Bafflingly boring bros and babes
A tale from the first campaign I ever played:
We encountered a group of monks in our misadventures. There were seven of them, each with their own personality quirk.
I have forgotten everything about the other six. I can’t even tell you if they were all men or not.
That’s because all my brainpower has gone to remembering the boring one.
He spoke with a low monotone about everything. Nothing that happened phased him or excited him. Whether exploring a lost temple or battling gargoyles, he was always simply there, observing the action.
When we wanted to talk to the monks, we’d do it through him.
Years later, I still remember him from how little manure he gave about anything. He was impossible to insult, excite or perturb.
Fast forward to me running campaigns, and I added a character like this. It was a hit.
Boring can be interesting when it’s boring by design. Then it stands out, a shocking contrast to the high fantasy madness going on around you.
But being boring by accident, though…?
A half-clad, muscle-bound gladiator, cleaving orcs in twain with an axe the size of a person, should be fun.
So should a dread sorcerer, channelling magics they don’t understand to defeat wild and fantastic foes.
Same with a bard, weaving words and notes into a tapestry of confusion so effective that it’s a weapon.
So… what’s up with all these boring PCs?
It’s easy for a fictional character to disintegrate into a pile of mulch. Mulch is their default state, and it takes effort and design to keep them interesting.
How many PCs are more mulch than mighty?
It’s easy to create a character with a dull backstory - one with no hooks and no potential. Or one that’s not fun to play - or play with. Or one who’s too relatable or too random to mean anything.
I’ve seen it plenty of times.
I’ve been guilty of it myself.
No longer, though.
Consider this your invitation to reread Unboring Backstories. Haven’t read it yet? You can get your hands on it with no cost to you:
https://www.unboringdungeons.com/resources
P.S. If you’re a player in any of my current games, this ain’t aimed at you - you’ve all done well with your characters.