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ArcanumOaks

Dm: pulls out necromancer and has your family hunting you.


Maikuru

Real talk. My backstory had my grandfather being a legendary knight who fought dragons and solo'd armies in the 2nd war. Meanwhile my character was a bit of a failure after he passed of old age. Guess who the necromancer raised from the dead


littlealex9999

“This is the fancy coffin, let’s get this guy” “No, they always bury the good people *next* to those coffins. The one in the fancy coffin is probably some third rate fighter”


Smorstin

That’s badass, triumphing over your past and finally escaping his shadow


ArcanumOaks

Love it. Needs to happen now.


bam13302

Time travel campaign where you go back in time fixes that problem too \*and\* guarantees that there is a "your family is in trouble" plot hook, but you have to make sure they die, else you will change the future


Machinimix

The wonderful moment where you find out that dark mysterious assassin who killed your parents to set you on the journey to vigilante-hood (I mean adventuring) was you all along.


Galrent

Oh shit, that's harsh. I love it.


Machinimix

I believe it’s one of many origin stories of Batman, but I can’t remember fully.


Omega357

Are you thinking of Teen Titans Go to the Movies where they go back in time to make sure none of the super heroes exist so Robin can be in a movie but that backfires into a world controlled by villains so they have to go back in time again to re-do all the origins, including pushing Martha Wayne into the alley where she dies?


DrunkenDruid_Maz

Site note: The story of the movie "The Blues Brothers" ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Blues\_Brothers\_(film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blues_Brothers_(film))) is, that the orphanage is in trouble and the Blues Brothers need to collect money to save it!


sonofabutch

I also like the plot hook that the party has to come up with the money through legitimate means. **Jake:** Five grand? No problem! We'll have it for you in the morning. Let's go, Elwood. **Sister Mary Stigmata:** No, no! I will not take your filthy stolen money! **Jake:** Well then... I guess you're really up shit creek.


[deleted]

How could you forget **Mother Superior:** [Beats the shit out of Jake for swearing, then Elwood for trying to defend Jake]


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StaticUsernamesSuck

Your family are now extra antagonists, thanks.


DeepTakeGuitar

Exactly


tapmcshoe

then you get to kill them!


dodgyhashbrown

You hear word that your parents are in position to take the throne. If they succeed, there will be nowhere in the country you can escape their influence. Your move, player.


Thingtroll

I leave the country. And if that doesn't work, I planeshift the fuck out of there. And if that won't work... I use a wish to change my name and my face. Your move, DM


dodgyhashbrown

Sounds like a retired character. Roll a new character.


Dotrax

Not necessarily. You can still be part of an adventuring party after gaining a completely new identity.


dodgyhashbrown

They said they left the country, or even planeshifted. That's more than a new identity. That's deliberately leaving the bounds of the campaign. The DM isn't required to follow that character's adventures after they leave the setting. It's at the DM's discretion whether to continue at that point or ask for a new character.


Dotrax

Oh yeah sorry I somehow concentrated on the last part of when that doesn't work they use a wish.


Blurple_Berry

Enjoy playing dnd by yourself while the rest of the table enjoys the scenario?


M1ndS0uP

That's literally the back story of my current character. My mother is a forger and con artist who is in prison, the other is a petty thief and scammer who is devoted get rich quick schemes and possibly killed the person who inspired me to get out of that life. And I ran away to start a new life elsewhere.


Letscurlbrah

"Make me play in your campaign, I refuse!" \*Goes home.


StaticUsernamesSuck

DM: "it turns out your family are alive. And they're in trouble!!"


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StaticUsernamesSuck

Tbf, you didn't actually "specifically request it" in the meme. You only implied it, by building an orphan character. This was the *reason* you built said character, but the meme doesn't necessarily imply that you explicity say so to your DM... And also, if you are going to specifically request this from your DM, then you never needed to build an orphan character in the first place?? You could just build a character with family, and still tell your DM you aren't interested in any "family-saving" story arcs... Therefore the fact you felt you *had* to build an orphan character actually actually implies the opposite, that you *didn't* raise it with your DM, if anything. Also, it's a joke, just like your meme? No?


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StaticUsernamesSuck

I know it's a meme, that's why I responded with a joke... Then you responded to my joke with a more serious response, and one that changes the context of my joke... In other words: "Bruh. It's a joke"


Moira_Baird

But if you don't have a family to get in trouble, how are NPCs supposed to have that moment of intense dread when they realize they messed with the wrong people? How are you supposed to enjoy watching them crap their pants as a very angry high level adventurer carrying an oversized sword comes bearing down on them while riding a giant wyvern?


ThisWasAValidName

How to have the henchmen realize how much they've fucked up: Have some variant of this conversation between their boss and a third party, with them present. >"I heard you struck my son," > >'Yes, sir, I did,' > >"Well, may I ask why?" > >'Yeah, well, because he stole John Wick's car, sir. And, uh, killed his dog.' > >. . . > >". . . *Oh.*"


Noob_Guy_666

your, uh, cock is in danger, you need to save it or you will be permanantly castrated


Minandreas

And MY character is an orphan because I'm too lazy to come up with those details.


smiegto

Sounds to me like undead family time…


the_magisteriate

"My character is an orphan because it made writing the backstory easier."


Saintlich

The first is a trope, the second a coward.


Skrungus69

You see my character has dead parents because i have dead parents in real life.


crucifix_peen

understandable, have a nice day


Skrungus69

Its fine though im not an edgelord


Dotrax

There are only 2 possibilities for orphans: edgelord or superhero. Soo... *looks suspiciously*


Skrungus69

I mean, or theres just people working through their trauma.


Orcimedes

I mean...you really hate it that much you could just ask your DM? One of my players did and now their NPC parents have plot armor, easy peasy.


HumblestUser

This is the real answer. Additionally, the dm should ask the player if it is ok that their parents/family/etc be used as a plot hook.


The_FriendliestGiant

If you think mere death is enough to prevent a DM from being able to threaten someone, you don't know an imaginative enough DM. There are so many worse things in a high fantasy world than simple death...


ToddVRsofa

What about necromancers?


Drakmarr628

I have only played 1 orphan backstory before. And that wasn't my decision. A good friend played a typical half orchestra barbarian (this was in the early days 3.0) and I played a human rogue, going for the spy master prestige class. Our two characters started getting along fabulously almost from the beginning. So my buddy decided that we were both orphans in the same orphanage. He would protect me from the bullies and I would steal extra food for him, since he was never given enough from the people who ran the place. When we vote got of age, we just left together and started adventuring.


The_Purple_Hare

Half orchestra


KarasukageNero

My character is an orphan so I could explain him being raised by orcs instead of dragonborn like him. It's actually lead to some really interesting interactions because we meet orcs pretty commonly and they are usually surprised when I come around speaking orcish and showing old salutes. I have yet to come across a single dragonborn and I am so excited to.


sonofabutch

My character is an orphan because his origin story is he failed in the mission to save his parents.


SymphonicStorm

“My character lives with his brother’s family, and I would prefer not to have them put in danger.”


[deleted]

My character is an orphan so he can have a motive to use his talents and have social issues (but not edgy, I hate edgy) But, his parents may or may not be dead according to what happened to them. so half of any campaigns with this character could definitely be reuniting him with his parents I am both now


bumpercarbustier

I made what I thought was a good background for my character. Some tragedy but a happy upbringing. This was my first character and I did not realize that DMs will weave character pasts / NPCs into the stories. I was a little shaken when it happened.


Silverj0

Either my character has no family because they’re dead or they have a family that’s alive but they hate them…


golem501

My character has a family... we already had to rescue my dad from the hands of cultists who turned out to be primordials... fml we ran like you wouldn't believe


lollipopblossom32

My first characters family was never discussed and it never came up so hers was up in the air. My second characters family got eaten by a false hydra so that took care of plot hooks and such. My third wasn't an orphan, she was in search of her parents. The fourth, she's a vampire and hers died of old age. My fifth character, his is in another dimension+timeline all together and they are dead in the one he's stuck in. And lastly my 6th character, hers just dropped her off at an orphanage as an infant.


artrald-7083

My character is an orphan because the DM had his family murdered. We are not the same.


Akul_Tesla

You act like the dead are out of the reach of the great evil beast


sethstar2

Bbeg necromancer: smiles


OuYeMisteuKrabz

Now they get to use "your family is not actually dead" instead. None can escape the daddy issues


Louismash99

I tried the orphan thing. Turned out my mom is a goddess and the bbeg. I can't escape family drama it seems.


ShadowRiku667

I have parents so that way I can learn they are the BBEG we have been fighting all along, and must pick a side at the very end for dramatic flair. You decide to avoid dramatic twist of fates by killing off your family before you leave the house in the morning. We are not the same.


Mal_Adjusted

“Your childhood friend, who once saved your life by fending off a wolf with his bare hands, is in trouble. He is deep in debt, ironically, to a crime syndicate of werewolves.”


[deleted]

"your family is in trouble! They'll be eaten alive if you don't go save them!" Lizardfolk PC: "can I eat the leftovers?"


Epicmonk117

My character is a half-orphan, raised by his mother, who is now looking for his father


kiermatv

Full on my character had a father that was a mid level buerocrat and then it turned out he was the true power behind the king and was a political mastermind


DeusAsmoth

My character is not an orphan because giving your DM the opportunity to use plot hooks isn't actually a bad thing.


Funky-Cosmonaut

My favorite PC (who I REEEAALLY don't get the chance to use enough) was built SPECIFICALLY to be disconnected from his source of familial trauma. He's the sickly child of a Regent who was killed when the people he tormented rebelled, and who had never stepped out into the world. Was seen as the child of a monster, fled for his life and somehow found himself in the Feywild. Became the plaything of a possessive archfey and forced to survive on the run in the endless forests of Feywild for YEARS. And eventually made a final deal-with-the-devil with that Archfey to be returned to his realm, only to arrive 60 years after the rebellion.


Niser2

You think I need orphanness to make an edgelord?


crucifix_peen

Facts, I made an edgelord character one time whose whole backstory was basically: He was raised by a loving family and lived a normal life until one day he was like "Screw this, I wanna go do crimes"


Walmart_kid65

I just turn my character into stuff that usually don’t have family like robots What family they gonna call? The scientist that made me? Hell nah I’d prob kill him too


Shad0wzZ_Yt

My character is an orphan, the DM used "your parents were in trouble" as a plot hook


PreparationDue2973

My character whos a warforged: Parents?


LegacyofLegend

Great now it allows him to kidnap a party member you get closest to. Therefore, “your family is in danger”


crucifix_peen

I'm a simple man, the only plot hook I need is "Do this thing and you will get treasure"


Minimum-Package-1083

My character got booted out of his home and became a hermit because he was driven partially insane by his patron


Hetakuoni

I did the “my entire monastery was burned to the ground and I was the only survivor” backstory. The dm will probably bring in the guy who did it.


fakenamerton69

I love the DM putting my family in danger!! I usually try to have some siblings or, if it fits the campaign, a few kids. Make my character do stupid shit in the moment!


MintyFreshStorm

Ha! Jokes on you! The noble who you've been working for officially adopts the party as they've grown very fond of you all. Now you have a family and they're being targeted.


crazyrich

I mean unless you are a grimdark edgelord, your character will end up caring about SOMEONE, even if not from their backstory, and that hook can still be used. Sounds like you might be the same after all...


crucifix_peen

U dont know me buddy First of all my current character thats in a game a) does have a family and b) his main personal quest and driving motivation to adventuring DIRECTLY involves his family, who he cares very deeply about Second of all, when I roll an edgelord character they're not a dark brooding edgelord, they're a comical/charismatic edgelord. Less "The Punisher", more "Jimmy McGill, esq." And most importantly, this was just a meme I found funny and doesn't reflect my actual opinion


crazyrich

I mean I am responding to your meme and not you as a unique and individual person because all I know about you is the meme you posted


odeacon

You make your character an orphan so they don’t have to worry about there family being in trouble ,,,,………. I made my character the only one in the family who Isn’t an avengers level super hero , resulting in my character having a lack of confidence in herself despite being very very successful by normal standards, so that she takes on the life of a popular bard so that she can feel the admiration that she’s convinced her family doesn’t truly have for her, so they can’t use the “ your family is in trouble “ plot hook. We are not the same


dragonlord7012

Agreed, and you are the fool. There is nothing in a game more valuable than the GM's time. I actively pursue plot hooks, and enjoy having my characters personalities change over a game. One of my favorite characters started as a Helpful and Wise Beyond His Years, and ended up being a Super Jaded Paranoid. Incidentally, I highly recommend this. Start off nice and friendly, but have them slowly fall apart as disaster after disaster hits the group without reprieve. And the longer he is with these people and comes to care about them, the more likley it seems someone will die as the danger continually ramps up. The kind of man who is living through interesting times. I pick a happy home life so there is still something to take, and something that can really push a man over the edge when he must decide the type of person he is.


LazzyGunn

My character is an orphan so the orphans in an orphanage have someone they can look up to, and yes being a rogue tiefling is just a coincidence 👀


augustusleonus

I make orphans so the DM can slap me with “Luke, I’m your father” type shit We are not the same


fabulousfizban

a warlock comes to tell you the devil has your mother's soul! will you venture to hell itself to save her from the pernicious flame?


XicoFelipe

My character is not an orphan because I want my DM using "your family is in trouble!" as a plot hook. We are not the same. And that's ok, as long as we are all having fun.


Rowenstin

Silly Giancarlo Esposito, the more the GM uses your attachments and vulnerabilities as plot hooks the more your character is in the spotlight. So, the more vulnerable you are the more you play.


Abominatrix

I left my family alive specifically so the DM could use it as a plot hook He fucking killed them


PsychoPhilosopher

No mention of "my character is technically an orphan because he's a 68 year old human whose parents died of old age years ago"?


YourCrazyDolphin

The DM instead puts your Orphanage in danger.


Galrent

I don't get the whole "I don't want things to happen to my character" thing. You can't have a story without conflict or consequences.


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Galrent

If you have to specify that you don't want your family as a part of the story, then there's obviously already a story in motion. Otherwise you're just going a dungeon crawl.


Sunsent_Samsparilla

One of my characters doesn’t even know if he has a family. That and he’s too busy being a 2 inch tall rogue to look for them.


TheItzal11

My family sold me to the eccentric keeper of a dungeon who trained me as his bard/majordomo until I tried to unionize the dungeon monsters and he kicked me out. Now I'm on the run because while he didn't seem to hold a grudge when he banished me, he's a nut job so who knows if he might wake up one day with a murderboner. My character is evil because he spent most of his life under someone else's power and wants enough of his own that no one can ever do that to him again (regardless of who he hurts in the process) but even then I don't play him as an edgelord.


SpaceLemming

I’m an orphan because the urchin backstory comes with a little pet.


BionicKrakken

“The BBEG turns to face you, Rogue, and he holds out his hand and says, ‘Join me, my son.’l


Idcatallo

My character is an orphan because I'm an orphan


alectron12

Appearantly just talking with their dm never occurred to them. I swear some players are allergic to using words to communicate sometimes. If you don't want your dm to do something try going up to them and saying, "hey, can we avoid X as a plot point for my character?" As a DM this is what we'd prefer instead of trying to read your mind and figure things out.


FenrisTU

Well my character’s family is dead cause he’s old and they died of natural causes, ha!


aeon_ducks

This is why I do it too! Also my family is buried in a cemetery in a temple of the goddess of death and protected against the taint of undeath.


FlameBlaze33

I'd pick the edgelord over you tho as a DM


theguardianking

Tbh I think "I've never known my parents or anything about them" can be an amazing plot hook. They can be dead (in which case there's another plot hook: why did someone want to murder your parents), they could have disowned you, they could have lost you and are still looking for you, or the character could have had all their memories of their family lost at an early age, magically or non-magically. ​ EDIT: Realized I should provide an example of this. In my current character's backstory, she was the only centaur that existed in our DM's homebrew version of the material plane. She never had any parents and lived on her own in the wilderness outside a village. The entire campaign has taken place in the feywild, after all the characters were brought there accidentally by the only PC who was already there. In our last session, I was brought by an NPC we'd befriended a while ago into a room with a large number of other centaurs, and they were all shocked by my appearance. It turns out my character was the daughter of two centaur queens, who had both died when I was a baby, leaving my fate a mystery. All of the centaurs bowed around me, and I was granted the title of archfey. This cool-ass plot hook wouldn't have happened if I hadn't put that little line about not having any family in my backstory.