Contents
Overview
This is an explanation on how to create a character for use within Thrakdrak. Important to know is that not all classes and races are unlocked and the character that you build has to be approved by the GM.
Overview of the various sites & programs the GMs allows to be used before final check:
- D20pfsrd.com -> Site containing all data on Pathfinder. If you see something you like, discuss with GM. Various links that are interesting:
- PCgen for generating a character
- Roll20.com -> Configuring your character sheet for online usage
PC gen
Supported Sources
Advanced sources to select after starting PCGEN. After selecting the rules below, please do save the rules to a custom ruleset (name=Thrakdrak?)
Advanced Class Guide Advanced Class Origins Advanced Player's Guide Advanced Race Guide Advanturer's Armory Advanturer's Armory 2 Adventurer's Guide Alchemy Manual Animal Archive Armor Master's Handbook Bestiary Bestiary 2 (Player Options Only) Bestiary 3 Bestiary 4 Bestiary 5 (Player Options Only) Bestiary 6 (Player Options Only) Black Markets Blood of Angels Blood of Fiends Blood of Shadows Blood of the Beast Blood of the Elements Blood of the Moon Blood of the Night Champions of Balance Champions of Corruption Champions of Purity Cohorts and Companions Demon Hunter's Handbook Dirty Tactics Toolbox Divine Anthology Dragonslayer's Handbook Dungeoneer's Handbook Dwarves of Golarion Elemental Master's Handbook Evles of Golarion Giant HUnter's Handbook Gnomes of Golarion Goblins of Golarion Halflings of Golarion Haunted Heroes Handbook Heroes of the Streets Heroes of the Wild Humans of Golarion Inner Sea World Guide Knights of the Inner Sea Kobolds of Golarion Legacy of Dragons Legacy of the First World Magical Marketplace Magic Tactics Toolbox Melee Tactics Toolbox Monster Codex (Player Options Only) Monster Hunter's Handbook Monster Summoner's Handbook Mythic Adventures Mythic Origins Occult Adventures Occult Origins Orc of Golarion Pathfinder RPG For Players Pathfinder Unchained Paths of the Righteous Quests and campaigns Ranged Tactics Toolbox Spymaster's Handbook The Harrow Handbook Ultimate Campaign Ultimate Combat Ultimate Equipment Ultimate Intrigue Ultimate Magic Ultimate Wilderness Undead Slayer's Handbook Weapon Master's Handbook
= Writing a background
Tips from | lit rpg reads
Tip 1: Give your character a unique motivation
When you’re writing a D&D backstory, you need to think about what you want to achieve. Do you want to become a champion of the people, or perhaps a slayer of evil? Maybe you’re just interested in exploring the world and learning as much as you can. Or maybe, you’re just here for the gold and glory.
Whatever the case may be, you need to decide what you want your character’s motivation to be. Sure, you could just go with the default motivations that the Player’s Handbook sets out, but the interesting thing about D&D is that you can really go any direction you want. If you want your character to become a master of the arcane arts, then go for it. If you want to be the greatest treasure hunter in the world, then go for it. If you want to become a morally righteous champion of the people, then go for it. Whatever you want to be and whatever you want to accomplish, you need to decide what that is and then make sure that every action you take is in line with achieving that goal.
Tip 2: Come up with a backstory that shows development
The last thing you want to do is have a backstory that doesn’t show any development. Not only does it make your character boring, but it also makes you look like you don’t really know D&D very well. It’s kind of like an actor who plays the same character in every movie. Sure, they can get away with it once or twice, but sooner or later people will start to get tired of seeing the same character again and again. All the focus will be on the character’s backstory, their motivations, and how they got to where they are. You don’t want to make your character a static character, the one who never changes at all. You want to show growth and allow your character to change over time.
Tip 3: Come up with a backstory that shows the world
With a rich backstory, you need to think about the influences the world has had on your character. Sure, it’s not like you need to include every single detail, but at the very least, you need to make sure your character takes part in a few major events. Think of it as the most important turning points of your character’s life. These turning points provide the backdrop that you use to show how the world has shaped your character. Basically, if your character doesn’t have an interesting backstory, then they’re likely to feel out of place and not have any real character depth. At least, not until they start making their own decisions and shaping the world.
Tip 4: Do Not Make Your Character Backstory Too Long
This is easy for some and hard for others. While a book-length character backstory might be fun, you don’t need something this long. In fact, all you really really need to do is write down around a hundred words or so. But, with characters, the length and depth of the backstory isn’t as important as its quality. You might not have to write a lengthy backstory, but you do have to be creative. This is especially important if you’re planning on role-playing with the character. You need something that makes your character seem like they’re actually alive.
Tip 5: Write in First Person, Past Tense
The reason for writing your D&D backstory in the first person, past tense is to make it seem like it’s already happened. This prevents you from having to write out every movement and every action as though it was actually happening. Past tense is also used for the same reason. As you write out your character’s backstory, the reader will be able to assume that it already happened and that this is just the narrator going over the details.
Tip 6: Make Your Character’s Backstory Believable
This is something you need to do regardless of what you decide to write. Even if you’re writing about a character with a unique backstory, it’s going to need to be believable. You don’t want to make the player feel like your character’s backstory is forced or out of place. After all, the aim of a character’s backstory is to bring them to life and to make them feel like a real person.