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Okay - here I am, I have a general world (mine or someone elses - doesn't matter). Before the players get to even think about character creation I figure out where I want to go with the group, where I'm "starting" and what the general outlook on the world currently is. I say currently because I expect things to change.

I have to consider overarching wars, politics and how the characters may affect the outcomes of each of these things. To start, really only local politics and affects are likely needed to be considered.

Why do I do this? It takes time but I like to think that I'm simply gathering my tools for writing a novel of which the characters will play out. I have to know the general tone and atmosphere.

I then let the players decide the sort of character they want to be based on the local...