
If your character can do something - there should be an explanation as to why.
If your character has issues with something - there should be an explanation as to why.
If your character has a tragic history - it should be well thought out so it doesn't confuse players who ask about it.
A backstory is wholly necessary to build a complete and three dimensional character that really fits into the world. It doesn't need to be too detailed, you don't need to know your characters favorite color right away for instance, but a solid foundation makes for a solid character.
HOWEVER, if your character is only your backstory, it's going to be difficult to connect. We all have RPed with that person who sat down in and in 5 minutes of knowing you was drowning you in their own personal backstory. Backstory mostly benefits YOU, it doesn't really benefit others - especially when you first meet them. It's important to also have a solid personality for your character too and then once they get to know people the backstory can come out.
I'm not really one for pushing Armi's backstory on people, preferring to do it slowly through dialogue then say - doing it like above or even trying to set up Storylines where only my backstory is important. It's hard for people to really care about your dead mother if they don't know you and personality is really the only way to do that. Once they get to know you it's a lot easier for characters to care about your backstory.
Like with most things in RP, balance is important.
If your character has issues with something - there should be an explanation as to why.
If your character has a tragic history - it should be well thought out so it doesn't confuse players who ask about it.
A backstory is wholly necessary to build a complete and three dimensional character that really fits into the world. It doesn't need to be too detailed, you don't need to know your characters favorite color right away for instance, but a solid foundation makes for a solid character.
HOWEVER, if your character is only your backstory, it's going to be difficult to connect. We all have RPed with that person who sat down in and in 5 minutes of knowing you was drowning you in their own personal backstory. Backstory mostly benefits YOU, it doesn't really benefit others - especially when you first meet them. It's important to also have a solid personality for your character too and then once they get to know people the backstory can come out.
I'm not really one for pushing Armi's backstory on people, preferring to do it slowly through dialogue then say - doing it like above or even trying to set up Storylines where only my backstory is important. It's hard for people to really care about your dead mother if they don't know you and personality is really the only way to do that. Once they get to know you it's a lot easier for characters to care about your backstory.
Like with most things in RP, balance is important.