An infant orphan who got adopted and raised in a monastery in a far land. Trained there, got to adventures by their name, and protected villages with the monks and allies. After an adventure that got longer than needed, he came back to the monastery with an ally npc from the monastery, and found out that there was a horrid battle against a militia led by an ex member of the monastery. Most of the monks and residents were slaughtered and builds were shattered and burned. The rest blamed the monk and the npc to know the attack and fled from the battle, or the attackers followed them. After a while in exile, their ways got apart and he traveled north to find himself. For some time, he traveled with a nomadic circus as an acrobat performer. Now seeking to protect innocents, as he couldn't protect his mates in the monastery. He is a vigilante when needed now. He is a rival to another member of the monastery, who competed with him on the title of being the successor master and for the approval of the head master. After the battle and exile of my character, the rival got the position.
Seems like a pretty standard adventurer background, albeit with a monk twist (instead of parents being killed it was the whole monastery, e.t.c). I'd say try to find some non- tragic aspects of your character to flesh out.
Do they love to cook? Are they afraid of heights? Any just regular old friends that they have? Are they curious about their birth parents? You have the clear motivations and allies/ enemies lined up for the character, but not much about their personality or how they'd interact with the world, at least from what I can tell.
Seems like a pretty standard adventurer background, albeit with a monk twist (instead of parents being killed it was the whole monastery, e.t.c). I'd say try to find some non- tragic aspects of your character to flesh out.
Do they love to cook? Are they afraid of heights? Any just regular old friends that they have? Are they curious about their birth parents? You have the clear motivations and allies/ enemies lined up for the character, but not much about their personality or how they'd interact with the world, at least from what I can tell.
Yeah, he has relations:
He has some friends he got while traveling and one from the monastery (ex gf/lover). He also has a rival, not a villain, but someone who competes with him on his goals, the successor.
And he also has many traits:
-Uncomfortable around aasimars, too perfect, arrogant and beautiful. Met few in adventure quests.
-Shy, shows social regression after the exile, yet wants and needs company and friends. He is very forward with intention on subject. Fast and forward.
-Has a strong sense of moral and code, kills honorably, yet uses what necessary to protect innocents and destroy evil. This creates inner demons on how to fight and when to cross lines.
-Likes more the countryside and nature rather than the big cities.
-Other hobbies: dancing, mind games, cooking, crafting.
That sounds like all you need to me. Backstory should inform who your character is and give them a motivation for adventuring, and beyond that you mostly want your character's story to unfold during the adventure, rather than before it. This already has all the elements of a good backstory and I don't think it needs a lot added. Your DM might come up with some stuff to tie it into their setting or adventure, but that's really all you need.
My complaint with this and many other such back stories - look at all of the effective adventuring you have built into that back story, by the time he starts out as a L1 monk all that history should have him as somewhere between a L5 and L9 monk. A L1 monk is probably best represented irl by a 1st degree black belt - all basic skills learned ( in non belt systems he has changed from a student of the art to a “ prophet” able to teach basics but has not yet learned all he needs to be a master. I would eliminate all of the pre-temple wipeout outside actions and have him been a survivor of the fight at the temple who is now “on the run” from those that assaulted the temple. If that includes a monk that turned traitor allowing the attackers in that is fine ( yes I know the wing chun origin story too). If this background is for a higher level monk then it’s ok.
My complaint with this and many other such back stories - look at all of the effective adventuring you have built into that back story, by the time he starts out as a L1 monk all that history should have him as somewhere between a L5 and L9 monk. A L1 monk is probably best represented irl by a 1st degree black belt - all basic skills learned ( in non belt systems he has changed from a student of the art to a “ prophet” able to teach basics but has not yet learned all he needs to be a master. I would eliminate all of the pre-temple wipeout outside actions and have him been a survivor of the fight at the temple who is now “on the run” from those that assaulted the temple. If that includes a monk that turned traitor allowing the attackers in that is fine ( yes I know the wing chun origin story too). If this background is for a higher level monk then it’s ok.
It sounds like this campaign might not be starting at level 1. In my experience, most don't, since players and DM's wanna skip to the good stuff. This might be a generous backstory for a level 3 character (which I think of more as the typical starting level), but they could even be starting higher than that.
It's good, but it needs more NPCs to make it personal. Like did he have a favorite sensei or a best friend he grew up with? Did they have special fates in the raid, like maybe one of them was not killed, but instead captured (potential plot hook for your DM later).
It's good, but it needs more NPCs to make it personal. Like did he have a favorite sensei or a best friend he grew up with? Did they have special fates in the raid, like maybe one of them was not killed, but instead captured (potential plot hook for your DM later).
He has about 3 allies npcs, 1 rival and 1 main villain
An infant orphan who got adopted and raised in a monastery in a far land. Trained there, got to adventures by their name, and protected villages with the monks and allies. After an adventure that got longer than needed, he came back to the monastery with an ally npc from the monastery, and found out that there was a horrid battle against a militia led by an ex member of the monastery. Most of the monks and residents were slaughtered and builds were shattered and burned. The rest blamed the monk and the npc to know the attack and fled from the battle, or the attackers followed them. After a while in exile, their ways got apart and he traveled north to find himself. For some time, he traveled with a nomadic circus as an acrobat performer. Now seeking to protect innocents, as he couldn't protect his mates in the monastery. He is a vigilante when needed now. He is a rival to another member of the monastery, who competed with him on the title of being the successor master and for the approval of the head master. After the battle and exile of my character, the rival got the position.
Should I add flavor? Any ideas?
Sounds like a start for a Lawful Good Monk if you add in the traits you spoke of in your second post. Seems like basic setup information. But what is your motivation or drive to meet up with your party? Why would your character travel with a group of strangers or friends for the adventure your DM will present? What brought him to circus life and how long does he stay there? What was your relationship with the rival, and maybe flesh that out a little more? Who is left at the monastery that holds your character's interest? Or is the interest power or does he just want to avenge his fallen brothers for the sake of vengeance? I just can't feel a lot of motivation. It seems a bit short and quick when figuring out the characters need to protect others. Flesh that out with a vision of where you came from, what you want, and where do you want to be in the future. You have the subtle beginnings of a Steven Segal film, but you could easily flesh it out to a Bruce Lee movie.
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I am not sure what my Spirit Animal is. But whatever that thing is, I am pretty sure it has rabies!
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An infant orphan who got adopted and raised in a monastery in a far land. Trained there, got to adventures by their name, and protected villages with the monks and allies. After an adventure that got longer than needed, he came back to the monastery with an ally npc from the monastery, and found out that there was a horrid battle against a militia led by an ex member of the monastery. Most of the monks and residents were slaughtered and builds were shattered and burned. The rest blamed the monk and the npc to know the attack and fled from the battle, or the attackers followed them. After a while in exile, their ways got apart and he traveled north to find himself. For some time, he traveled with a nomadic circus as an acrobat performer. Now seeking to protect innocents, as he couldn't protect his mates in the monastery. He is a vigilante when needed now. He is a rival to another member of the monastery, who competed with him on the title of being the successor master and for the approval of the head master. After the battle and exile of my character, the rival got the position.
Should I add flavor? Any ideas?
Seems like a pretty standard adventurer background, albeit with a monk twist (instead of parents being killed it was the whole monastery, e.t.c). I'd say try to find some non- tragic aspects of your character to flesh out.
Do they love to cook? Are they afraid of heights? Any just regular old friends that they have? Are they curious about their birth parents? You have the clear motivations and allies/ enemies lined up for the character, but not much about their personality or how they'd interact with the world, at least from what I can tell.
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?
Yeah, he has relations:
He has some friends he got while traveling and one from the monastery (ex gf/lover). He also has a rival, not a villain, but someone who competes with him on his goals, the successor.
And he also has many traits:
-Uncomfortable around aasimars, too perfect, arrogant and beautiful. Met few in adventure quests.
-Shy, shows social regression after the exile, yet wants and needs company and friends. He is very forward with intention on subject. Fast and forward.
-Has a strong sense of moral and code, kills honorably, yet uses what necessary to protect innocents and destroy evil. This creates inner demons on how to fight and when to cross lines.
-Likes more the countryside and nature rather than the big cities.
-Other hobbies: dancing, mind games, cooking, crafting.
That sounds like all you need to me. Backstory should inform who your character is and give them a motivation for adventuring, and beyond that you mostly want your character's story to unfold during the adventure, rather than before it. This already has all the elements of a good backstory and I don't think it needs a lot added. Your DM might come up with some stuff to tie it into their setting or adventure, but that's really all you need.
My complaint with this and many other such back stories - look at all of the effective adventuring you have built into that back story, by the time he starts out as a L1 monk all that history should have him as somewhere between a L5 and L9 monk. A L1 monk is probably best represented irl by a 1st degree black belt - all basic skills learned ( in non belt systems he has changed from a student of the art to a “ prophet” able to teach basics but has not yet learned all he needs to be a master. I would eliminate all of the pre-temple wipeout outside actions and have him been a survivor of the fight at the temple who is now “on the run” from those that assaulted the temple. If that includes a monk that turned traitor allowing the attackers in that is fine ( yes I know the wing chun origin story too). If this background is for a higher level monk then it’s ok.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
It sounds like this campaign might not be starting at level 1. In my experience, most don't, since players and DM's wanna skip to the good stuff. This might be a generous backstory for a level 3 character (which I think of more as the typical starting level), but they could even be starting higher than that.
As I said - if it’s for a higher level campaign it’s fine.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
It's good, but it needs more NPCs to make it personal. Like did he have a favorite sensei or a best friend he grew up with? Did they have special fates in the raid, like maybe one of them was not killed, but instead captured (potential plot hook for your DM later).
He has about 3 allies npcs, 1 rival and 1 main villain
Sounds like a start for a Lawful Good Monk if you add in the traits you spoke of in your second post. Seems like basic setup information. But what is your motivation or drive to meet up with your party? Why would your character travel with a group of strangers or friends for the adventure your DM will present? What brought him to circus life and how long does he stay there? What was your relationship with the rival, and maybe flesh that out a little more? Who is left at the monastery that holds your character's interest? Or is the interest power or does he just want to avenge his fallen brothers for the sake of vengeance? I just can't feel a lot of motivation. It seems a bit short and quick when figuring out the characters need to protect others. Flesh that out with a vision of where you came from, what you want, and where do you want to be in the future. You have the subtle beginnings of a Steven Segal film, but you could easily flesh it out to a Bruce Lee movie.
I am not sure what my Spirit Animal is. But whatever that thing is, I am pretty sure it has rabies!