RPG Backstory Template
RPG Backstory Template
Backstory Template
Credits Foreword
Author, Designer, Editor, Layout, and Cover Design: A reoccurring gripe I hear from game masters is that
Luke Hart they can’t get their players to make backstories for
their characters. And then, of course, there are players
Game Master Resources who want to make backstories—if for no other reason
than to get their game masters to stop bothering
Lair Magazine – I publish a monthly RPG magazine them—but they don’t know where to start.
chocked full of GM resources such as 5e adventures,
magic items, monsters, encounters, adventure ideas, This backstory template aims to end these issues.
and traps. Herein you will not find an extensive treatise on how
The DM Lair Store – Previously published issues of to write perfect, work-of-art backstories. Nor will game
Lair Magazine and other GM resources are available masters discover the ultimate bribe (or threat) to get
here. their players to make backstories.
The DM Lair YouTube Channel – I create weekly However, I think that I might be able to give you a
videos with practical information game masters can silver bullet—that is, a quick and easy way for players
use at their game tables. to make backstories. And a suggestion for game
masters to make sure it happens.
My Discord Server – Join a community of game
masters focused on helping each other run awesome
games. Why Backstories?
You may already know this, but there are two main
Support My Work reasons for RPG players to create backstories for
their characters:
The DM Lair Patreon – The best way to support my
work is to join me on Patreon, where you’ll also get For players, backstories help them role-play their
even more GM resources every month! characters better.
For game masters, backstories help them personalize
Contact the Author their campaigns for their players while generating
interesting plot hooks based on their backstories that
will appeal to them.
Email: [email protected]
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Maeve Byrne (Order #42367394)
character name
Where was the character born? Where did they grow up?
Who are the character’s parents and what are their occupations? Are the parents still alive? If so, where are they and
what are they doing?
Why did the character leave their previous life and become an adventurer?
What did the character leave behind? What do they miss? What do they not miss?
What does the character want? What is the character willing to do to achieve these goals? What is the character not
willing to do?
What is the one temptation that would cause the character to “fall from grace”?