Backstory (Halfbloods)

## Making an Archetype

Before beginning a backstory, ideally even before writing stats on the character sheet, the player should have a clear archetype in their head.

This may encompass a **Mechanical Role** in game (such as a fighter, a hacker, an investigator....), a basical **Personality** (Friendly, Brooding, Traumatised, Easily excited...) to a **Purpose** (in what they should achieve for the player and the narrative).

Constructing a character with a premise in mind can really help in shaping their personality and the story the player imagines, and make Character Creation much easier. When doing so consider a central **Conflict** their character has with their story aswell as the **Experiences** the player wants to make when playing.

## How to write a Halfblood

When writing the backstory for a Halfblood there are a couple of things to keep in mind; aswell as useful tips and inspirations. The following article will provide a structure on how to build your backstory quick and impactful while sticking to a Halfbloods central themes.

### Relations to their Patron

All Halfbloods hail from atleast one Neverborn, also known as their Patron, either through direct or indirect descendance. This does not only provide them with their powers and connections in the Outer Realm; their relation to their Patron is absolutly essential.

There are two things to keep in mind:

1. First is the fact that most Neverborn, usually bound to a shortlived summoning contract and not blessed with the most parental instincts; will rarely stay around to raise the Halfblood. They way the character was sired and how they view their parent or ancestor is vital.
2. Patrons are rarely directly connected to their children; and often are unaware of their existence or their goals. It is possible to offer ones Patron Souls to gain more of their power and possibly their attention; but Neverborn do not always make for the most benevolent parents or teachers.

Before writing any other part of your Halfbloods backstory or character consider their relation to their Patron. Listed below are common tropes and archetypes from which to take inspiration:

* **The Lost Child-** The Neverborn has sired the Halfblood by accident or is unaware of their existance and powers. The Halfblood whishes to connect themselves to their immortal side, seeking any opportunity to strengthen their Patron and establish contact; possibly even trying to summon them.
* **The Obsessed Progeny-** The Halfblood has already tried to make contact with their Patron; but the Neverborn is very much uninterested in maintaining a relationship. The Halfblood is unsure why; perhabs they are not strong, worthy or virtous enough. They will try anything to get into their Patrons good graces and are deeply hurt when failing.
* **The Haunted Heir-** The Neverborn is activly persuing their progeny in an attempt to win them over. They might want to use them, gain their soul or simply shape them after their image. The Halfblood on the other hand does not want anything to do with their Patron and will try to escape their presence or attention.
* **The Beloved-** Both the Halfblood and their Patron generally love and care for each other. Due to a Summoner, another Neverborn or a lack of knowledge it is increadibly hard for both of them to maintain contact and they are at risk of loosing each other. Should they fully unite there are few things to stop them however.

* **The Generational Trauma-** The character is part of a long line of Halfbloods, and their Patron constantly looms over them. They where raised to think of them as their guardian angel and a familiar spirit to worship; but they do not yet realise that their family only exists to be a powertool for their Patron, allowing them to have continous influence on the world and be summoned by the right hands.
* **Discovering the Roots-** The Halfblood has awakened and gained access to their powers, without even realising they where descendants of Neverborn. After something research they discover they are part of a line of Halfbloods that did not manage to activate their powers. Now they try to trace their origins back to some ominous being in the Outer Realms, and they are certainly in for a suprise.

* **The Torn Soul-** The character is a Nephilim, childe of two different Neverborn. They where near opposites, like Angels and Demons, and their identities where fundamentally at odds. Still a child came from this strange union, and now it struggles to bear two completly opposite sides in them. (Warning this can be very edgy)

### Growing up

The groundwork of every backstory and every characters psyche are their growing years

## Stay Focussed

In the end every characters backstory does in theory cover decades of experiences, story and connection. You will not be needing all of that. This article already gives you a direction what to focus on. Stick to what you will need to flesh out your characters important aspects and start writing that. Otherwise you might be at risk of not writing at all, because you feel like you have to add too much to even begin (especially when it comes to parts of the story you won´t need and are uninterested in writing, but still feel obligated to).

You can fill in blanks and add any amount you want, and it will generally improve your character. But before you do that you should write what you actually want to write and what you will need.