You don’t always expect it. Sometimes you just make a character for fun — maybe you picked the class because it sounded cool or because your group needed a rogue. You wrote a short backstory, gave them a weird voice or a quirk, maybe made a joke about their name. And then somehow, after a few sessions… they stuck. They lived. They became more than numbers and gear. And you realize: you kind of love this character.
It’s happened to me more than once. I’ve made so many characters over the years that I’ve lost count — some were hilarious disasters, some never got off the ground, and some felt like pure magic. Like a halfling assassin who was cheerful, bubbly, and incredibly deadly. That contrast — evil and happy-go-lucky — just worked. I didn’t know if she’d last long, but I always felt that sooner or later, her luck would run out. It was like her destiny was to end badly. And yet she kept going. The more I played, the more I wanted to see what she’d do next.
She was originally created for a game inspired by the book series War of the Spider Queen — a dark, twisty world that got me thinking about what a party of evil characters might look like. Not a carbon copy of the books, but our own cast. And mine was the cheerful killer. Evil, yes — but fun. Naive. Playful. And I was hooked.
And it’s not just her. I’ve had a super lawful halfling paladin named Nakia, part of a game where our characters were loosely inspired by cellphone brands. I’ve played a Drow wizard who escaped the Underdark and became a naturalist, completely fascinated by magical beasts of the surface world, while still being hunted by Lolth’s priesthood. Each of them had their own charm, their own spark. And none of them ended up exactly how I imagined.
Sometimes I start with a concept, but once I begin playing, the character starts changing. Evolving. Sometimes the dice guide that change, sometimes it's just a moment of inspiration, or something unexpected another player says. When you play in a group, your PC doesn’t exist in a vacuum — they bounce off the others, reflect them, push them, get changed by them. And if the campaign lasts long enough, you can look back and see how they grew.
That’s one of the best parts: the character surprises you. They become more alive than you intended.
When that happens, the game starts spilling out of the game. I start writing stories, drawing scenes, imagining their life beyond the campaign. I use them in solo games, or sneak them into my world as NPCs when I GM. It’s like having a playlist you never get tired of — they keep giving. Sometimes they become a kind of creative fuel. Not just for playing, but for everything else.
And honestly, I consider doing all that other stuff — drawing, writing, thinking about them — just another way of playing. Especially in solo games. In fact, sometimes I’ll use the same character in solo and group games, or recycle them as important NPCs when I GM. That character becomes part of my toolbox. A familiar spark I can bring out again.
That doesn’t mean I feel emotionally attached in a sentimental way. I don’t cry over them or see them as friends. But I do enjoy them. I feel protective of them, the way I feel protective of any story or thing I’ve created. They become mine in a way that’s hard to explain — like a favorite brush or character sketch or theme song.
Yes, theme song! That’s something else I’ve seen people do — and it’s honestly one of the coolest ways to bring your character to life. Pick a song that fits their mood, their goals, their vibe. Or go further and compose something original. It’s another form of expression, another way to explore who they are.
I also read somewhere about doing an interview with your character — like, literally pretending to be a journalist and asking them deep, personal questions. It's not my idea, but it stuck with me. It’s a fun exercise, and it can really help you figure out how your character thinks, talks, and reacts.
Then there’s the visual side. Some people cosplay their characters. Others commission artists to bring them to life. You can print custom miniatures, or even go big and make a full-on statuette. I’ve seen people invest in all kinds of physical mementos, and it’s always touching — like honoring a story that meant something.
One of my favorite stories I came across was about a guy who found his dad’s old character sheet in a box of dusty D&D stuff. Turns out, he’d been named after that character. That’s how deep this stuff can go. I even read about someone who named their publishing company after one of their old PCs. I love that.
Here’s the truth: not every character you make will be a masterpiece. That’s fine. You need the throwaway ones, the failed ones, the weird experiments. Because somewhere in that process, you’ll hit gold. You’ll find one that clicks. And that’s why I always encourage people — especially new players — to keep making characters. Go weird, go big, go too dramatic. Play with archetypes. Break them. Make five different tieflings until one of them sings.
Characters aren’t just vessels for stats. They’re mirrors, windows, and sometimes little pieces of ourselves exaggerated and let loose. We can be brave through them, or reckless, or curious. We can test emotions we don’t always get to explore in everyday life. And when we fall in love with them — not just because they’re cool, but because they feel real — it reminds us why we love stories in the first place.
It’s a great experience. I recommend it 100%.
And if you’re just starting? Don’t worry if your first character doesn’t land. Keep creating. Keep trying things. Try giving them theme songs. Try writing interviews. Draw them, or commission someone to. Write them poems or dumb journal entries. Let yourself explore. Let yourself play.
Because all this? It’s creativity. And whether you’re shy or bold, serious or silly, this kind of play does something good to your brain. It boosts creativity. It builds confidence. It lets you create something that’s yours — fully yours — and share it if you want.
Just keep going until you find the one that hits you right in the creative core — the one that makes you laugh, or draw, or stay up at night thinking about their next move.
That’s your spark.
That’s the character you fell in love with.
If you’ve got a character you love — or you’ve just started making one you’re curious about — I’d love to hear about it. Share your stories, your drawings, your playlists, whatever you’ve made. Leave a comment, send me a message, or tag me if you’ve posted it elsewhere.
And if you haven’t tried this yet… what are you waiting for? Make a character. Let them surprise you. Then make another.
You never know which one you’ll fall in love with.
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