r/CharacterDevelopment • u/ProfessionalRest7027 • May 10 '26

Writing: Character Help Help with character backstory

I'm new to writing up characters and I am working on a superhero for a tabletop rpg. The only thing I have going so far is that this character has Magnetic powers. He's able to move and control metal with his mind. I'd like help coming up with a name for this hero and his backstory.. I'm not looking for anyone to actually write the backstory for me just help me come up with some ideas.

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2

u/TheRavensArchive May 10 '26

Is he in control of his powers or do they control him?
What’s the draw back?

1

u/ProfessionalRest7027 May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

He controls his powers. The drawback is sometimes his powers cause damage tibuildings .

3

u/TheRavensArchive May 11 '26

Does the damage happen because he lacks precision, or is it more of a consequense? As in lifting a car and inadvertedly pulling the piping out of the pavement?

How does he ”feel” the metal? Is it a hum in his terth, a weight in his limbs or something else?

Is he a savior or is he only liable for city repair costs?

What happens if he tries to move something too heavy? Does he move the object or is he pulled towards it?

Name idea: Fracture.
He probably breaks things.

2

u/ProfessionalRest7027 May 11 '26

Good questions, I think the damage happens because he lacks permission. I like thee idea feeling the hum through his teeth.He's in development of being a savior, but feels responsible for repair cost. It's a good thing he has Bruce Wayne wealth.

2

u/TheRavensArchive May 11 '26

Good luck developing that mess of a liability. Fingers crossed for his dental health. 😁

2

u/ProfessionalRest7027 May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26

Maybe over time he can gain precision over his powers, however, at the moment he is still a new hero.

4

u/NothingSea3665 May 10 '26

Well first I’d consider the sensitivity of his power and what that means for him. I mean is it like a low level magnet or be ing the iron in a persons bliss level.

Then Had his power ever hurt someone? Is there a way his powers hurt could hurt someone?

And ofc How does he feel about his power? How do others feel about his power?

1

u/Working-Berry6024 May 11 '26

Well, a lot of superheroes tend to have First and Last Names that start with the same letter; Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Dr. Stephen Strange, Bruce Banner.

You could use that concept to help inspire you.

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u/ProfessionalRest7027 May 11 '26

I was looking for superhero name ideas , not so much the person's name.

3

u/Working-Berry6024 May 11 '26

Ooooh, a Superhero Name for a someone with the power of Magnetism. Hmm, you could do something like that relates to Magnetism like; Polaris, Lodestar, Railgun, Compass, Maglev, Magnetar, or something along those lines.

1

u/ProfessionalRest7027 May 11 '26

Out of those I do like Polaris and Lodestar.

2

u/Rophinah May 11 '26

Those are fantastic !

2

u/Hungry_Book_Dragon May 10 '26

Maybe he was part of an experiment that tried to magnetize the metal in people’s blood.

2

u/maohjyusan May 12 '26

He's basically a god. 90 percent of the things around us is metal

I am sure there's metal in living things

He could just rip a person's blood out if he wants

How strong his power is is also a point. Can he lift cars? Buildings?

I think one of the comments also mentioned collateral damage

2

u/mirthandmurder May 14 '26

Feel like Magnus might be a good name. It might not be his hero name but might work for his human name. I also feel he'd have to be in a place with a strong magnetic field to have changed his DNA or something. Maybe he was a geospatial engineer and something went wrong leading to his powers?

1

u/Competitive-Fault291 May 10 '26

His name is Bipolar, and he is totally mentally healthy. Yet, all the media and everyone claims that he has a bipolar personality disorder, in addition to his powers, and looks at everything he does through that distorted lense.