Post by Nola on Jan 13, 2018 2:54:15 GMT
Hey all,
I've been making characters for a long time, both in terms of Star Trek role-playing and in fiction writing in general. It's become an intuitive process for me, and while I enjoy that particular ability, it sometimes makes it hard to explain to others how to make a well-rounded character, particularly for new players. At the same time, I'm wary of trying to give too much direct input on how someone should build their character - after all, it's your character, not mine. Up to now, I've basically avoided addressing it, but as we look to add more players, I felt that was something I needed to work on.
I love table-top RPGs, even if I don't get to play them as often as I'd like. One of my favorite games is called Legend of the Five Rings (L5R), which is a game centered around creating a samurai and solving the Empire's problems while adhering to the strict code of Bushido, or, in the case of the Scorpion Clan, the exact opposite.
Anyway, L5R has an aid for creating characters called 'The Game of 20 Questions,' and it's an excellent way to help new players figure out how to make well-rounded characters. And so, I have modified those questions for use here in STAB.
I would strongly encourage everyone to answer these questions and post them in their character threads. It's not mandatory, of course, but I think it will both help players get a more robust sense of their character and tell other players more about your character.
The Game of 20 Questions
I've also written up some bonus questions for Command Staff and Department Heads.
I've been making characters for a long time, both in terms of Star Trek role-playing and in fiction writing in general. It's become an intuitive process for me, and while I enjoy that particular ability, it sometimes makes it hard to explain to others how to make a well-rounded character, particularly for new players. At the same time, I'm wary of trying to give too much direct input on how someone should build their character - after all, it's your character, not mine. Up to now, I've basically avoided addressing it, but as we look to add more players, I felt that was something I needed to work on.
I love table-top RPGs, even if I don't get to play them as often as I'd like. One of my favorite games is called Legend of the Five Rings (L5R), which is a game centered around creating a samurai and solving the Empire's problems while adhering to the strict code of Bushido, or, in the case of the Scorpion Clan, the exact opposite.
Anyway, L5R has an aid for creating characters called 'The Game of 20 Questions,' and it's an excellent way to help new players figure out how to make well-rounded characters. And so, I have modified those questions for use here in STAB.
I would strongly encourage everyone to answer these questions and post them in their character threads. It's not mandatory, of course, but I think it will both help players get a more robust sense of their character and tell other players more about your character.
The Game of 20 Questions
1. Where was your character born? (City, Planet, Ship, etc.)
2. What's their family situation? (Siblings, Parents, Spouses/Kids)
3. What was their childhood like?
4. Why did your character join the Academy?
5. What was their biggest achievement at the Academy, academic or otherwise?
6. What was their biggest setback at the Academy, academic or otherwise?
7. What's your character's biggest career goal?
8. What's your character's biggest life goal?
9. What's your character's greatest career accomplishment so far?
10. What's your character's biggest career drawback?
11. What's your character's biggest achievement in life?
12. What's your character's biggest setback in life?
13. Is your character satisfied with their life at this point?
14. Who did your character learn the most from in life?
15. What stands out most about your character to others?
16. How does your character react to stressful situations?
17. Does your character have any close friends?
18. Is your character romantically involved with anyone?
19. What does your character think about Section 31?
20. What do you want your character's legacy to be?
2. What's their family situation? (Siblings, Parents, Spouses/Kids)
3. What was their childhood like?
4. Why did your character join the Academy?
5. What was their biggest achievement at the Academy, academic or otherwise?
6. What was their biggest setback at the Academy, academic or otherwise?
7. What's your character's biggest career goal?
8. What's your character's biggest life goal?
9. What's your character's greatest career accomplishment so far?
10. What's your character's biggest career drawback?
11. What's your character's biggest achievement in life?
12. What's your character's biggest setback in life?
13. Is your character satisfied with their life at this point?
14. Who did your character learn the most from in life?
15. What stands out most about your character to others?
16. How does your character react to stressful situations?
17. Does your character have any close friends?
18. Is your character romantically involved with anyone?
19. What does your character think about Section 31?
20. What do you want your character's legacy to be?
I've also written up some bonus questions for Command Staff and Department Heads.
Bonus Questions for Department Heads:
1. Who's your best subordinate (PC or NPC)?
2. Who's your most troublesome subordinate (PC or NPC)?
3. What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job?
Bonus Questions for Command Staff:
1. Which Starfleet/Federation ideal are you most likely to sacrifice yourself or your ship to defend?
2. Which Starfleet/Federation ideal are you most likely to disregard in defense of your ship and crew?
1. Who's your best subordinate (PC or NPC)?
2. Who's your most troublesome subordinate (PC or NPC)?
3. What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job?
Bonus Questions for Command Staff:
1. Which Starfleet/Federation ideal are you most likely to sacrifice yourself or your ship to defend?
2. Which Starfleet/Federation ideal are you most likely to disregard in defense of your ship and crew?