I think it's important for a character to have a fleshed out backstory but at the same time I feel like the most common mistake many role-players make is placing far too much focus on the past rather than the present or future.
If a character claims to be a mercenary or seasoned soldier who frequently goes out into the world to put an end to threats then I want to...see that. Hearing the occasional tale in a tavern about that character's past exploits can be fun but if that's all they do then it becomes very stale for me.
It's largely why I deliberately designed Graeham to be young and impressionable. He has a backstory, yes - but the stuff happening around him is what is shaping his present and future.
If a character claims to be a mercenary or seasoned soldier who frequently goes out into the world to put an end to threats then I want to...see that. Hearing the occasional tale in a tavern about that character's past exploits can be fun but if that's all they do then it becomes very stale for me.
It's largely why I deliberately designed Graeham to be young and impressionable. He has a backstory, yes - but the stuff happening around him is what is shaping his present and future.