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Randomly Generating Character Backstories
10 years ago
General
My carrd: https://zarpaulus.carrd.co/
I have this idea for a series of sci-fi short stories that would be based around an interstellar slower-than-light freighter in the distant future. But I was having trouble coming up with the main characters. I had a list of roles and species and genders but had some trouble really fleshing them out.
Eventually, I thought I might try using a variation of the Traveller RPG's "lifepath" character creation system. This was the results:
Shigeto Terryn. Captain/Shuttle Pilot: Male wolf age 327. Int 11, Edu 8, Dex 8, End 6, Soc 8, Str 3
Homeworld: Industrial Water World
Background skills: Seafarer 0, Trade (Hydroponics) 0, Language (Lojban) 0
First Term: Merchant (Free Trader)
Service Skills: Drive (skimmer) 0, Vacc Suit 0, Broker 0, Steward 0, Comms 0, Persuade 0
Training: Pilot (spacecraft) 1
Survival: Success. Gain Contact. Advancement to Senior Crewman Persuade 1
Second Term
Advanced Education: Computers 1
Survival: Success, gamble benefits, lose one roll. Advancement to 4th Officer.
Third Term
Advanced Education: Social Science (Economics) 1
Survival: Success, advanced training Broker to 1. Advancement failed.
Fourth Term
Advanced Training: Pilot (spacecraft) 2
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advance to Experienced Trader, Jack of All Trades 1
Fifth Term
Specialist: Zero-G 1
Survival: Success, gain Ally and Carouse 1. Advance to 2nd Officer.
Sixth Term
Advanced Education: Advocate 1
Survival: Success, legal trouble, Advocate 2. Advance to 1st Officer.
Muster Out benefits: 7 rolls. Ship share, +1 Int, +1 Edu, +1 Int, Ship Share, Gun, Gun, Gun
Final Stats: Str 3, Dex 8, End 6, Int 13, Edu 9, Soc 8. Advocate 2, Broker 1, Carouse 1, Gun Combat 2, Jack of All Trades 1, Medic 1, Pilot (spacecraft) 3, Social Science (Economics)1, Computers 1, Persuade 1, Drive 0, Vacc Suit 0, Comms 0, Steward 0. Two Contacts (Free Trader, Explorer), one Ally, Gauss Pistol, two Ship Shares
Gudrun Korba. First Mate/Public Relations: Female cat base, shapeshifter. Age 274. Has five tails that are used as mass reservoirs. Int 10, Soc 8, Edu 8, Str 4, Dex 7, End 6, Psi 10
Homeworld: Rich Garden World
Background Skills: Animals 0, Carouse 0, Art 0
First Term: Psion Adept
Basic Training: Telepathy 0, Clairvoyance 0, Awareness 0, Medic 0, Persuade 0, Social Science (Psych) 0
Service Skills: Awareness 1
Survival: Success, Psi+1. Advancement fail.
Second Term:
Advanced Education: Space Science (Xenology) 1
Survival: Success, +1 Benefit. Advance to Initiate: Life Science (psionology) 1
Third Term:
Specialist Training: Awareness 2
Survival: Success, Life Event; Birth or Death. Advancement fail.
Fourth Term:
Service Skills: Persuade 1
Survival: Success, use powers to attempt improvement of Social Standing unethically, extra Benefit. Advance to rank 2.
Fifth Term:
Service Skills: Clairvoyance 1.
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advancement fail.
Muster Out: 7 rolls. 2 ship shares, combat implant, Contact, Gun, 2 ship shares, Contact, Contact
Final Stats: Str 4, Dex 7, End 6, Int 10, Edu 8, Soc 8, Psi 11. Animals 0, Art 0, Awareness 2, Carouse 0, Clairvoyance 1, Life Science (psionology) 1, Medic 0, Persuade 1, Social Science 0, Space Science (Xenology) 1,Telepathy 0. Four Contacts (Rich Noble, Eccentric Scientist, Free Trader, Cultural Attaché), Persuasion Skill Enhancement, 4 ship shares, body pistol.
Rika Fischer. Navigator: Female Seal, age 412 Edu 9, Int 8, Soc 6, Str 3, Dex 9, End 5
Homeworld: Asteroid Seas.
Background Skills: Seafarer 0, Zero-G 0, Physical Science (physics) 0
First Term: Scout Exploration
Basic Training: Pilot (spacecraft) 0, Survival 0, Mechanic 0, Astrogation 0, Comms 0, Gun Combat 0
Advanced Education: Space Science (Planetology)
Survival: Fail, he has no idea what happened to him, they found his ship drifting on the edge of friendly space
Muster Out: Ship share.
Second Term: Drifter Scavenger
Specialist Training: Vacc Suit 1
Survival: Fail, injured, reduce Dex by 1.
Third Term: Free Trader
Advanced Education: Astrogation 1
Survival: Success, embroiled in legal trouble, Admin 1. Advance to rank 1, Persuade 1
Fourth Term
Service Skills: Comms 1
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advance to rank 2.
Fifth Term
Advanced Education: Computers 1
Survival: Success, Engineer (J-Drive) 1. Advance failure.
Muster out: 4 rolls. +1 Int, Gun, Ship Share, Ship Share.
Final Stats: Str 3, Dex 9, End 5, Int 9, Edu 9, Soc 6. Admin 1, Astrogation 2, Comms 1, Computers 1, Engineer (J-Drive) 1, Gun Combat 0, Mechanic 0, Pilot (Spacecraft) 0, Physical Science (physics) 0, Persuade 1, Seafarer 0, Sensors 1, Streetwise 1, Survival 0, Vacc Suit 1, Zero-G 0. One Contact (Smuggler), 3 ship shares, shotgun.
Carina Adreastotter Engineer female ermine, age 264 Int 9, Edu 9, Soc 5, Dex 5,Str 8, End 4
Homeworld: Low-tech Ice-Capped
Background Skills: Vacc Suit 0, Survival 0, Engineer 0
First Term: Navy Engineering
Basic Training: Pilot (Small Craft) 0, Vacc Suit 1, Zero-G 0, Gunner 0, Mechanic 0, Gun Combat 0
Specialist: Gunner 1
Survival: Success, diplomatic mission, Steward 1. Advance to Able Spacehand, Mechanic 1
Second Term:
Specialist: Engineer 1
Survival: Success, notable military engagement, Pilot (small craft) 1. Advance to Petty Officer, Vacc Suit 1.
Third Term:
Specialist: Engineer 2
Survival: Fail, ship suffers severe damage and blamed for disaster, dishonorably discharged. Muster out, Ship's Boat, Weapon, +1 Education.
Fourth Term: Merchant Marine
Specialist: Engineer 3
Survival: Success, opportunity to gamble benefit rolls, not taking it. Advance to Senior Crewman, Mechanic 2.
Fifth Term:
Specialist: Vacc Suit 2.
Survival: Success, +1 to any Benefit Roll. Advancement failed.
Muster Out: 3 rolls. Blade, Free Trader, +1 Int.
Final Stats: Str 8, Dex 5, End 4, Int 10, Edu 10, Soc 5. Engineer (M-Drive) 3, Gunner 0, Gun Combat 0, Mechanic 2, Melee 1, Pilot (small craft) 1, Steward 1, Survival 0, Vacc Suit 2, Zero-G 0. Ship's Boat, 5 ship shares, cutlass.
Adham Ricardo, Purser, male fennec/jerboa hybrid. Age 84. Int 10, End 7, Str 6, Soc 9, Dex 6, Edu 10
Homeworld: High-Technology Desert
Background Skills: Computers 0, Survival 0, Advocate 0, Language 0
First Term: Merchant Broker
Basic Training: Drive 0, Vacc Suit 0, Broker 0, Steward 0, Comms 0, Persuade 0
Specialist: Deception 1.
Survival: Success, offered opportunity to smuggle illegal items onto a planet, gain Streetwise 1 and extra Benefit. Advance to rank 1, Broker 1.
Second Term:
Specialist; Deception 2
Survival: Success, gamble Benefit rolls, gain 1. Advance to rank 2.
Third Term:
Specialist: Streetwise 2
Survival: Success, Life Event, new Contact. Advancement failed.
Fourth Term:
Specialist: Broker 2
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advance to rank 3, Streetwise 3.
Muster Out: 7 rolls. Gun, Blade, +1 Int, +1 Int, +1 Edu, Ship Share, Ship Share.
Final Stats: Str 6, Dex 6, End 7, Int 12, Edu 11, Soc 9. Advocate 0, Broker 3, Comms 0, Computers 0, Deception 2, Drive 0, Language 0, Persuade 0, Streetwise 2, Steward 0, Survival 0, Vacc Suit 0. Two Contacts (Mercenary, Planetary Warlord), revolver, rapier, two ship shares.
Morris Taouchev. Surgeon: Male tiger/kangaroo. Has a pouch, former marine. Age 432. Str 9, End 5, Edu 9, Int 7, Dex 3, Soc 3
Homeworld: Industrial Asteroid
Background Skills: Trade (Biologicals) 0, Zero-G 0, Carouse 0, Medic 0, Biology 0
First Term: Marine Support
Basic Training: Athletics 0, Battle Dress 0, Tactics 0, Heavy Weapons 0, Gun Combat 1, Stealth 0.
Specialist: Comms 1
Survival: Success, assigned to security staff of space station, Vacc Suit 1. Advance to Lance Corporal, Gun Combat 2
Second Term:
Specialist: Medic 1
Survival: Fail, injured, missing limb.
Muster out: TAS Membership, Armour.
Third Term: Scholar Physician
Specialist: Investigate 1
Survival: Success, called upon to perform unethical research, gain Benefit roll, Biology 1, Genetics 1, 2 Enemies. Advancement failed
Fourth Term:
Specialist: Medic 2
Survival: Success, Life Event, New Relationship. Advance to rank 1, Medic 3
Fifth Term:
Specialist: Biology 2
Survival: Success, win prize, Benefit. Advancement failed.
Sixth Term:
Specialist: Medic 4
Survival: Success, assigned to work on secret project, Computers 1. Advance to rank 2.
Muster Out: 7 rolls. Lab ship, scientific equipment, +1 Edu, Lab Ship, +1 Int, +1 Int, +1 Soc.
Final Stats: Two ship shares, relationship, two Enemies (Researcher, Doomsday Cultist), biosensor.
Jarlin of the House of Silver. Imperial Observer: Androgynous silver fox chimera. Black archaeopteryx wings on shoulders, small pouch on belly, faint ring pattern on prehensile tail. A mystic, claims to have a telepathic link with hir seven clones/siblings. No cranial implants, claims they would break the quantum entanglement, instead shi has AR glasses. Age 223. Edu 9, Int 6,Str 4, Dex 4, Soc 11, End 7, Psi 11
Homeworld: High Population, High Tech.
Background skills: Streetwise 0, Computers 0, Language 0
First Term: Psion Adept:
Basic Training: Telepathy 0, Clairvoyance 0, Awareness 0, Medic 0, Persuade 0, Social Sciences (Philosophy) 0.
Specialist: Telepathy 1
Survival: Success, fail attempt to use powers unethically to advance standing, lose 1 Soc. Advance to Initiate, Life Science (Psionology 1)
Second Term:
Advanced Education: Computers 1
Survival: Success, life event, new contact. Advance to rank 2.
Muster Out: 4 rolls. Contact, TAS, Contact, 2 Ship Shares.
Third Term: Noble Administrator
Specialist Training: Admin 1
Survival: Success, Life Event Betrayal by Contact. Advancement to Clerk, Admin 2.
Fourth Term:
Specialist Training: Broker 1
Survival: Success, manipulate and charm way through high society, Carouse 1, Rival, and Ally. Advance to Supervisor.
Fifth Term:
Specialist Training: Diplomat 1
Survival: Success, Disaster! Family scandal, -1 Soc. Advance to Manager, Advocate 1.
Muster Out: 5 rolls. +1 Soc, one ship share, Blade, two ship shares, TAS membership.
Final Stats: Soc 10 Advocate, Diplomat. Former Contact (Corporate Agent), one Contact (Imperial Diplomat), Rival (Marine Captain), Ally (Elder Statesman).
Eventually, I thought I might try using a variation of the Traveller RPG's "lifepath" character creation system. This was the results:
Shigeto Terryn. Captain/Shuttle Pilot: Male wolf age 327. Int 11, Edu 8, Dex 8, End 6, Soc 8, Str 3
Homeworld: Industrial Water World
Background skills: Seafarer 0, Trade (Hydroponics) 0, Language (Lojban) 0
First Term: Merchant (Free Trader)
Service Skills: Drive (skimmer) 0, Vacc Suit 0, Broker 0, Steward 0, Comms 0, Persuade 0
Training: Pilot (spacecraft) 1
Survival: Success. Gain Contact. Advancement to Senior Crewman Persuade 1
Second Term
Advanced Education: Computers 1
Survival: Success, gamble benefits, lose one roll. Advancement to 4th Officer.
Third Term
Advanced Education: Social Science (Economics) 1
Survival: Success, advanced training Broker to 1. Advancement failed.
Fourth Term
Advanced Training: Pilot (spacecraft) 2
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advance to Experienced Trader, Jack of All Trades 1
Fifth Term
Specialist: Zero-G 1
Survival: Success, gain Ally and Carouse 1. Advance to 2nd Officer.
Sixth Term
Advanced Education: Advocate 1
Survival: Success, legal trouble, Advocate 2. Advance to 1st Officer.
Muster Out benefits: 7 rolls. Ship share, +1 Int, +1 Edu, +1 Int, Ship Share, Gun, Gun, Gun
Final Stats: Str 3, Dex 8, End 6, Int 13, Edu 9, Soc 8. Advocate 2, Broker 1, Carouse 1, Gun Combat 2, Jack of All Trades 1, Medic 1, Pilot (spacecraft) 3, Social Science (Economics)1, Computers 1, Persuade 1, Drive 0, Vacc Suit 0, Comms 0, Steward 0. Two Contacts (Free Trader, Explorer), one Ally, Gauss Pistol, two Ship Shares
Gudrun Korba. First Mate/Public Relations: Female cat base, shapeshifter. Age 274. Has five tails that are used as mass reservoirs. Int 10, Soc 8, Edu 8, Str 4, Dex 7, End 6, Psi 10
Homeworld: Rich Garden World
Background Skills: Animals 0, Carouse 0, Art 0
First Term: Psion Adept
Basic Training: Telepathy 0, Clairvoyance 0, Awareness 0, Medic 0, Persuade 0, Social Science (Psych) 0
Service Skills: Awareness 1
Survival: Success, Psi+1. Advancement fail.
Second Term:
Advanced Education: Space Science (Xenology) 1
Survival: Success, +1 Benefit. Advance to Initiate: Life Science (psionology) 1
Third Term:
Specialist Training: Awareness 2
Survival: Success, Life Event; Birth or Death. Advancement fail.
Fourth Term:
Service Skills: Persuade 1
Survival: Success, use powers to attempt improvement of Social Standing unethically, extra Benefit. Advance to rank 2.
Fifth Term:
Service Skills: Clairvoyance 1.
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advancement fail.
Muster Out: 7 rolls. 2 ship shares, combat implant, Contact, Gun, 2 ship shares, Contact, Contact
Final Stats: Str 4, Dex 7, End 6, Int 10, Edu 8, Soc 8, Psi 11. Animals 0, Art 0, Awareness 2, Carouse 0, Clairvoyance 1, Life Science (psionology) 1, Medic 0, Persuade 1, Social Science 0, Space Science (Xenology) 1,Telepathy 0. Four Contacts (Rich Noble, Eccentric Scientist, Free Trader, Cultural Attaché), Persuasion Skill Enhancement, 4 ship shares, body pistol.
Rika Fischer. Navigator: Female Seal, age 412 Edu 9, Int 8, Soc 6, Str 3, Dex 9, End 5
Homeworld: Asteroid Seas.
Background Skills: Seafarer 0, Zero-G 0, Physical Science (physics) 0
First Term: Scout Exploration
Basic Training: Pilot (spacecraft) 0, Survival 0, Mechanic 0, Astrogation 0, Comms 0, Gun Combat 0
Advanced Education: Space Science (Planetology)
Survival: Fail, he has no idea what happened to him, they found his ship drifting on the edge of friendly space
Muster Out: Ship share.
Second Term: Drifter Scavenger
Specialist Training: Vacc Suit 1
Survival: Fail, injured, reduce Dex by 1.
Third Term: Free Trader
Advanced Education: Astrogation 1
Survival: Success, embroiled in legal trouble, Admin 1. Advance to rank 1, Persuade 1
Fourth Term
Service Skills: Comms 1
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advance to rank 2.
Fifth Term
Advanced Education: Computers 1
Survival: Success, Engineer (J-Drive) 1. Advance failure.
Muster out: 4 rolls. +1 Int, Gun, Ship Share, Ship Share.
Final Stats: Str 3, Dex 9, End 5, Int 9, Edu 9, Soc 6. Admin 1, Astrogation 2, Comms 1, Computers 1, Engineer (J-Drive) 1, Gun Combat 0, Mechanic 0, Pilot (Spacecraft) 0, Physical Science (physics) 0, Persuade 1, Seafarer 0, Sensors 1, Streetwise 1, Survival 0, Vacc Suit 1, Zero-G 0. One Contact (Smuggler), 3 ship shares, shotgun.
Carina Adreastotter Engineer female ermine, age 264 Int 9, Edu 9, Soc 5, Dex 5,Str 8, End 4
Homeworld: Low-tech Ice-Capped
Background Skills: Vacc Suit 0, Survival 0, Engineer 0
First Term: Navy Engineering
Basic Training: Pilot (Small Craft) 0, Vacc Suit 1, Zero-G 0, Gunner 0, Mechanic 0, Gun Combat 0
Specialist: Gunner 1
Survival: Success, diplomatic mission, Steward 1. Advance to Able Spacehand, Mechanic 1
Second Term:
Specialist: Engineer 1
Survival: Success, notable military engagement, Pilot (small craft) 1. Advance to Petty Officer, Vacc Suit 1.
Third Term:
Specialist: Engineer 2
Survival: Fail, ship suffers severe damage and blamed for disaster, dishonorably discharged. Muster out, Ship's Boat, Weapon, +1 Education.
Fourth Term: Merchant Marine
Specialist: Engineer 3
Survival: Success, opportunity to gamble benefit rolls, not taking it. Advance to Senior Crewman, Mechanic 2.
Fifth Term:
Specialist: Vacc Suit 2.
Survival: Success, +1 to any Benefit Roll. Advancement failed.
Muster Out: 3 rolls. Blade, Free Trader, +1 Int.
Final Stats: Str 8, Dex 5, End 4, Int 10, Edu 10, Soc 5. Engineer (M-Drive) 3, Gunner 0, Gun Combat 0, Mechanic 2, Melee 1, Pilot (small craft) 1, Steward 1, Survival 0, Vacc Suit 2, Zero-G 0. Ship's Boat, 5 ship shares, cutlass.
Adham Ricardo, Purser, male fennec/jerboa hybrid. Age 84. Int 10, End 7, Str 6, Soc 9, Dex 6, Edu 10
Homeworld: High-Technology Desert
Background Skills: Computers 0, Survival 0, Advocate 0, Language 0
First Term: Merchant Broker
Basic Training: Drive 0, Vacc Suit 0, Broker 0, Steward 0, Comms 0, Persuade 0
Specialist: Deception 1.
Survival: Success, offered opportunity to smuggle illegal items onto a planet, gain Streetwise 1 and extra Benefit. Advance to rank 1, Broker 1.
Second Term:
Specialist; Deception 2
Survival: Success, gamble Benefit rolls, gain 1. Advance to rank 2.
Third Term:
Specialist: Streetwise 2
Survival: Success, Life Event, new Contact. Advancement failed.
Fourth Term:
Specialist: Broker 2
Survival: Success, gain Contact. Advance to rank 3, Streetwise 3.
Muster Out: 7 rolls. Gun, Blade, +1 Int, +1 Int, +1 Edu, Ship Share, Ship Share.
Final Stats: Str 6, Dex 6, End 7, Int 12, Edu 11, Soc 9. Advocate 0, Broker 3, Comms 0, Computers 0, Deception 2, Drive 0, Language 0, Persuade 0, Streetwise 2, Steward 0, Survival 0, Vacc Suit 0. Two Contacts (Mercenary, Planetary Warlord), revolver, rapier, two ship shares.
Morris Taouchev. Surgeon: Male tiger/kangaroo. Has a pouch, former marine. Age 432. Str 9, End 5, Edu 9, Int 7, Dex 3, Soc 3
Homeworld: Industrial Asteroid
Background Skills: Trade (Biologicals) 0, Zero-G 0, Carouse 0, Medic 0, Biology 0
First Term: Marine Support
Basic Training: Athletics 0, Battle Dress 0, Tactics 0, Heavy Weapons 0, Gun Combat 1, Stealth 0.
Specialist: Comms 1
Survival: Success, assigned to security staff of space station, Vacc Suit 1. Advance to Lance Corporal, Gun Combat 2
Second Term:
Specialist: Medic 1
Survival: Fail, injured, missing limb.
Muster out: TAS Membership, Armour.
Third Term: Scholar Physician
Specialist: Investigate 1
Survival: Success, called upon to perform unethical research, gain Benefit roll, Biology 1, Genetics 1, 2 Enemies. Advancement failed
Fourth Term:
Specialist: Medic 2
Survival: Success, Life Event, New Relationship. Advance to rank 1, Medic 3
Fifth Term:
Specialist: Biology 2
Survival: Success, win prize, Benefit. Advancement failed.
Sixth Term:
Specialist: Medic 4
Survival: Success, assigned to work on secret project, Computers 1. Advance to rank 2.
Muster Out: 7 rolls. Lab ship, scientific equipment, +1 Edu, Lab Ship, +1 Int, +1 Int, +1 Soc.
Final Stats: Two ship shares, relationship, two Enemies (Researcher, Doomsday Cultist), biosensor.
Jarlin of the House of Silver. Imperial Observer: Androgynous silver fox chimera. Black archaeopteryx wings on shoulders, small pouch on belly, faint ring pattern on prehensile tail. A mystic, claims to have a telepathic link with hir seven clones/siblings. No cranial implants, claims they would break the quantum entanglement, instead shi has AR glasses. Age 223. Edu 9, Int 6,Str 4, Dex 4, Soc 11, End 7, Psi 11
Homeworld: High Population, High Tech.
Background skills: Streetwise 0, Computers 0, Language 0
First Term: Psion Adept:
Basic Training: Telepathy 0, Clairvoyance 0, Awareness 0, Medic 0, Persuade 0, Social Sciences (Philosophy) 0.
Specialist: Telepathy 1
Survival: Success, fail attempt to use powers unethically to advance standing, lose 1 Soc. Advance to Initiate, Life Science (Psionology 1)
Second Term:
Advanced Education: Computers 1
Survival: Success, life event, new contact. Advance to rank 2.
Muster Out: 4 rolls. Contact, TAS, Contact, 2 Ship Shares.
Third Term: Noble Administrator
Specialist Training: Admin 1
Survival: Success, Life Event Betrayal by Contact. Advancement to Clerk, Admin 2.
Fourth Term:
Specialist Training: Broker 1
Survival: Success, manipulate and charm way through high society, Carouse 1, Rival, and Ally. Advance to Supervisor.
Fifth Term:
Specialist Training: Diplomat 1
Survival: Success, Disaster! Family scandal, -1 Soc. Advance to Manager, Advocate 1.
Muster Out: 5 rolls. +1 Soc, one ship share, Blade, two ship shares, TAS membership.
Final Stats: Soc 10 Advocate, Diplomat. Former Contact (Corporate Agent), one Contact (Imperial Diplomat), Rival (Marine Captain), Ally (Elder Statesman).
