![Firbolg Druid [C] by Jeleynai](images/NewCCImages/firbolg_druid_c_by_jeleynai_resized.webp)
"Firbolg Druid [C]" by Jeleynai (resized) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
The character palette is a tool for developing fictional characters of all kinds, at any point in their lifetimes. It's a form that's divided up into major life categories, from the physical to the cultural, with sub-categories that will help you dig into various aspects. By answering the prompts, you'll learn more about the key character's motives and experiences, but only theirs - if you want to learn about another character, you should start a palette just for them.
Since the palette is system and setting-agnostic, it can easily be employed by TTRPG players, GMs, and fiction writers. It can also serve at any point in your creative process: Jot down notes after tabletop game sessions or when a character in a novel starts to feel stale. Update old answers as their story proceeds, or start a new palette for the next big phase of their tale. Either way, you'll have space for details that don't fit anywhere else and nuances that bring them to life!
If you need a method to start, try filling in at least 4 entries in 4 different categories (such as Physical, Possessions, Skills & Function, and Temperament). If you're short on time, stick to the Description prompts, and remember, your answers can be as short or long as you wish.
And don't feel pressured to fill out the whole thing! If you have a goal, focus on sections related to it and ignore the rest. Otherwise, look for what inspires you or try out prompts you haven't considered before. The palette is a living document that will grow according to your needs and wishes, but it probably won't be finished. As with actual lives and people, plenty will remain unresolved and unknown, even at the character's death.
Let's say you just finished creating a character sheet for a new RPG character. While other members of your group are finishing up their sheets, you want to develop some flavor for your new PC, so you start a new palette (file) for the character. You fill in their name and the campaign's title, and decide you want to know the following factors: Physical, Possessions, Skills & Function, and Temperament. Since time could be short, you stick to the Description prompts:
describe the character physically
describe the character's key possessions
describe the character's professional specialties
describe the character's temperament and/or how it is likely to appear to others
This gives you fun details that make your character stand out in early sessions. After playing for a few weeks, you decide to develop the character's physical condition. You explain how the character feels about their appearance in the Opinions section, then explore why they present themself as they do in the Motives section. Finally, you come up with anything physical about the character that stood out about them in the past (in the History area). You look for opportunities to use the new information during play and tell your DM about the character's motivation because it has given you an idea for a personal goal/quest.
See the prompts here, and download your own copy above so you can easily fill them in!
Character Name |
|
|---|---|
Setting: |
|
PhysicalDevelop the character's visual aspects DescriptionDescribe the character physically. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their physical state. MotivationsExplain what really motivates the character to present themselves the way they do. HistoryDescribe anything physical about the character that stood out about them in the past, and whether it has changed or not. |
PossessionsDefine their owned gear, locations, and vehicles DescriptionDescribe the character's key possessions. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their key possessions. MotivationsExplain why the character values (or disregards) their possessions, or what they want to get in the future. HistoryDescribe long-time possessions or things that the character used to have that were lost, stolen, etc. |
EncounteringDetermine what it's usually like to meet the character DescriptionDescribe what the character is like when encountered and where they can often be found. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their usual haunts and reactions to others. MotivationsExplain what drives the characters to live where they do and go where they go, or what's driving them away. HistoryDescribe a few significant encounters or reactions the character had in the past. |
ResidenceIllustrate their living situation and personal space DescriptionDescribe where the character lives. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their living conditions (the location or its qualities). MotivationsExplain the deeper reasons why your character chooses to live where and how they do. HistoryDescribe where the character has lived before, if they have moved a lot, and so on. |
Skills & FunctionFlesh out the character's profession, skills, and powers DescriptionDescribe the character's professional specialties and how they tend to earn a living. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their professional skills and standing. MotivationsExplain what drives your character in their profession or what is driving them away from it. HistoryDescribe when the character started to learn key skills, when they lost or changed jobs, etc. |
Hobbies & InterestsExplore what they pursue for fun in their spare time, not for profit DescriptionDescribe the character's hobbies. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their personal interests and crafts. MotivationsExplain how often your character tries to indulge in their hobbies and the kind of satisfaction they get out of them. HistoryDescribe what the character used to be interested in, whether that interest has dried up or not. |
Plans & PlotsDefine the character's goals, hopes, dreams, and schemes DescriptionDescribe some of the character's key plots and schemes. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their plans. MotivationsExplain the deeper reasons why they pursue their goals, what they really hope to achieve, or the underlying satisfaction they gain. HistoryDescribe some of the character's previous major plans and briefly explain whether or not they worked out. |
Secrets & MysteriesSketch what's being hidden by or from the character DescriptionDescribe a mystery the character hasn't figured out yet, a few personal secrets they keep, and how far the character is going to reveal or hide the truth. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about the secrets they haven't cracked yet, the lies they're telling, or the deeds they're hiding. MotivationsExplain what the character truly hopes to gain by solving a mystery, or what they're desperate to keep or avoid by maintaining their secrets. HistoryDescribe some secrets the character encountered in the past or that have haunted them from earlier years. |
ObstaclesDefine the character's deadlines, conflicts, and impairments DescriptionDescribe some of the character's worst or recurring obstacles. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about these problems. MotivationsExplain what really inspires the character to react as they do (fight, flight, flee) when they encounter these conflicts. HistoryDescribe some obstacles the character used to face, whether they have resolved them or not. |
ReputationExamine the impact of their fame and notoriety DescriptionDescribe their reputation in areas they frequent or key places that have received news of them. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their reputation. MotivationsExplain what motivates the character to improve, ignore, or destroy their reputation. HistoryDescribe what the character's reputation used to be like in earlier life stages or in other places. |
PoliticsOutline the character's faction, activities, standing, and role DescriptionDescribe any of the character's titles or roles in groups, political or otherwise. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about politics and/or groups they're involved in or pressing political matters. MotivationsExplain what motivates the character's political stances and affiliations. HistoryDescribe what the character's political alliances used to be like. |
CultureExplore the symbols, accent, and folkways they embrace DescriptionDescribe the cultural influences on the character's appearance. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their cultural affiliations or pressing cultural issues. MotivationsExplain what drives the character to maintain, abandon, or interact with their cultures. HistoryDescribe cultures the character has belonged to previously, whether they still do or not. |
TemperamentDetermine the character's inclinations and disposition DescriptionDescribe the character's predominant attitude, usual body language, or other ways that transmit their general emotional state to others. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their temperament. MotivationsExplain what is behind the character's usual disposition. HistoryDescribe what the character's basic temperament used to be like and how much has changed. |
MoralityDevelop their beliefs, virtues, vices, and religious affiliation DescriptionDescribe the character's beliefs and/or what their beliefs seem to be to others. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their personal ethics, their god, or their religious group. MotivationsExplain why the character values key beliefs, moral traits, or religion, or why they don't value something they're expected to. HistoryDescribe and major ethical breakthroughs and shifts that have shaped the character's world view. |
IrrationalityDetail the character's superstitions, obsessions, phobias, and prejudices DescriptionDescribe beliefs or practices the character holds onto that seem illogical and offensive to others or that the character hides out of fears they are unacceptable. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about how smart, fair, or sympathetic they are or appear to be. MotivationsExplain what drives the character to give in, fight, or deny their irrational tendencies. HistoryDescribe any old phobias, obsessions, etc., and whether or not the character still has them. |
RelationshipsClarify their bonds with family, friends, lovers, and colleagues DescriptionDescribe the character's major associates. OpinionsExplain your character's opinions about their key relationships. MotivationsExplain what drives the character to regard others or particular types of relationships as they do, what they believe they gain from certain ties, or why they pursue or avoid people. HistoryDescribe a few of the major relationships the character used to maintain and whether or not they have changed. |
Latest Updates
