D&D Backstory Questions | Better Backstories Help for Players and DM Tips

What is the LEAST amount of backstory you need to have as a player? How do you get an actual Backstories from your PC's as the DM? These D&D Backstory Questions are a guide and backstory template to inspire and help you create the ultimate character backstory! I have a Free PDF of Backstory Questions that you can use to scan through and find what questions speak to you, you don't have to answer them all, just enough for you to "find yourself". I hope this helps you create some Better Backstories! ⏬More Below⏬
📜 Backstory Template PDF: thedungeoncoac...
📢 Videos Mentioned
1️⃣ PC/ NPC Creation Video: • Simple PC & NPC Creati...
2️⃣ What Comes FIRST Backstory vs Class?: • Backstory First VS Cla...
3️⃣ Weave Backstories into your Story: • Bring Character BACKST...
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📃 DC20 Core Rules PDF: thedungeoncoac...
🐲 DC20 Kickstarter: www.kickstarte...
=== 🔗 DC Links ===
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🐲 Alkander’s Almanac (D&D 5e Expansion): thedungeoncoac...
⌨️ Discord: / discord
=== 📍 Credits ===
🖱️ Video Editor: Zack Newman
#DnD #dungeonsanddragons

[@TheDungeonCoach]

How do YOU make Better backstories? Share em with me! 💜 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/thedungeoncoach 🔴 Become a KZbin Member: kzbin.info/door/z8xkTADYdRQR7GP-f2PjOAjoin ▶️ Dungeon Coach Homebrew Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLMzshUEANAtOovJb_pr27pwLOTR3nn19g

[@phillipbush9603]

Collaboratively between DMs and PCs. The starting basis would be the generic one from the PHB, then modify them to the setting and what the PCs want from the character.

[@alexfikar7757]

that's easy, i collaborate with my players while also referencing great material on backstories...like material from some guy called the Dungeon Coach lol. In particular, I have them think of what will drive them to be adventuring in the first place (goal) and give me a bit about their family or other relationships. This helps me to shape memorable NPC's for them to interact with in game and get the player in the mindset of how they would interact with the NPCs and the world I help them create. For instance, if they had an abusive father figure and they are ran away from home, then adventuring and earning gold may be a necessary thing for them to empower themselves and also survive on their own. This also lets me know that I can build encounters with abusive male NPC's in the future to give the PC the opportunity to face their past and their issues as they grow stronger.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Alex Fikar you truly are a next level DM!! and that DC guy sounds cool too! I’ll have to check em out! But that NPC thing you do is exactly what I do too!

[@jabaricallan4939]

i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a method to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@zekemalachi2899]

@Jabari Callan instablaster =)

[@wooday395]

Backstories are the bomb. Goal, kill a dragon; quirk, brutally honest

[@TheDungeonCoach]

wooday395 coming from the guy who has came up with one of the coolest backstories I’ve ever heard!!! 💜

[@wooday395]

@@TheDungeonCoach lol thank you sir. The group had a ton of fun with you showing us the ropes

[@78s404]

This has been more useful to me (as a DM) than literally most of the wizards of the coast books (not PHB DMG and Xanathars)

[@TheDungeonCoach]

ivan gabestro wow awesome! Thank to it so much!! I am right there with you on DMG PHB and XAN 👌🏼 so that’s a big compliment!

[@78s404]

Having my second session tmrw so sadly won’t be able to use ur template on the PCs but the NPCs should be really interesting

[@dcouturier2]

I am a little jealous. I made a less awesome backstory sheet for my players. Getting everyone to fill out the info helped me weave a super cool intro into the Curse of Strahd campaign that my players loved. Its nice to have a way to get to know the characters before seeing them in action.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Hahaha hey!! We had the same idea though! We’re synced up!! 👌🏼

[@leodouskyron5671]

Loved your video. My old ideas: When I look at Backstory on the rp side, it only has three things 1) World hook - so the DM can put you in and you enhance the world of adventure. (Keywords here are potential and desire) 2) Player Hook - This is what the player loves about his character. (Players usually have no problem here but sometimes just getting them to talk about movie characters they like works and helps them find the secret sauce.) 3) Party Hook - some way the players’ are bound together and feel it is critical they work together. (It can be as simple as the old cartoon W.I.T.C.H. were the five girls (friends) had a first letter of there name together and then found out they were fated to save the worlds or you all knew a wizard and he gave you a heist only you and these others could together.) Hint for dealing with the loner/ orphan PCs in to parts- (Part 1) Dead parents and siblings NEVER works in my games because when you were 4 someone had to feed you and that is your “parents” if you don’t have them. You had friends that you played with - those are your “siblings” if you don’t have any. (Part 2) And in D&D, dead parents, siblings and villages don’t always stay dead/lost. They tend to come back in my games and they tend to want to show the players “*love and attention*”. Final points on encouraging backgrounds. I never demand anything like a PCM (Player Character Mystery - your term plot hole) but if they want they can give one and get something extra (minor magic items, gold or a minor weapon/armor upgrade) if they come up with a mystery. If the group as a whole each and everyone gives one and at least one player gives two then they will get an NPC ally to start the campaign (friend in high places, sidekick or an animal that will help guard them at night (advantage for the PC on watch). The key is to make it there idea when this stuff blows up in the campaign. At first they think is not worth it then they realize it totally was when the end result is an emotional fun reward.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

That is a GREAT approach and I would love to play in a game of yours with that outlook on the game! We are 100% synced up! I don’t have a “plot hole” be mandatory either, and I love your solution to “all my friends are dead” too! You sound like a next level DM!

[@umbra4729]

THIS! IS! PERFECT! We're starting our first session of RPG Club at my school this week and this could not have come out at a better time! :D

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I cast a divination spell last week and knew that... so here ya go! But for real, glad to help out!! We have an RPG club too!

[@JustiYams]

Dude I only click the bell for a few youtubers but I want all the content you can give. Literally every video has been useful. Also your streams are a good time.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Wow I am truly honored! Because honestly I am the same way with who I turn the bell on for lol! Thank you for that! 🔔

[@quantum_ogre]

I checked out the PDFs and the 'Plot Holes' section of the backstory template is my favorite part. There is so much info from the boom of D&D's popularity in the past few years that I feel working with the DM to give them usable things to mesh into the campaign has sort of been swept aside, so its great to see that flexibility. (Also in regards to using backstory NPCs, I personally steer towards not putting them in jeopardy unless the player themselves caused something negative to occur, and rarely tied with the 'main quest'. An example would be, a dashing rogue busts into a magic item shop and robs the merchant blind, knowing full well he and the party could handle any guards or mercs sent to retaliate. But instead, said mercs show up at his girlfriend's bakery. Over a few different campaigns I noticed putting PC's backstory characters in 'random jeopardy' tends to make them unwilling to 'write vulnerabilities' in future games, or consider existing NPCs as burdens)

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Enclave Operative right! You gotta respect what they give you and not always destroy it! Totally agree! Thank you too!

[@scottrasnic5870]

Nice tips coach! I like the inclusion of quirks. During session zero I, personally, have the players indicate how they know the player to their right and also note the current sentiment in this relationship- how did things end up when they last met that person, are you old friends or family members, did you work together before, is there a long-standing rivalry there, did they cheat you out of something you felt you earned, etc. I feel like this helps connect the characters together and gives me more material to work with in building out character arcs.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

OMG... “how do you know the player to your right?” LOVE THAT!! That’ll have to go in a backstory questions expansion! Lol

[@jamesstaggs1694]

I love this. Brings a little of the disadvantages and quirks that I loved so much about GURPS into D&D

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Thanks! I’ve never heard of GURPS! But yes flaws and quirks are my favorite!

[@jamesstaggs1694]

@@TheDungeonCoach Generic Universal Role Playing System from Steve Jackson Games (in Austin!). Its not time period restricted nor does it have classes and levels. A person is a collection of stats, advantages, disadvantages, quirks and skills that evolve over time

[@evanwhite5704]

You should make a video on how to end a campaign and do character epilogues once you’ve gotten to level 20 and finished the story.

[@asdfnewguy7029]

Seconding this!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Ooooooo that’s so situational but SOOOOOOO important! Putting that on my video list! 👍🏼

[@TheDungeonCoach]

asdfnewguy 702 I’m on it!! 😄

[@scottrasnic5870]

I agree. It doesn't have to be level 20 but helping players and DMs know how to sunset a character would be really awesome. @The Dungeon Coach

[@wooday395]

Alan you 100% need to start an adventure series with people. Where you document the start to end of the campaign.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

wooday395 I want to!! Once I have the time to run a game I’d love to document it!

[@wooday395]

@@TheDungeonCoach are you going to collaborate with anyone or have some of your patreon people get in on it?

[@the_foliot]

The Dungeon Coach please run a patreon-homebrew campaign. I’ll audition my character! Lol

[@bryanwildt]

I love the tables in XGtE and how they incorporate with your tools. It’s awesome to add a little randomness, and the players that I’ve played and DM’d that have used a good backstory tool are so much easier to motivate and integrate into the world. Good stuff Coach.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

OOOOO I should have mentioned those tables in XGE!!! Dang! I literally would have put that in the video for sure! Thanks man

[@alaricsilver-lord2279]

I love these questions, they are super helpful. I am literally this afternoon about to run a session zero for my little cousins who have never played before and this is clutch. I hadn't looked at the creation tables before, and I love them! I know one of my players (the only one who's played before) LOVES using roll table to get his ideas flowing.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Alaric Silver-Lord awesome! Glad it’s helping! Backstories are so fun for me, so I’m glad to share I use random roll tables for inspiration ALL the time, so great!!

[@sulaas]

Collaboratively as well. I have had Various Questionnaire Templates ETC. Now though I make sure that everyone has an Overview of where they are Playing (This time it is a Very Hombrewed Forgotten Realms since we started in the Lost Mines) and then we all just sort of bounced ideas back and forth. I do have a lot of New Players as well so we use our Discord Server to RP during Downtime and to also help Flesh out Character Ideas. The thing is I find it very helpful to have Me and the DM and the Players work on it all together, it helps them become more invested in their Characters and well it helps me with Story later on in game when I am able to tie personal bits in for them.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I love the round table bouncing off ideas, melt everyone’s creative juices flow and overlap

[@mudge843]

Fantastic Coach, and good on you for going beyond and creating real, usable content in the form of well-crafted tools. I love D&D, but once I started GMing Fria Ligan's "Tales from the Loop", which focuses much more on teasing believable identities out of PCs in the character creation process than the PHB, it had a noticeable effect on my D&D game. A good, fleshy character ID doesn't only give a player the reason they're swinging that axe, but it provides cues on how to RP when they FAIL, which is always the better motivator of great storytelling. Great video Mister.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Thank you!! I will have to check out Takel from the Loop! And I agree with everything you said! Gotta do a bit more to help players connect and RP! 👍🏼💜

[@noxiousbones]

First of all, I’d like to say thank you. This channel has really helped me grow as a dm and makes me feel more equipped for my games. I really love this channel and all the homebrew content. Some constructive criticism, (for me personally, in a non objective way) sometimes this channel feels like an infomercial, (or a sales pitch of your content.) became more prevalent when watching multiple videos back to back, especially after watching a live stream. I loved the live stream because they felt more natural, and less like a sales pitch. Again, this is just something I’m feeling after consuming a lot of your content (because it’s awesome) so maybe it’s just me.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Jacob Loehr I totally know what you mean, other comment shave said I can come across like a used car salesman or w/e so I get that I always love feedback and am working on trying to shift to a more natural presentation but it’s a work in progress for a few reasons but that’s a long story 😆 The part that doesn’t make sense but I still totally know what you mean is that I’m not actually selling anything since it’s all free ya know? But the presentation can be cheesy I get so excited but I see what you mean, so I‘ll take this to heart! Thank you

[@noxiousbones]

The Dungeon Coach, I my point is, you don’t have to put on an act to get people to watch your content, I’ve really enjoyed the live content because it feels more natural and like genuine excitement, rather than putting on a show. Either way my guy, you do amazing work. Keep it up, I really enjoy your channel!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

@@noxiousbones Thank you! constructive critisizm is a rare and valuable resource, so I really do appreciate it!

[@raymondtaylor6988]

Hey Coach, WHHHAAAAASSSSUUUUUPPPP! (Yes, from the beloved commercial of the early 2000's) New to this channel, love your content and enjoy your style. So I Just bought the Backstory PDF for me and my friends' first fully created world/adventure. It is AMAZING! We are going to get so much out of this, I cannot wait. Coming together with backstories is our weakness, and we usually just "happen to be in the tavern." Anyway this is going to help us so much, Thanks! Anyway I am working on a very elaborate character currently with my DM. would love some insight from you on it. I am creating a Warforged Warlock, Archfey Patron, and Pact of the Chain. So think Robocop, how he had some consciousness during his making and programing. Just random images and things. Some Fey being, that my DM will come up with that is unknown to me, found an old Warforged at the ruins of an ancient battle and took him to study and repurpose it. After who knows truly how long It either escapes the lab with help from its familiar, or is found by the party.... not to sure yet. However, it was never completely finished. so now picture bumblebee from transformers. Thats right it cannot talk. Insert it's familiar, a temperamental sprite... How would you go about his pact being formed? Also any other tips or ideas to help with the brainstorming pre sesh-0 phase would be greatly appreciated. like maybe incorporate some kind of ptsd from his original life? idk... the possibilities are endless.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

WHAAAAAZZZZZZAAAAAAAPPPP!!! Love your comment man and THANK YOU! Thats awesome to hear that! I love giving people tools to patch up/ strengthen parts of their game! YES Ok so first off... that character is BAD ASS!!! Wow so cool, and I totally see all the analogies. Heres my thoughts! - Imagine that your FULL consiousness/ potential/ memories are not yet "uploaded" back into your body, maybe you were once FAR stronger and you have to regain powers and memories OR - just your memories from your human life are being uploaded into your NEW BODY and you start to piece together what happened to you (depends on how much mystery you want) - Maybe the pact was formed from whatever happened to your original life/ body, this was the "only way" to keep you alive, this machine is the vessel that you need to continue to upgrade/ find parts/ learn how to use You have such a cool idea here O this just popped in my head... what if YOU are the familiar and the Warforged is the VESSEL you talk and playthe character as the familiar and can "upload" yourself into the warforged and fully control it. Part of the mission is to make that process permanent OR find a new body? idk that would depend on your goals... idk thoguht that was cool too! Thank you again for the kind words and support!

[@dvklaveren]

I add these questions; You have risen into your own strength and power and are in a unique position to influence other people. In a given encounter, do you... Look for the most responsible course of action; A call of duty that you cannot ignore. Look for a connection to your leading ideal; A higher calling that puts your quest above others. Look for a compromise that leaves people happy; A sacrifice you can make so others might live fully. Look for a structural way to help; A way to build upon a system that outlasts you. Look for a way to make a transaction; A path where other people's needs will henceforth serve your own. Look for a deal to put you on top; Using chaos as a ladder. Look for the easiest way out; To be free of constraints and expectations brought by interdependence. Look for ways to deprive; To use windows of opportunity to take from the weak. Look for ways to put things in perspective; We all must do as is our nature and prerogative. These are my view on the alignments, btw.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I love your take on this! So cool to see the different approaches! Thanks for sharing!

[@live4twilight4ever]

I'm totally using those pdfs, like, right now. I had a cool (imo) character concept a little while ago, but I was struggling to come up with an actual character beyond the concept. This will help a ton.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

YEEESSS! Hey Rebel! You see the shout out I gave you in the video 2 or so weeks ago!? But yea for sure! This works even better when you have an idea already and this just flushes it out!

[@live4twilight4ever]

@@TheDungeonCoach lol, of course I saw it. Anyone who watches this channel and doesn't have notifications turned on is a fool. I didn't know what to say, but I appreciated it.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

RebelVampire666 hahah you rock!! And you don’t have to say anything! Just wanted to make sure you saw! 👌🏼

[@mentalrebllion1270]

Maybe this is just my writing background, but I tend to try to consider hooks for my dm to use or not or for the party to latch onto or not, depending on the context we find ourselves in the game. Usually try to find what snippets of world building I can get out of my dm and might give me inspiration for my character or context to how they might have lived their lives before the “inciting incident” (should there be one or more than one). I consider their family, their relationship with said family, and how this might effect future relationships and how they might or might not convey them and what they may or may not be drawn to. I know this sounds like a lot but you really don’t need to fully flesh these parts out, just have a general idea. From there I consider what type of underlying story I want to convey for the character’s internal arc, something they can work on regardless of the direction the story physically takes us on across the map. Most times I like healing or self improvement storylines. Example, I have a character that is a parentified eldest child who is trying to stop falling into that habit and also figure out who they are beyond the context of fulfilling that ingrained desire which eventually leads them to burnout. The party tends to help with this, allowing them a healthier way of being caring without constantly putting their needs aside to look after others. Eventually by the end it’s possible my character will find themselves and understand their boundaries better, possibly confronting their family about it, or perhaps they will backslide. I’m usually comfortable with either as this is about their journey of trying, which usually means there is a chance, depending on circumstances, of failing. Anyway, back on topic, once I figure out some early life stuff, which helps with understanding my character’s attachment style, and then what internal arc I want, I then work on using the themes and world building I picked up from my dm to start constructing for real. Namely I create some named npc’s and factions of my character’s past that help tie themes and connections together between them, the party, and the world. I will even usually ask the dm if there is a certain part of the map they want the party to gravitate towards at some point and try to build an npc who might motivate the party to head that direction, or if we head that direction, be a help or hindrance for us to add interesting story elements. I will often discuss with my party as well on maybe creating ties into our backstories as well. Did we meet before? In what context? How do we feel towards each other? Is there a connection we might have that we don’t know about? Etc. I once created a character who’s family was murdered by the other player’s father, the one she was searching for, because he was a mercenary hired to do so. This was going to pull in the internal conflict of would my character take vengeance for the loved ones of his past that he blames himself for failing to protect, or would he choose the present because he dearly cares for the found family he found in his party members (the other player was also a student of mine as my character’s role in the party was “world-weary mentor” so it added more complexity there). Another example is that I built a character who shared a similar hometown to another party member but their family lives were quite opposite which led to some interesting hooks for the party. This same character also had ties to the same faction as another party member, and for the 3rd party member, the two clicked instantly as friends (both frontliners) but had opposing views and experiences from the war going on around them, which did create interesting debates in the rp (but also helped their character go through their character arc their player wanted, to humanize the opposing side for their character). I had the dm also weigh in and say they wanted the party to eventually make their way over to a certain section of map and I did that by two fold, I gave them a reason on that part of the map, and in their hometown (strong likelihood of the party returning due to that shared hometown situation) there is some family drama that is likely to send the party heading to the part of the map the dm wants us. Honestly how direct or subtle I make the hook for the dm to use to get us where we are going (without railroading) depends on the urgency and how best I see the party latching onto the hook. One time I made a hook that was literally “look I’m shiny and glittery with this little balls of light around me, now follow me while I go search for this magic item I was tasked with finding.” Yeah I….made that one tailored to the very much needing a blatant hook group because they were aimless and getting bored but someone, not on purpose, managed to avoid all the plot hooks the dm would leave. Short of my blunt attempt, there was no way to point the party the direction they were aiming for. Worked out though and party found it so cool. Anyway, so yeah, basically I treat my backgrounds like mini stories but the dm fills in the world building sections and clarifies the vague sections so they suit the narrative better (intentionally leave vague but interesting enough for a dm) and bind some loose threads between my character and the rest of the party that are meant for us to either tighten with in game rp or the dm to weave tighter together via the storytelling. I rely a lot on themes and creating contrast and overlap in my characters, often looking for the more enticing but subtle plot hooks and tropes that people enjoy but feel organic to my character and that I would enjoy playing. I tailor everything to the party composition, the table, and the story/world I’m playing in. This works pretty well though I will say it requires a ton of communication. How much or little I create depends on the mood and vibe of the campaign. Also what motivations I choose depend on it too. For instance, a character who must stay around the area usually needs a reason to remain instead of leave right? So I find one and let them grow attached and feel personally invested in remaining and engaging. But for journey style stories? I try to give them a reason to keep moving instead of settling down. Maybe a bit of prolonged down time now and again, but still moving mostly. And that’s my thought process. Again, I want to emphasize, I don’t always outline every detail. Sometimes it’s just vague shapes that slowly form as I rp more in the camps and discuss with the dm and other players and any other context happens that helps solidify things a touch clearer. Anyway, best of luck to all who character create!!!

[@gregoryburke6227]

I think this would be great, I play with new players and either got a background that they should be 10th level or a name and class.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Hahahahaha omg... I laughed out loud so hard at this! Love that!

[@TorsTimes]

I like to have players make a really quick basic backstory (1-2 paragraphs) then throughout the homebrew sessions I'll come up with moments that encourage the players to expand on their original backstory. Aka, come up with a ritual where the player feels rewarded for burning a scroll with the name of a past lover on it. Then I get the player to tell me about that situation. Slowly building the players details into the plot as we go along.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I’ve seen this work very well for people, and discover their character as you play, keeps things open for wiggle room too!

[@JancyPena]

Great video, love the ideas you can use to customize your backstory. The cards look like a must have, especially if you are working with new groups.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

I’m 100% with you for a new group, and there’s even more uses that I’ll showcase in the live stream! Thanks for that too man

[@g_m_jojo]

This is great! Love the new template as well. I have had the full spectrum of backstories from my players: from literally nothing to a 50 page short novel. O.o I will definitely be using this for any new players that come my way.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Hahaha I know right!? This reels in those 50 pagers and baits those Newbies into more 👌🏼 Thanks Pro!!

[@red250reiven]

Pretty convenient timing as I was brewing some NPC backstories this week xD Thanks again for the content!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Always love it when my timing is dead on for someone lol 👌🏼

[@amandawhittemore5078]

I use those backstory templates and i love them. I created some fun characters or some fun cursed items. Lol.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Let’s Goooooo

[@BobWorldBuilder]

I know that goal and quirk part sounded familiar! Love how this video gives you everything you need to jump in!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Bob World Builder familiar?? Did you have a video on this too!? 😆

[@BobWorldBuilder]

@@TheDungeonCoach Nope haha, you said you have a few other backstory videos, so I figured I heard it there!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Bob World Builder ahhhh duh, I didn’t know if you did one on it! 👌🏼

[@timothyhayes2726]

I just shared this video with my D&D group. Sometimes getting good backstories out of them is like pulling teeth. I've gone so far as to threaten them that if they don't give me anything I'm going to make it up for them lol.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Timothy Hayes hahaha pulling teeth and force fed backstories are rough! I got you covered man! Let me know if this helped 👌🏼

[@elmsigreen]

I'm not big on a full backstory but I love asking my players simple little questions about their character like what is their favourite colour or favourite animal. It's not for me but for them, to get to know their own character better. I am a stage actor and it's a simple acting tip from one of my first directors. Just to get a feel for who it is you are actually playing. I think it is a good tip for DM's as well since I used it in some plays where I had to play multiple characters and it was a great way to jump between them quickly like a DM might have to do in a campaign that has multiple NPCs

[@salamshalom]

I looove backstory as a DM and as a player. I have a player who sits with me and likes to brainstorm with me about his backstory. One character he has was in a primitive human village in a jungle. Dwarves had co-opted the village. When the males would reach the age of 16, the Dwarves would take them to do manual labor for four years. In exchange the Dwarves "protected" the village. The male children would receive a magical mark on their hand that would light up when they were 16. On one of their quarterly sweeps, they decided to take the character in early since they knew he would be turning 16 in a few weeks. He resisted and fled to the main Zigurat/Temple. His efforts to flee resulted in one of the dwarves falling down the temple steps and breaking his neck. The character got to the altar of his goddess and BEGGED and PLEADED for help. The dwarves caught up with the whimpering boy and plunged their spears into him. And leaving him to die in a pool of his own blood. The blood activated the Altar and some celestial being took over his body and slaughtered the Dwarves that had "killed" him. When the character regained control of his body, he realized what had happened and fled. He hid in the jungle for years, evading dwarves and getting to know his Patron. [Yes he is a warlock, but that personality he interacts with is a delusion, someone his mind created because he was so alone in the wilderness] He multiclassed sorcerer [divine soul] which is why his blood triggered the event in the temple and is a [celestial] warlock. His character has a disdain for dwarves and is socially awkward. For example, he laps whine out of the goblet because he lived in the wilderness for years. I threw crap-talking dwarves at him in a tavern and he group ended up in jail 😆

[@MrSoratron]

Just found your channel, and as a newbie dm this is just perfect. Thank you!

[@geronimoordonez7551]

This is a new level on D&D awesomeness

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Gerónimo Ordóñez haha thanks man! Just trying to be as helpful as I can! 👌🏼 I appreciate it!

[@leobezemer3713]

Great video, thanks this was verry usefull to my players (and me)

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Leo Bezemer thank you for stopping by to tel me that, I really do appreciate it!

[@dylancox631]

Love the Plot Holes idea! Genius way of putting it! Definitely using this next campaign.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Dylan Cox I always tel my players to try and do that, so I put it in this pdf for myself and everyone’ 💜

[@snobgoblinDK]

I’m gonna try these on Monday :)

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Let me know how it goes for everyone!

[@AllThatJaz22]

That was awesome! Thanks for being a great gaming advocate and backstory aficionado! #betterbackstories

[@TheDungeonCoach]

THE CREATOR! There she is!! I was wondering when you’d be stopping by! I can’t wait to show these off in the live stream!

[@EpherosAldor]

I usually don't respond to stuff more than, like, a week old, but I just found your channel and going through a bunch of the content in your video library. I wanted to highlight something regarding your mentioning of leaving gaps or mysteries in the backstory. They way I make my characters and how I offer advice to some of my players when they create a backstory is to tell this story with aspects of either the factual thing they experienced or know and the info that only they would have from their perspective. The perspective part is where the DM can get creative. The character said their father died when they were only 4 yrs old, stating that he was killed in the war with the forest elves, how do they know? Was it confirmed? Who told them the father died? Do they remember what he looks like? Do they have a keepsake that only the father would recognize that the character only carries as a way to remember them? The elves might have captured the father and the report was a way to close out the file or something. Maybe the father deserted and disappeared to start a new life after his failure, now the characters show up in some foreign land and stumble across him by accident. So, remember the backstory has perspective and the player's character would probably not have access to all the pertinent info or may have been purposely mislead. You have some awesome ideas and content here, really inspiring and thought provoking. (Edit: Of course, earn the players that their backstories might not be as accurate or as correct as they remember it. That way, they are prepared and don't get stuck in the cement they think they've cast their story in.)

[@FlamKid25]

Great video, very helpful! But why does your "free" PDF cost $5?

[@bookaholic84]

Recently had a game where I was a player and the theme was indulgence so while creating characters for a game I plan on running I asked my family to think about what their characters like to indulge in, since most people have some negative habit that they are drawn to. I used the seven deadly sins as a basis.

[@aristorch8890]

thx man this video relay upped my game

[@kaloiandobrev8235]

Of course this video comes out the day after I finally finished a backstory that took me like a month to write. Great video, though!

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Kaloian Dobrev haha the worst timing ever! Lol I’m sure you killed it! Haha 👌🏼

[@JacksonOwex]

I think it might be cool if the backstory PDF was fillable in case people don't want to actually print it every time they need one, or they can print it after they type it so it is actually legible(I am a computer era kid and my handwriting is ATROCIOUS lol)!

[@RyElkryto]

Always the best info!!! Riley Wheeler

[@TheDungeonCoach]

RyElkrypto haha thanks bro, just trying to TEACH y’all new ways lol

[@luciusschlusemeyer30]

personally I do not care if my players have a back story. If they want one, I use it. I always start them out at level 1 , so they get to play out their backstory. It's up to my players , we are mostly war gamers . if there is no combat they get restless . if we role play it has to do with the plot / mission . Right now we are in Greece and Athens and Sparta are in a cold war. My players work for Sparta and are trying to gain an alliance with the Wood Elves in the tree city of Varia to enlist the best archers in Greece .

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Lucius Schlusemeyer I love that setting! Sounds epic! Yea me personally I’d want to ad ONE little nugget about who they are besides some warrior person. And I always start at level 1 as well, but you might not have everyone’s “nugget” come out in that first session. Or have something unique that only they know. Maybe one of them has been to the tree city... or one of them had an ex lover that’s a wood elf?? Just throwing it out there, BUT I respect your style of play too! 👍🏼💪🏼

[@luciusschlusemeyer30]

@@TheDungeonCoach I have been running games since 1977 , so I guess I'm OSR . I don't force the players to do something they are not into. ( I used to , but I grew out of that . Each group or player is different so I just roll with it. ) I love using Greece and the Greek gods, so much history to steal from and the Gods are so petty , add in Elves, Dwarfs , Gnomes etc and those rival Gods , plus Titans trying to return , City States , The City of Blood, its a rich environment with more stories and some real history . Right now I'm playing on roll20 2 times a week. with people I have never met face to face. Plus I have a in person game at the house , and my main game campaign of 20 plus years has been put on hold due to Covid . All 3 are completely different vibes and styles . The players dictate the style . ( all the same setting by the way I'm to lazy to create a world for each game. ) One game is full of hanging out and chasing the tail ( because that is what they like to do and they have back stories. ) But all are very tactical because that is we all enjoy . Backgrounds are great when they enhance the player experience , I do use them if they want to create one... sometimes I just give them history if they want it. I'm flexible like that.

[@theplayersdungeonguide]

Super helpful, thanks

[@allones3078]

Really doing the Mojo Jojo thing in this video for that sweet youtube algorithm time

[@wyattwear815]

I'm a little late on this one, but I needed this

[@aJRedi]

new dm here, Thank you 😵‍💫

[@obsidiannightwolfe13]

If you don't know why backstory is important, ask me how easy it is to fall into lawful stupid, if you don't make one. I'm actually thankful that character just died and I got to reroll with this knowledge revelation

[@perrygrosshans8537]

Excellent video! Very constructive. I've done backstories for my own characters and worked with my players for years on backstories, but we've never done it constructively like you suggested. LOVE the questionnaire! Gonna go grab that for sure. And those cards! Very cool! But wait...you say there are three ways to get them. Purchase, "this" giveaway, and at the livestream on Wednesday. But...unless I'm dense I don't think you mentioned "this" giveaway did you? Help with my confusion, lol! How does one get one's hands on those sweet sweet cards? What's the first giveaway? Just randomly from the comments? Sharing our own backstory stories from way back? Help! :D

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Perry Grosshans there is a link in the description for not! I really should have been more specific!! Thanks for the comment as usual Perry... NOW GO GET THAT GIVEAWAY!

[@perrygrosshans8537]

@@TheDungeonCoach Ha! I see that now. Man, I must have looked through those links a few times and totally missed it! Thanks!

[@Elkay_J]

Ooh! First te being in the top ten! Ill be first one day lol

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Hahaha you got this! Keep working on that initiative score!

[@sebastinboyer4701]

How do you become a part of the giveaway

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Link in the description with 2 gift 🎁 emojis next to it!! Sry I wasn’t more clear!

[@sebastinboyer4701]

@@TheDungeonCoach thank you for letting me know I was a little confused.

[@garrettlaturski6703]

This video makes me wish I could play in a game that isn't "AL+"

[@GunnarWahl]

Hey, did I inspire the idea for the “name you’re class” option?

[@TheDungeonCoach]

GunnarWahl the sorcerer calling themselves a sorcerer? Yea! That was on part of the additional notes I added on to the document! I thought it was a cool way to shake off the “meta” of the class name! 👍🏼

[@GunnarWahl]

The Dungeon Coach haha, awesome :)

[@TheDungeonCoach]

GunnarWahl no for real! I remember you saying that like 6+ months ago! And I added it to my notes THEN! glad to still see your around! 💜

[@BlueTressym]

The players who make of all their characters orphans are often ones who've fallen foul of adversarial DMs, the type who ONLY use backstories to screw over PCs. I'm not saying that NPCs created by players should never be put in jeopardy but if players find that the NPOCs their PC cares about, those NPCs invariably get murdered, they're just going to stop providing them. Yes, some of them just like being edgy but the first category is painfully common.

[@MegaMawileTheNommer]

Ugh, so tired of this trope "Kidnap or Kill family". THIS is why most players I play with choose to start as orphans. To many DMs abuse this trope. Please, USE IT SPARINGLY.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Mega Mawile I usually do their presence in the world as an overall positive and maybe tie into plot, not just kill em off or abuse em lol I agree with ya!

[@MegaMawileTheNommer]

@@TheDungeonCoach Apologies if that seemed targeted at you, was targeted at the trope in general. Yeah I like incorporating them into the world, maybe making them a vulnerable point to keep the player worried, kidnapping them to raise stakes. But so many fall into the trap of "Kill backstory NPCs" and its frustrating because it actually affects my games. I have players who don't dare make proper backstories because they are afraid I to will just go all Game of Thrones on their character's backstory NPCs.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Mega Mawile no your fine! Haha I agree with that over use of the trope too! 👌🏼 Lol @ GoT line

[@Tysto]

MOST of those quirks are bonkers. Some are completely unplayable. I wouldn't want to work in an office with people like that, let alone trust my life to them in a dungeon.

[@aryanakhouri8334]

How did you make that sexyass intro?

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Aryan Akhouri hahah thanks!! It’s from the sponsor of the channel, never ending! They are an animation company lol

[@lucistan6314]

He said its free, but all I can find is thw 2 dollar download

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Yea that’s just the price they make me enter as “recommended” but for real just enter $0.00 and your good! 👍🏼

[@lucistan6314]

Thank you. When I can, I will pay two dollars for them allowing your content. I appreciate it.

[@nicolaburgio-ferrara5584]

This was hard to watch. Had to quit at 1:47. This looks more like an episode of “what NOT to do when you can’t get hired as a sports commentator”

[@harley3211]

yikes a lot of the character traits and quirks are related to mental illness, that's not okay, especially with how inaccurate they are, eg: ADD being the inability to focus on one thing at a time (ADD and ADHD actually enables people to hyper focus on things, it's just that it's only things they can enjoy which can lead to the outside appearance of being 'unable to focus on one thing at a time'

[@haydenarlo1950]

“free” but not free?

[@TheZiiFamily]

Ooooooo

[@jonathanng7798]

I don't think it is free anymore...not a recommended price anymore

[@professionalantichristhate528]

I always make a backstory and personality before choosing a class.

[@thechaddad1609]

Exactly the video I needed for my party. They've been dragging their feet on making back stories, now they have no excuse.

[@mattk2708]

Thank you! These are great tips, and the template is wonderful. Will definitely be using it the next time I start a campaign.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Matt K one more tool in that DM belt!! Glad you like it!

[@WeTalkDD]

My lord I love me a backstory as a player and as a dm. Great tips on the why on some of this. Another amazing video DC

[@TheDungeonCoach]

Thanks dude! I’ve heard so many people dismiss them/ ignore them!

[@WeTalkDD]

The Dungeon Coach to their own detriment then

[@jillianh7565]

My group is doing a Curse of Strahd campaign right now and things are definitely getting interesting. My character is a half elf cleric and noble from a neighboring land. She originally came to Barovia as a political pawn, hoping to negotiate for either land, alies etc. I don’t know. She is also a runaway bride. Apparently, she was arranged to marry someone in Strand's court but ran away to escape from the evil men in her life. She is caring and optimistic but very refined and calculated. While most of my friends play as fighters and want to kill almost everything, I am the wise diplomat of the group. I use a variety of personalities in my character including my own personality, the wisdom and intelligence of someone like Padme Amidala or Princess Zelda as well as a hint of a warrior and just spirit. My character often shines in charisma, wisdom, and intelligence because of my role in the group but lacks in strength and dexterity. Additionally, I want to take advantage of my character's beauty and naivety to build report with Strahd if my DM will let me play a more charming and seductive role.

[@LordOz3]

Another good video, DC. I'm sharing this on my author FB page (where I talk about gaming) because having characters with back stories brings so much to the game. When I first started playing 5E, I didn't bother having my players fill out traits, ideals, bonds and flaws but now I do because they help give me places to hang story hooks.

[@TheDungeonCoach]

O wow thanks man! I appreciate that, and I totally agree! It’s just better for everyone!

[@devincolborn523]

I played a character in a one-shot who had a quirk of always mixing his metaphors. "The rolling stone gets the grease!"

[@timkramar9729]

I have a grave cleric that started as a grave digger. Fatalistic, but a lot of veneration for the dead. I chose to be a cleric who didn't heal, at least not at first.