Kismet's Character Palette
![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
What the Palette Is & Why You Should Use It
Roleplaying characters are more than just statistics. They're made up of all the reasons why the points are placed just so and why they respond as they do. The process starts with the basics (like a name, a class, and a role), but with further development, they can feel like real people. And once they seem real, the quests they give take on more urgency and the world they live in takes on new life. But how do you dig deeper into who they are, and where do you put all the information that goes beyond a character sheet?
The character palette is a tool I've developed for detailing fictional characters of all kinds. It can be used at any point to develop and organize the character's features, inside and out. You don't have to fill out the whole thing; just respond briefly to whatever seems interesting or necessary. Return to the palette at intervals or when the character starts to become predictable. Then, you can update old answers to reflect how things have changed or develop new aspects by choosing new prompts. This way, you'll craft the character in layers, which will make them seem more realistic.
How Do You Use It?
The palette is a form that you fill in by following the prompts given. It's not specific to any system or type of character, so it can be used by players, Game Masters, and fiction writers. It starts with a space for the character's name and the setting. From there, it's divided up into factors that are important to know about a person. The Physical category, for instance, pertains to visible things like the character's coloring, bearing, and clothing.
For a new character, you should try to fill in at least 4 entries in 4 different categories (such as describing them physically, determining how they feel about their profession, figuring out their plans, and noting what tends to get in their way). If you're short on time, stick to the Description prompts; they'll help you figure out what other people are likely to see when the character appears. Your answers can be as long or short as you wish.
For example, 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 a flavorful view of your new PC. So you start a new palette (file) for the character. You fill in their name, the campaign 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:
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Describe the character physically
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Describe the character's key possessions
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Describe the character's professional specialties
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Describe the character's temperament and/or how it is likely to appear to others
This is enough to give you fun details that make your brand-new character feel more fleshed out. After playing for a few weeks, you decide to answer prompts about the character's physical condition. You explain how the character feels about their appearance in the Opinions section, then dig deeper by exploring why they present themselves 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 field). 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.
The Palette
Fill In Prompts As You Wish |
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|---|---|
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. |
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