On A Roll

The Podcast that helps you Level Up Your RPG!

Fifty Questions For Better Characters

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!

  1. What is your name?
  2. Do you have a nickname? What is it? Why?
  3. What color are your eyes?
  4. What color is your hair?
  5. What is your skin color?
  6. What race/species are you?
  7. Do you have any scars? From what?
  8. What is unique about your looks?
  9. Are you good looking, average, ugly?
  10. How old are you?
  11. Where were you born?
  12. Where did you grow up?
  13. Who were your friends in your childhood?
  14. Did you have a “schoolyard nemesis?”
  15. What did you do for fun when you were a kid?
  16. Did you have a pet? What was it? Name?
  17. Did you have siblings? Who? What were they like?
  18. Are your parents alive? If not, why not?
  19. What were your parents’ names?
  20. What did your parents do for a living?
  21. Were you wealthy or poor when you were a kid?
  22. Did you have a crush on anyone when you were a kid?
  23. What was your education like?
  24. What was your favorite subject?
  25. What was your least favorite subject?
  26. What was the worst trouble you got in as a kid?
  27. What was your first job?
  28. Have you ever been in love? With whom?
  29. What is your current job outside of the adventure?
  30. Are you good at it?
  31. What hobbies do you have now?
  32. Are you married or in love?
  33. What makes you laugh?
  34. What makes you angry?
  35. What is your deepest fear?
  36. What is your greatest accomplishment?
  37. What is your greatest failure?
  38. What is your biggest secret?
  39. Who is your best friend? Why?
  40. What is your most treasured possession?
  41. What is your greatest regret?
  42. What is your best asset?
  43. What is your greatest weakness?
  44. Do you have a nemesis? Who? Why?
  45. Are you an honest person?
  46. Are you easy to get along with? Why or why not?
  47. Do you have a catchphrase? What is it?
  48. Do you have a horse/spaceship/pet/motorcycle/car that you are extremely attached to? What is it? Why?
  49. What is your goal in life?
  50. How far are you willing to go to achieve it?