A backstory is a narrative that provides context and explains the history or origins of a character, setting, or event. It is a way to enrich the story by adding depth and complexity to the characters and their motivations.
One example of a backstory can be found in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. In this novel, the character Atticus Finch is a highly respected and moral lawyer in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. However, his backstory reveals that he was not always so highly regarded. In his youth, Atticus was known as a rebellious and unconventional thinker, and he was ostracized by many in the town for his views. This backstory adds depth to Atticus's character and helps to explain his strong moral compass and his determination to stand up for what he believes in, even when it is unpopular.
Another example of a backstory can be found in the film "The Shawshank Redemption." The main character, Andy Dufresne, is sentenced to life in prison for a crime he did not commit. His backstory reveals that he was a successful banker and had a happy life with his wife before his wrongful conviction. This backstory adds a sense of injustice to Andy's situation and helps to explain his determination to escape from prison and clear his name.
In both of these examples, the backstory adds depth and complexity to the characters and their motivations, and helps to make the story more engaging and compelling. By providing context and explaining the history or origins of a character or event, a backstory can help to enrich the narrative and make it more believable and relatable.
How To Write A Character Backstory
It is stated in the 5e player handbook that Changelings are genderfluid because of their ability to shapeshift. . One of the benefits of writing character backstories is that it can help you to get to know your characters better. Though it may be tempting to go on about a character's past, having a long backstory can often distract the reader from present events and bog down your narrative. . The idea behind the archetype is to give your character an outline for what they should act like.
What is a Backstory — Building a Foundation for Your Narrative
Almost overnight, the nation found itself mired in the midst of an economic crisis the likes of which the world had never seen before. Ă‚ Aspen new of only one person to go to, Puck. Absolutely, exposition in screenwriting is usually boring and takes away from the story; you have a limited time to engage the viewer, after all. She agreed to become a cleric in service of the goddess of her village. But now the world is changing and fast, and so Frank and many of his friends decide to quit while they're ahead. While Montez is driving, he gets fired at and chased by a few gangs in another car. This will probably be what you read to other characters before your campaign.
Personality: While Tamberlaine is reckless, he is also very careful. He has no choice but to ditch San Fierro and head to Los Santos where he wanted to start a new life. The backstory can be anything from their past to how they came to be who they are today. Her coarse hair is shoulder length and black. There is also considerable room for character development as Alaris faces down her demons—figurative and literal—and bonds with her companions who help her see it through. She wears a plain gray robe with a long green cape. Until she found out her husband was an adulterer.
How to Write a Character Backstory: Guide for Fiction Writers
She decided to go along with him. Shapiro had betrayed O'Shea and everyone involved in the case. Olin is currently in the midst of an adventure in the Grabisco Kingdom. What is a prologue? Backstories may be told from different perspectives, such as those of narrator and other characters, or they may be described by one individual who speaks directly to another character. The most common exposition is a summary of what has happened in the story so far. It was his job to decimate the American Dream, and all in the name of, as his superiors like to say, fiscal responsibility.
What Is a Backstory [Complete Guide, With Examples & Tips] • Filmmaking Lifestyle
He was brought up by a cleric named Danus. Kagome Higurashi Kagome Higurashi is one of my favorite characters in Inuyasha, as well as one of the most powerful Then one day she discovers that she has the ability to see demons when she touches shards of shards kind of like crystal balls. Wounded and knowing he would be hunted as long as he remained in town, Dirk fled to the countryside to figure out what would come next. So, they often found themselves playing alone, unless their cousin, Hawthorne, had come to visit. But the loyalty of a traitor cannot be trusted, and he was a loose end that had to be cut. What is most important to them? Since then, she has been traveling from town to town trying to find a group of people that will accept her skills. Anyways, by the time I was 15, I was already a young alcoholic drinkin' everyday, hanging out with the wrong people doing hood rat shit.
Yet now he has to actually work with gangs, and get revenge on the guy who framed him. Ihan was a very good person, but he was able to hurt others if they were causing harm. Tamberlaine, who had grown weary with his life, jumped at the chance. What drives them to do evil deeds? The backstory is not an excuse to simply dump information onto the reader. She fled to the Kingdom of Grabisco, where she lives now as a rogue and a bard, using her charm and wits to make a living. Her parents doted on her and spoiled her some might say, as was the custom of the city.
An Example of a Dungeons and Dragons’ Character Backstory
If you are feeling stuck when creating a backstory for your character, try using an AI story generator to help you out with new and inventive ideas! A Knife in the Dark: A Rogue Backstory Dirk is a man marked for death. And when you find out who he is, run. She has set out on a new adventure and intends to leave a lasting impression on Grabisco and the world. As a teenager he worked on the family farm, and had a reputation for being a bit of a prankster and a bit of a flirt. A desire for revenge? He also granted them magic, for he worried they would need more than their changeling abilities to complete their mission.
You now know a that my character is confident and doing well financially or so it would seem! He is jovial and has a fairly cheery outlook on life, though he is fairly low key about it. She has since been wandering about with one goal in mind: help the people of Grabisco and become a hero. A well-developed backstory can make a character feel more real to readers or viewers and can help them to connect with the character on a deeper level. If so, head over to LitRPG Adventures and check out my. Her family always gave her the love she needed, but never enough attention.
He has no choice but to ditch San Fierro and head to Los Santos where he wanted to start a new life. Begin from their childhood to their present. Some were primarily composed of one ethnic group—refugees banding together to protect themselves where the law turned a blind eye—while others were focused around criminal undergrounds for different contraband markets or running protection rackets for relatively lawless areas. So, they often found themselves playing alone, unless their cousin, Hawthorne, was home. One summer, Hawthorn went to trade with a neighboring village, the trip normally took four days both ways. The backstory can take many forms, including birth, childhood, education, business experience and military service.
How to Write a Backstory: 11 Steps (with Pictures)
Get access to 26+ RPG generators + our growing RPG content library. Not only did they discover their family had changeling blood in them, but they also were the worshippers of the ancient fae. Notice if the backstory matches the tone and mood of the main story. Additionally, strategically placing flashbacks can help to heighten the emotional impact of key scenes. Fantasy RPG Random Tables Books Make life as a Gamemaster easier. While this can create an air of mystery around a character, it can also make them feel untrustworthy and make it difficult for readers to connect with them.
