Despite how much time we spend on them, the numbers on a character sheet aren’t everything. Much of the fun of role-playing is creating a character who feels like a believable part of their world, but it can often be difficult to decide where to start. You can spend as much or as little time on this before your game as you like, but it’s always good to put at least some thought into it. The following are a number of questions to consider when building any character:
Where Are You From?
This is a critical question, especially in a complex and divided world like Nirn. Were you born in your racial homeland? How does your character view their birthplace? How were they treated there? Would they rather have been born somewhere else? How do other people view them in light of where they are from?
What Is Your Family Like?
Are you an only child, or do you have brothers and sisters? What’s your place in the family? Are you the eldest and the heir apparent, or the disowned wild child? Are your parents still alive? If not, how did they die?
What Is Your Social Class?
Despite how much time we spend on them, the numbers on a character sheet aren’t everything. Much of the fun of role-playing is creating a character who feels like a believable part of their world, but it can often be difficult to decide where to start. You can spend as much or as little time on this before your game as you like, but it’s always good to put at least some thought into it. The following are a number of questions to consider when building any character:
Where Are You From?
This is a critical question, especially in a complex and divided world like Nirn. Were you born in your racial homeland? How does your character view their birthplace? How were they treated there? Would they rather have been born somewhere else? How do other people view them in light of where they are from?
What Is Your Family Like?
Are you an only child, or do you have brothers and sisters? What’s your place in the family? Are you the eldest and the heir apparent, or the disowned wild child? Are your parents still alive? If not, how did they die?
What Is Your Social Class?
Those in the upper classes seem to have all the advantages, but often the greatest heroes come from the lowest of places. What part of society did your parents come from? Did they pull themselves out of poverty? Are they still there? Or is your noble family destitute and on the verge of ruin? How has this influenced your life and your goals? How do you view it?
Why Are You Here Now?
What did you do before you came to be in the place you are now (or with the party if that’s the case) and why did you stop? What did you see in an adventuring life?
How Religious Are You?
Tamriel is a place where gods often walk amongst mortals, but not all of them are worthy of worship. How devout are you? Have you had an important religious experience in your life? Or do you believe the gods have abandoned you?
Who Are Your Best Friends and Worst Enemies?
Ignoring the possibility that the other PCs fall into these categories, who in your life would you call a best friend or worst enemy? What happened to make things that way? Where are they now? Do you want to see them again?
What Are Your Prized Possessions?
Do you have any Items of sentimental value? Something passed down by your family, a friend, or a mentor? You should also think about important things you’ve already lost that you would do anything to get back.
Who Are You Loyal To?
Real loners are rare: Tamriel can be a dangerous place without allies. Are there people or organizations that you are loyal to? What did they do to earn your loyalty? Those in the upper classes seem to have all the advantages, but often the greatest heroes come from the lowest of places. What part of society did your parents come from? Did they pull themselves out of poverty? Are they still there? Or is your noble family destitute and on the verge of ruin? How has this influenced your life and your goals? How do you view it?
Why Are You Here Now?
What did you do before you came to be in the place you are now (or with the party if that’s the case) and why did you stop? What did you see in an adventuring life?
How Religious Are You?
Tamriel is a place where gods often walk amongst mortals, but not all of them are worthy of worship. How devout are you? Have you had an important religious experience in your life? Or do you believe the gods have abandoned you?
Who Are Your Best Friends and Worst Enemies?
Ignoring the possibility that the other PCs fall into these categories, who in your life would you call a best friend or worst enemy? What happened to make things that way? Where are they now? Do you want to see them again?
What Are Your Prized Possessions?
Do you have any Items of sentimental value? Something passed down by your family, a friend, or a mentor? You should also think about important things you’ve already lost that you would do anything to get back.
Who Are You Loyal To?
Real loners are rare: Tamriel can be a dangerous place without allies. Are there people or organizations that you are loyal to? What did they do to earn your loyalty?