How to write better rp characters [library]

This blog is collection of advice on writing good characters for role-playing games in mind e.g. D&D (but they can be applied for other characters as well.) Maybe you're a begginer, feel stuck with your character or look for inspiration - hopefully this blog can help you :)

[write-better-rp-characters]

Quick intro

Disclaimer: I don't have a huge experience in playing role-playing games (I have friends who veterans by comparison) but I do love them and I want to create characters that are fun to play and interact with as player / DM. This blog is a collection of sources that have helped me write characters from narrative perspective (I won't be focusing much on mechanics, so the advice can be used regardless of systems - D&D is not the only TTRP).

Few months ago I wished to find a resource that would collect such knowledge in one place, now I decided to create it myself. Hopefully other people will have an easier time finding advice on writing characters for rp thanks to it.

[write-better-rp-characters]

Connect your character to the campaign / game

You will probably know from the GM what the game will be about - if your game is going to be full of lore, give your character a reason to care about lore; if it's about epic battles - decide on your character's motivation to fight. Essentially, it is easier to play rpg when your character is already driven to follow the plot.

Connect your charater to yourself

Get emotionally invested into your own character - think of their potential internal struggles. Choose something that emotionally resonates with you (at least a bit.)

A good character is a flawed character. Think of a fatal flaw insecurity that shapes how the character wants to be perceived, what they disdain, what do they put their faith in, what kind of people they admire and want to impress etc. From there you can build your characters motivations, presentations and decisions, which once you understand their decision making process you're on the route to success (Role-playing is a game of choices after all)

Connect your character to others

Establish reasons for your character to interact with and involve other players - it is easier to role-play when it is baked into the character concept. Maybe it's your character's first adventure and they are used to relying on advice of their family - now they will seek advice form player characters. Maybe they are curious of people so they ask everyone personal questions or they don't trust anyone in the party, so they try to learn their secrets to gain sense of security.

[loveyourlovelysoul]

We've been mistaking unhealthy coping strategies for positive traits our whole life, so for example:

We think people pleasing is being kind, but kindness comes from genuine care, not fear of rejection: people pleasing is anxiety disgused as niceness

We mistake perfectionism for excellence, but excellence is about growth and progress, while perfectionism is fear of failure dressed up as high standards

We confuse avoiding conflict with being peaceful, but peaceful isn't pretending everything is fine: that's fear of confrontation masquerading as harmony

We think suppressing feelings makes us strong, but strength isn't emotional numbness: that's trauma disguised as resilience

We mistake not asking for help as independence, but independence isn't doing everything alone: that's fear of being a burden or pretending to be self-reliant

We confuse approval seeking with getting good advice, but seeking wisdom is different from needing validation: approval seeking is insecurity disguised as being open to input

We think being controlling gives us safety but safety isn't micromanaging everything: that's anxiety masquerading as being responsible

We mistake our productivity for our worth, but our value isn't our output: that's childhood conditioning disguised as work ethics

These patterns serve you once, but now they're just keeping you stuck

(drglorialee on ig video)

[luna-azzurra]

Unhealed Wounds Your Character Pretends Are Just “Personality Traits”

These are the things your character claims are just “how they are” but really, they’re bleeding all over everyone and calling it a vibe.

╰ They say they're "independent." Translation: They don’t trust anyone to stay. They learned early that needing people = disappointment. So now they call it “being self-sufficient” like it’s some shiny badge of honor. (Mostly to cover up how lonely they are.)

╰ They say they're "laid-back." Translation: They stopped believing their wants mattered. They'll eat anywhere. Do anything. Agree with everyone. Not because they're chill, but because the fight got beaten out of them a long time ago.

╰ They say they're "a perfectionist." Translation: They believe mistakes make them unlovable. Every typo. Every bad hair day. Every misstep feels like proof that they’re worthless. So they polish and polish and polish... until there’s nothing real left.

╰ They say they're "private." Translation: They’re terrified of being judged—or worse, pitied. Walls on walls on walls. They joke about being “mysterious” while desperately hoping no one gets close enough to see the mess behind the curtain.

╰ They say they're "ambitious." Translation: They think achieving enough will finally make the emptiness go away. If they can just get the promotion, the award, the validation—then maybe they’ll finally outrun the feeling that they’re fundamentally broken. (It never works.)

╰ They say they're "good at moving on." Translation: They’re world-class at repression. They’ll cut people out. Bury heartbreak. Pretend it never happened. And then wonder why they wake up at 3 a.m. feeling like they're suffocating.

╰ They say they're "logical." Translation: They’re terrified of their own feelings. Emotions? Messy. Dangerous. Uncontrollable. So they intellectualize everything to avoid feeling anything real. They call it rationality. (It's fear.)

╰ They say they're "loyal to a fault." Translation: They mistake abandonment for loyalty. They stay too long. Forgive too much. Invest in people who treat them like an afterthought, because they think walking away makes them "just as bad."

╰ They say they're "resilient." Translation: They don't know how to ask for help without feeling like a burden. They wear every bruise like a trophy. They survive things they should never have had to survive. And they call it strength. (But really? It's exhaustion wearing a cape.)

[creativepromptsforwriting]

good traits gone bad

perfectionism - never being satisfied

honesty - coming off as rude and insensitive

devotion - can turn into obsession

generosity - being taken advantage of

loyalty - can make them blind for character faults in others

being dependable - always depending on them

ambitiousness - coming off as ruthless

optimism - not being realistic

diligence - not able to bend strict rules

protectiveness - being overprotective

cautiousness - never risking anything

being determined - too focussed on one thing

persuasiveness - coming off as manipulative

tidiness - can become an obsession

being realistic - being seen as pessimistic

assertiveness - coming off as bossy

pride - not accepting help from others

innocence - being seen as naive

selflessness - not thinking about themself enough

being forgiving - not holding others accountable

curiosity - asking too many questions

persistence - being seen as annoying

being charming - can seem manipulative

modesty - not reaching for more

confidence - coming off as arrogant

wit/humor - not taking things serious

patience - being left hanging

strategic - coming off as calculated

being caring - being overbearing

tolerance - being expected to tolerate a lot

eagerness - coming off as impatient

being observant - being seen as nosy

independence - not accepting help

being considerate - forgetting about themself

fearlessness - ignoring real danger

politeness - not telling what they really think

reliability - being taken advantage of

empathy - getting overwhelmed with feeling too much for other people

[lyralit]

traits turned sour

honest - insensitive

persuasive - manipulative

caring - overprotective

confidence - arrogance

fearless - cocky

loyalty - an excuse

devotion - obsession

agreeable - lazy

perfectionism - insatisfaction

reserved - aloof

cautious - skeptical

self loved - selfish

available - distractible

emotional - dramatic

humble - attention-seeking

diligent - imposing

dutiful - submissive

assertive - bossy

strategic - calculated

truthful - cruel

[write-better-rp-characters]

Easy, actionable guide on how to step-up your rp character writing game (and it's not basic advice you'll hear everywhere else)

Notes below (but I encourage to watch the video)

📄5 minutes character tune-up worksheet by Willowares

Your character needs ducks (harmless, goofy, soft traits) and nails (traits to be taken seriously, precise, maybe dangerous).

It's not necessarily positive vs negative character traits. It's about the feeling those traits give off. A strict, hot-headed knight that used to be loyal to the crown until the king was murdered and now seeks revenge (nails) will feel more dimensional if they like to collect flowers or have a silly, one-sided beef with a cat (ducks).

Party is a sandwich - What role your character plays in the party's social dynamic?

This is something you may try to plan ahead, but in reality during first session(s) you may find that there is a gap in relationships between characters at the table and sometimes the best thing you can do is go fill out that gap yourself (it is an improv game after all). Does your party sit undecided on what to do next? Maybe try to fill "the leader" role. Is your party full of silly gooses, that will get into trouble the moment you turn your eye on them? Go ahead and grab the label of "the responsible one" or maybe "the one that will bail them out of jail later". Don't force yourself to play as someone you don't want to and don't go against party dynamics (you all can wreak chaos together), but try to adjust your character to the party.

Short character description

Prepare a short, memorable description of the character's appearance, so it's easier to remember. For visuals you can use 80/20 rule - 80% basic stuff, 20% the weird, unique shit.

I am the donut and the hole (aka character strengths and weaknesses)

The character is both what they have (what can they do?) and don’t (what do they lack?). It might be tempting to focus only on the character strengths during creation, but remember that the weaknesses can create interesting narrative moments as well. Your character weakness is a great opportunity to let other players shine - ask them for help in character. But also a weakness might become something for your character to overcome later on (thus having a character arc *gasp*)

What they want vs what they need

What does your character want? What are their deepest desires? Now what prevents them from achieving it? Are they the obstacle? Boom! That's your base for potential character arc (we love those!). But remember the game is fluid and it's ok for your character to change during the gameplay - their desires might shift or maybe you'll find more relevant obstacles - sometimes you need to let go of previous plans and go with the flow of the story.

Plan signature moves

Prepare a short, interesting description of your character's 2 signature moves. Usually it means really thinking how your most used attacks would look like, so when the time comes you can add a bit a ✨flavour ✨to the battle, but it can also be a description of how it looks like when your thief character is picking up locks with their unique tools. The more you prepare ahead, the less you need to think of creative stuff on the spot. (A good example would be how Liam O'Brien describes Caleb Widogast's spells in CR2)

Cosmetic wish item

Give your character a one cosmetic item them would want (e.g. tattoo, cool hat, beard), so they can have a small secondary reward. Talk with you DM about that. They don't have to actually get it or be open about wanting it, but it can be a nice side-plot or secondary motivation (as well as a tool for the DM)