In my games, I always make my players give me an ally and an enemy as part of their backstory. "Tell me about one of your friends. Tell me about someone who has a problem with you." It immediately makes the world bigger for everyone, because then the players can't wait for the other players to meet their corner of the game. As a bonus for this, I also add "Select a common magic item, tell me how it fits in with your backstory." An example of one I created once upon a time, "My rogue was a rising star in the thieves guild, but he refused to kill. One day he was sent on a job, but before he got started, he learned from an older master of disguise former member of the guild who doesn't do field work any longer tipped me off that the job was a set up. My player then stole his magic item during his escape from the guild, pissing off the rest of the guild in the process by stealing from the thieves. Now along with his friends, he uses his rogue skills to help those who can't turn to the proper authorities, but his personal primary mission is to determine who wanted to set him up and why, while hopefully making good with the rest of the members of the guild." So that quickly I determined: Ally: Former guild member. Enemy: Entire Thieves Guild. Item: Trinket stolen on the way out that was important to someone. And this is all a good DM needs to work in stuff to the story. You're out with the party? Well now any merchant is a chance for a spy. Any long rest is a chance for an ambush. Any commoner is a chance to hire the services of the outcast thief.
The part of the 2nd sheet I used when I ran Dragon of Icespire Peak was Enemies, and I had them put 'The Whiskered Gang' in that box. Then I substituted the Whiskered Gang for the generic Bandits at Icespire Hold. It was a great showdown and the Players cheered as they killed off the Were-Rat Queen. It wrapped up everything nicely.
I rewatch this video evrytime I am starting up a new campaign. Your insight really inspires me to help my players in building very fun well rounded and memorial characters. Love it. 👍🏻👍🏻
Given your creativity, imagination, and energy, I was thinking you must win "Teacher of the Year" a lot but then I heard you say you are Chaotic Evil... How many of your students are in counseling now? ;)
Hahaha! You know my favorite thing to say as a teacher while discussing literature and challenge my kidos? “If you haven’t had an existential crisis today, what are you doing with your life?” And if that doesn’t sum up what I am like as a teacher, I don’t know what does 😂
I saw your video and thought,"awesome! Who uses that?" and you literally started with that. A few other thought questions: * who do you owe things to? Who owes you? * who can you leverage (blackmail, favors, etc.) * who has left an impression on you? Great video!
Would be good to have a DM resource handout with lists of organizations/npc's that may be available in the campaign kicking off. Then DM can fill in details of the ones players select.
In my games, I always make my players give me an ally and an enemy as part of their backstory. "Tell me about one of your friends. Tell me about someone who has a problem with you." It immediately makes the world bigger for everyone, because then the players can't wait for the other players to meet their corner of the game.
As a bonus for this, I also add "Select a common magic item, tell me how it fits in with your backstory."
An example of one I created once upon a time, "My rogue was a rising star in the thieves guild, but he refused to kill. One day he was sent on a job, but before he got started, he learned from an older master of disguise former member of the guild who doesn't do field work any longer tipped me off that the job was a set up. My player then stole his magic item during his escape from the guild, pissing off the rest of the guild in the process by stealing from the thieves.
Now along with his friends, he uses his rogue skills to help those who can't turn to the proper authorities, but his personal primary mission is to determine who wanted to set him up and why, while hopefully making good with the rest of the members of the guild."
So that quickly I determined:
Ally: Former guild member.
Enemy: Entire Thieves Guild.
Item: Trinket stolen on the way out that was important to someone.
And this is all a good DM needs to work in stuff to the story. You're out with the party? Well now any merchant is a chance for a spy. Any long rest is a chance for an ambush. Any commoner is a chance to hire the services of the outcast thief.
Excellent addition! Thank you!
The part of the 2nd sheet I used when I ran Dragon of Icespire Peak was Enemies, and I had them put 'The Whiskered Gang' in that box. Then I substituted the Whiskered Gang for the generic Bandits at Icespire Hold. It was a great showdown and the Players cheered as they killed off the Were-Rat Queen. It wrapped up everything nicely.
I rewatch this video evrytime I am starting up a new campaign. Your insight really inspires me to help my players in building very fun well rounded and memorial characters. Love it. 👍🏻👍🏻
This is where your tailor's boat captain goes.
There’s a second page to the player sheet!? 😝
Lol thank you for the insight as always, Hannah!
Right?? lol glad you enjoyed it!
Great stuff. I wish more players realized the fun a good backstory and fleshed out PC bring to the game
Truer words were never spoken!
Given your creativity, imagination, and energy, I was thinking you must win "Teacher of the Year" a lot but then I heard you say you are Chaotic Evil... How many of your students are in counseling now? ;)
Hahaha! You know my favorite thing to say as a teacher while discussing literature and challenge my kidos? “If you haven’t had an existential crisis today, what are you doing with your life?” And if that doesn’t sum up what I am like as a teacher, I don’t know what does 😂
I saw your video and thought,"awesome! Who uses that?" and you literally started with that.
A few other thought questions:
* who do you owe things to? Who owes you?
* who can you leverage (blackmail, favors, etc.)
* who has left an impression on you?
Great video!
Thank you! Great additional questions!!
Betrayal works best if that trusted friend appears several times during the campaign before the betrayal to build fondness for that person
Absolutely!
This is so great! Thanks Hannah!! :)
Glad you liked it!!
Honestly I just take notes on that second page lmao
Right?? Lol
Would be good to have a DM resource handout with lists of organizations/npc's that may be available in the campaign kicking off. Then DM can fill in details of the ones players select.
What a great idea! Someone should make that! …oh wait, that what I do! I will make that! 😂 thanks so much for the suggestion!
We need more Drama!!
Always! Gotta bring the drama! Lol
First comment :D Love you Hannah!
😊 thank you!
Is it me or is the sheet a bit different looking?😕
How so?
@@HalflingHobbies the personality part is on the front page with mine.
@@gasmasker7409 ah! Interesting!
@@HalflingHobbies It may just be a different version now that I think about it
@@gasmasker7409 very possible. That one was printed from DND Beyond
I am the 100th like