A well-developed character concept is the foundation of an engaging and dynamic role-playing experience. When creating a character, it’s important to start with a clear idea of who they are, what drives them, and how they fit into the world around them. This concept goes beyond just picking stats—it’s about understanding their strengths and weaknesses, both physically and mentally. Are they a physically powerful warrior, or do they excel in cunning or knowledge? Are they quick on their feet or more calculating and strategic?
The character concept helps shape these qualities and influences the types of attributes your character will later develop as the game progresses. A strong concept not only gives you a better sense of how your character will interact with the world but also informs the choices you’ll make when building the mechanical aspects of the character, such as abilities, skills, traits, and powers. By establishing this concept early on, you create a character with depth, a distinct identity, and a clear role within the story, making your gameplay experience more meaningful and engaging from the very start.
Example Character Concept
Player: “I’m thinking of playing an adventuring archaeologist—someone who’s fiercely independent, driven by a need to uncover the truth behind ancient myths and artifacts. She’s physically agile from all her fieldwork, but her real strength is her quick thinking and knowledge of history and languages.”
GM: “That sounds great! So, she’s quick on her feet and mentally sharp, maybe not as physically strong as some of the other characters, but able to solve puzzles and think her way out of tight spots. We can lean into her intelligence and agility when it comes to building attributes, and her drive for discovery can be a key part of her motivation throughout the campaign.”