So I've created a Druid character with a complicated background. I'll give a summary of it
Parents were killed in an orc raid at 10, he trained in the weapons of a druid for 11 years, then went off to avenge his parents. He then explored the world, joined the underworld just to see how it worked. Slowly started to get out of that business, but was recruited by the D&D version of the FBI, to take out his boss, other bosses, extremely dangerous criminals, and the like. He is now 25.
In my mind, it makes sense to think my druid should start at a higher level than level 1. But I joined recently so I wanted to consult more experienced players
In my opinion, you’re kinda going about it backwards. Instead of creating a character and writing a backstory and then trying to join a campaign, I find it’s usually better to join a campaign first, write a character that fits that campaign, and then write a backstory to match that character.
Huh, I've never considered that route before. I'll do that with my next character. I'd do that with the druid, but I've spent hours refining it, and I don't want to waste it. Thanks!
Talk to your DM. In situation like these, always talk to your DM.
If everyone is starting at level 1 by default, then it’d be a little unfair to them for you to start out at a higher level. Kinda ruins the fun of it.
Any time you play an experienced character, there’s a chance you might ruin the fun for others. Having a higher level and more experience could be early signs of “Main Character Syndrome,” which is basically where one character is so far ahead of the rest of the party the story just centers on them. A good DM can prevent this from happening, but it’s better to eliminate the possibility altogether by avoiding starting at a higher level.
TLDR: talk to your DM, and if they say yes remember to let others have the spotlight too.
Firstly, the DM determines the level of the game, and all the PCs should be that level. If you were 10 and your allies were level 1, you would just carry them through every combat. That doesn't sound fun for them.
The thing about backstory is that it's just a prologue for the actual story, which is the campaign. What happens during the campaign should be the most exciting and defining moments of your character's life. That's what the game is about.
Not using this backstory would not be "wasting it." The value of that story lies in the fun you had creating it and thinking about it. You have written a story here, but I don't think it's the story you'll be in when you're playing with others unless this was done in collaboration with the DM.
If the game starts at level one, you should bring a backstory of a character with relatively little experience. They may have been mixed up in the underworld, but more as a victim/lackey than an experienced assassin. Later on if the group wants to play a higher-level campaign, your backstory would be good for a game that starts at level 8+. But it's really not going to make sense in a level one game.
Firstly, the DM determines the level of the game, and all the PCs should be that level. If you were 10 and your allies were level 1, you would just carry them through every combat. That doesn't sound fun for them.
The thing about backstory is that it's just a prologue for the actual story, which is the campaign. What happens during the campaign should be the most exciting and defining moments of your character's life. That's what the game is about.
Not using this backstory would not be "wasting it." The value of that story lies in the fun you had creating it and thinking about it. You have written a story here, but I don't think it's the story you'll be in when you're playing with others unless this was done in collaboration with the DM.
If the game starts at level one, you should bring a backstory of a character with relatively little experience. They may have been mixed up in the underworld, but more as a victim/lackey than an experienced assassin. Later on if the group wants to play a higher-level campaign, your backstory would be good for a game that starts at level 8+. But it's really not going to make sense in a level one game.
This is why I say create a character to fit the campaign and then write a backstory that fits that character. Besides, for all you know the campaign will be set in a city and a druid might not be best suited to the campaign, but the party’s missing a rogue or something. Instead of trying to shoehorn in a druid, it would be better to bring a rogue to such a campaign instead. That’s why I always suggest creating one’s character for the campaign it’s gonna be in.
You have invested a lot into this character so it’s understandable that you don’t want to abandon it. So don’t- even the free version of DDB allows you to keep 6 characters so you can keep it for another higher level campaign later.
So I've created a Druid character with a complicated background. I'll give a summary of it
Parents were killed in an orc raid at 10, he trained in the weapons of a druid for 11 years, then went off to avenge his parents. He then explored the world, joined the underworld just to see how it worked. Slowly started to get out of that business, but was recruited by the D&D version of the FBI, to take out his boss, other bosses, extremely dangerous criminals, and the like. He is now 25.
In my mind, it makes sense to think my druid should start at a higher level than level 1. But I joined recently so I wanted to consult more experienced players
Taking this one section at a time that 10 years of Druid training would get the PC to age 21 and Level 1. Avenging his parents might get him to level 3-4 depending on how many orcs he ( and his party) killed. Exploring the world might be another 2 years and 2 levels as a Druid. So 23 and L5-6. Say 2 years as a criminal (one becoming and one removing themselves) moves him to age 25 and Level 7-8. The “FBI” recruitment just happened so no age or levels gained. Now you store the character until you h get into a level 7/8 campaign where the backstory makes sense. In the meantime you roll up a L1 character with a short basic background.
Thank you all for your tips and advice, it's been very helpful. I would never dream of being the main character, because DnD is supposed to be fun for all, not one person.
I have been leaning toward the storing the character for later, and since multiple people suggested it, I will store it and whip up another one.
Again many thanks to you guys
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So I've created a Druid character with a complicated background. I'll give a summary of it
Parents were killed in an orc raid at 10, he trained in the weapons of a druid for 11 years, then went off to avenge his parents. He then explored the world, joined the underworld just to see how it worked. Slowly started to get out of that business, but was recruited by the D&D version of the FBI, to take out his boss, other bosses, extremely dangerous criminals, and the like. He is now 25.
In my mind, it makes sense to think my druid should start at a higher level than level 1. But I joined recently so I wanted to consult more experienced players
Do you intend to play with this character in a party? If so, as a DM, I would not allow the character's backstory to influence their level.
I do plan on playing with it. And thank you.
In my opinion, you’re kinda going about it backwards. Instead of creating a character and writing a backstory and then trying to join a campaign, I find it’s usually better to join a campaign first, write a character that fits that campaign, and then write a backstory to match that character.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Huh, I've never considered that route before. I'll do that with my next character. I'd do that with the druid, but I've spent hours refining it, and I don't want to waste it. Thanks!
Talk to your DM. In situation like these, always talk to your DM.
If everyone is starting at level 1 by default, then it’d be a little unfair to them for you to start out at a higher level. Kinda ruins the fun of it.
Any time you play an experienced character, there’s a chance you might ruin the fun for others. Having a higher level and more experience could be early signs of “Main Character Syndrome,” which is basically where one character is so far ahead of the rest of the party the story just centers on them. A good DM can prevent this from happening, but it’s better to eliminate the possibility altogether by avoiding starting at a higher level.
TLDR: talk to your DM, and if they say yes remember to let others have the spotlight too.
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The Bloody Barnacle | The Gut | The Athene Crusader | The Jewel of Atlantis
Firstly, the DM determines the level of the game, and all the PCs should be that level. If you were 10 and your allies were level 1, you would just carry them through every combat. That doesn't sound fun for them.
The thing about backstory is that it's just a prologue for the actual story, which is the campaign. What happens during the campaign should be the most exciting and defining moments of your character's life. That's what the game is about.
Not using this backstory would not be "wasting it." The value of that story lies in the fun you had creating it and thinking about it. You have written a story here, but I don't think it's the story you'll be in when you're playing with others unless this was done in collaboration with the DM.
If the game starts at level one, you should bring a backstory of a character with relatively little experience. They may have been mixed up in the underworld, but more as a victim/lackey than an experienced assassin. Later on if the group wants to play a higher-level campaign, your backstory would be good for a game that starts at level 8+. But it's really not going to make sense in a level one game.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
This is why I say create a character to fit the campaign and then write a backstory that fits that character. Besides, for all you know the campaign will be set in a city and a druid might not be best suited to the campaign, but the party’s missing a rogue or something. Instead of trying to shoehorn in a druid, it would be better to bring a rogue to such a campaign instead. That’s why I always suggest creating one’s character for the campaign it’s gonna be in.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
You have invested a lot into this character so it’s understandable that you don’t want to abandon it. So don’t- even the free version of DDB allows you to keep 6 characters so you can keep it for another higher level campaign later.
Taking this one section at a time that 10 years of Druid training would get the PC to age 21 and Level 1. Avenging his parents might get him to level 3-4 depending on how many orcs he ( and his party) killed. Exploring the world might be another 2 years and 2 levels as a Druid. So 23 and L5-6. Say 2 years as a criminal (one becoming and one removing themselves) moves him to age 25 and Level 7-8. The “FBI” recruitment just happened so no age or levels gained. Now you store the character until you h get into a level 7/8 campaign where the backstory makes sense. In the meantime you roll up a L1 character with a short basic background.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Thank you all for your tips and advice, it's been very helpful. I would never dream of being the main character, because DnD is supposed to be fun for all, not one person.
I have been leaning toward the storing the character for later, and since multiple people suggested it, I will store it and whip up another one.
Again many thanks to you guys