Character Background

When a player has selected a personality type for his character, he can individualize him further by making decisions about his appearance, his interests, his family, and other details about his background. This information does not need to be recorded on the character sheet, but the player is certainly allowed to do so. The more a player knows about his character, the more he will seem like a real person and be more fun to play. Here are just a few of the many details to consider.

Name: Some wizards prefer exotic names that add to their reputations as men of mystery. Such a name is sometimes a modification of the wizard's real name, such as "Brindon" for a wizard whose real name is "Benbrindon Swule. " Alternately, a wizard might make up a new name for himself; for instance, Benbrindon Swule might decide to call himself "Antra," an arcane term meaning "Champion of the Dawn. " Many wizards also add an adjective to their names to declare their importance to the world, such as "Brindon the Dark" or "Antra the Magnificent. "

Age: Think about the wizard's age and how it might influence his outlook and attitudes. Older wizards tend to be wiser and slower, while younger wizards are more energetic and impulsive. Wizards frequently have long careers; human wizards can be active well into their 80s and beyond. However, it is unusual for a novice wizard to be younger than 20 or so, since magical training can take many years.

Physical Appearance: What does the wizard look like? How tall is he? How much does he weigh? What color are his hair and eyes? Does he have any interesting birthmarks? Scars? How did he get them?

Mannerisms: Often a wizard has a unique physical quirk, eccentric behavior, or habitual expression that sets him apart from the crowd. Does the wizard rub his chin when he's thinking? Does he always sleep on his back? Does he pick his teeth with his fingernail?

Beliefs: Is the wizard religious? Is his outlook on life generally positive, or is he a pessimist by nature? Is he superstitious? Does he have any phobias?

Birthplace and Nationality: The wizard's birthplace reflects his cultural heritage, which in turn influences the way he looks at the world. Is he upper class (or the equivalent)? Middle class? Born in poverty?

Family: What were the wizard's parents like? Did they encourage him to be a wizard, or are they ashamed of his avocation? Was the wizard an orphan (and if so, has he learned why he was abandoned)? Does he have brothers and sisters? Is he still close to them? If not, what happened?

Birthright: Does the wizard have a special birthright, such as a family heirloom or a share of the family holdings? Does he stand to inherit this birthright when he reaches a certain age or achieves a certain goal?

Education: Where did the wizard receive his magical training? Did he attend a prestigious academy? Was he taught by a mentor? Several mentors? Is he on good terms with them, or are they estranged? If so, what happened?

Career: Unless the wizard is independently wealthy, depends on the kindness of strangers, or lives like a hermit, he probably has some way to earn a living. In many cases, a wizard's school of specialization will suggest a career; for instance, a diviner could probably earn a good living as a fortune teller. Otherwise, the character can pick any career or vocation that seems reasonable and doesn't contradict his upbringing. (See the following section for suggestions.)

Clothing: You can tell a lot about a person by the way he dresses. A wizard favoring dark robes suggests a conservative personality, while a wizard wearing glittering shirts and multi-colored trousers is probably as flamboyant as his clothing.

Likes and Dislikes: Does the wizard have a favorite food? A favorite drink? Does he like music, books, or art? What types? What does he do for fun? Is he a sportsman? A gambler? A collector?

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