Generating a Character - Step Four

Time for personality characteristics.

1 Always agrees (but changes mind just as easily)

2 Asks how much everything costs

3 Likes to act mysteriously

4 Makes snap judgments about people or situations and tries to diminish any later evidence contradicting that first impression

5 Makes token bets about minor things

6 When talking to someone says that person’s name a lot

7 Haggles over everything

8 Brings own food and drink

9 Says everything in a profound way

10 Know-it-all

11 Polite, but calls attention to it with elaborate bows or other gestures

12 Constantly apologizes as a verbal tic

13 Makes lots of threats but swiftly backs down if challenged

14 Very mellow; advises people to take a philosophical approach to both success and failure

15 Says as little as possible

16 Snickers or laughs at the misfortune of others

17 Gives people nicknames or uses terms of endearment

18 Prays a lot

19 Gives people treats (cookies, candy, etc.)

20 Often appears surprised and slightly offended when

spoken to

21 Tosses a coin to make decisions

22 Has a list of numbered rules or maxims covering different situations and quotes them when appropriate

23 Tells people the “real” reason they do things

24 Asks for advice or opinions about very unlikely situations

25 Speaks with great formality; never uses contractions and employs bigger words than necessary

26 Easily distracted by minor events in the area

27 Usually needs someone to explain a joke or metaphor

28 Has a particular core belief, potentially a rather odd one, and steadfastly looks at everything through the lens of that opinion

29 Likes to count things and have fun with numbers

30 Always tries to find a compromise

31 Always eating

32 Very bad liar

33 Asks rude questions without realizing they cause offense

34 Grumbles and complains about the difficulties involved in any requested activities

35 Very sensitive to criticism or conflict

36 Absent-minded

37 Blames trolls for every trouble he encounters

38 Intellectual bully

39 Makes allusions to events from history or mythology without bothering to explain them

40 Doesn’t kill insects or other pests, gently moves them out of the way instead

41 Sniffs or tastes things

42 Makes lists and checks things off

43 Cannot keep a secret

44 Seems slightly surprised whenever anyone else has a good

idea or does something productive

45 Easily moved to tears

46 Easily angered

47 Terrified of disease and sick people

48 Has a stock phrase and an accompanying gesture

49 Habitually mumbles a word that rhymes with the final word other people speak before they pause

50 Delighted by puns and other sorts of word games

51 Makes animal noises when feeling threatened or excited

52 A connoisseur of fine food and drink who insists on lecturing about it

53 Very superstitious; insists on carrying out elaborate practices to attract good luck and avoid bad

54 Never turns down a dare or challenge

55 Never uses one word when ten will do

56 Propositions any even remotely attractive person encountered but makes panicked excuses should someone accept the offer

57 Always has a reason why something won’t work

58 Careless about possessions, spends lots of time searching for overlooked nearby objects

59 Tells boring stories about children or other beloved young people

60 Constantly suggesting ways to make activities more “fun”and “exciting”

61 Collects small, relatively worthless objects like spoons, salt shakers, or wine corks; enthusiastically inspects any encountered and extols their “unique” qualities

62 Dotes on an obnoxious pet

63 Ignores a loyal pet

64 Self-loathing to an almost violent degree

65 Occasionally chants annoying little rhymes

66 Acts like someone from a lower social class as a sign of solidarity but comes across as offensive instead

67 Openly scornful of organized religion and believes all gods are selfish liars

68 Gets angrier and more determined with each setback

69 Thinks most objects are magical wondrous items

70 Seems to lack a moral compass when making plans (thoughnot in everyday life); often proposes horrific solutions to minor problems

71 Quietly makes personal sacrifices to help others, including forgoing meals, “losing” warm clothing, and repaying nonexistent loans

72 Suffering from some terminal illness

73 Name-drops constantly

74 Does a terrible job rather than refuse an unpleasant or unwanted task

75 Never tires of learning new and interesting bits of knowledge

76 Complains about smells no one else notices

77 Can’t stop drinking once starts

78 Trying to master some kind of performance skill like juggling or ventriloquism but not very good at it yet

79 Is a failed actor and blames everyone else for it

80 Has a seemingly endless font of gossip; never stops chattering about various rumors and scandals

81 Is a very distant noble and treats lower orders with disdain

82 Very cheerful; tries to raise downcast spirits with songs, jokes, and uplifting stories

83 Grows more and more relaxed the worse things get; conversely, on edge and nervous when things seem to go well

84 Carries around a notebook to write down important information but has trouble reading own handwriting

85 Makes up seemingly arbitrary rules of etiquette (“Redheads always sit on the left side of the table!”)

86 Avoids making any kind of physical contact; grows noticeably repulsed if touched and tries to clean self as soon as possible

87 Always tries to be the center of attention

88 Is a little unhinged when the moon is full

89 Questions others about their background in order to determine if they are “suitable”

90 From a place with different customs; often asks for explanations of everyday things

91 Very jealous and possessive about a particular object or person; tends to view others as rivals and treat them as such

92 Continually mentions a heroic battle he was in and how nothing else compares

93 Gives people little colored cards to represent the emotional

state they are creating (blue for sad, red for angry, etc.)

94 Explains simple things that don’t need explanations

95 Wishes was a cat and seeks someone to polymorph him/her into one

96 Refers to self in third person

97 Has an imaginary ethereal friend

98 Has a habit of eating live insects without realizing it

99 Compulsively wipes or cleans things

100 Asks a kobold glove puppet its opinion at inopportune moments