Key Points for Backgrounds

2007-08-31T04:15:54Z

If you haven't read the Anita Blake series, don't fret! There is basic thematic stuff you do need to be aware of; but not only do we have staff and shiny mentors (see '+mentors') to help you along the way, there are also plenty of news files and various links you should check out. Here are some news files you should read:

'news humans'
'news RPIT'
'news hunters'
'news HAV'
'news HF'
'news shapeshifters'
'news werewolves'
'news leopards'
'news rats'
'news vampires'
'news masters'
'news vampires bloodlines'.

There are many other useful news files to discover along the way. Here are some links to help you, too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Blake_mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampires_(Anita_Blake_mythology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Anita_Blake:_Vampire_Hunter
http://www.answers.com/topic/anita-blake-mythology

One of the first things we hope to see is, as a player, what sort of RP do you hope to create with this character? (Also, keep in mind that you can bring plot hooks to the table via your background, which we love!) We also have other topics we would like to see in backgrounds. While writing your background, please try to address each of these as they apply to your character. It seems like a lot of work, but we aren't looking for a novel or even slick prose. However, we need to know you have a firm grasp of your character concept and a basis for theme. These questions outline the bare minimum information to be provided in a background; however, some backgrounds go above and beyond these basic requirements, which are welcomed, too. Please keep in mind that although the process of writing a background can be tiresome, this is the most important part of character generation. It's the foundation for development of your character. As such, a thoughtful background for a good character footing should engage and interest you, the player. If you are having any difficulty and need help or just want to bounce ideas, please contact +mentors, anyone on channel CharGen, or a member of staff. We'll be happy to help!

Topics for All New Characters (from earliest childhood to present):

When and where was your character born?
Tell us about your character's immediate family: parents, siblings, friends.
How was your character's childhood and adolescence? Any tragedies, or was it bland? Please expound.
Where was character and his/her family off financially? Class-wise?
If any, what sort of education did your character receive - private academy, public school, college? What sort of grades did your character receive? Did your character learn it all in a different environment such as the streets?
What were your character's hobbies? What areas did your character excel in?
Was your character ever military? Did your character receive any special training? Keep in mind this will bear additional scrutiny during the approval process.
Did your character have any experiences with or impressions of the preternatural? If so, what were they? How did your character feel about it? Keep in mind that most people have interacted with the preternatural in this world - at least in some small way. Although it was not always this way, vampires are living openly and legally, knowledge of shifters is commonplace, although rumors and innuendo still persist.
Was your character popular or above such trivialities? Any lovers? Rivals?
Did your character practice any criminal activities? If so, was he/she caught? Does he/she have a record with anyone?
What is your character's religious background, if any? What religion does your character currently practice? How important is your character's religious practice to you?
If your character has not lived here his/her whole life, what brings him/her to Chicago? How long has your character been in Chicago? Is he/she a US citizen? If not, is he/she here legally?
What does your character do for a living? How well off is he/she?
How does your character feel about preternaturals at this point in his/her life?
Personality-wise, would you describe your character as a leader, a follower, or somewhere in between?
Is your character married? Has he/she ever been? Do your character have children? Where is the rest of your character's family and friends now? Mention to us about any recent friends, co-workers, or lovers of note. (These make for excellent NPCs.) Does your character have any enemies or rivals?

Topics for Normal Humans:

What are your character's aspirations, his/her goals?
How does your character feel about vampires? Lycanthropes? Witches and psychics? Fae? Homosexuality? Racism? Sexism? Are you prejudice? How? Why?
What's your character's moral code if any?
Does your character belong to any groups or formal organizations? If so, what?

Topics for Powered Humans:

When and how did your character develop his/her abilities? What was it like for him/her?
How does your character feel about it now? Is it a blessing or a curse? How does it complicate life for him/her? For others?
Is your character publicly known for his/her abilities and power? Who knows? Do human authorities know? Why?
What are your character's aspirations? Goals?
How does your character feel about vampires? Lycanthropes? Witches and psychics? Fae? Homosexuality? Racism? Sexism? Is your character prejudice? How? Why?
Does character consider him-/herself human or outcast?
What's your character's moral code if any?
Does your character belong to any groups or formal organizations? If so, what?

Topics for Lycanthropes:

How and when was your character infected? (Cursed, bitten, scratched, or vaccine?) Did your character consent or not? Please include details.
Does your character hide what he/she is or not? Why?
Does your character loathe his/her beast? Or is it a part he/she has welcomed? How did your character feel about it in the beginning? How does your character feel about it now? Is the character and his/her beast in tandem now?
Is your character a rogue or loner? Does he/she prefer to skirt the edges of the group? Or is your character comfortable with his/her own kind and welcoming of their company? How does your character feel about other kinds of lycanthropes? Is he/she accepting of them?
How does your character feel about vampires? Witches and psychics? Fae? Homosexuality? Racism? Sexism? Are you prejudice? How? Why?
What's your character's moral code if any?
What are your character's personal goals? Does your character have any goals for your kind? If so, what?
Does your character belong to any groups or formal organizations? If so, what?
Are humans friends, foes, or food?

Topics for Vampires:

Tell us about the sire/dam/maker of your vampire? When? Where? What bloodline?
Did your character choose to be a vampire or not? What was the situation? How did your character know his/her maker?
How long was your character trained as a fledgling?
What sort of vampire is your character: social, loner or rogue? Has your character ever been a member of the Church of Eternal Life? If so, when? Why the change?
Is your character open about his/her undead condition? Why?
Who knows your character is a vampire?
Does your character enjoy being a vampire? Or would your character rather be human? Does he/she cling to the remnants of his/her humanity?
How does your character feel about humans? Lycanthropes? Fae? Witches and psychics? Homosexuality? Racism? Sexism? Is your character prejudice? How? Why?
What are your character's personal goals? What is vampirism about to your character? Power, knowledge, pleasure, etc.? Tell us about your character's views- how he/she views him-/herself, what he/she would like for him-/herself, what your character might like for his/her kind.
As a vampire, does your character personally think vampires are monsters?
Is your character in contact for with any of his/her family's descendants? If so, tell us something about them. If not, does he/she know where they are or may be?

Topics for Fae:

Is your character Unseelie or Seelie? Note, the Seelie have little to do with Unseelie and will do anything to stay at the Seelie fairy mound. To be cast out is like a fate worth than death to Seelie. Also note the Unseelie is one court, although courts such as the goblins have treaties with the Unseelie and are often viewed as part of the Unseelie court.
How does your character feel about humans? Lycanthropes? Vampires? Seelie? Unseelie? Other courts?
Why isn't your character at one of the fairy mounds? Has he or she been cast out?
If your character has spent time at Court, be it Seelie, UnSeelie, or Other, what was his or her role there? Does your character still visit the court?
Does your character prefer to be with others of his/her kind? Is your character social or a loner? Please explain.
What does your character feel is the reason for his/her existence? Pleasure, power, knowledge, honoring the Goddess and Her Consort and/or nature, etc.? What does your character hope to gain during his/her existence?
Is your character more human-like or fae-like? This can be personality-wise and appearance-wise. Please explain. This can affect interaction with other fae as their are many rules most follow. Please see the news files for notes and links to information.
For those part Sidhe, does your character have a hand of power yet? Note, hands of power are rare amongst half and even more so amongst quarter Sidhe. Without a hand of power, your Sidhe character may not be recognized as Sidhe by other Sidhe.
Is your part Sidhe character an outcast due to un-Sidhe heritage? How much does your character show of his or her other heritage, physically and mentally? Does your character consider him- or herself Sidhe or Other?
What magics other than a hand of power does he or she posses? What does her or she use them for?

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Key Points for Backgrounds