PDA

View Full Version : Let's... Pitch your next character concept in under 10 words



Belac93
2016-08-06, 11:33 PM
Pretty much what the title says! Pitch some ideas you have for characters, in under 10 words! I'll start:

"He was a great warrior, in his time."

slaydemons
2016-08-07, 01:54 AM
"Flirtatious Magic swordsman, surprisingly creative illusionist." he is going to be fun to play

AnBe
2016-08-07, 02:02 AM
"He wagged his tail and licked his sword."

Vknight
2016-08-07, 02:04 AM
"Hedonistic gun-slinging, Robot Don of Mars"
I just love it because its so many gorgeous things at once.

GrayDeath
2016-08-07, 05:46 AM
"All the Power of the Universe, The Wisdom of a Toddler."

Digital Cookie to whoever recognises the popular "Hero" this is based on (if exaggerated) ;)


"Out of his Time and (mayhap) Mind, not his wits!"

and lastly:

"Took it once too often, no more!"

Whyrocknodie
2016-08-07, 07:51 AM
*whirr-click* "Groovy."

X3r4ph
2016-08-07, 03:34 PM
"Silly hobbits" Said the Goliath Wizard to his Human companions.

Cealocanth
2016-08-07, 03:55 PM
"Lovecraft inspired alien, transforms into dinosaurs."

Yep.

Demidos
2016-08-07, 03:57 PM
Fey Assassin Paladin. Who also sings like a bard.

Fable Wright
2016-08-07, 04:00 PM
Seamstress improvises steel cage death matches in silk.

...Could actually be the character name as an NPC, come to think of it. Exalted is weird like that.

Lord Raziere
2016-08-07, 05:30 PM
"It came from a black hole."-6

"Thrice-cursed swordsman"-3

"buster sword-wielding orc girl"-5

"priestess married to a goddess"-5

"evil mastermind redeemed by her son's death"-7

"succubus spy from heaven"-4

"I'm tired of betraying people."-5

Vitruviansquid
2016-08-07, 05:39 PM
To wizardry what Guy Fieri is to cooking

Asmodean_
2016-08-07, 06:02 PM
Money and immortality, achieved stereotypical-no-nonsense-German-efficient style.

digiman619
2016-08-07, 06:45 PM
"Halfling Luchadore who can grow to Large size"

Kane0
2016-08-07, 06:57 PM
Warrior convinced that he's discovered a new kind of magic.

LaserFace
2016-08-07, 07:08 PM
Journeyman alchemist, who inherits the powers of Yog-Sothoth by chance.

ImNotTrevor
2016-08-07, 07:16 PM
I'm going to describe two classes i want to play. In Apocalypse World.

"A dolphin in power armor."

"A crime-solving marmot."

Oh yeah.

Esprit15
2016-08-07, 07:43 PM
A dragon-hunting dragon-mage.

Joe the Rat
2016-08-07, 08:00 PM
Guts from Berserk, with less angst, as a Halfling.
Half elf Highwayman, jocular smiles hiding cold fury
Fey Scion, the cool kid in the back row.
Businessman out for revenge. A Pact with Chun the Unavoidable.
Kobold Hamlet, inspired by Beggin' Strips. He can't read!
Dwarf Pirate Tempest Cleric. Oy vey.

And one from my players: Hobgoblin Musashi

Dire Roc
2016-08-07, 08:10 PM
"Conan the Librarian"

"Chaotic Evil, massively manipulative, Wild Sorcerer"

"Yet another reference in a campaign of references."

Vknight
2016-08-07, 10:25 PM
To wizardry what Guy Fieri is to cooking

So your awesome but mocked/under appreciated?

Vitruviansquid
2016-08-07, 10:36 PM
We are in separate camps regarding our opinions on Guy Fieri.

Rater202
2016-08-07, 10:40 PM
Good version of Carnage, likes hugs, is a freaky hybrid.

Techwarrior
2016-08-07, 10:58 PM
Sassy storytelling con artist whose words literally hurt.

mikeejimbo
2016-08-07, 11:22 PM
Medieval to Renaissance era Johnny Appleseed.

SirBellias
2016-08-07, 11:27 PM
Bookwise astronomer who found too much in the stars.

Girl frequently used by friends because she's just that useful.

Angry barman seeks vengeance for ruined life.

"See you later, space cowboy."

The last two could probably be the same character, come to think of it...

Bohandas
2016-08-07, 11:45 PM
Unpredictable pyromaniac evoker in love with uptight brooding necromancer

OldTrees1
2016-08-07, 11:49 PM
Spirit of dwarven wardsmith now as a dungeon guide.

Belac93
2016-08-08, 12:06 AM
"Rafiki from the lion king as a halfling druid."

Der_DWSage
2016-08-08, 01:33 AM
As a player - "Pyromaniac feels every flame lit brings him closer to godhood."
As a GM - "Dead King's Memories Creates Eternal Battlefields."

Cozzer
2016-08-08, 04:25 AM
" 'Fake it 'til you make it', applied to heroing."

Zejety
2016-08-08, 04:30 AM
Fighter carries on paladin mentor's legacy; Feels morally inferior.

Joe the Rat
2016-08-08, 07:40 AM
We are in separate camps regarding our opinions on Guy Fieri.

That's almost a concept pitch.
"We are in separate camps regarding our opinions on [insert setting-relevant figure]."

Bohandas
2016-08-08, 08:27 AM
Cleric of Olidammara preaches this message:" "Smoke weed everyday"

kts2008
2016-08-08, 09:54 AM
Catgirl Paladin of Bahamut.

halfeye
2016-08-08, 10:01 AM
"Conan the Librarian"


"Cohen" surely?

TheFamilarRaven
2016-08-08, 03:28 PM
silver hair, red eyes, half vampire. Dual wields katanas

Freelance GM
2016-08-08, 05:34 PM
Bargain Bin Paladin. Wooden shield, rusty longsword. Thrifty, but determined.

Cluedrew
2016-08-08, 05:57 PM
Religious cyber-zombie from a different world.

Weirdest idea I have had recently.

Baine
2016-08-08, 06:08 PM
*whirr-click* "Groovy."

Captain Snow?

bulbaquil
2016-08-08, 06:36 PM
"Let the dice fall as they may."

...for my next and every subsequent Hackmaster character.

Bohandas
2016-08-08, 09:34 PM
Cleric of Great Googly Moogly

mr_odd
2016-08-08, 09:39 PM
"Newly inducted member of the Illuminati with a pet."

Remedy
2016-08-08, 10:26 PM
Angry barman seeking vengeance for ruined life.

"See you later, space cowboy."

The last two could probably be the same character, come to think of it...

Forgive me, but is this a reference to Vincent from the game Catherine looking so similar to Spike from Cowboy Bebop?

Bohandas
2016-08-10, 01:21 AM
Powerful psion embedded in a slab of concrete

Madbox
2016-08-10, 02:39 AM
Grickle-style gnome, but a druid.

RickAllison
2016-08-10, 10:13 AM
Captain Snow?

Could have sworn it was Ash.

"Tiny mother, becomes vicious Kung-fu panda when babies are threatened"

"Thief Surveyor crawls dungeon to issue Condemned verdicts."

Gadora
2016-08-10, 10:51 AM
Merchant captain and weather mage. She dislikes surprises.

Recherché
2016-08-10, 03:12 PM
Eco-terrorist or tribal freedom fighter? Depends on point of view.

Tanarii
2016-08-10, 03:45 PM
Halfling Sailor Will Viking For Food

curious-puzzle
2016-08-10, 04:28 PM
Immortal Former Tyrant-King druid, searching for stolen heart.

falloutimperial
2016-08-10, 11:48 PM
Paladin midwife.

GnomishPride
2016-08-10, 11:54 PM
Hyper paranoid, hyper anti-evil, just plain hyper gnome paladin.

Gun Fu incarnate.

Aristocratic gnome big game hunter.

The friendliest assassin ever.

Belac93
2016-08-10, 11:57 PM
Incompetent dwarven samurai.

The Bandicoot
2016-08-11, 05:41 AM
Crazed Dwarven hedge-wizard, brewmaster, and alchemist.

Hopeless
2016-08-11, 12:50 PM
Time lost sorceress turned druid trying to restore the world

Thinker
2016-08-11, 12:59 PM
"My client, the Shimmering Knight, is going to bury you."

SirBellias
2016-08-11, 01:19 PM
Forgive me, but is this a reference to Vincent from the game Catherine looking so similar to Spike from Cowboy Bebop?

The second one was from Cowboy Bebop, but I've never played that game before. So probably not :smalltongue:


Crazed Dwarven hedge-wizard, brewmaster, and alchemist.

I did that one before. His arcane focus/animal companion was a lobster claw named... Francis, maybe?

Rakoa
2016-08-11, 01:22 PM
Dirty, fat, enormous, yet charismatic pirate (built as submarine).

digiman619
2016-08-11, 02:07 PM
"My client, the Shimmering Knight, is going to bury you."

Oh, so "D&D Paul Heyman"

Toofey
2016-08-11, 02:47 PM
A wizard with golem which carries him like a baby.

I have an infant and have had a lot of time to think about this.

braveheart
2016-08-11, 03:03 PM
evil sociopath rogue traitor and six more words to add

Rakoa
2016-08-11, 04:29 PM
Ivan the Terrible.

Delusion
2016-08-11, 04:43 PM
For L5R:
"Lowly Eta becomes a crane shugenja. Hilarity ensues."

For Godbound:
"A dragon necromancer."

Thinker
2016-08-11, 06:36 PM
Oh, so "D&D Paul Heyman"

More or less, but for a whole stable of murder hobos, beast incarnates, unstoppable forces, and reality warping demons.

Jay R
2016-08-11, 07:16 PM
I spent awhile trying, and couldn't do it.

Then I tried to describe the character concept for my last few characters in ten words or less, and couldn't do that either.

I am forced to conclude that not everybody can do this exercise.

Thinker
2016-08-11, 07:27 PM
I spent awhile trying, and couldn't do it.

That might be a character concept.

2D8HP
2016-08-11, 07:29 PM
Delusional believes great deeds of arms will win him acceptance.

Kane0
2016-08-11, 09:27 PM
Master swordsman sensitive about ordinary name.

Charismatic leader with speech impediment.

Insane except for when he can taste blood.

Adrenaline junkie mage.

Tanarii
2016-08-11, 10:19 PM
"Thief Surveyor crawls dungeon to issue Condemned verdicts."
... explores lands serving wrongful death suits to dragons.
... travels planes delivering court summons to fiends.

So many variations. :)

Also:
Lawful Neutral Bard arbritrates for murderhobos & BBEGs in dispute.

digiman619
2016-08-11, 10:36 PM
More or less, but for a whole stable of murder hobos, beast incarnates, unstoppable forces, and reality warping demons.

Ah, so Brae Wyatt, Brock Lesner, "20-0" Undertaker, and Kane.

Jay R
2016-08-12, 12:10 PM
I spent awhile trying, and couldn't do it.
That might be a character concept.

I think I see why others can do the ten-word challenge, and I can't.

"I spent awhile trying, and couldn't do it," isn't a character concept. It might be the start of one.

I could build a dozen characters based on this, all very different.

Similarly, "a stranger from far away, out to fit into a new land, and to prove himself" is a good beginning, but it's not the end. This is proven by the fact that D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonder Woman are all such different characters, even though they all fit that description.

Hopeless
2016-08-12, 12:57 PM
Former Emperor searching for his daughter
Mad scientist searching for her missing father
Warforged bodyguard of the Emperor's heir
Poor dumb fighter engaged to an Imperial heiress!

Talyn
2016-08-12, 01:01 PM
Like Don Quixote, but competent.

OldTrees1
2016-08-12, 01:06 PM
I think I see why others can do the ten-word challenge, and I can't.

"I spent awhile trying, and couldn't do it," isn't a character concept. It might be the start of one.

I could build a dozen characters based on this, all very different.

Similarly, "a stranger from far away, out to fit into a new land, and to prove himself" is a good beginning, but it's not the end. This is proven by the fact that D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonder Woman are all such different characters, even though they all fit that description.

The following is not criticism.

1)
"a stranger from far away, out to fit into a new land, and to prove himself" -> "a stranger in a strange land" or even -> "a stranger"
That saves you room for describing the character.

2)
Defining a character in a timeless manner is usually less verbose than describing the past, present, & future of the character.

My take on a 10 word Wonder Woman: "Amazon ambassador serves as a superhero." Which leaves 4 words to start to describe Diana.

BWR
2016-08-12, 01:11 PM
Cerebremancer played as exaggerated early 20th century British officer

Thinker
2016-08-12, 01:22 PM
I think I see why others can do the ten-word challenge, and I can't.

"I spent awhile trying, and couldn't do it," isn't a character concept. It might be the start of one.

I could build a dozen characters based on this, all very different.

Similarly, "a stranger from far away, out to fit into a new land, and to prove himself" is a good beginning, but it's not the end. This is proven by the fact that D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonder Woman are all such different characters, even though they all fit that description.

That's an intentional limitation of the 10-word character pitch. You're not describing a fully fleshed out character. You're providing a starting point to a future character. I see D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonderwoman coming from the same 10-word concept as being a positive feature.

OldTrees1
2016-08-12, 01:41 PM
That's an intentional limitation of the 10-word character pitch. You're not describing a fully fleshed out character. You're providing a starting point to a future character. I see D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonderwoman coming from the same 10-word concept as being a positive feature.

3 word Lancelot: Tristan but Tragic

NRSASD
2016-08-12, 04:20 PM
Enthusiastic zealot willing to die for all the wrong reasons

Deeply misunderstood refined dwarven butler

Alien AI in a powered armor suit and its human

Valiant, cheerful rebel unknowingly fighting for the wrong cause

Usain Bolt with a sniper rifle and a smile

Not a vampire, honest!

GrayDeath
2016-08-12, 05:13 PM
"I really AM the good guy here .....sigh, forget it."

Jay R
2016-08-12, 05:26 PM
That's an intentional limitation of the 10-word character pitch. You're not describing a fully fleshed out character. You're providing a starting point to a future character. I see D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonderwoman coming from the same 10-word concept as being a positive feature.

I have no problem with that. It's just that if I haven't decided between the kinds of characters represented by D'Artagnan, Lancelot, Private Carrot, Peter Pevensie, and Wonder Woman, I don't have a starting point to a future character yet.

By that logic, the character concept for my next character is "adventurer seeking party for monster-slaying and looting".

But nobody else has to share my approach to finding a character concept. I just thought it would be worth exploring the limitations of the approach.

MintyNinja
2016-08-12, 05:46 PM
Cat Burglar Extraordinaire! Also a part time cat.

Recently de-cloistered priest discovers housing market.

vasilidor
2016-08-12, 08:31 PM
evil people smell like bacon, or steak...

Gadora
2016-08-12, 11:35 PM
evil people smell like bacon, or steak...

Gnoll paladin?

Bohandas
2016-08-13, 12:18 AM
Insanity is power on the outer planes

Tough Butter
2016-08-13, 08:39 PM
10? I can do it in 4.

'Heavy metal bardic music.'

The Glyphstone
2016-08-13, 08:41 PM
"He's a maverick misogynist cyborg from a doomed world."

"She's a tortured blonde pearl diver from aristocratic European stock."

They Fight Crime (https://www.theyfightcrime.org/)

Monito
2016-08-13, 09:13 PM
Batman. Batman batman batman. Batman batman. Batman batman.

In space!

vasilidor
2016-08-13, 11:34 PM
Gnoll paladin?
close, was actually thinking: werewolf whose shape-shifting trigger was evil people smelling tasty.

Ninjaxenomorph
2016-08-13, 11:42 PM
Witch-boy specialized in thuggish violence.

bionicleFanatic
2016-08-14, 07:32 AM
Small gremlin statue animated by an evil wizard's backfiring spell.

Bard which the musical talent of a seagull. Basically Cacofonix.

Warforged Druid that turns into mechanical animals, like a Transformer.

Wizard who is adamant that he's a Barbarian.

That's all I got for the moment. [:P]

Hopeless
2016-08-14, 10:36 AM
NCIS Agents stuck in Waterdeep!

Leverage set on the Wheel in Star Wars

Oh right character concepts not game concepts!:smallamused:

Warforged Grenadier with built-in munition creation!

Dragon lycanthrope basically turns into a human during full moon

Death Knight playing baby sitter to his paladinic grandkids!

ElFi
2016-08-14, 02:47 PM
My PF concepts:

Wandering half-elf druid, loves her pet pteranodon.
Cleric who desires peace- by any means necessary.
"Who needs friends when you have alchemical simulacrums?"

...And my M&M concepts:

Manipulative chlorokinetic, specializes in drugs and poisons.
Loves animals, hates people. Polymorphs the latter into the former.
Sonic controller- echolocation, resonance, and damn loud screaming.

Quertus
2016-08-14, 03:02 PM
Necromancer. You need more? Um... cute, spunky Necromancer.

Bohandas
2016-08-14, 04:22 PM
Warforged Druid that turns into mechanical animals, like a Transformer.

Now that I like

RickAllison
2016-08-14, 04:51 PM
Dark Mega-Man, Warlock with Dr. Wily as patron

Faily
2016-08-14, 05:17 PM
For D&D 3.5: "That's how I use my intelligence in combat, dumbass."

For Pathfinder (Strange Aeons): Saber.

For Pathfinder (Mystara): Polymorphed caster returned back from turtle-form.

bionicleFanatic
2016-08-14, 06:45 PM
Now that I like

I'm very proud. [:P]

slaydemons
2016-08-14, 07:01 PM
Because I Got a new campaign coming up from a different gm I got a new concept

"Because I am a gosh darn dragon!"

Bohandas
2016-08-14, 07:28 PM
Intelligent dagger with levels in psion

GAAD
2016-08-14, 09:16 PM
Not actually planning on using this, but...

"By the Power of Greyskull! My kitty has The Power!"

digiman619
2016-08-14, 09:58 PM
Not actually planning on using this, but...

"By the Power of Greyskull! My kitty has The Power!"

Well, to be fair, Battlecat was a part of the show...

Piedmon_Sama
2016-08-16, 06:49 PM
"Human fighter, but a twist---he has sweet mutton chops."

Benthesquid
2016-08-16, 06:54 PM
"Evil dualist storm druid, prone to philosophizing and murder."

Taet
2016-08-16, 10:33 PM
The Deadlands party.

Only thing devilish about me, ma'am, is my looks. *shuffles*
Exiled among Americans. Better than death by freezing. Slightly.
I handled the serpents and I can handle you, devil.
Ain't no such thing as demons! Grownups are so gullible.
I swooned on the gallows, I think. But I repent!

NRSASD
2016-08-16, 10:45 PM
A gun-slinging Jewish vagrant with a robot buddy named Sparky.


Thanks for the They Fight Crime Link!

vasilidor
2016-08-17, 03:16 AM
for BESM: son of Egon, student of Splinter.
for any super hero RPG: Dresses in kevlar and steel, helps you carry your groceries.

Logosloki
2016-08-17, 06:56 AM
"Minotaur who became a warlock to look badass"

GreyStormcrow
2016-08-17, 06:05 PM
"Vampire Lord becomes adventurer to bump off competition."

"Circus clown discovers cosmic power, becomes Cleric."

"Wizard's familiar must chaperone insane master."

"Elf Gunslinger. Bows are so old-fashioned."

"Mob boss visited by the ghost seeks to make restitution."

Black Socks
2016-08-17, 06:35 PM
Idealist, saw the real world, now bitter and cynical.

Rock star bard, rest of band are illusions.

"Hello. You razed my village. Prepare to die."

GnomishPride
2016-08-17, 07:33 PM
Cleric worships intelligent item disguised as a god.

Human Torch + Hulk. "Hulk Burn!"

eru001
2016-08-17, 07:51 PM
Spartacus meets Wild Rover

Blue Duke
2016-08-17, 08:41 PM
Physically weak inventor with dreams of being a warrior

Mage Noble fighting for a kingdom and people with sword and fire


do for, and, a and with count as words for this exercise ?

Vrock_Summoner
2016-08-17, 08:44 PM
Exalted: Fair Folk accidentally given a Solar Exaltation.

D&D: Instead of dragon within dungeon, let's try dungeon within dragon.

Exalted, M&M, or D&D: Can create a thousand knives, just needs a spoon.

Ars Magica: High-Might Gifted dragon desperately searching for archimagus master.

M&M: All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.

Exalted: All I want for Christmas is the Ebon Dragon's teeth.

Bestigle
2016-08-17, 09:27 PM
Gestalt of Rovio: Tengu Ranger with Two Swords.

vasilidor
2016-08-17, 11:24 PM
magic ninja

CrazyPenguin
2016-08-17, 11:26 PM
Monk gains sorcerous power, loses all ability to have fun.

Definitly too old for this s***, still doing it anyway.

Exchanges 1,000 corgis for magic, uses it to pay taxes.

Lord Raziere
2016-08-17, 11:30 PM
I'm evil and I want immortality

timid nice guy trapped in level 99 edgelord's body

I'm a fusion of two other people, have mental issues.

Vrock_Summoner
2016-08-18, 12:52 AM
Monk gains sorcerous power, loses all ability to have fun.

Definitly too old for this s***, still doing it anyway.

Exchanges 1,000 corgis for magic, uses it to pay taxes.

If you had a thousand corgis...

https://static1.fjcdn.com/comments/Love+corgis+_b9345a8bf6be1fd2980434cb13847f51.jpg

... You already had magic.

falcon1
2016-08-18, 09:52 AM
Wil E. Coyote, except doesn't look down. Also luckier

Food makes a great weapon. So do plates.

Aim for their balls!

Ugh, such a mess. And this shirt is new!

Bohandas
2016-08-19, 12:57 AM
Bhaalspawn talks like edgy deathmetal Jesus
("In my father's house there are many corpses...")

High ranking Baatezu military bureaucrat Pentagon The Terrible

Rakoa
2016-08-19, 05:15 AM
Aim for their balls!


In a world without justice... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMByDfFMPcE)