(07-25-2013, 05:29 PM)Zarek Wrote: Generally I try to start with an idea of what sort of character I want to play/roleplay, then I spend a while reading up on & researching lore (including things that might stretch/bend the lore somewhat without breaking it).This is a VERY good way to start things off, one that I tend to go along with too! Sometimes it helps to have a character in mind too, then to hop into a small RP session with them. Get a live feel for them, so to speak. Makes it easier to decide if you like them, then you can continue progression from there.
After that, I like to walk through this site and answer the questions noted there (I tend to keep word docs with notes on my characters).
http://rpg.ashami.com/
Of course, I leave things open to change as I roleplay them (because sometimes the idea dictates things, odd as that sounds), but generally working through the entire 'character sheet' gives me a fairly good idea of how to get into the character's head and figure out their 'voice'. After that, I tend to fill in things and events which would have happened to help and/or hurt the character in their history.
As for how in-depth, it varies. Generally though I prefer to have the major events in my mind with space open for filling in smaller events that effect them as well. Like Freelance mentioned, I try to have some variation between what a character might give in their history and what actually happened.
