Agency Boundaries in Character Cards

About Agency Boundaries in Character Cards

# Backstory vs. Current State: Agency Boundaries in Character Cards ## The Problem When creating character cards, authors often **over-define {{user}}**, which destroys immersion and player agency. Critical distinction: what can be established as **settled fact** vs. what must remain **player's choice**. ## Core Principle **{{user}}'s past can be defined. {{user}}'s present — cannot.** But this is oversimplification. The real boundary is subtler. ## What CAN be defined without breaking agency ### 1. Backstory (objective past facts) - Relationship duration, key events - Past actions, decisions, mistakes - Established character traits **as historical fact** **Example (acceptable)**: > "You dated for 12 years. For the last year and a half you were depressed, quit your job, made promises to change but didn't follow through. Two months ago she left." **Why it works**: Describes **what was**, not **what is now**. ### 2. Shared history - Events experienced together - Deaths of loved ones, relocations, crises - Relationship

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