GM Tips: Incorporating Player Backstories

One of the richest veins of storytelling potential in any TTRPG campaign lies within the player characters themselves. Their backstories, motivations, and personal connections offer a wealth of material that a GM can weave into the overarching narrative, creating a more engaging and meaningful experience for everyone involved. But how do you effectively incorporate these backstories without derailing your own plans or making players feel like their characters are being railroaded? Here are a few tips:

• The Initial Investment: The Backstory Questionnaire/Interview: Start by encouraging players to develop detailed backstories. A questionnaire can be a great tool for this, prompting them to consider their character's family, motivations, key relationships, defining moments, and secrets. As The DM Lair suggests, a backstory should be a resource for both the player and the GM. Alternatively, conduct individual interviews with each player to delve deeper into their character's history and personality.
• Find the Hooks: Once you have the backstories, identify elements that can be woven into the main plot or used as seeds for side quests. Look for unresolved conflicts, mysterious figures from their past, or deeply held beliefs that could be challenged or exploited. 
• Subtle Integration: Don't force the backstory elements into the game. Instead, introduce them subtly and organically. A chance encounter with someone from their past, a rumor overheard in a tavern, or a symbol recognized from their childhood can all serve as entry points.
• Themed Sessions: Dedicate entire sessions to exploring a particular character's backstory. This could involve flashbacks, dream sequences, or a journey to their hometown. As Ginny Di says, "before returning to a collective story you can do this in your D. and D game too by incorporating side quests or sessions that engage with one player's backstory...you basically give each player a chance to be the main character for a day."
• Consequences and Rewards: Make sure that the integration of backstories has meaningful consequences. If a player's character is haunted by a past mistake, show the impact of that mistake on their present actions. Conversely, reward players for embracing their backstories by granting them unique abilities, knowledge, or connections.
• Collaboration is Key: Talk to your players about how you plan to incorporate their backstories. Get their feedback and be open to adjusting your plans based on their preferences. The goal is to create a collaborative storytelling experience where everyone feels invested in the outcome. As this Reddit thread discussing Matt Mercer's approach highlights, ask your players "what kind of a story do you (the player) want to tell with this character?".
• Don't invalidate player choice: The player has final say on their backstory. If you are workshopping ideas with the player and they don't like where it's going, change course. The point is to make the player feel more invested and engaged, not to undermine their agency.
• Leave Room to Grow: As Taliesin Jaffe says, "Only write what your character knows." This allows the GM to add depth and surprise to the character's history as the campaign progresses (Reddit).
• Consider Character Archetypes: Brennan Lee Mulligan often motivates players by tapping into character archetypes, tying them to backstories and the main plot. By offering chances to fulfill those archetypes, players become more invested (YouTube).
• Don't Overload on Tragedy: As The DM Lair says, avoid backstories that are full of "TRAGIC OVERLOAD...where excessive tragedy or trauma overshadows all other aspects of the character."

Incorporating player backstories can be a rewarding experience for both the GM and the players. It adds depth, complexity, and emotional resonance to your campaign, making it a truly unforgettable adventure.