Making Your First D&D Character: The Importance of Backstories

Creating your first character can be a challenging feat, both technically and creatively. With so many steps to follow from the books, and also the challenge of coming up with a character that represents you, it can be difficult to design something you’ll be comfortable playing for a campaign or one shot, but the directions you can take are endless. 

Discussing the creative side of developing your character, as the technical side of statistics and other aspects can be found in the Player’s Handbook, there are a few things to consider. Ask yourself what your character’s motivation will be. Why do they feel the urge to pursue the nomadic lifestyle of an adventurer? Why did they leave home? All of these questions relate to developing and writing your character’s backstory. After choosing your character’s class and race, decide how those factors contribute to how they became who they are in the present. 

For example, I personally have a druid character named Inavaris. Inavaris is a high elf from a wealthy, politically involved family and previously lived in a large, upper class elven city.  She became a druid through the teachings of a mentor, and left the city after said mentor was killed. Backstories such as these shape the character you create; Inavaris is nervous in situations of personal conflict, and is generally distrusting of many people because of the mysterious death of her mentor. Remember to keep in mind what kind of person your character is as you write, and have fun with it! This is meant to bring your character to life, so be creative and explore different aspects of your personality to put into whoever it is you create.