There are countless methods to help build great characters. Some people begin by building the character sheet – skills and stats first, followed later by writing a history. Others write a history first, and then build the stats and mechanics. No method is better than the other – it’s really a personal preference.
Regardless of which you do first, you may find that using a character creation questionnaire can be incredibly helpful. There are a myriad of places on the internet that have different versions of character creation questionnaires. These questionnaires are essentially lists of a bunch of questions that are designed so that if you answer them all, you will be left with a well-thought-out and well-rounded character. Some of these questionnaires are better than others, and you may find one elsewhere that you prefer over this one. After using a questionnaire once, you may even find you don’t need one at all.
For now, here are 50 questions to help you create a fully fleshed out character with a rich history. Simply imagine you are your character, grab a pencil and give it a go!
- What is your name?
- Do you have a nickname? What is it? Why?
- What color are your eyes?
- What color is your hair?
- What is your skin color?
- What race/species are you?
- Do you have any scars? From what?
- What is unique about your looks?
- Are you good looking, average, ugly?
- How old are you?
- Where were you born?
- Where did you grow up?
- Who were your friends in your childhood?
- Did you have a “schoolyard nemesis?”
- What did you do for fun when you were a kid?
- Did you have a pet? What was it? Name?
- Did you have siblings? Who? What were they like?
- Are your parents alive? If not, why not?
- What were your parents’ names?
- What did your parents do for a living?
- Were you wealthy or poor when you were a kid?
- Did you have a crush on anyone when you were a kid?
- What was your education like?
- What was your favorite subject?
- What was your least favorite subject?
- What was the worst trouble you got in as a kid?
- What was your first job?
- Have you ever been in love? With whom?
- What is your current job outside of the adventure?
- Are you good at it?
- What hobbies do you have now?
- Are you married or in love?
- What makes you laugh?
- What makes you angry?
- What is your deepest fear?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- What is your greatest failure?
- What is your biggest secret?
- Who is your best friend? Why?
- What is your most treasured possession?
- What is your greatest regret?
- What is your best asset?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Do you have a nemesis? Who? Why?
- Are you an honest person?
- Are you easy to get along with? Why or why not?
- Do you have a catchphrase? What is it?
- Do you have a horse/spaceship/pet/motorcycle/car that you are extremely attached to? What is it? Why?
- What is your goal in life?
- How far are you willing to go to achieve it?