I’m planing to use a character with no memories of his past, so my DM can work around the idea of an PC with total amnesia and I working around the information that he gives along the campaign.
This could be fun for the player. Be aware that it's a big burden on the DM to come up with your story for you, on top of everything else they need to do. I probably wouldn't be up for that as DM - it's the kind of thing the DM should propose if it's going to happen.
It has sparked an idea for a campaign though. The whole party has amnesia, and while the player's control the fundamentals of their character - build, personality etc - the backstory of gets created by another player in the group as the campaign goes on. The DM reveals each through play as the campaign progresses.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Sounds tedious for the DM who already has to worry about running encounters, NPCs, story, plot, lore etc.
Take this with a huge grain of salt and do not be discouraged by folks who negativity dismiss your ideas outright.
The correct answer is not to assume that the DM might not like the idea, but that you should talk to your DM and see if this is something they would be interested in. Maybe they would find it tedious—but they might also find it intriguing and a useful way to advance their own campaign goals. Speaking from my own experience as a long-time DM, I rather enjoy when a player leaves some elements of their backstory open-ended—that gives me room for my own machinations.
If your DM is skeptical, you might also want to consider partial amnesia, rather than total as a compromise—perhaps you have some elements of your childhood/adulthood present, etc. That at least gives you something that you can use as the basis of your starting character, and gives your DM a few jumping off points, to reduce the burden on them.
As a DM this is a tough question. Like many others have said, it puts a lot of weight on the DM. Honestly, it depends on your level of friendship and trust with them.
In my current campaign, one player asked if he could have the same thing as a backstory. His warforged character "woke up" after being accidentally repaired in the woods and had no memory other than the next two years living with a halfling family. I said yes, but only because we have known each other for over a decade. I know the kinds of stories he likes, and I know he trusts me to shape his character.
If you don't have that trust, then don't do this. You could easily be set on a path you won't find enjoyable, because you gave up autonomy and the DM decided on something they like.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
First off what level are you starting out as? A very important question because if your starting off at 1st level why even forget anything? You have nothing to forget. If your starting out forgetting several levels of background then what about the rest of your party? Do they off at 1st or 5th like you?
People always try to cram all they can into a back story. Way more life experience than any single 18 year old human will ever get.
Speaking as a DM, I find this idea to be a lot of fun. (One of my players asked for something very similar in my current game.) It gives the DM the ability to tie you in to whatever parts of their worldbuilding they want, and then prod you into digging into it. Players never dig in to your worldbuilding.
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So I have an idea for my next PC… sort of.
I’m planing to use a character with no memories of his past, so my DM can work around the idea of an PC with total amnesia and I working around the information that he gives along the campaign.
Sounds tedious for the DM who already has to worry about running encounters, NPCs, story, plot, lore etc.
This could be fun for the player. Be aware that it's a big burden on the DM to come up with your story for you, on top of everything else they need to do. I probably wouldn't be up for that as DM - it's the kind of thing the DM should propose if it's going to happen.
It has sparked an idea for a campaign though. The whole party has amnesia, and while the player's control the fundamentals of their character - build, personality etc - the backstory of gets created by another player in the group as the campaign goes on. The DM reveals each through play as the campaign progresses.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Take this with a huge grain of salt and do not be discouraged by folks who negativity dismiss your ideas outright.
The correct answer is not to assume that the DM might not like the idea, but that you should talk to your DM and see if this is something they would be interested in. Maybe they would find it tedious—but they might also find it intriguing and a useful way to advance their own campaign goals. Speaking from my own experience as a long-time DM, I rather enjoy when a player leaves some elements of their backstory open-ended—that gives me room for my own machinations.
If your DM is skeptical, you might also want to consider partial amnesia, rather than total as a compromise—perhaps you have some elements of your childhood/adulthood present, etc. That at least gives you something that you can use as the basis of your starting character, and gives your DM a few jumping off points, to reduce the burden on them.
As a DM this is a tough question. Like many others have said, it puts a lot of weight on the DM. Honestly, it depends on your level of friendship and trust with them.
In my current campaign, one player asked if he could have the same thing as a backstory. His warforged character "woke up" after being accidentally repaired in the woods and had no memory other than the next two years living with a halfling family. I said yes, but only because we have known each other for over a decade. I know the kinds of stories he likes, and I know he trusts me to shape his character.
If you don't have that trust, then don't do this. You could easily be set on a path you won't find enjoyable, because you gave up autonomy and the DM decided on something they like.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
It is quite possible that it won't matter at all. There are many games in which character backstory has no bearing on the campaign.
Great GMs incorporate all the aspects of all the PCs into the weave of their campaign and use it to bring the world to life.
I'm just a good GM and 50% of my players don't even give me a backstory.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
I would give you some feedback on this idea, but I forgot what I was going to say.
First off what level are you starting out as?
A very important question because if your starting off at 1st level why even forget anything? You have nothing to forget.
If your starting out forgetting several levels of background then what about the rest of your party? Do they off at 1st or 5th like you?
People always try to cram all they can into a back story. Way more life experience than any single 18 year old human will ever get.
I played a reborn bard with total amnesia. If you find the right DM, it can be a really fun character and story to uncover.
Speaking as a DM, I find this idea to be a lot of fun. (One of my players asked for something very similar in my current game.) It gives the DM the ability to tie you in to whatever parts of their worldbuilding they want, and then prod you into digging into it. Players never dig in to your worldbuilding.