What Secrets Does Your Character Hide?

Grendal Bloodhand glanced around, ensuring no one was watching. When he was certain there were no prying eyes, he slipped his hand up behind the moulding near the fireplace in his kitchen, and pressed up on the loose stone. The hidden door in the wall opened, revealing the stairway down to the cellar. The orc slipped into the shadows, closing the door behind him as he found his way down the worn, stone steps. The door at the base was banded with iron and bore half a dozen locks, but instead of touching the trap activating mechanisms he pressed in on five, specific stones around the frame. The lock clicked open, and he stepped inside. Drawing a sparker from his belt, Grendal lit a lamp, then turned up the flame until it shone brightly.

The basement was filled with glass cases held up by beautifully-carved stone supports. Each case held a small diorama, filled with tiny figures going about their lives. In one, tiny knights of lead and iron menaced dragons of silver and gold. In another, maidens carved from oak and cherry sung and danced, played to by satyrs of jade. A final case stood at the far wall, filled with a beautiful valley where crystal horses roamed. Grendal opened the lid with practiced care, and slipped a hand into his satchel. He removed a box, and then slid back the lid, pushing apart the silk that swaddled the contents.

Inside was a winged unicorn carved from smoky quartz. Grendal turned it this way and that, admiring it for a moment. Then he lowered his hand, and placed the figure atop a flat rock where it could overlook the rest of its perfect herd. Once it was in place, Grendal closed the lid, and sat back on his haunches to admire the scene.

For a dozen years now he'd been slowly collecting these figures. He found them everywhere, from corrupted wizards' towers to the back corners of dragon hoards. Every time he made a note in the ledger saying he'd, "get a good price for the figure." Nobody had questioned him yet. As a soft smile pulled back over his fangs, Grendal felt a giddy kind of pleasure fill him. For all the treasure that had passed through his fingers over the years, nothing made him happier than this.

What Secrets Do You Hide?

A lot of details go into our RPG characters. Everything from their species and ancestry, to their upbringing and training, to their beliefs, past deeds, and motivating desires gets poured into the bowl, given several good stirrings, and then poured into a mold that fits the look we're going for.

One of the ingredients we don't always think about is the secrets this character hides... and that can yield some interesting results.

Sometimes the secrets you hold are big things. Perhaps your character is a person of great importance, like a secret member of a royal family, or an infamous assassin wanted on four continents. Maybe you are the notorious vigilante who stalks the city streets, fomenting rebellion and leaving bloodied, senseless guards in your wake. On the other hand, you might have small secrets. Perhaps your mostly-silent barbarian is perfectly capable of speaking more languages than the rest of the party combined, but they choose not to so people underestimate them. Maybe your rogue had rich parents, and they're embarrassed that they grew up in luxury when their companions didn't. It's even possible your backstabbing, bloodletting orc with a fearsome reputation has a soft spot for little crystal pony figures.

However, knowing what the secret is only makes up half of the information you need. The other half is asking why your character is keeping this a secret in the first place?

For example, if your character is keeping their identity a secret, ask why. Are they doing it to save their own skin because they know that assassins or bounty hunters will be sent after them? Is it to protect their loved ones, who may become targets? Or is it because they're embarrassed or ashamed about who they used to be, and they want to distance themselves from that person?

The same questions can be asked about the small secrets, too. Does this character keep their gambling debts under wraps because they're worried their friends will judge them? Do they not talk about their time as part of a street gang because they're worried it will change how other people treat them? Do they think someone will make fun of them for appreciating art, or keeping a bed full of plush toys back home?

Often you learn even more about a character when you know why they're keeping something secret than you add with just the secret itself.

Recommended Reading

For more articles related to secrets and their use for your character, consider checking out the following!

- Character Reputation in RPGs: The Small Legend: Even if everyone in the party doesn't personally know one another, we often know of one another... of course, your reputation not being who you truly are could also be a secret you keep.

- The Onion of Secrets: A character concept entirely based around those who have layers of secrets to peel back as the game goes on, this one can be tough to pull off, but rewarding when you manage it.

- 100 Character Goals and Motivations: Knowing what drives you is important... of course, the thing that drives you might be something you need to play close to the chest.

And for folks who like the idea of a secret vigilante stalking the streets and fomenting rebellion, check out my retelling of the Hell's Rebels adventure path in the ongoing Silver Raven Chronicles!

- Part One: Devil's Night

- Part Two: From The Ashes

- Part Three: The Raven's Nest

- Part Four: Circles in Salt

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