Creating a Character History
Submit Character Histories to:
plot@warweb.org
"Creating a believable and fun character history is a significant key to
enjoying your NERO event. Knowing your character’s persona can give you
wide reaching roleplaying possibilities. Written character histories are
not required to play NERO but they will provide you with background and us with
plot." (NERO 8th Edition Rulebook, p. 106)
As the rulebook says, your character history can be the key to understanding why
you character thinks and acts the way he does. Every legendary hero has a
background, and some time in their earliest beginnings where they had to learn
the skills that made their famous deeds possible. Your character may
someday become one of the legendary heroes, and it can be important to know
where he came from originally.
The NERO rulebook provides a description of how to write a character history,
listing what is good to include, and what is not a good idea. Because we
understand that not everyone has access to a rulebook at this time, we have
created this page to assist players in creating their character’s background
history. We will try to outline the information that is provided in the
rulebook, and provide a questionnaire for you to complete that will submit your
history to the plot teams for approval. "Understand that the committee has
the right to overrule your choices if they would violate game rules or give your
character too much of an advantage in the game." (Rulebook, p. 106)
Also below are links to show what the rulebook’s examples are of both a good and
a bad character history.
We hope this page is a resource to you and is able to assist you in generating
your character’s history. Understand that it is only the plot teams who
will have access to reading your submissions, so information you may not wish to
have general knowledge will not become so. We do, however, reserve the
right to use your history for plot purposes at any given camp.
Things to consider when writing your history: (Paraphrased from Rulebook p.106)
1. Avoid the common clichés of fantasy. (And that includes when you
name your character. There have been several Vlad Taltos, Rand al’Thors,
Belgarions, Elrics, and Skeeves. You think you’re the only person in the
world to read these books?)
2. Avoid a listing of heroic deeds you have done. After all, if that
were true, why are you entering the game as a lowly first level character with
almost no skills?
3. Avoid including amazing magical effects or special items pertaining to
your family. Believe it or not, those tend to be all too common, and not
likely to yield anything from a plot team.
4. Think about your own life history as a guideline. What is your
family like? Your schooling? Your friends? Your jobs?
Example of an unacceptable Character History: (Rulebook, p.106)
"My name is Deathbringer Bloodblade Darkshadow. My father was a Count and
my mother was the heir to the throne of the Elven Kingdom.
When I was but a baby, my parents were killed by a marauding band of bandits
from Rotaria who left me and my twin brother to die. They captured my
beautiful sister and sold her to Eastern barbarians where she now serves in the
harem of their evil leader Konad.
My brother was later kidnapped by gypsies and I had to fend for myself. I
proved my worth and strength at an early age when I killed an armed troll with
my bare hands.
I taught myself to be the best swordsman in the kingdom. However, I keep
my abilities secret as I do not wish for my enemies to find me.
I now travel mysteriously from town to town, dressed all in black. I
appear without a sound and disappear as a mere shadow flicking through the
night. When I enter the tavern, the crowd goes silent as I sit alone in
the corner with my back to the wall.
I do not have many friends but I do have the respect of all. Although I do
not seek permanent female companionship, I secretly enjoy the lavish attention
that the women give me.
I search for my long-lost brother who I know can help me regain my birthright,
rescue my sister and wreak my vengeance against any Rotarian I come across.
I will be able to recognize him and my sister by our distinctive family
birthmark--a scarlet rose on our left elbow.
Oh yeah, I am also searching for my father’s sword Doomblade which will only
work for members of my family. This sword was created by the finest
dwarven craftsmen specifically for my father after he single-handedly saved the
dwarven kingdom from the attacking hordes of mountain trolls and death
elementals who once plagued the peaceful people. This sword allows me to
double any proficiencies I may already have. (Plot committee: Can I have this?)
Although I have often been asked to join with other adventuring groups, I keep
to myself and to mine own self I am true. I do adventure from time to time
when the cause is worthy."
Example of an acceptable Character History: (Rulebook, p.107)
"My name is Trin Hallison. I am the eldest son of Lorin and Frinda
Hallison. I have two younger brothers and two older sisters.
I was born in the mining city of Ironvale in the duchy of Ravenholt in the
kingdom of Evandarr in 576. My father was the head cook of one of the
mines in the area and my mother worked in the payroll department. They
held different shifts so that at different times I was raised by both my father
and my mother.
My father had served in the army of Westmarch under Goodwyn Northridge as a
short swordsman. I have many fine memories of afternoons spent with my
father practicing sparring--I never could beat him! (I could, however,
beat my younger
brothers and sisters, and I gained even more experience
playing with them.)
My mother knew a few healing spells which came in useful when we kids hurt
ourselves in our games. She tried to teach us to read and write, but only
my sister Burra took an interest.
At the young age of ten, while on a picnic with my family, I found a cave and
began exploring. I soon was lost in the darkness and I was certain that
every sound was a goblin or a troll out to get me. I spent a few hours
crying in the darkness before I was discovered and ever since I have had a great
fear of caves and extreme darkness even though I know my fears are unfounded.
When Vandal Northridge became Baron of Westmarch, things changed a bit in
Ironvale--the town guards became more surly and some of the nobles he appointed
cared more for fattening their pockets than for the commoners to whom they were
supposed to be helping. I believe that all nobles in their hearts are the
same even if they pretend to be caring. I would never work for nobility.
When I was old enough, I became apprenticed to a local cooper, making barrels
for the town. It was boring work but it brought in the money my family
needed. It was during this time that I became fascinated with magic, for
next door to the cooper’s was the local Healer’s Guild. The healers there
noticed my interest in their activities, and one--a nice old lady named
Hindy--often delighted me with her tales of adventures in Ashbury where she had
fought many monsters in her younger days.
It was she who finally taught me how to perform first aid, and it was she who
taught me my first spell.
My father died permanently when I was 14. It was a very traumatic
experience for all of my family. He had died previously--a few times while
in the army and once when a large boulder fell on him, but he had been
successfully resurrected each time. This time he had a terrible disease,
and the Healers’ Guild could do nothing for him. I cried myself to sleep
every night as he lay in bed in pain as the disease took over his body.
Finally, I could take no more, and I placed a pillow over his head and held it
down until he stopped breathing. I finally put him out of his misery.
I have never told anyone of this and I feel very guilty about it. I made a
vow to myself that I would never kill again, and that any enemy I would ever
encounter would be captured if at all possible, and if dying would be
first-aided.
When I turned 16, I felt that it was time to strike out on my own, and I decided
to head to the area that Hindy had told me about. I decided to move to the
big city where life is more exciting. I have now arrived in the city of
Ashbury, where I hope soon to obtain a job and maybe--just maybe--find some
adventure!"