It depends on the character, class, background, species/race, etc... etc... I customize my quirks and flaws "AFTER" I have created the character. It's also NOT just about the quirk or flaw, but how it completely changes how I play the character and how it can lead the party down different paths. I have this Jester Rogue Umbral Human who loves to flip coins before he does anything. He has a high sleight of hand skill, so he has 3 different coins and will swap them out at will. He controls who wins the flip and then has the most wild reactions, EVEN though he's controlling the flip. You would think that by his reaction that he lost and was distraught or pissed about it, but in reality he controlled the result and acted like that so NO one ever knew what he was going to do.
My barbarian hated people thinking he was stupid. And with a 10 in INT and WIS, he wasn't. He was average. To deal with that, he'd toss around big words he'd heard here and there. One of his most memorable quotes was, "I know words! Do you know the word gingivitis? 'Cause I do!"
Oh what a list I could add here! Ok ok let me see if I can narrow this down. Alright so I have this one character who makes a regular habit of painting, writing, or drawing after a traumatic experience in-game (this is dnd after all, lol). This is a fighter character by the way Another thing this same character does is browse for dictionaries whenever possible. Learning languages is their catnip and so books and scrolls and just general knowledge tends to be something that is difficult for them to resist. They also have a habit of caretaking and can be often found preparing tea and/or meals for the party. Actually this one can be rather common in my characters across the board given it’s one of my own compulsive tendencies. Ok so, different character. This one has developed a habit of sneaking away for mischief reasons. It’s done in a variety of ways from just sneaking to distracting party members and escaping them (one time it was reminding them to go pick up our reward payment). This is because my character is a rather chaotic sort. Don’t worry though! While this might usually be considered bad table etiquette, I do clear these misadventures with the party and the goal is to make my character stop doing this. Another habit of that character is that they are a bit of a workaholic. We’ve had a few sessions where exhaustion has been acquired (modified house rule on this, so not the phb ver). My character has a difficult time losing these points though because she is always trying to find something to do even if she is tired. One time it resulted in the party having a good laugh about it when I had her basically say “I’ve done this before, don’t worry about me, I’ve stayed up later.” One player said it reminded her of finals week and I told her that was the point. (This character is inspired off my own experience with those who work in the medical field). Oh! I have a character with no sense of direction unless she has her bat familiar. The echolocation is how she gets around. Not because she is blind, but because of that sense of direction. The reasoning is because her hometown is a magical labyrinth, she never developed a sense of direction that was functional outside of her hometown. It’s led to some hilarious results. Ok man I can go on. There really is a lot of characters I have that have each their own unique quirks they develop, either over time or something I prebuilt into the character design. I genuinely love finding organic feeling quirks and habits for my characters that just…it makes them feel like living breathing people which helps really sell who they are as a person to my fellow players. It can also make for some sweet moments and help others find ways to invest in your character. Like my own character’s love and habit to wear hats. Another party member gifted her one when we went fancy clothes shopping. It was a sweet sentimental moment! It’s just fun! 🤩 one of my favorite parts of designing characters!
@ Thank you! Honestly my favorite quirks are ones I decided at random which was my fey character disliking paperwork (yet is a merchant and constantly is the one in the party doing it, because dealmaker character) and also distrusting the local temple because they don’t trust the free charity thing. Organic quirks are some of the best! Especially if you make them up on the fly and just run with it!
💬 What quirks or flaws have you added to your D&D characters? Share your ideas in the comments below! 👇
It depends on the character, class, background, species/race, etc... etc... I customize my quirks and flaws "AFTER" I have created the character. It's also NOT just about the quirk or flaw, but how it completely changes how I play the character and how it can lead the party down different paths. I have this Jester Rogue Umbral Human who loves to flip coins before he does anything. He has a high sleight of hand skill, so he has 3 different coins and will swap them out at will. He controls who wins the flip and then has the most wild reactions, EVEN though he's controlling the flip. You would think that by his reaction that he lost and was distraught or pissed about it, but in reality he controlled the result and acted like that so NO one ever knew what he was going to do.
My barbarian hated people thinking he was stupid. And with a 10 in INT and WIS, he wasn't. He was average. To deal with that, he'd toss around big words he'd heard here and there. One of his most memorable quotes was, "I know words! Do you know the word gingivitis? 'Cause I do!"
You know I too have a secret to creating memorable characters I call it the mystical art of "having fun"
Ancient secret! ;)
Hope you had a good weekend
Oh what a list I could add here! Ok ok let me see if I can narrow this down.
Alright so I have this one character who makes a regular habit of painting, writing, or drawing after a traumatic experience in-game (this is dnd after all, lol). This is a fighter character by the way
Another thing this same character does is browse for dictionaries whenever possible. Learning languages is their catnip and so books and scrolls and just general knowledge tends to be something that is difficult for them to resist.
They also have a habit of caretaking and can be often found preparing tea and/or meals for the party. Actually this one can be rather common in my characters across the board given it’s one of my own compulsive tendencies.
Ok so, different character. This one has developed a habit of sneaking away for mischief reasons. It’s done in a variety of ways from just sneaking to distracting party members and escaping them (one time it was reminding them to go pick up our reward payment). This is because my character is a rather chaotic sort. Don’t worry though! While this might usually be considered bad table etiquette, I do clear these misadventures with the party and the goal is to make my character stop doing this.
Another habit of that character is that they are a bit of a workaholic. We’ve had a few sessions where exhaustion has been acquired (modified house rule on this, so not the phb ver). My character has a difficult time losing these points though because she is always trying to find something to do even if she is tired. One time it resulted in the party having a good laugh about it when I had her basically say “I’ve done this before, don’t worry about me, I’ve stayed up later.” One player said it reminded her of finals week and I told her that was the point. (This character is inspired off my own experience with those who work in the medical field).
Oh! I have a character with no sense of direction unless she has her bat familiar. The echolocation is how she gets around. Not because she is blind, but because of that sense of direction. The reasoning is because her hometown is a magical labyrinth, she never developed a sense of direction that was functional outside of her hometown. It’s led to some hilarious results.
Ok man I can go on. There really is a lot of characters I have that have each their own unique quirks they develop, either over time or something I prebuilt into the character design. I genuinely love finding organic feeling quirks and habits for my characters that just…it makes them feel like living breathing people which helps really sell who they are as a person to my fellow players. It can also make for some sweet moments and help others find ways to invest in your character. Like my own character’s love and habit to wear hats. Another party member gifted her one when we went fancy clothes shopping. It was a sweet sentimental moment! It’s just fun! 🤩 one of my favorite parts of designing characters!
Thanks for sharing, fellow human! I love hearing about these organic quirks and how they make your characters come alive. You're a great storyteller!
@ Thank you! Honestly my favorite quirks are ones I decided at random which was my fey character disliking paperwork (yet is a merchant and constantly is the one in the party doing it, because dealmaker character) and also distrusting the local temple because they don’t trust the free charity thing. Organic quirks are some of the best! Especially if you make them up on the fly and just run with it!
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STAY AWAKE, FELLOW HUMAN!
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