People Get Ready: Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Character Backstory?

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Backstory. Character development. It’s one of the most discussed topics in the TTRPG space. And the 3 Wise DMs were faced with the question when a friend offered to run a Call of Cthulhu one-shot for our group. This was followed by a Google Doc with twenty in-depth questions as to the character’s background, motivations, loves, and fears. For a one-shot.

If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “is there such a thing as too much character backstory?”, then this is the episode for you!

3:25 DM-Player communication: how much is the DM looking for and how much can you use in-game?

4:40 The context of this question really depends on this game being a one-shot, as opposed to a continuing campaign.

7:00 Will this level of prep increase the level of investment in the character?

9:00 No matter how much you develop the idea of the character… you have no idea how they will play until the game starts.

12:50 This question depends very much on the system that you’re playing (including DM Chris’ very old-school D&D way of creating his author, Thomas Albright.)

19:45 Will this level of character backstory and development allow a more immersive one-shot?

22:50 We might not do twenty questions… but maybe we could?

26:00 The level of immersion with teasers that the Keeper of Arcane Lore is creating for this one-shot.

30:05 Meeting your players where they are.

34:05 Final Thoughts.

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