Getting Into Character: An RPG Character Questionnaire

Whether you are new to roleplaying or a storied veteran of the form, sometimes you need a little help getting into character.  Maybe you have a great concept for a character that you need to flesh out, or maybe you have a character you know intimately but want to view from a different angle.  Inspired by exercises authors use to get into the minds of their characters and that actors use to get into their roles, I have created a short questionnaire to flesh out your RPG character.

Go beyond the usual 'race, class, height, weight, hair, etc.' on your character sheet and delve into your adventurer's personality, background, and physical features.  Some questions (like "Where or with whom do they feel most as home?") are broad, allowing you room to expand and interpret your character's nuances.  Others (like "What would a demon lord try to tempt them with?") are more specific, designed to get you to explore aspects of your character that you might not otherwise think of during character creation.  One word answers are discouraged; instead of "What color is their hair?" it asks you to "Describe their hair," opening the door not just to color but to texture, smell, thickness, style preferences, and more.  The goal is to fully realize your character physically, emotionally, and mentally, making roleplaying easier and more rewarding - and more fun!

Read the questionnaire below or click here to download it from my patreon in pdf or docx formats!

Background & Life

Why are they an adventurer?  What motivated them to take up a largely rootless life of travel, peril, and deadly combat?

Why are they the class that they are?  What drew them to it?

What is their favorite weapon, spell, or fighting style?  Why?

What did they do (or what were they going to do) before they became an adventurer?

Describe their family (biological or adopted).  How was their relationship with them?

Who or what has had the greatest influence – positive or negative – on their life thus far?

What was their childhood like?  How has this influenced their growth?

What is their proudest accomplishment?

What is their greatest regret?

Where or with whom do they feel most at home?

Describe their romantic history, if any.  How has this influenced them?

Describe their relationship with their god or gods (or lack thereof).

Describe their relationship with magic and those who practice it.

Personality & Beliefs

What is their best character trait?

What is their greatest flaw?  How does it show through?

What do they fear?  Why?

What are their core values?  What lengths would they go to in order to uphold them?

How do they deal with people who have different beliefs than them?

How easy is it for them to trust others?

What is their ambition, dream, or ultimate goal?

Do they have any guilty pleasures?  What are they?

Describe their mood.  What is their default emotion?  How changeable are they?

Describe their sense of humor.  What, if anything, makes them laugh?

If they were not an adventurer, how would they spend their day?

If a genie gave them one wish, what would they wish for?

What would a demon lord try to tempt them with?  How does this play into their flaws and ambitions?

What would they be like if they put on the helm of opposite alignment?

Physical Characteristics

Describe their hair.

Describe their skin.

Describe their physique.

Describe their voice.

What is their best feature?

Is there any feature they are self-conscious of?

Do they consider themselves to be attractive?

What do they smell like?

 How hygienic are they?

What, if anything, sets them apart from the average member of their race?

In a crowded room, do they stand out or blend in?  Why?

Do they have any physical or verbal mannerisms that distinguish them?

What do they like to wear when they aren’t off on a dangerous quest?  Any particular reason?

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-your largely rootless d20 despot