Much literature is formed of clich�s. There's a reason for that; clich�s immediately engage us, and provide a wealth of assumed history for a character. A clich� is a shortcut that can be used by authors to build an image in the reader's mind.

Clich�s are used in a similar way to build role playing characters. You immediately know what to expect from the shifty rogue, or the noble paladin. Here a clich� is a shortcut for the player, to make it easy for them to create a new character with some depth.

The problem with clich�s is that they are all the same. How many shifty rogues or noble paladins are you going to remember? When you're telling stories years later about role playing games, you won't tell about the time that the noble paladin faced down a dragon.

No, you'll tell about the time that the paladin with a drinking problem showed up to the dungeon three sheets to the wind.

The unique characters are the ones you remember, and the ones that are most fun to play. Here are some tips on creating unique characters.

Start With A Clich�

A clich� can provide a great starting point for character development. After all, you get an awful lot of depth from most clich�s. But don't stop with the clich� itself...push beyond the clich�, and discover the hidden secrets lurking inside every character.

What Could Threaten The Character's Clich�?

What personality trait could threaten the character's basic clich�? In the case of the paladin, a drinking problem could, depending on which deity the paladin worships, most certainly threaten his standing, providing the risk of losing all her special abilities.

This flaw in the character should provide constant pressure on the character. It isn't enough, alone, to undermine the character, but it's close. They must be on their guard to avoid having the flaw overcome them.

What Is Funny?

The character's flaw should provide comic relief, at the same time as it provides a risk of catastrophic failure. The paladin's drinking problem could potentially lose her all that she has worked for in her life, yet we can laugh when she challenges the stone dragon at the dungeon's entrance because she's had too much to drink.

Don't Overdo It

A flaw is at its best when it isn't always present. A drunken sot of a paladin isn't funny, but one who has too much now and then, but usually pulls through in the clinch, can be. A priest who gambles away collection money only when the collection is extremely good has more potential than one who always gambles away the collection money.

Overdoing a character flaw pushes it over the edge, and makes it certain that the flaw will destroy the character in short order.

Play The Flaw, Even When It Hurts

There will be times when the logic you've established for the character's flaw tells you to play it, but you as a player know that doing so at that moment will seriously hurt the group's chances of successfully finishing the adventure.

Do it anyway. Your group might be tossed in the palace dungeon instead of hailed as heroes, but there's one thing for certain...

It'll be an adventure that will be retold in years to come, and your character will be remembered.