Background Options

Creating Background Stories

In the world of Honarth, the lives of its inhabitants are shaped by the powerful forces that control the planet. From the politicians who rule the cities to the corporate tycoons who control the economy, and the criminal underworld that operates in the shadows, each faction has its own unique culture, beliefs, and way of life. When creating a character in Honarth, it is important to consider the background of your character and how it influences their personality, motivations, and beliefs.  

General Backgrounds

Regardless of the faction a character belongs to, there are some general backgrounds that can be used to create a well-rounded character. These include:  

Childhood

Consider the character's upbringing and family life. Was their childhood happy or troubled? Were they raised in a wealthy or poor family? How did their parents influence their personality and beliefs?  

Education

Think about the character's education. Did they receive a formal education or were they self-taught? What subjects did they study and what kind of skills did they acquire?  

Career

What did the character do before entering the world of Honarth? What kind of work have they done and what skills have they acquired through their experiences?  

Hobbies and Interests

What does the character enjoy doing in their free time? What are their passions and what kind of hobbies and interests do they have?  

Politicians

In the world of Honarth, politicians play a central role in shaping the lives of its citizens. They are the ones who make the laws and govern the cities, but they are also corrupt and often have their own agendas. When creating a character who is a politician, consider the following:  

Political Beliefs

What kind of political beliefs does the character hold? Are they progressive or conservative? Do they believe in the power of the government to help its citizens, or do they believe in limiting its power?  

Position of Power

What is the character's position in the political hierarchy? Are they a governor, a mayor, or a member of the city council? How much power and influence do they have in the government?  

Relationships

What kind of relationships does the character have with other politicians and powerful figures in the city? Are they allies or enemies? What kind of deals and alliances have they made to further their own interests?  

Corporate Tie-Ups

In Honarth, corporations hold a great deal of power and influence over the lives of its citizens. They are the ones who control the economy and the flow of goods and services, and they often use their power to further their own interests. When creating a character who is a corporate tie-up, consider the following:  

Company

What kind of corporation does the character work for? Is it a large multinational corporation, or a smaller, up-and-coming company? What kind of products and services does the corporation provide, and what is their reputation in the business world?  

Position

What is the character's position in the corporation? Are they an executive, a manager, or a worker on the factory floor? How much power and influence do they have within the company?  

Relationships

What kind of relationships does the character have with other corporations and powerful figures in the city? Are they competitors or allies? What kind of deals and alliances have they made to further their own interests?  

Dwellers & Scum

In Honarth, the dwellers and scum are the people who live on the fringes of society. They are often overlooked and ignored by the powerful factions that control the world, and they must fend for themselves in a harsh and unforgiving environment. When creating a character who is a dweller or scum, consider the following:  

Lifestyle

How does the character make a living? Are they a street vendor, a scavenger, or a member of a criminal gang? What kind of challenges and dangers do they face on a daily basis?  

Living Conditions

Where does the character live? Are they homeless, living in a shantytown, or in a safe house provided by a criminal organization? How does their living environment affect their mental and physical well-being?  

Relationships

What kind of relationships does the character have with other dwellers and scum, as well as with the other factions in the city? Are they part of a community, or are they isolated and alone? What kind of deals and alliances have they made to survive and thrive in their harsh environment?  

The "Gifters"

In Honarth, the "gifters" are a mysterious and powerful group that operate in the shadows, gifting favors and illegal contraband to those in need. When creating a character who is a "gifter", consider the following:  

Purpose

What is the character's motivation for being a "gifter"? Do they do it for personal gain, or do they have a greater purpose in mind?  

Influence

How much power and influence does the character have in the criminal underworld? Are they a low-level enforcer, or a respected leader among the "gifters"?  

Relationships

What kind of relationships does the character have with other "gifters" and powerful figures in the city? Are they loyal to the group, or are they working for their own interests? What kind of deals and alliances have they made to further their goals?  

Faceless

The Faceless are the everyday people in the world of Honarth. When creating a character who is a Faceless, consider the following:  

Struggle

What keeps the character in their current lower level lifestyle? Do they feel the pressure of corporate grip on their everyday lives? What is their economic status?  

Motivations

What is the character's ultimate goal? Are they seeking revenge, power, or wealth, or are they working towards a greater cause?  

Relationships

What kind of relationships does the character have with other factions in the city? Are they working with other struggling people, or are they operating independently? What kind of deals and alliances have they made to further their own interests? How do they feel about corporations or politics?  

Tribal People

In Honarth, there are also tribal people who live in the remote regions of the planet and maintain their own unique cultures and beliefs. When creating a character who is a tribal person, consider the following:  

Tribal Culture

What is the character's tribe, and what are their beliefs, customs, and traditions? How do they view the rest of society, and how do they interact with other factions in the city?  

Lifestyle

How does the character make a living within their tribe? Are they a hunter, a healer, or a spiritual leader? How does their tribal lifestyle affect their physical and mental well-being?  

Relationships

What kind of relationships does the character have with members of their own tribe, as well as with members of other tribes? Are they respected and revered, or are they an outcast or a rebel?  

Droids

In the world of Honarth, droids are a common sight, serving as laborers, soldiers, and servants for the wealthy and powerful. When creating a character who is a droid, consider the following:  

Programming

What kind of programming does the droid have? Are they designed for manual labor, combat, or customer service? How does their programming influence their personality and actions?  

Memory

Do the droids have memories of their own, or are they programmed to forget past experiences and emotions? How does this impact their sense of self and their relationships with other characters?  

Upgrades

Have the droids been upgraded or altered in any way? How do these upgrades affect their abilities and personality?  

Explore Other Ideas

When creating a character in Honarth, the possibilities are endless. By exploring new and unique backgrounds, players and game masters can bring new dimensions to the world and its characters. Some ideas to consider include:  

• A character who is a former criminal turned police officer, trying to atone for their past mistakes.
• A character who is a scientist trying to uncover the secrets of Honarth's ancient civilizations.
• A character who is a spiritual leader trying to bring peace to the troubled world of Honarth.

 

Tips & Tricks

When creating a background for your character, it can be helpful to consider the following tips and tricks:  

• Think about how your character's background affects their beliefs, motivations, and goals.
• Consider the character's relationships with other characters in the world.
• Use the character's background to shape their personality and the way they interact with others.
• Think about how your character's background impacts their personal journey and how they want to evolve over time.

 

For Game Masters

As a game master, you have an important role in helping your players create well-rounded characters with unique and engaging backgrounds. Consider the following tips to help your players pick their backgrounds:  

• Encourage your players to think about what kind of characters they want to play and what kind of stories they want to tell.
• Help your players understand the different factions and cultures in the world of Honarth, and how they influence the characters' beliefs and motivations.
• Encourage your players to think outside the box and come up with original and creative backgrounds for their characters.
• Be open to new and innovative ideas from your players and work together to bring their characters to life.

Creating a character in the world of Honarth can be an exciting and creative process. By exploring the different backgrounds and factions available in the world, players and game masters can create rich and complex characters that bring life and depth to the world. Whether playing a politician, a corporate tie-up, a droid, or something entirely new, the possibilities for character creation are endless.