This really could be for any player, but for now I want to limit it to Adventure League players.
Per the AL_FAQ 8.2:
You may (and really should) use these tables to your heart’s content. However, you may only use the Life Events table once, and must roll on its associated tables; you may not choose the result.
However, I find that much of it is pointless.
Adventure League play means you go through pre-generated dungeons with little room for variation. I'm sure a DM could say, "Oh by the way, the bad guy at the end of this adventure is actually your nemesis." But that doesn't really add anything. So rolling for your past will have little outcome on your adventuring career.
Since the system is designed so that players can go from table to table, there is little incentive for a DM to incorporate all this into the story line as any given player may or may not be around for any future sessions.
On a more personal note, I develop pretty good backgrounds for all of my characters; NONE OF WHICH have even come close to what is possible to be rolled. (A fighter that was trapped on an alternate plane for years driving him mad; a lizardfolk turned cleric of light because a deity gave him the power to see in the darkness; a warlock whose patron helps him be a con artist by beguiling minds). So rolling actually HURTS the backstories I've already created.
But then some situations give boons to players. Nothing great; sometimes a few extra coins to start out with. If you're lucky, a common magic item.
But once again AL is really shooting itself in the foot.
They encourage people to use the "This is my life" section, but only if they roll for everything and accept the results.
But if you're already creative, the "This is my life" kills the "life" I already designed for your character.
Which means creative player can not use "This is my life" or else it would break their already existing narrative.
Which also means that as a penalty for being creative, I can never get any of the boons (or penalties) listed. No extra gold, no magic items, no free horse... nothing.
Seems like it would make more sense to allow new players to just roll on a simpler table to say, "Here is your starting boon; incorporate it into your own backstory."
This is mostly a rant, but I'd also like to hear other people's opinion about whether or not they have used the "This is my life" system and if it adds any value.
However, you may only use the Life Events table once, and must roll on its associated tables; you may not choose the result.
How is this even enforceable, the whole reason you don't roll HP or stats is for consistent fair values. There is no way to prevent someone from choosing and no way to verify rolls.
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This really could be for any player, but for now I want to limit it to Adventure League players.
Per the AL_FAQ 8.2:
However, I find that much of it is pointless.
Adventure League play means you go through pre-generated dungeons with little room for variation. I'm sure a DM could say, "Oh by the way, the bad guy at the end of this adventure is actually your nemesis." But that doesn't really add anything. So rolling for your past will have little outcome on your adventuring career.
Since the system is designed so that players can go from table to table, there is little incentive for a DM to incorporate all this into the story line as any given player may or may not be around for any future sessions.
On a more personal note, I develop pretty good backgrounds for all of my characters; NONE OF WHICH have even come close to what is possible to be rolled. (A fighter that was trapped on an alternate plane for years driving him mad; a lizardfolk turned cleric of light because a deity gave him the power to see in the darkness; a warlock whose patron helps him be a con artist by beguiling minds). So rolling actually HURTS the backstories I've already created.
But then some situations give boons to players. Nothing great; sometimes a few extra coins to start out with. If you're lucky, a common magic item.
But once again AL is really shooting itself in the foot.
Seems like it would make more sense to allow new players to just roll on a simpler table to say, "Here is your starting boon; incorporate it into your own backstory."
This is mostly a rant, but I'd also like to hear other people's opinion about whether or not they have used the "This is my life" system and if it adds any value.
However, you may only use the Life Events table once, and must roll on its associated tables; you may not choose the result.
How is this even enforceable, the whole reason you don't roll HP or stats is for consistent fair values. There is no way to prevent someone from choosing and no way to verify rolls.