How to Do Literate Roleplay

Planning Your Character

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   Choose a setting. Every roleplaying game has a setting, and which one you pick depends entirely on what you'd like to roleplay. RPGs usually take place in an established fictional universe, like World of Warcraft, Star Trek, or Harry Potter, but you aren't limited to existing franchises. You can use historical places like medieval Europe, try a crossover RPG combining different franchises and places, or even make up your own imaginary setting!^[1]
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   Pick a character. Choosing a character is also totally up to you! Some people prefer to use an existing character, like Han Solo from Star Wars. Other people like to make up their own character. If you want to make up a character, it's often easier to roleplay realistically if you give it personality traits that you already have. For example, you could invent a wizard character that shares your sense of justice and interest in sports.^[2]
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   Choose its abilities and appearance. If you chose a character that already exists, you can use its pre-existing attributes. You don't have to do this, of course--you can write a great RPG that argues that Captain Kirk from Star Trek was actually very shy, for example! If you're writing an original character, choose skills and looks that you relate to in some way. They can be attributes that you have, that you wish you had, or that people you admire have.^[3]
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   List your character's main motivation. Every character in every RPG has a primary motivation. Thinking of yours early will help you develop the character realistically. Some motivations will involve fulfilling a quest, but characters can also be motivated by revenge, fear, justice, or love.^[4]

   1. If you're working with existing characters in their original setting, they may already have a motivation. For example, you don't need to add a second motivation to a Fellowship of the Rings roleplay--destroying the One Ring is enough!
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   Write your character's three biggest personality traits. You can add as many characteristics as you want as you roleplay, but take a moment to list the three biggest personality traits you want your character to have. Having them written down will help you stay on track while you roleplay and make your character more realistic.^[5].

   1. You can use any traits you want, especially for an original character. If you're having trouble, think of how their personality traits might help them or prevent them from achieving their primary motivation. For example, if your character's goal is to travel across a strange land to rescue their true love, bravery might help them get there--but unfriendliness might hinder them.
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   Give your character a backstory. This is a chance to be creative! Even well-established fictional characters won't usually have a full backstory. A background can add some depth to your character and explain their motivations and personality traits. For example, Harry Potter doesn't talk about what Hermione did before she went to Hogwarts, but you could give her a wise mentor who died prematurely, giving her a lifelong need to prove herself.^[6]