Creating a Character

To fully immerse yourself within the Organic Roleplay environment of DayzUnderground, it is advised that you approach with at least a general idea of who your character is and how they fit into the apocalyptic realms of Chernarus. This article will provide useful tips on creating your character, choosing a look for them to sport, and give you an overall idea for why these aspects are important and worth considering.

Part 1 - Character Background

Example of a Civilian PID: A survivor who treads the grounds of the apocalypse in normal clothing.

Example of a Civilian with a Medical Background: A survivor who's PID hints they might be trained as a doctor, or at the very least has medical supplies.

Your character's background could be brief and to the point, or it could be as complex and well-thought out as you wish it to be. Either way, it is the foothold of who your character is - not because of how often it would come up in passing conversation - but because it could be a very useful tool to indicate and emphasize two very important things: Your character's personality, and your character's skill set/profession.

1.1 How your Character's Background can be utilized in Roleplay and Interactions

Who your character was before the apocalypse can play into your gameplay and interactions in various different ways. Some professions have more obvious/immediate values in the current world, such as medical professionals, hunters or farmers - but in Chernarus, people of all sorts are needed: If your character did something that required more diplomatic skills, then you can play that up by offering yourself to mediate or negotiate between certain people or factions. If your character is good on their feet, then they can be a scavenger who attempts to sell their goods after every loot run, or if they were in the business beforehand - perhaps they could land themselves a tradesman opportunity. No matter what their profession was beforehand, it is useful to adapt a trait that belongs to that skill set and potentially use that to be a driving force when it comes to your character's decision making.

An example scenario for reference:

You are accompanied by two friends whilst out on a loot run in a town. During your run, you hear gunshots nearby. The three of you quickly duck for cover inside the nearest building. You are unsure of who or what they're shooting at. So, what do you do?

• If your character has any combat experience or is overall proficient with guns and they are armed, perhaps you would feel inclined to wish to defend yourself and your friends and make a stand. - This shows the background of your character shining through in a scenario that makes sense for their skill set to be brought to light and used. Where it may have made more sense for others to run if they would not have the same confidence, your history would instead reflect into the notion that you are prepared for this scenario.
• If your character has no combat experience or proficiency with firearms, or they're simply unarmed, perhaps they would feel inclined to either stay in cover until the danger passes or make a run for it. - This shows that your character would realistically not have the confidence to stand and fight in this situation, valuing their life and not willing to take such a risk.

Remember - not everyone would be amazing with a gun if an apocalypse were to occur - and even though you (as the player) might be good at shooting, could that realistically be said about your character as well? It's always worth keeping in mind the quality of roleplay and immersion you could provide for yourself and those around you - it's not always about winning, and sometimes it's worth taking a loss in order to create a better (and more realistic) story.

1.2 How to convey your Character's Background in Roleplay

When it comes to bringing up your character's past, it's important to note that there is a time and place to do so. When asked the question of who you are, perhaps it is best to keep the answer short and relevant, rather than engaging in something often called "info-dumping" where you begin telling your character's whole life story when it was not called for. The most impactful way to show who your character is will be within the decisions that you make - whether or not those decisions stem from your character's personality, morals or goals.

Part 2 - Personal Identification (PID)

Example of a Hunter PID: A survivor who wears hunter gear in order to show off his profession and be camouflaged whilst hunting.

Example of a Soldier PID: A survivor who wears military gear, reflecting upon their background as a soldier or someone proficient in combat.

2.1 What is PID?

Personal Identification (also widely referred to as PID) is in short - what your character wears and can be recognized by.

2.2 Why should I have a PID?

Your PID can tell your character's story and even their personality simply by looking at them, it helps set you apart from others and stand out in a crowd. You can add hints in forms of various articles of clothing that suggest your character's background or profession within your PID. Once people get familiar with your voice, appearance, and actions, then your character would have properly been established within the environment.

2.3 What can I use my PID for?

As mentioned before, it is useful for your PID to show off parts of your character's personality via bits of clothing that belong to their respective traits. This helps people understand your character better via visual storytelling, and you can express your background more by doing so.

Some examples of how to use PID to emphasize your character's traits/background:

• If your character is/was a medical professional, perhaps they would be inclined to wear a medical jacket so people who require their services could recognize them at a glace - or maybe simply wear a medial pouch where they'd store their meds.
• If your character is a civilian survivor, then sports some regular clothing that they would wear in their everyday lives, with enough utility to survive in the apocalyptic world

It could also be fun to carry or wear items that your character considers sentimental. Whether or not they've gained this item before or after the infection, it is a nice tool to use in roleplay if you wish to express some of their past or their relations.

It is also worth keeping your PID's within the realistic theme of DayZ, attempt to see the world through your character's eyes and figure out not only what they would wear, but also why they would wear it.

2.4 PID in a Group/Faction

Most groups and factions have their own visually distinct outfits and sport an overall theme that is consistent throughout the PID's of all their members. If your character joins any of these groups, then it's worth integrating your looks to match their aesthetic - in that case, if anyone were to see your character from afar, they should be able to tell that you're a part of that group/faction.

Example: Vane is a lone traveler, wearing civilian clothing and a cowboy hat that has sentimental value for him. Along his journey, he meets and joins the Forsaken Loyalists. Instead of keeping his regular look and slapping on the FL armband on top of it, he changes up his look to match the rest of the biker club - now wearing a rider jacket and putting away his cowboy hat to stay within their dress code.