The Root of Character Growth
Written by Tyson J. Hayes on 2010/03/23 – 00:00 -Wondering what I’m writing about and why the recent posts are rather random? Check out challenging all comers.
Characters grow like branches of a tree. They start out as a singular thought, are planted, cared for, and grow fast.
The Sunlight of your Imagination
The more time you spend with a character, the more it grows. I’ve spent hours fine-tuning a character, coming up with a back-story, and explaining why my min/maxing totally fits the character. Those characters have always grown into a life of their own. Spending time on in-character fiction, drawings, and mannerisms helps root a character in your mind.
Speak to your Character
Almost every character I play gets an accent or manner of talking that becomes integral to the character. Be it with made up words, attempting a very bad southern drawl, or just changing my vocal inflection, the more I speak as my character, the more life I breathe into it. Using this device helps me shine light on my character’s inner voice and bring it out into the sunlight.
Grow from your Tips
Ask for feedback. This is said so often that its triteness is almost palpable, but it is important. As a GM, we need to solicit feedback to make sure the game is fun, but you, my dear players, need to ask for it to. Just because you’re having a blast playing your new godless killing machine doesn’t mean everyone else is having fun playing with you. Ask them how you could improve an accent, or their opinion on a new tool to make managing your character easier. Be like bees with pollen and share tips freely and openly. It’ll help everyone grow.
What’s your best tip for growing a character? What’s really worked for you?
Tags: character development, in-character fiction, made up words, trees, tyson j. hayes, writing challenge
Categories: Behind the Bar, Players |
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Sins of our Fathers
Written by Tyson J. Hayes on 2010/03/02 – 00:00 -Whether we like to admit it or not, our parents played a large role in forming us into the people we are today. Sons look to their fathers and daughters to their mothers. So why is it that we almost consistently put no thought into family when designing our characters? Why do we omit that glaring fact in our characters history? Even if we’ve gone to the trouble of putting some names on paper, how do we breathe some life into these people?
Pick Some Traits
Your characters’ parents have likely influenced them on some base level. Personally my father is a frugal man and instilled these values into me to the point of annoying my fiancée regularly about money. What traits does your character have that can be traced back to his roots?
Consider the Upbringing
I’ve heard loads of stories from people that were brought up in various churches. Their parents made them go every Sunday and were deeply religious people. These stories tend to come out one of two ways; the person is now vehemently opposed to everything even remotely religious, or is a stronger member of their faith. Was there a ritual your character had while growing up that they remember well? How does that affect them?
Sliding along the Axis
Always consider the upbringing of a character when choosing their alignment or general disposition. If, for example, you’re playing an evil character, what in their life may have caused them to choose the paths that they did? While we are talking about parents, they aren’t always to blame. Other family members have just as strong of an influence on us as our parents.
Have you ever designed a character with their family history in mind? What was the result of your work?
Tags: character development, family, tyson j. hayes
Categories: Players |
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