ridiculously long character survey
"The Character Questionnaire"
Please find below character development questions.
Use this list of questions to construct, or add to, their own character questionnaire. The questions cover different genres and types of details, so feel free to exclude or modify to suit their roleplaying group.
Questions are divided into nine broad categories:
Introduction Questions ↲
Physical Traits ↲
History ↲
Family ↲
Relationships ↲
Personality/Beliefs ↲
Career/Training ↲
Lifestyle/Hobbies ↲
Miscellaneous ↲
Introduction Questions
¤ Give a two or three word description of them. ↔ Ancient-eyed woman.
Immortal soul.
¤ Do they have any nicknames, street names, titles, nom de plume? ↔ The Sage, old lady (from Aoife)
Kae.
¤ What is their full birth name? ↔ Dejana. No family name at the moment.
Kaeryn Eneleith.
¤ Where do they live? ↔ A cabin in the mountains, southeastern Sharime.
¤ Why do they live there? ↔ It's quiet and isolated.
¤ What is their citizenship status? ↔ Born a farmer, now she does whatever she wants. Technically not an official citizen of anywhere.
¤ What is their most obvious blessing or strength? ↔ Wisdom. Attentiveness. She notices everything.
¤ What do they perceive as their greatest strength? ↔ Knowledge. Selflessness.
¤ What is their most obvious flaw or weakness? ↔ She'll give up her life for anyone else without thinking twice, because she sees it as having no value.
¤ What do they perceive as their greatest weakness? ↔ She cares too much about people. It will eventually drive her mad.
¤ Was there any event or cause of these weaknesses? ↔ She, as Kaeryn, has seen almost everything life has to offer, living so many different lives.
Physical Traits
¤ How old are they? ↔ 38
Around 1,500 at this point.
¤ What is their gender? ↔ Female.
Born male, but now genderless. He adjusts to the sex of the body he's given.
¤ What is their species/race? ↔ Human.
Alanae. Genetically advanced human.
¤ How tall are they? ↔ 5' 8" (173 cm)
His original adult body hits about 5' 5". (165 cm)
¤ How much do they weigh? ↔ About 145 lbs. (66 kg)
Roughly 130 lbs (59 kg)
¤ What is their general body type, frame, bone structure, and poise? ↔ She's got slightly bad posture from doing farm work when she was young--she slouches a little. Somewhere between slim and stocky, wide shoulders, a lot of wiry muscle. Her bust is probably a B.
Stocky, decently muscular but not overly so. He stands like he's always ready to move, loose but tense at the same time.
¤ What is their skin colour? ↔ Tanned. (yeah, the pb doesn't show it.) Spends a lot of time outside, so it shows.
Fairly pale, but not unhealthily so. It tans to a warm color.
¤ What is their hair colour? ↔ Dark brown, a little lighter with highlights from the sun.
Dirty blond.
¤ What is their hair style? ↔ It has a wave to it, and she keeps it long, tying it in a tail over one shoulder. Sometimes she french braids it to keep it out of her face.
Long, with chin-length bangs framing his face. Tied at the back of his neck.
¤ Do they have any facial hair? ↔ Nope.
He can grow a little, but usually stays clean-shaven.
¤ What is their eye colour? ↔ A sort of greyish-cloudy blue. It was an anomaly in her village, a nod to Kinuan ancestry.
An unnaturally bright blue-green.
¤ Does it change? ↔ Nope.
And nope.
¤ How attractive are they? ↔ Somewhere in the middle. She doesn't make an effort too "look good", seeing very little point in it, and she's not eye candy by any means, but not unpleasant to look at either.
Fairly, though some people see his height as a strike against him. Despite his body type his facial features are a little delicate and not terribly masculine.
¤ What is their most distinguishing feature? ↔ Her eyes, and her height. Most women where she's from don't get far past 5' 3".
His eyes.
¤ Do they have any scars, tattoos, or birthmarks? If so, how did they acquire them? ↔ She's got plenty of little scars all over from things like small farming accidents, falling down as a child, etc. Nothing major.
Nothing at the moment.
¤ What is their handedness (left/right/ambidextrous)? ↔ Right-handed, though somewhat ambidextrous.
Born left-handed.
¤ What is their hand size/description? ↔ She has long fingers, and her palms are calloused, knuckles covered in small scars.
Proportional to his body, sort of medium-sized, with some old callouses from learning to use a sword.
¤ Do they resemble some currently known person? ↔ Uhhh aside from her PB being SMG--it's the closest to my mental image of her I could find--nope.
And no.
¤ Do they wear a uniform? ↔ No on both counts.
¤ What kind of clothing do they wear? ↔ Heavy woven stuff, some of it she made herself, mostly in earth tones. Furs in the winter. Her sash is the only colorful thing; she received the three strips of cloth from a family whose sick child she cured. She wears sturdy leather boots, and arm wraps.
Loose, plain things: a tunic-like shirt, sash, pants. Bandages on his upper arms.
¤ What is their clothing's style or level of sophistication? ↔ Homely. She doesn't really care, as long as it holds up under wear and tear.
¤ What size are they for various pieces of clothing? ↔ A large by modern standards? (12-14 idek)
¤ Do they wear makeup? ↔ Nah.
¤ Do they wear glasses/contacts? ↔ No.
¤ What sort of vocal tone do they have? ↔ Her voice is low and slightly husky, usually warm and personal. She frequently sounds amused; it can be hard to tell if she's being serious or not. However, if the situation calls for it, she can sound very stern and commanding.
¤ Do they get sick? ↔ Not in the traditional sense. Her power absorbs diseases and then gives her body the natural immunity it would get by battling them itself.
History
¤ Where is their homeland? ↔
¤ What are its people like? ↔
¤ Are they aware of its history? ↔
¤ Are they patriotic or a social outcast? ↔
¤ What are their opinion of home? ↔
¤ Where is their home town? ↔
¤ What was the area like and how did it affect them? ↔
¤ Did they witness any historical events? ↔
¤ If so, how did that event impact them? ↔
¤ Are their real reasons for becoming (a killer) different from what they tell others? ↔
¤ If so, how might such secrets be revealed? ↔
¤ How far would they go to keep such secrets from being revealed? What would they do if the truth became known? ↔
¤ What do they fear would occur if the truth became known? ↔
¤ Do they have any particularly high or low ability scores? ↔
¤ What about their race, growing up were they in the majority or a minority? ↔
¤ How were they treated by other nearby races? ↔
¤ Did this impact their outlook or personality in any way? ↔
¤ How do they feel about other races? ↔
¤ Were there any traumatic experiences in their early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)? ↔
¤ Briefly describe a defining moment in their childhood and how it influenced their life. ↔
¤ What was childhood like for them? Was it calm and peaceful or turbulent and traumatic? ↔
¤ Did they have any childhood friends? ↔
¤ What stupid things did they do when they were younger? ↔
¤ Which toys from their childhood have they kept? ↔
¤ Do they have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt them? ↔
¤ What conflicts might arise from their past? ↔
¤ Are they who they claim to be? ↔
¤ Do they have any sort of criminal record? ↔
¤ How do they view the heroes/legends of their country? ↔
Family
¤ Who were their parents? ↔
¤ Were they raised by them? ↔
¤ If not, then why didn't they and who did raise them? ↔
¤ What is their father's full name? ↔
¤ What is their mother's full name? ↔
¤ What is their mother's maiden name? ↔
¤ What did their parents and/or foster parents do for a living? ↔
¤ What was their standing in the community? ↔
¤ Did their family stay in one area or move around a lot? ↔
¤ How did they get along with their parents? ↔
¤ How would their parents describe them? Answer this in the voice of their mother, then in their father's. ↔
¤ Do they have any siblings? ↔
¤ If so how many and what were their names? ↔
¤ What was their birth position in the family? ↔
¤ How did they get along with each of their siblings? ↔
¤ What was their family life like? ↔
¤ List all current knowledge of family locations, spouses, children, birth dates, schooling and any important incidents that only they and they might remember. ↔
¤ Are any or all of their family still alive? ↔
¤ Do they stay in touch with them or have they become estranged? ↔
¤ Do they love or hate one member of the family in particular? ↔
¤ Is any member of the family special to they in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)? ↔
¤ Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including them)? ↔
¤ Do they have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? ↔
¤ What do people assume about them once their ancestry is revealed? ↔
¤ Have they begun their own family? ↔
¤ If not, do they ever want to have a family of their own someday? ↔
¤ What type of person would be their ideal mate? ↔
¤ What would they be willing to do to protect such a person? ↔
Relationships
¤ Do they have any close friends? ↔
¤ If so, what are they like? ↔
¤ What is the history of their relationship(s) with them? ↔
¤ Do they currently have a best friend whom they would protect with their reputation or their life? ↔
¤ If so, who are they and what caused they to feel so close to them? What would have to happen for them to end this relationship? ↔
¤ Do they have any bitter enemies? ↔
¤ Have they defeated them before?
¤ How might these enemies seek to discomfit they in the future? ↔
¤ What valuable or important contacts do they have? ↔
¤ How did they come to know them? ↔
¤ Which person(s) or group(s) are they most loyal to? ↔
¤ List any past serious relationships that they have had, and give a brief overview of the relationship(s). ↔
¤ How do they think others generally perceive them? ↔
¤ If someone crossed their path, what would they do? ↔
¤ Who is their most trusted ally? ↔
¤ Who do they trust, in general? ↔
¤ Who do they despise and why? ↔
¤ Name seven things they hate in others. ↔
¤ Is their image consistent? ↔
¤ Do different people see them in similar ways? ↔
¤ Do they deliberately present themselves differently in different situations, and how? ↔
¤ What would they die for? ↔
¤ Who would they go to extremes for? ↔
¤ Who do they turn to when they're in trouble? ↔
¤ What is the worst thing someone has done to them? ↔
¤ What is their general reaction to an attractive member of the opposite sex who lets them know they are available? ↔
¤ How do they get along with others in the same field and/or work environment? ↔
¤ How can they be blackmailed, beaten, and tricked (by PCs or NPCs)? ↔
¤ Have they lost any loves? ↔
¤ How did they handle the situation (short & long term)? ↔
¤ Who would miss they should they go missing? ↔
¤ Who might protect they? ↔
¤ Who might be convinced to sell they out? ↔
¤ How close are they to their friends? ↔
¤ What do they know about they? ↔
¤ What do they not know about they? ↔
¤ What do they know and not know about them? ↔
¤ Do they live with anyone (housemates, roommates, relatives, friends, near-strangers, family friend, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, lover)? ↔
¤ Are they a member of any special interest groups? ↔
¤ What is their level of involvement? ↔
¤ What is their current status with local law-enforcement? ↔
¤ Do they have a record of cooperation or non-cooperation with authorities? ↔
¤ Do they have a file with local, national or international law enforcement? ↔
Personality/Beliefs
¤ Do they, or did they, have any role models? ↔
¤ Do they have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend? ↔
¤ If so, have they ever met them? ↔
¤ Did they ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? ↔ If so, why and what were the circumstances? ↔
¤ When did they decide to become an adventurer? ↔
¤ Why have they chosen to risk their life as a career? ↔
¤ What do they expect to get out of being an adventurer (satisfaction, glory, money, redemption, etc.)? What, if anything, would make they stop adventuring (death of a loved one, marriage, mutilation, money, position, old age, etc.)? ↔
¤ Do they have any dreams or ambitions? ↔
¤ If not, why? ↔
¤ How does adventuring fit into this dream, or does it at all? ↔
¤ What are their short term goals (what would they like to be doing within a year)? ↔
¤ What are their long term goals (what would they like to be doing twenty years from now)? ↔
¤ If these goals seem at odds with each other, or with their dreams, how do they reconcile the differences? ↔
¤ How do they seek to fulfill these dreams, goals, & ambitions? ↔
¤ Do they have any great rational or irrational fears or phobias? ↔ If so, what are the origins of, or reasons behind them? ↔
¤ What, if anything, would it take for them to be able to overcome this? ↔
¤ How do they react when this fear manifests itself? ↔
¤ Are they willing to discuss, or even admit to, the situation? ↔
¤ What are their attitudes regarding material wealth? ↔
¤ Are they miserly with their share of the wealth, or do they spend it freely? ↔
¤ Are they greedy or generous? ↔
¤ Do they see wealth as a mark of success, or just as a means to an end? ↔
¤ How do they generally treat others? ↔
¤ Do they trust easily (perhaps too easily) or not? ↔
¤ Are they introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? ↔
¤ Are they a humble soul or blusteringly proud? ↔
¤ Do they act differently than they feel (concealing their true thoughts)? ↔
¤ What habits would they find most annoying in friends? ↔
¤ Is there any race, creed, alignment, religion, class, profession, political viewpoint, or the like against which they are strongly prejudiced, and why? ↔
¤ How do others typically react to them? ↔
¤ Why, in their opinion, do they act that way? ↔
¤ What are their most annoying habits? ↔
¤ What is their favourite food? ↔
¤ What is their favourite drink? ↔
¤ What is their favourite treat (desert)? ↔
¤ Do they favour a particular cuisine? ↔
¤ Do they savor the tastes when eating or "wolf down" their food? ↔
¤ Do they like food mild or heavily spiced? ↔
¤ Are there any specific foodstuffs that they find disgusting or refuse to eat? ↔
¤ Are they allergic to any food? ↔
¤ What are their favourite colour(s)? ↔
¤ Is there any colour that they dislike? ↔
¤ Do they have a favourite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument? ↔
¤ What is their favourite song? ↔
¤ If they have a favourite scent, what is it? ↔
¤ What is their favourite type of animal? ↔
¤ Do they have an animal totem or affinity, and if so for what? ↔
¤ Is there a certain type of animal that they hate or fear? ↔
¤ Are they allergic to any kinds of animals? ↔
¤ Do they have any allergies? ↔
¤ Is there anything that enrages them? ↔
¤ Is there anything which embarrasses they? ↔
¤ How do they react to being teased about it? ↔
¤ Do they enjoy "roughing it", or do they prefer their creature comforts? ↔
¤ Do they believe in the gods? ↔
¤ Do they have a patron deity? ↔
¤ Are they devout or impious? ↔
¤ Do they actively worship and proselytize or do they simply pay lip service? ↔
¤ What lengths would they go to defend their faith? ↔
¤ Was their faith influenced or molded by anyone special? ↔
¤ Do they belong to the orthodox church, or a fringe element thereof (and is the group accepted, frowned upon, or considered heretics)? ↔
¤ How has this impacted their faith and life? ↔
¤ Is their church an accepted religion where they grew up or did it have to conduct its services in secret? ↔
¤ How did this affect their faith and life? ↔
¤ Have they ever been persecuted for their faith? ↔
¤ If so, when and how did they handle it? ↔
¤ Can they kill? ↔
¤ When did they decide (or learn) that they could? ↔
¤ What happened and how did they handle it? ↔
¤ When do they consider it okay to kill (under what circumstances)? ↔
¤ When do they consider it wrong to kill (under what circumstances)? ↔
¤ What would they do if someone else attempted to (or successfully did) kill under their "wrong" circumstances, what would be their reaction? ↔
¤ What if it were their enemy? ↔
¤ What if it were their friend? ↔
¤ What if it were an innocent? ↔
¤ What if the opponent were not in control of their own actions (under duress, charmed, dominated, possessed)? ↔
¤ What would they do if someone shot at (attacked) they? ↔
¤ What would they do if something were stolen from they? ↔
¤ What would they do if they were badly insulted publicly? ↔
¤ What would they do if a good friend or relative were killed by means other than natural death? ↔
¤ What is the one task they would absolutely refuse to do? ↔
¤ What do they consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why? ↔
¤ How do they feel about government (rulers) in general? ↔
¤ Why do they feel that way? ↔
¤ Do they support the current government of their homeland? ↔
¤ If so, how far are they willing to go to defend the government? If not, do they actively oppose it? ↔
¤ Do they belong to an anti-government organization? ↔
¤ If so, describe the group and its aims.
¤ What form of government do they believe is the best (democracy, monarchy, anarchy, aristocratic rule, oligarchy, matriarchy) and why? ↔
¤ Have they ever been persecuted for their political stance? ↔
¤ If so, describe the occurrence and how it affected they? ↔
¤ Are they a member of any non-religious group, cause, order, or organization? ↔
¤ If so describe it, its goals, and membership. ↔
¤ How loyal are they to this group and why? ↔
¤ How did they become a member? ↔
¤ If they are a former member, did they leave voluntarily or involuntarily and why? ↔
¤ Was it under good (amicable) conditions or bad? ↔
¤ Are they being sought or hunted by the organization? ↔
¤ If so, by whom and with what intent (to murder they, to force their return through blackmail or coercion, to spy on they and make sure they do not reveal any of the groups secrets)? ↔
¤ Do they have any unusual habits or dominant personality traits that are evident to others? ↔
¤ If so, describe them and how they acquired them, as well as when they might be more noticeable and what causes them. ↔
¤ How do they react if made fun of for any of these things? ↔
¤ Do they have any unusual or nervous mannerisms, such as when talking, thinking, afraid, under stress, or when embarrassed? ↔
¤ If so, are there any reasons behind them from their past? ↔
¤ Do they have an unusual gait or accent? ↔
¤ If so, where did they acquire them? ↔
¤ Are there any circumstances where they become more (or less) evident? ↔
¤ How do they feel and react if made fun of for any of these things? ↔
¤ What is their favourite colour? ↔
¤ What place would they most like to visit? ↔
¤ What annoys they the most? ↔
¤ What (if any) are their favourite forms of art? ↔
¤ What is their most treasured possession? ↔
¤ What things could he/ she not live without? ↔
¤ Do they have a good luck charm? ↔
¤ If their life were to end in 24 hours, what 5 things would they do in those remaining hours? ↔
¤ Do they have a "Black-and-White" view of reality or can they see shades of grey? ↔
¤ Do they prefer to tear down or build up? ↔
¤ Are they deliberate or spontaneous? ↔
¤ Do they prefer the town or the country? ↔
¤ If made to decide, would they rather be deaf or blind? Why? ↔
¤ How do they feel about magic, myth, and the supernatural? ↔
¤ Do they remember their dreams? ↔
¤ Describe a typical dream they might have. ↔
¤ Describe their worst nightmares. ↔
Career/Training
¤ Where and how were they educated? ↔
¤ Who trained they in their class or job? ↔
¤ What was their relationship with their teacher(s)/mentor(s)? ↔
¤ How did they happen across this teacher or mentor? ↔
¤ Was their mentor kind, stern, cruel, indifferent? ↔
¤ Is this person or institution still in existence? ↔
¤ Were they forced into their profession by parents or peers? ↔
¤ Did circumstances dictate their choice of profession? ↔
¤ Were they a prize student or did they just barely pass? ↔
¤ Look at their skills. How did they acquire them (especially the unusual ones)? ↔
¤ Have they ever done anything else for a living? ↔
¤ How do they function in combat (maneuvers, weaknesses)? ↔
¤ How would they best be defeated? ↔
¤ Have they ever received any awards or honours? ↔
¤ What have they done that was considered "outstanding" in their occupation by others in their field? ↔
¤ What are their long-term goals in work? ↔
¤ Describe any traumatic experiences in their present occupation that has affected they deeply in some way. ↔
¤ How do their relatives and friends view their present occupation? ↔
¤ Is there anything that they don't currently know how to do that they wish they could? ↔
¤ Are they envious of others who can do such things in a good-natured way or are they sullen and morose about it? ↔
Lifestyle/Hobbies
¤ What is their normal daily routine? ↔
¤ How do they feel and react when this routine is interrupted for some reason? ↔
¤ What are their hobbies when they are not adventuring or training? ↔
¤ What would they do if they had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse theirself? ↔
¤ What do they do for relaxation? ↔ What things do they do for enjoyment? ↔ What interests do they have? ↔
¤ How do they normally dress when not in their adventuring gear? ↔
¤ Do they like to dress up or down to relax? ↔
¤ Do they have a look or style? If so, describe it. ↔
¤ What do they normally wear in bed at home? ↔
¤ What do they normally wear in bed while adventuring? ↔
¤ Do they wear any identifiable jewelry? ↔
¤ Where do they normally put their weapons, magic items, or other valuables when they are sleeping? ↔
¤ What morning or evening routines do they normally have? ↔
¤ Do these change when they are adventuring? ↔
¤ What pastime (that they participate in regularly) gives they the most enjoyment? ↔
¤ What pastime (that they participate in regularly) gives they the least enjoyment? ↔
¤ Do they read the newspaper? ↔
¤ If so, which sections and how often? ↔
¤ Travel: how do they get around locally? ↔
¤ What is their idea of a good evening's entertainment? ↔
¤ Do they get seasick, airsick, motion sick (auto or animal)? ↔
¤ Do they like riding animals? ↔
¤ Any fears in traveling? ↔
¤ What sorts of general belongings or equipment do they take when traveling? ↔
¤ What are their hangout places? ↔
¤ Do they go to a bar after work? ↔
¤ Do they play pool? ↔
¤ Do they go dancing? ↔ Who goes with they? ↔
¤ What do they read? Scientific textbooks, historical novels, myths and legends, maps, cookbooks, romances, news magazines, science fiction, fantasy, horror, the newspaper, short stories? ↔
¤ What music do they like? ↔
¤ Do they have a favourite artist, band or bard? ↔
¤ Will they listen to or sing the same songs over and over, or does it drive they nuts when people do that? ↔
¤ How do they exercise? Work out at the gym, walk in the morning, run marathons, play sports, couch potato? ↔
¤ Where do they live? ↔
¤ Do they rent or own? ↔
¤ Apartment, house or castle? ↔
¤ How close are the neighbors? ↔
¤ Is it a good neighborhood? ↔
¤ What colour is the house? ↔
¤ Which floor are they on? ↔
¤ Do they have a lawn? ↔
¤ What about a flower garden? ↔
¤ Does their house have an attic or basement? ↔
¤ What does their furniture look like? ↔
¤ Do they buy antiques? ↔
¤ What are their walls covered with? Wallpaper, art, photos? ↔
¤ What sorts of curtains do they have? ↔ Frilly lacy ones, Venetian blinds, pull-down shades? ↔
¤ Do they keep their house clean? ↔
¤ Is it dusty? ↔
¤ Is the bathtub moldy or coated in rust? ↔
¤ Do they clean it herself? ↔
¤ What do their desk or workspace look like? Small and cramped, huge and expansive, covered in drifts of books and papers? Neatly ordered and clean? ↔
¤ Can they find what they're looking for when they need it? ↔
¤ What colour are their sheets? ↔
¤ Satin or cotton? ↔
¤ Patterned with flowers, or covered with pictures of toy robots? ↔
¤ What sorts of food do they eat? ↔
¤ Do they cook their own dinners? ↔
¤ Are they a good cook, a gourmet, or a terrible cook? ↔
¤ Do they eat out? ↔
¤ Are they on a diet? ↔
¤ Where do they vacation, and how often? ↔
¤ Do they have any pets? ↔
¤ Do they keep a calendar or address book? ↔
¤ Where do they keep it? ↔
¤ Do they have a Will? ↔
¤ What does it say? ↔
Miscellaneous
¤ What would they like to be remembered for after their death? ↔
¤ What kind of threat do they present to the public? ↔
¤ If their features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying their body? ↔
¤ How much is a pint of mead? ↔
¤ As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed their advice... ↔