Meet Your Character
Creating your first D&D character can feel overwhelming. There are lots of species, classes, backgrounds, spells, and rules to choose from, and it's not always obvious where to begin.
So instead of starting with the character sheet, we'll take a different approach.
First, we'll create the character. We'll think about who they are, what they care about, what they dream of, and the experiences that shaped them. Once we have a clear picture of the person, we'll use the D&D rules to bring them to life.
Don't worry if you don't have every answer straight away. Characters often grow and evolve throughout the campaign.
Think of this as creating one of the main characters in our fantasy story. The goal isn't to build the strongest character. It's to create someone you'll enjoy bringing to life.
We'll begin with your character as they are in the present, then journey back to their childhood before the events of the campaign. From there, we'll explore the event that shaped them before returning to the present to complete their character.
Ruleset: This campaign will use the 2024 Dungeons & Dragons Core Rules (Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual). If you're looking up races/species, classes, spells, feats, or other player options, please use the 2024 versions where available.
Part 1 - Adult Identity
Let’s start by exploring who your character is once the story truly begins, after the events of the prologue have shaped them.
Don't worry if you don't have every answer yet. You can always come back and change or add details later.
Basic Information
Character Name:
Age: (take note that the main events of the campaign happen 8 years after the prologue)
Species:(We'll be using the 2024 rules. If you're not sure what to choose yet, that's completely okay!)
Pronouns (optional):
Appearance
What does your character look like?
Think about things such as:
Height and build
Hair, eyes, or notable features
Clothing and overall style
Anything people would notice at first glance
Personality
How would someone describe your character after meeting them?
Choose 3–5 words, or write a short paragraph instead.
Examples:
Curious
Kind
Cheerful
Quiet
Protective
Stubborn
Mischievous
Optimistic
Shy
Ambitious
Goals
What does your character want most? What does your character think will make them happy?
It doesn't have to be something grand. Perhaps they want to:
Find where they belong
Protect the people they love
Become a famous performer
Learn powerful magic
Travel the world
Live a peaceful life
Strengths & Flaws
What is one thing your character is particularly good at?
What is one flaw or weakness they struggle with?
Remember, flaws make characters feel real.
Values
What is one thing your character would never do?
This could be something like:
Break a promise
Abandon a friend
Hurt an innocent person
Steal from someone in need
Tell a lie
Little Details (Optional)
These aren't important to the story, but they can make your character feel even more alive!
Favourite food:
Favourite colour:
Favourite season:
Favourite hobby:
Biggest pet peeve:
One fun fact:
Part 2 - Childhood
Now let's take a step back in time.
Before the adventure begins, before the Witchlight Carnival, and before everything changed, your character was just a child.
Think about who they were during this stage of their life. These memories will help shape the person they eventually become.
Basic Information
Childhood Age: (The prologue begins when your character is roughly 10–14 years old, though this may vary depending on their species.)
Childhood Personality
What kind of child were they?
Choose 3–5 words, or write a short paragraph.
Examples:
Adventurous
Shy
Curious
Mischievous
Responsible
Timid
Kind-hearted
Competitive
Imaginative
Energetic
Favourite Things
What did they enjoy most as a child?
Some ideas include:
Reading stories
Climbing trees
Drawing or painting
Playing music
Exploring the woods
Collecting interesting objects
Looking after animals
Making flower crowns
Playing pranks
Baking with family
Family & Friends
Who was important to them growing up?
Did they have siblings?
Were they close to their parents or another guardian?
Did they have a best friend before meeting the rest of the group?
Childhood Dreams
When they were little, what did they dream of becoming?
Children often dream big.
Perhaps they wanted to become:
A brave knight
A famous adventurer
A travelling performer
A powerful mage
A healer
A baker
A dragon rider
Something completely different
Happy Memories
What is one memory from your childhood that still makes you smile?
It can be something simple, like spending time with family, learning a new skill, celebrating a festival, or playing with friends.
Part 3 - The Lost Thing
Every character in this adventure will lose something precious during the events of the prologue. This loss will shape who they become and become a personal thread that follows them throughout the campaign.
Your Lost Thing doesn't have to be a physical object. It can also be something intangible, such as a talent, a memory, or even part of your personality.
Don't worry too much about choosing the "perfect" Lost Thing. We'll discuss everyone's ideas together during Session 0 and make sure they're a good fit for both your character and the story.
What Was Lost?
What precious thing did your character lose? This could be a physical thing, such as a cherished toy, a trinket, or something incorporeal, such as your ability to count.
Some examples include:
Their ability to smile
Their artistic creativity
Their sense of direction
Their sense of fashion
Their confidence
Their luck
A treasured toy
Their ability to keep secrets
Something completely unique
Why Was It Important?
Why did this matter so much to your character?
Who gave it to them?
What memories were attached to it?
Why would losing it leave such a lasting mark?
How Did It Change Them?
How did losing this affect your character as they grew up?
Did they become more cautious?
Did they stop pursuing a dream?
Did they struggle to connect with others?
Did they adapt and learn to live without it?
There is no right answer. Sometimes the smallest losses can leave the deepest scars.
What do you think your character misses most about the person they used to be?
Part 4 - Growing Up
How has your character changed over the past eight years?
How has their Lost Thing affected them?
Before the Adventure
What has your character been doing since the prologue?
Did they...
Study?
Train?
Travel?
Work?
Help their family?
Search for answers?
Class
What path did your character choose?
(Feel free to ask me about the available classes or for the Player Guide)
Chosen Class:
Why did your character become this class?
Background
What kind of life did they have before becoming an adventurer?
(Feel free to ask me about the available backgrounds or for the Player Guide)
Chosen Background:
How does it fit their story?
Ability Scores
Which ability best represents your character?
Which ability is their weakest?
We'll assign the numbers together during Session 0.
Final Touches
We'll complete the remaining details together:
Skills
Equipment
Languages
Spells
Class features