Recently updated on December 12th, 2022 at 05:22 am
Do you want to create an epic backstory for your new Dungeons and Dragons character? It’s important to start a DnD campaign off the right way. I’ve been playing the game for years, and I’ve learned a few things about how to write a great backstory. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to write a DnD character backstory.
Before getting started, if you’re struggling to create a character, here are 10 unique DnD character ideas.
Having said that, here are the basic steps involved when creating the ideal character backstory:
Identify the overarching character concept
The first step is to identify the overarching character concept. In other words, what is the general idea or theme that you want your character to embody? Are they a noble hero, a cunning thief, or a wise wizard? A bard may have a history of traveling around, learning exciting things ranging from culture to exciting languages. If that’s true, check out our guide on the best languages to learn in DnD. Once you have an idea of the general concept, you can start to flesh out the details.
I usually start with the race and class. For example, if I knew I wanted to be a monk, I’d then think about what the best (or most interesting) race would be. This can help guide the character creation process. And click here if you are creating a monk and want to know the best race for monks in DnD 5E.
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What is the character’s alignment?
The next step is to determine your character’s alignment. This will help you narrow down their personality traits and give you an idea of how they might react in different situations. Are they lawful good, chaotic evil, or somewhere in between?
What is your character’s motivation?
An important thing to think about with a new D&D campaign and character is the motivation of your character in this new world. Are they in it for the glory, or do they just want to help people? Once you have a good understanding of your character’s personality, you can start to think about their backstory. What events in their life have shaped who they are today? Did they grow up in a wealthy family or were they raised on the streets? Did they lose somebody close to them or did they always have everything they ever wanted? Answering these questions will help you create a well-rounded and interesting character that people will want
Flesh out your character’s personality traits
After that, it’s time to start fleshing out your character’s personality traits. What are their defining characteristics? Do they have a quick temper, or are they always level-headed? What motivates them? Are they in it for the glory, or do they just want to help people?
Once you have a good understanding of your character’s personality, you can start to think about their backstory. What events in their life have shaped who they are today? Did they grow up in a wealthy family or were they raised on the streets? Did they lose somebody close to them or did they always have everything they ever wanted?
Answering all of these questions will help you create a well-rounded and interesting character that people will want to play with. So get creative and have fun with it! And if you need some inspiration, there are plenty of resources out there to help you.
Think about defining moments in the character’s life
Next, let’s think about defining moments in the character’s life. This is where we discover the meaningful drive for the character. It also can be helpful for a DM, as it gives them potential plot points that can be weaved into the story.
For example, maybe your character’s parents were killed by a dragon when they were young. This could be why they’re so driven to kill dragons, or it could be the reason they’re scared of them.
Combine everything you’ve brainstormed into a cohesive story
Once you have all of this information, you can start putting it together into a cohesive story. Write as much or as little as you want- there is no wrong way to do this! Just make sure that everything ties back into the core of who your character is.
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And there you have it! Your character is ready to go and you’ll be bragging about your experiences in job interviews in no time (yes, it is possible to add DnD to your resume)!
Hey there, I’m Alexander King and I’ve been playing video games and RPGs for years!
While playing, I found that there’s so much information that’s difficult to find in this space; I created The Daily RPG to make that information a click away. So follow along for RPG guides, tips and walkthroughs, product recommendations, and more!