This year at Gary Con, I am trying a different approach to presenting pre-generated characters to players. My typical method is to flop a pile of pre-gens down in the middle of the table and let the players pick through to find what they want to play. This year, I’m going to present the characters choices on a index cards. Each card will have a brief backstory and the character’s class. The cards will not include character stats, weapons, armor or gear. When the player decides which character they want to play, then I will provide them with the character sheet. I have no idea if players will like this but I’m going to try it and see how it goes.

In campaign games, I’m not a fan of detailed character back stories. You write a 2,000 word back story, imagining how cool it will be for your DM to work all the plot hooks and villains into “the story” and your character dies in a random encounter with a pack of angry villagers on the way to the dungeon… Not fun.

With single session games like a convention, a little bit of backstory, can help players get immersed in the character faster. With a character you’re playing over a long period of time in a campaign, I prefer to let the character of the character emerge from play. Show me who your character is by their deeds, don’t tell me who your character is before we start playing.

I’ll post the character bios here for the next few weeks leading up to Gary Con.

The Leader

You are the last member of a once great family. Your clan’s fortune turned in the interminable intrigues of the Imperial Court. Though you were a decorated officer of the elite Imperial Guard, you were not immune to the purge. Your family was quietly disposed of before you learned of their fate. Seeing your own danger, you fled to the borderlands. You have spent many years wandering the fringes of civilization, serving petty barons and killing monsters. You are well known as a crafty and ruthless mercenary.  A family friend and mentor from your youth has asked you to perform what will likely be your final mission. Lead a team to assassinate the depraved and murderous crown prince. This is your chance for redemption.