The West Marches: Character Concepts

In my last post, I invited folks to tell me about their character concepts within a West Marches fictional context, and within a context where characters are defined narratively, rather than via stats.

I posed the following questions as a starting framework, and wow did people ever deliver!

Far beyond the edge of civilization, there's a land that's strange.  Maybe you heard it's where barbarians roam the hills in cunning packs, where goblins steal babies and leave behind twig-constructs, where witches grant power at the price of your dreams, leaving only nightmares.  There are people out here, cities too, yes- but they're like nothing you've never known.  But something has drawn you here nonetheless, to this wild and untamed land.

In this context, what are the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS about your character?  I actually don't think Strdexcon Intwischa is the best way to describe who you are in that setting.  What is?

• Are you a Human?  Elf?  Dwarf?
• What is your strength?  Are you Strong?  Quick?  Clever?
• What are your capabilities?  Do you Have Magic?  Are you Skilled with the Sword?
• What have you brought with you?  Your Mother's Sword?  A Talisman of Faith?
• Why are you here?  Do you seek A Cure?  Your Brother?  Gold?  Glory?

Let's look at some of the responses.

Mortal Tier Characters

All of these answers seem like great fits for the "Mortal" tier of play- people of low power and means, venturing into the unknown in search of some nebulous destiny.

One of the things I like about these answers in particular is that they offer enough specificity to spark the imagination, but remain open ended enough that you can imagine these characters engaging in lots of situations!  Their goals are loosely defined, rather than tightly constrained- the threats chasing them nebulous and broad.

a child, trying to grow up too fast. I am brave to the point of recklessness, and filled with curiosity. I see things others overlook. I carry the broken sword of my fallen sister, and a cloak woven by my father. I have left my home to know the world, and to drink deep of life.

— gamesfromthewildwood (@wildwoodsgames) April 24, 2018

A knight, crushed by the ideals thrust upon him by his native culture, fleeing the bride he rescued and the father he disappointed. He seeks oblivion in the marches, but his past haunts him in the form of his squire, the one person whose respect he cannot and will not lose

— Alex (@UndeniableDawn) April 24, 2018

I am former a goblin kitchenhand who's lord has been murdered by marauding orcs. I am neither clever nor strong but extremely headstrong. I roam the land riding my murdered Lord's award winning ram pretending to be a knight and seeking revenge, worthy foes and ladies to 'woe'.

— KaptnKiwi (@CaptnKiwi) April 25, 2018

I am a halfling and I can sing a song that would make a stone weep. I do not sing for the praise of others, but simply in an attempt to expel the sadness I feel within. I have brought with me a small a coin necklace, to remind me of what I have lost, and what I must reclaim.

— Alice (@TafKat_) April 24, 2018

We are twins, merely children, but together we pool our sorcerous blood to survive. We've only brought eachother and the clothes on our backs, for we could take nothing when the gods fearing townsfolk chased us from our home, and murdered our mother.

— Misha Lumen (@Applepixie) April 24, 2018

A slimy cockroach of a man. I have been squashed under many boot-heels but I always crawl out from under them, one way or another. My mouth runs almost as fast as my legs do. I bring with me a thousand overdue debts, and the hope of a haul that will pay them off and then some.

— Rhys McMillan (@rhysmakeswords) April 25, 2018

I am Elsbeth Underhill, an elderly halfling hedge knight.
My sword arm grows weak, but I compensate it with my experience and bravery.
I carry my trusty sword and around my neck hangs a chain with my late husband's wedding ring.
I am braving the wilds to have one last adventure.

— Kaeam (@Kaeam_) April 24, 2018

Heroic Tier+ Characters

But there was another category of response, of people talking about characters who were already carrying great power and great strangeness.  These responses seem to fit perfectly in one of the higher tiers- Hero, maybe, or even God.  These characters possess clear and strange powers, carry with them weird burdens that behave in unexpected ways, or are searching for a goal that is more concretely tied to something that exists in the wilds.

An old elf, very knowledgeable. They have a great arsenal of cunning spells, prefering avoiding combat with the help of divination and illusions. They brought with them an artefact of ever changing meaning, meant to be destroyed. That is why they fled, to protect this ... thing

— Dark J'adore (@Darkvlagor) April 24, 2018

I am Zona, an ancient giant blacksmith.
I am the last of my kind, but I have perfected my craft.
The forbidden secrets of the forge are known to me.
I carry a rune hammer and the fabled Cube of Impossible Angles.
I will descend the Spire of the Wurm into the center of the world.

— Kaeam (@Kaeam_) April 25, 2018

I am Ibram, a cursed elf.
Agonizing flames constantly consume my flesh, but I can never die.
I can immolate my enemies with a wave of my hand.
I carry only the scorched urn containing the ashes of my family.
I am hoping to find a way to extinguish myself and end this nightmare.

— Kaeam (@Kaeam_) April 25, 2018

I am Ssisk, a stunted lizardman philosopher.
I am blind and weak, but none can match my wisdom.
I wield the forbidden magics of my people.
On my back I carry a petrified egg that whispers its secrets to me.
When the egg hatches, I will shed my form and be reborn as a dragon.

— Kaeam (@Kaeam_) April 24, 2018

So, then- in my mind, characters begin in the first category, and grow into the second.  Over time, they learn about the Marches, engage with the strangeness their, growing power in unexpected ways, and also taking on unexpected burdens.

Character Creation - Mortal Tier - Rough Brainstorms

Let's establish some first-pass categories of answers to our character creation questions.  Maybe a "roll 1d6 or choose" scenario?  This is all just rough brainstorms, and not indicative of the final outcome- but brainstorming in circles helps us see where we need continued work, and moves us towards our final goal.


What are you?

1. Human
2. Human
3. Human
4. Elf
5. Dwarf
6. Halfling

What is your strength?

1. My strength of arm and body.
2. My keen ability to notice what others overlook.
3. My will to endure what others could not.
4. My song, which makes stone weep.
5. My friends, who I find everywhere I go.
6. My cunning in the face of all manner of danger.

What is your unique capability?

1. My collection of spells, carefully hoarded.
2. My knowledge of battle, leadership, and military discipline.
3. Few can match me, sword to sword.
4. My mouth runs almost as fast as my legs do.
5. My nimble fingers have always served me in a tight spot.
6. My knowledge of the first part of the name of my god, and the minor miracles it can evoke.

What do you carry with you?

1. My squire, a heavy reminder of my duty.
2. My father's broken sword.
3. A coin on a necklace, a reminder of all I have lost.
4. A thousand overdue debts.
5. My brother, my only comfort in times of trial.
6. Nothing but the clothes on my back.

What do you seek?

1. To drink deep of life.
2. My own oblivion.
3. One last adventure.
4. Enough gold.
5. A worthy foe.
6. Escape from my past.

At first glance, these categories are interesting, but there are obvious answers in some of them that might be best swapped around.  Also, these are excellently descriptive, narratively- but what do they tell us, mechanically?  How do these shape the ways that these characters engage with the rules of the game?

Interesting questions to ponder another time.  Until then, I hope you've enjoyed seeing more about the kinds of characters these questions have inspired!