Backstories are required for character creation and approval. Please submit all Backstories to characterguides@cotvlarp.com.
Your character backstory is the first step in tying your character into the larger landscape of Hargrove. The information you provide allows all of our teams to be able to create a story you are excited to be a part of without disrupting the lore and plotlines in game. It helps you and us know that your character will fit into the world and will have the best opportunities to tell a great story.
We know that a lot of things can shift when first playing a character in a game. More can be fleshed out, things can seem more significant, or parts of a character’s life can be discarded. If any details of your character background change after approval or any details are added after playing, please let the Plot Team know as soon as possible.
If your character plans on deceiving people in game with things like fake names, false backgrounds, lying about knowing an NPC or the importance of a character, please inform Character Guides or Plot Team ahead of playing them. This way they can work with your stories and deception instead of assuming they have something noted down wrong. Additionally, please see our Lying In Character & Out of Character Policy for some further guidance.
Intentionally deceiving CGs on background details, especially ones that would go against roleplay code of conduct, is not allowed. We operate with the trust that players will present the facts of their character to us and will not be dishonest in order to get approved. This behavior will result in conversation with a game runner both about the deception and, if applicable, any disallowed content later brought into game. Please help us ensure that we have a safe and equitable game for all players.
A backstory should answer all questions in the below sections “Fleshing out a Character” and be at least 200 words long.
A backstory should describe the key information of who your character is and answer the questions below.
We welcome as much detail as you wish to provide. This will aid us in working with you to create a character that is sure to get the most out of our game.
If you have questions for the Character Guides, please include them at the end of your backstory submission.
Character Guides will not share any information you have in your backstory with anyone outside of staff. Additionally, all staff members that are PCs have agreed to not meta-game (or take into game) the information in your backstory.
All questions asked by CGs must be answered before a character can be approved.
Character Guides may not initially approve a backstory for a large variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, Character Guides will always offer revisions, questions, collaboration, or otherwise allow opportunities for a player to adjust their character backstory so that it will be approved.
Creating a character can be difficult for any game. If you find yourself needing further collaboration with a rough idea of a character, please email Character Guides and we would be happy to help! The goal of this process is to have a character that is well-defined enough to play with enough opportunities for other teams to tie you into the story.
Please answer all of the following questions in your backstory, either within the text or as an addition to the end of your character’s backstory:
What was your character’s upbringing like? Do they have any family? What kind of company do they keep?
Are they religious? Do they have any superstitions?
What is their profession? What are their skills?
What are their priorities, ambitions, and/or goals?
What is their reputation? What are their achievements?
Do they have any chronic struggles?
What were the best and worst parts of your character’s life thus far?
Knowing that moving to Hargrove means being cut off from all relations, friends, and resources, what is making your character go west?
What do they hope to gain from moving to Hargrove?
What are they afraid of? Are there any fears about moving to Hargrove?