Before getting into the mechanics of character building, there are a few details about your character that you should think about. Their motivation and high concept are the core of your character’s personality, so make sure to think it over. We’ll go through this on the first session and create characters together, but feel free to read it through earlier to get the creative juices flowing.
Being a team player
Perhaps the most important thing to think about when creating a character is to make them a team player. The rest of the group has to want them in the party.
Motivation
What does your character want? Why do they choose to brave the cold instead of enjoying the warmth and comfort of home? Work with your Dungeon Master to work out any specifics. I strongly recommend using the below table as a starting point. These motivations are particularly well suited for the adventure.
Two motivations on this list have information redacted. They have serious implications for your character, so talk to your DM if they seem interesting.
| d10 | Motivation |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m searching for a missing person who is of great importance to me. They wandered north on an important mission and never returned. |
| 2 | I’ve heard rumors of ancient artifacts being found beyond the mountains. One of them might just give me the power or wealth that I need. |
| 3 | If the cold keeps spreading, it will soon reach my hometown. For the sake of everyone I know and care about, it must be stopped. |
| 4 | Nothing will stop me getting my revenge on the creature that killed one of my loved ones. |
| 5 | Every night I dream of █ ████ ██████ █████ ██████ ██ █ ███████ ████ ████ ████ █████ █ ██████ ███ ██████ ██████ ███████ ███ ██ ███ ██ ████ ██ ███ ██ █████ ██████ ███ ████ ██ ███ ██████ I must seek ███ out. Ask your DM if you’re interested in this redacted motivation, and are ready to face its consequences. |
| 6 | I have a great academic interest in this climate phenomenon. I must research it further. |
| 7 | I owe a lot of money to some very bad people. I’m hoping to find something valuable in the ruins up north to pay off my debt. Even if I don’t, at least they won’t follow me up here. I hope… |
| 8 | I heard that someone slayed a dragon up in the north and brought back its head. I’m going to find and kill an even bigger beast, and become famous across the realm! |
| 9 | ███ █████ has sent me on a ██████ mission ██ ███████████ ███ █████ ██ ███ ███████ ███████████ ███ █████ ██ ████ ██ ██ ███ ██ ████ ██ ███ ██ ███ ██ ███ ███ ██ █████████. Ask your DM if you’re interested in this redacted motivation, and are ready to face its consequences. |
| 0 | Far up in the mountains, there’s a rare flower known for its healing properties. I need it to cure a terrible illness. |
Think about what your motivation says about your personality. For example, wanting to study the cold could stem from a scientific curiosity. Where did you pick that up? If your motivation is to find someone you’ve lost, perhaps you’re afraid to lose your party members as well? Your motivation is a great starting point for developing your personality, and can often extend beyond your concrete goal.
The importance of motivation
Your motivation isn’t just an excuse to go on the adventure; it defines the core of your character’s personality. Think of it as a guideline for all your decisions and role-playing. Make sure to give it some thought, or your character will end up with little character.
High Concept
Fill in the blanks in the following sentence with words that summarize your character, avoiding the name of your character’s class and race.
I’m a _____ _____ who ______.
Famous Examples:
I’m a cowardly knight who runs away, I’m a masked vigilante who’s obsessed with bats, I’m a daring archaeologist who whips people.
Once you have the motivation and high concept, write them at the top of your character sheet so you don’t forget who they are and why they are doing this. For bonus points, have a look at Character Archetypes and see if anything inspires you.
Character seriousness
For this adventure, your character can’t be too silly. Make a fun character, not a joke character. Once you have your concept, ask yourself if your character can partake in a dramatic scene without making it silly. If the answer is yes, they’re probably good!
Choose a Heritage
Now that you’ve read about The World, you’re familiar with three different countries: Thal Borinya, Ankravath, and Ladora. Your character should come from one of these places. No matter which heritage you choose, you know the Thal Borinyan language, which replaces Common.
When choosing your character’s languages, beyond the ones available in the Player’s Handbook, you also have the optinon of choosing Chasi or Ladoran.
Other options
Optionally, your character may come from an unknown land across the eastern sea. This is especially appropriate for any monstrous ancestry that isn’t native to the continent. In that case, your character probably came to the continent through Ankravath. You should also work with your DM to flesh out the details of your homeland.
Choose Defining Life Events
Instead of writing an elaborate backstory (which you are still allowed to do, if you so please), note down 1-3 events from your character’s past that shaped them into who they are. If the motivation and high concept describe what they are, life events explain why. What made your character become a glory-seeking adventurer or a rotten scoundrel? Below are some examples. Use them for inspiration or choose one that aligns your character’s identity.
| d10 | Life event |
|---|---|
| 1 | Financial ruin |
| 2 | Death of a loved one |
| 3 | Discovery of ancient treasure |
| 4 | Natural disaster |
| 5 | Sudden windfall |
| 6 | Crime accusation |
| 7 | Betrayal by a close friend |
| 8 | Unexpected act of heroism |
| 9 | Moving far from hometown |
| 10 | Getting your dream job |
Once you have chosen your events, flesh them out with some details. What was the natural disaster that befell your hometown? What ancient treasure did you discover and how did it affect you? How did it lead to your motivation?
Who Would Play Them in the Movie?
It can be good to have a reference to fall back on when you’re not sure how your character would act. It can also help you flesh out their appearance and mannerisms. One effective way of doing this is to think of who would be a good fit to portray them in a movie? Since there’s no actual movie, historical or fictional people are valid answers.
Give Them a Voice
It can be nice to give your character a distinct voice to help set them apart from yourself. A quick way of doing it is to simply imitate an existing person or character’s voice. If you want to customize your character’s voice further, check out the Character Voice Checklist.
You have reached the end of the Creeping Frost Adventure Primer. Consider yourself primed for adventure!