young woman wearing armor, a sword at her back looking very sad as she drinks. At another table there is a very loud man regaling a group with his adventures. Off by the far well there is a hooded figure slumped over on the floor leaning against the wall. They are not moving just sitting there slumped with their back against the wall.

Now we are creating a story giving the character choices and seeing what this character will do. We try to stay in the mind frame of the character talking acting reacting as they would. This helps you flesh out the character especially because your living the character. You see through their eyes react as they react and understand the what whys of your character.

To be continued..

Next time we dive in deeper, so if you have any questions about what I have written so far ask away and I will try and answer.

Now roll for initiative!