I wrote this list up ages ago, and I thought I'd share. It's not really tied to any system, as it doesn't give a stat bonus or penalty, but they're there to give a character more nuance rather than just a collection of stats and skills etc. The idea is to give a quick and easy personality trait and ideas for role-playing that can be expanded at the player's discretion however they see fit.
Although it's not tied to any particular system, I borrowed the Mongoose Traveller idea of 'enemy' and 'rival', but made it a selectable thing for the player (IIRC in MgT the enemy/rival is done by random dice roll as part of the prior history sequence).
List of flaws for characters
Addicted/Recovering – you are either a current or recovering addict of some sort of substance or activity. If addicted, you fear it might affect your abilities. If recovering, you are always on guard against temptation. Both can and often do affect your interpersonal relationships.
Arrogant – you have a superiority complex, and are quite convinced of your own greatness while scornful of others.
Avaricious – you covet wealth or items and appear quite miserly to your peers. You have a mercenary outlook on life.
Bashful – you are shy, passive, meek, mild-mannered, or lack self-confidence. You are self-effacing and modest of your accomplishments. You are sometimes more concerned with other people's needs than your own.
Craven – you are passive aggressive socially and 'overly cautious' in violent encounters, or you 'freeze' in such situations. Some consider you a coward. (I might split this in two, I dunno)
Crippled – you have sustained an injury and do not have the funds or means to employ corrective surgery, or such surgery is impractical, or it has been tried with little success. Or such surgery was successful, and you are no longer physically disadvantaged, but the scars (mental as well as physical) still remain.
Cynical – you question the motives of others, remaining sceptical of those who perform altruistic acts – such people, in your eyes, always have an ulterior motive.
Dullard – research and study aren't your forte. You're a 'doer' not a 'thinker', and you feel contempt for the latter. (I don't like the term 'dullard' though)
Enemy – you have had a nemesis appointed against you. This enemy seeks and plots your ruin. There might be a personal connection or a totally random sleight made against the wrong person, or some other motive.
Fatalist – you are possessed of a downright pessimistic point of view. Others think of you as depressing.
Hatred – you have an unabiding hatred for a particular individual, group or organisation. This hatred can be rational or not, and can be based on events that occurred to you or to people you care for in your past.
Honourable – you possess a strong and inflexible code of honour that governs your choices and actions. This code might make others admire you, but it can make others view you as a 'boy scout' and view you with suspicion. Do things right or don't do them at all.
Inferiority Complex – you are marked with crippling self-doubt despite your achievements to date. You are never good enough to reach the standards you have set for yourself, and you are hard on yourself whenever you fail.
Judgemental – you are quick to judge others for their perceived faults, even if you hear only one side of the story. You are highly defensive when judged by others.
Lothario – you are a cad. You seduce women and then leave them, demonstrating a total disregard for their feelings, or you are a woman who does the same to men.
Obsessive – you are obsessed with something in particular, and go to extreme lengths towards achieving an end. Others might look on you and be disturbed by your actions, but you are oblivious to their concerns. Only your goal matters.
Prideful – you don't easily back down when challenged nor do you take insults lightly. You are stubborn in debate, and sometimes belligerent.
Reckless – you leap before you look; you go where angels fear to tread. You eschew patient planning in favour of quick, bold action, without necessarily thinking of the costs it could entail.
Rival – a fellow peer has a rivalry against you and he will seldom pass on any opportunity he has in humiliating you or causing you to fail at a task, especially if it means advancing his own career or goals.
Ruthless – you will get the job done – no matter the cost. If it's between you and your goal, you will go through it quicker than a chainsaw through matchsticks. All's fair so long as you come out on top.
Shameful Secret – you have done something in your past that haunts you to this day, and you fear the possibility that someone might uncover your secret. You will go to great lengths to keep this secret hidden, or you will act to atone for your misdeeds – out of shame.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Critique?
Although it's not tied to any particular system, I borrowed the Mongoose Traveller idea of 'enemy' and 'rival', but made it a selectable thing for the player (IIRC in MgT the enemy/rival is done by random dice roll as part of the prior history sequence).
List of flaws for characters
Addicted/Recovering – you are either a current or recovering addict of some sort of substance or activity. If addicted, you fear it might affect your abilities. If recovering, you are always on guard against temptation. Both can and often do affect your interpersonal relationships.
Arrogant – you have a superiority complex, and are quite convinced of your own greatness while scornful of others.
Avaricious – you covet wealth or items and appear quite miserly to your peers. You have a mercenary outlook on life.
Bashful – you are shy, passive, meek, mild-mannered, or lack self-confidence. You are self-effacing and modest of your accomplishments. You are sometimes more concerned with other people's needs than your own.
Craven – you are passive aggressive socially and 'overly cautious' in violent encounters, or you 'freeze' in such situations. Some consider you a coward. (I might split this in two, I dunno)
Crippled – you have sustained an injury and do not have the funds or means to employ corrective surgery, or such surgery is impractical, or it has been tried with little success. Or such surgery was successful, and you are no longer physically disadvantaged, but the scars (mental as well as physical) still remain.
Cynical – you question the motives of others, remaining sceptical of those who perform altruistic acts – such people, in your eyes, always have an ulterior motive.
Dullard – research and study aren't your forte. You're a 'doer' not a 'thinker', and you feel contempt for the latter. (I don't like the term 'dullard' though)
Enemy – you have had a nemesis appointed against you. This enemy seeks and plots your ruin. There might be a personal connection or a totally random sleight made against the wrong person, or some other motive.
Fatalist – you are possessed of a downright pessimistic point of view. Others think of you as depressing.
Hatred – you have an unabiding hatred for a particular individual, group or organisation. This hatred can be rational or not, and can be based on events that occurred to you or to people you care for in your past.
Honourable – you possess a strong and inflexible code of honour that governs your choices and actions. This code might make others admire you, but it can make others view you as a 'boy scout' and view you with suspicion. Do things right or don't do them at all.
Inferiority Complex – you are marked with crippling self-doubt despite your achievements to date. You are never good enough to reach the standards you have set for yourself, and you are hard on yourself whenever you fail.
Judgemental – you are quick to judge others for their perceived faults, even if you hear only one side of the story. You are highly defensive when judged by others.
Lothario – you are a cad. You seduce women and then leave them, demonstrating a total disregard for their feelings, or you are a woman who does the same to men.
Obsessive – you are obsessed with something in particular, and go to extreme lengths towards achieving an end. Others might look on you and be disturbed by your actions, but you are oblivious to their concerns. Only your goal matters.
Prideful – you don't easily back down when challenged nor do you take insults lightly. You are stubborn in debate, and sometimes belligerent.
Reckless – you leap before you look; you go where angels fear to tread. You eschew patient planning in favour of quick, bold action, without necessarily thinking of the costs it could entail.
Rival – a fellow peer has a rivalry against you and he will seldom pass on any opportunity he has in humiliating you or causing you to fail at a task, especially if it means advancing his own career or goals.
Ruthless – you will get the job done – no matter the cost. If it's between you and your goal, you will go through it quicker than a chainsaw through matchsticks. All's fair so long as you come out on top.
Shameful Secret – you have done something in your past that haunts you to this day, and you fear the possibility that someone might uncover your secret. You will go to great lengths to keep this secret hidden, or you will act to atone for your misdeeds – out of shame.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Critique?
