The following tests are for figuring out your character's 16 Basic Desires, which is incredibly important for character construction. I'll have many more resources that show you all you can do with this. In the meantime, run your character through this and record the results. ---- Status is the desire for prestige, admiration, and recognition. A character with a strong Status drive seeks achievement and public validation—they need to be seen as important.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

STATUS TEST

1. Does your character often imagine how others will see them before making a major decision?

2. Does your character feel motivated when they’re recognized publicly for their achievements?

3. Does it bother your character if people don't seem to notice their success?

4. Would your character rather be important than comfortable?

5. Does your character track progress partly by how others view them?

6. Does your character often compare their achievements to those of others?

7. Does your character enjoy symbols of success (awards, titles, possessions)?

8. Is being seen as a "nobody" one of your character's worst fears?

9. Does your character get frustrated when they don't get the credit they believe they deserve?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Status Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Status Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Status Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Status Drive: Your character doesn’t need recognition. They focus more on personal satisfaction or internal principles than on what others think.

• Average Status Drive: Your character values being respected, but doesn't obsess over it. They’ll enjoy admiration if it comes, but won't lose themselves chasing it.

• High Status Drive: Your character needs recognition to feel fulfilled. They'll go out of their way to seek prestige, admiration, and visible signs of their importance, for better or worse.

Power is the desire to lead, influence, and direct others. A character with a strong Power drive needs to shape outcomes — they want control, authority, and the ability to leave their mark on the world.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

POWER TEST 

1. Does your character feel frustrated when they aren’t in charge of decisions?

2. Does your character actively seek roles where they can direct others?

3. Does your character feel energized by leading teams, projects, or missions?

4. Does your character dislike being told what to do, even by competent leaders?

5. Would your character rather lead a risky venture than safely follow someone else?

6. Does your character view influence over others as a key part of success?

7. Is your character uncomfortable being powerless or overlooked in important matters?

8. Does your character naturally step into leadership even when it’s not expected?

9. Will your character fight to have the final say when they believe it matters?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Power Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Power Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Power Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Power Drive: Your character doesn't seek to control others. They’re comfortable following, collaborating, or working solo without the burden of leadership.

• Average Power Drive: Your character enjoys leadership if it's natural or needed, but they don’t crave it. They'll take charge when necessary, but can thrive under strong leaders too.

• High Power Drive: Your character needs control and influence to feel fulfilled. They’ll naturally rise to leadership positions — or clash hard against anyone who blocks their path to authority.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Romance Drive?

Romance is the desire for sexual connection, beauty, and intimate bonding. A character with a strong Romance drive craves physical closeness, chemistry, and often measures part of their happiness by the presence of romantic or sexual energy in their life.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

ROMANCE TEST 

1. Does your character feel incomplete without a deep romantic or sexual connection?

2. Does your character think about love, intimacy, or attraction often?

3. Is romantic or sexual fulfillment a major source of meaning for your character?

4. Does your character feel energized or more alive when they're flirting, dating, or sexually active?

5. Would your character prioritize romance over career advancement or personal goals at times?

6. Does your character struggle with loneliness if they don’t have romantic attention for long?

7. Does your character see physical attraction as an essential part of a fulfilling relationship?

8. Does your character enjoy pursuing or being pursued in romantic contexts?

9. Would your character feel like something vital is missing from their life without romance or sex?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Romance Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Romance Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Romance Drive

  
  

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Romance Drive: Your character doesn't prioritize romance or sexual connection. They may value friendships, goals, or solitude more, and could be indifferent or even skeptical about love stories.

• Average Romance Drive: Your character values romance but keeps it balanced. They enjoy intimacy and connection, but it's one part of a fuller life, not the whole show.

• High Romance Drive: Your character needs romantic energy to thrive. Love, passion, or sexual intimacy will play a major role in their happiness, motivation, and life choices — for better or for drama.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Curiosity Drive?

Curiosity is the desire to explore, learn, and understand the world. A character with a strong Curiosity drive craves knowledge, seeks out new experiences, and is often restless if they feel stagnant or uninformed.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

CURIOSITY TEST

1. Does your character often ask questions just to understand how something works?

2. Does your character get restless or bored without new mental stimulation?

3. Is exploring unknown ideas, places, or concepts a major thrill for your character?

4. Does your character prioritize learning and discovery even when it isn’t immediately practical?

5. Would your character choose adventure or knowledge over comfort and routine?

6. Does your character frequently dive deep into subjects that catch their interest, even obsessively?

7. Does your character enjoy solving mysteries, puzzles, or problems purely for the challenge?

8. Is your character often the one in a group pushing for deeper understanding or asking, "But why?"

9. Would your character feel trapped or suffocated if stuck in a repetitive, unchanging environment?

   
   

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Curiosity Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Curiosity Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Curiosity Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Curiosity Drive: Your character is content with what they know. They focus on the immediate and practical rather than chasing after deeper or abstract understanding.

• Average Curiosity Drive: Your character enjoys learning and exploration when it fits their goals or interests, but they don't crave it constantly. They're mentally active but balanced.

• High Curiosity Drive: Your character needs discovery. New ideas, experiences, and understanding are essential to their happiness. Without stimulation, they may grow restless, rebellious, or reckless.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Vengeance Drive?

Vengeance is the desire to strike back against wrongs, betrayals, and injustices.A character with a strong Vengeance drive craves balance through retaliation — they struggle to forgive easily and often feel compelled to even the scales.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

VENGEANCE TEST

1. Does your character hold onto anger long after a perceived slight or betrayal?

2. Does your character often fantasize about getting back at those who hurt them?

3. Is it hard for your character to truly forgive without seeing consequences for the wrongdoer?

4. Does your character feel a powerful sense of satisfaction when enemies get what they deserve?

5. Would your character go out of their way to punish someone, even at a personal cost?

6. Does your character believe that letting offenses go without retaliation invites more disrespect?

7. When wronged, does your character feel a strong internal pressure to act, not just stew silently?

8. Does your character struggle to fully move on without some form of justice or revenge?

9. Would your character rather risk escalation than swallow an insult or betrayal quietly?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Vengeance Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Vengeance Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Vengeance Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Vengeance Drive: Your character tends to let go of slights or injustices quickly. They may focus on personal growth, peace, or pragmatism rather than retaliation.

• Average Vengeance Drive: Your character sometimes desires payback but usually balances it against bigger goals. They’ll retaliate if seriously wronged, but it's not their default setting.

• High Vengeance Drive: Your character craves retaliation and rarely forgets a betrayal. Getting even — or at least seeing justice done — can become an obsession that shapes their actions, priorities, and relationships.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Tranquility Drive?

Tranquility is the desire for emotional calm, peace of mind, and safety from stress.A character with a strong Tranquility drive seeks stability, avoids unnecessary risks, and feels happiest when life is predictable and free of chaos.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

TRANQUILITY TEST

1. Does your character avoid situations that seem chaotic or unpredictable?

2. Does your character feel uneasy when too many things are changing at once?

3. Is maintaining emotional stability a high priority for your character?

4. Does your character prefer routines and predictable environments over novelty and adventure?

5. Would your character rather have a peaceful, steady life than a risky, exciting one?

6. Does your character feel drained by confrontation, conflict, or high-stress situations?

7. Does your character actively try to prevent drama in their personal life?

8. Is your character willing to sacrifice ambition, wealth, or recognition in exchange for inner peace?

9. Would your character rather keep the peace, even if it means leaving some opportunities unexplored?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Tranquility Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Tranquility Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Tranquility Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Tranquility Drive: Your character thrives on chaos, change, and challenges. They may view peace as boring or even suffocating.

• Average Tranquility Drive: Your character values calm but can tolerate stress and disruption when it’s necessary. They seek a balance between adventure and peace.

• High Tranquility Drive: Your character prioritizes emotional safety above almost everything else. They avoid unnecessary risks, conflict, and upheaval — sometimes even at the cost of growth or opportunity.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Acceptance Drive?

Acceptance is the desire to be included, appreciated, and approved of by others. A character with a strong Acceptance drive needs to feel wanted and valued, often fearing rejection, failure, or being seen as unworthy.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

ACCEPTANCE TEST

1. Does your character worry about whether others truly like or accept them?

2. Does your character avoid risks that could lead to public embarrassment or failure?

3. Is your character unusually sensitive to criticism or disapproval?

4. Does your character feel a strong need to “fit in” or be part of a group?

5. Would your character rather hide their true feelings than risk rejection?

6. Does your character often seek reassurance that they're doing well or are liked?

7. When facing conflict, does your character fear being "kicked out" or isolated?

8. Does your character judge themselves harshly when they disappoint others?

9. Would your character sacrifice personal desires to gain approval or avoid disappointing people?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Acceptance Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Acceptance Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Acceptance Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Acceptance Drive: Your character doesn’t need external validation to feel secure. They can stand alone and risk rejection without feeling shattered by it.

• Average Acceptance Drive: Your character values acceptance and connection but can weather disapproval when necessary. They seek belonging but won’t destroy themselves over it.

• High Acceptance Drive: Your character craves approval and inclusion deeply. Fear of rejection can heavily influence their decisions, relationships, and willingness to take risks.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Social Contact Drive?

Social Contact is the desire for friendship, companionship, and shared experiences. A character with a strong Social Contact drive craves interaction, group belonging, and emotional bonds with others — they thrive on being connected.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

SOCIAL CONTACT TEST

1. Does your character actively seek out social gatherings, events, or group activities?

2. Does your character feel drained or lonely if they go too long without meaningful interaction?

3. Is having close friends or confidants critical to your character’s happiness?

4. Does your character prefer working with others over working alone?

5. Would your character rather share successes and experiences than keep them private?

6. Does your character often initiate conversations or reach out to maintain relationships?

7. Does your character feel stronger or more energized when part of a team or community?

8. Would your character prioritize social life even at the expense of solitude, work, or efficiency?

9. Does your character feel "off" or anxious if they’re socially isolated for too long?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Social Contact Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Social Contact Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Social Contact Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Social Contact Drive: Your character prefers solitude or selective company. They’re self-sufficient and may view constant interaction as distracting or exhausting.

• Average Social Contact Drive: Your character values connection but needs time alone too. They seek companionship but balance it with independence.

• High Social Contact Drive: Your character thrives on interaction and feels incomplete without steady human connection. Their social bonds heavily shape their moods, choices, and motivations.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Saving Drive?

Saving is the desire to collect, conserve, and hold onto resources. A character with a strong Saving drive feels more secure when they accumulate and protect what they have — whether it's money, possessions, knowledge, or even favors.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

SAVING TEST 

1. Does your character naturally hold onto money or resources instead of spending freely?

2. Does your character feel uneasy when their savings, supplies, or resources run low?

3. Is your character reluctant to get rid of possessions, even if they’re no longer needed?

4. Does your character prefer to accumulate resources "just in case" of future need?

5. Would your character rather repair or repurpose something than replace it?

6. Does your character often view spending as risky unless absolutely necessary?

7. Does your character take pride in their ability to conserve, save, or build up reserves?

8. Is your character highly resistant to wastefulness, extravagance, or unnecessary upgrades?

9. Would your character feel vulnerable or reckless without a strong "safety net" of savings or assets?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Saving Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Saving Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Saving Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Saving Drive: Your character tends to spend, consume, or move through resources freely. They live more in the moment and prioritize experiences or efficiency over hoarding.

• Average Saving Drive: Your character values resources but balances conservation with living life. They save when it makes sense but aren’t obsessed with it.

• High Saving Drive: Your character feels safest when they have backups, stockpiles, and strong resource control. They may hoard money, information, supplies, or favors — often out of a deep need for security or control.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Family Drive?

Family is the desire to build, nurture, and protect a family unit. A character with a strong Family drive feels fulfilled by raising children, supporting relatives, and maintaining close familial bonds — often putting family above all else.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

FAMILY TEST

1. Does your character feel a strong emotional connection to their family of origin, even if it’s complicated?

2. Does your character dream about having a family of their own (or expanding an existing one)?

3. Would your character prioritize family needs over personal ambition or freedom?

4. Does your character feel responsible for protecting and providing for loved ones?

5. Is maintaining family traditions, values, or legacies important to your character?

6. Does your character view raising children as a core life goal, not just an option?

7. Would your character willingly sacrifice major opportunities if it meant keeping their family together or safe?

8. Does your character define success partly by how well they nurture or support those closest to them?

9. Is betrayal by family seen as one of the deepest wounds your character could experience?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Family Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Family Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Family Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Family Drive: Your character doesn’t define their life through family connections. They may value independence, friendships, or causes more than traditional family bonds.

• Average Family Drive: Your character values family but balances it with personal goals and identity. They’ll prioritize family when it matters, but it doesn’t completely define them.

• High Family Drive: Your character needs family at the center of their life. Family responsibilities, protection, loyalty, and legacy will strongly guide their decisions — sometimes even blinding them to broader goals.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Honor Drive?

Honor is the desire to live according to a personal code of ethics, loyalty, and integrity. A character with a strong Honor drive feels compelled to do what they believe is right, even when it costs them power, relationships, or safety.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

HONOR TEST

1. Does your character have a personal code they feel obligated to live by, even under pressure?

2. Would your character feel deep shame for betraying their word, even if no one else knew?

3. Does your character prioritize loyalty to groups, causes, or people they believe in?

4. Is your character willing to suffer losses to stay true to their values?

5. Does your character respect others who show unwavering loyalty or integrity, even if they disagree with them?

6. Would your character rather fail honorably than win through betrayal or deceit?

7. Does your character judge themselves harshly when they violate their own principles?

8. Is being seen as dishonorable or a traitor one of your character’s worst fears?

9. Does your character prefer clear moral lines over ambiguous or "grey" ethics?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Honor Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Honor Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Honor Drive

  
  

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Honor Drive: Your character adapts to circumstances without rigid codes. They prioritize survival, pragmatism, or personal goals over loyalty or traditional "honor."

• Average Honor Drive: Your character values loyalty and ethics but makes exceptions when necessary. They’ll honor commitments when possible but can live with compromise if it’s strategic.

• High Honor Drive: Your character is governed by loyalty, principle, and duty. Breaking their code isn’t just a mistake — it’s a personal failure that can haunt or break them. They'll sacrifice status, comfort, or even their life to stay true.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Idealism Drive?

Idealism is the desire for fairness, justice, and improving the world. A character with a strong Idealism drive believes deeply in how things ought to be, and often struggles against the way things are.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

IDEALISM TEST

1. Does your character often get frustrated by unfairness, even when it doesn’t affect them directly?

2. Does your character feel personally responsible for making the world (or their community) better?

3. Is your character willing to sacrifice personal gain to fight for what they believe is right?

4. Does your character get emotionally stirred by causes, protests, or injustices they see?

5. Would your character choose a harder path if it meant standing up for a principle?

6. Does your character sometimes act impulsively out of moral outrage or empathy?

7. Is your character uncomfortable with the idea of "just accepting" an unfair reality?

8. Would your character lose respect for someone who compromises too easily on core values?

9. Does your character sometimes alienate others by refusing to "go along to get along"?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Idealism Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Idealism Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Idealism Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Idealism Drive: Your character focuses on realism, pragmatism, and self-interest. They may view idealists as naïve or impractical.

• Average Idealism Drive :Your character values fairness and justice but picks their battles. They can balance idealism with practicality when needed.

• High Idealism Drive: Your character burns with a need to see right triumph over wrong. They feel personally charged to fight injustice — and may sacrifice personal relationships, stability, or even their own well-being for the sake of their ideals.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Order Drive?

Order is the desire for organization, structure, and predictability. A character with a strong Order drive feels safest and most effective when life is organized, rules are clear, and chaos is kept at bay.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

ORDER TEST

1. Does your character feel uneasy in chaotic, unpredictable environments?

2. Does your character prefer detailed plans over improvisation whenever possible?

3. Is your character naturally drawn to routines, schedules, and structure?

4. Does your character get frustrated when others ignore rules, deadlines, or systems?

5. Would your character rather delay action to ensure everything is properly organized first?

6. Does your character find comfort in predictability and long-term planning?

7. Is disorder (messy rooms, unclear leadership, lack of procedure) especially irritating to your character?

8. Does your character rely heavily on checklists, systems, or step-by-step methods to achieve goals?

9. Would your character rather trust a stable process over personal charisma or luck?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Order Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Order Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Order Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Order Drive:Your character thrives on flexibility, adaptability, and freedom. They often feel trapped or stifled by rigid rules or systems.

• Average Order Drive: Your character values structure but doesn't rely on it absolutely. They can work within a system when it helps, or break out of it when it doesn’t.

• High Order Drive: Your character needs order, structure, and predictability to function well. Chaos stresses them out, and they’ll often seek to impose control, systems, or logic onto messy situations — even at personal or social cost.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Eating Drive?

Eating is the desire for pleasure from food and nourishment. A character with a strong Eating drive finds major satisfaction, comfort, and sometimes even meaning through food, not just survival, but real enjoyment.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

EATING TEST

1. Does your character look forward to meals as one of the highlights of their day?

2. Does your character associate certain foods with comfort, celebration, or emotional satisfaction?

3. Is trying new foods, flavors, or cuisines exciting to your character?

4. Does your character prefer savoring meals over eating quickly or casually?

5. Would your character struggle emotionally if restricted to bland, minimal diets?

6. Does your character often mark major moments (victories, losses, reunions) with shared meals?

7. Is cooking, sharing food, or hosting meals a key way your character bonds with others?

8. Would your character prioritize good food even when practicality might suggest otherwise (e.g., spending extra for quality)?

9. Does your character use food as a way to soothe, reward, or treat themselves?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Eating Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Eating Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Eating Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Eating Drive: Your character views food as functional — fuel, not fun. They might be indifferent to taste, rituals, or culinary experiences.

• Average Eating Drive: Your character enjoys food and rituals around it, but keeps it balanced. They can appreciate good meals without over-prioritizing them.

• High Eating Drive: Your character strongly associates food with pleasure, comfort, and emotional life. Meals, flavors, and culinary experiences deeply matter, and deprivation or poor food quality can seriously affect their mood, energy, and even identity.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Physical Activity Drive?

Physical Activity is the desire for movement, exertion, and using the body. A character with a strong Physical Activity drive feels restless without regular movement — they thrive on action, energy, and physical challenges.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TEST (Character Edition)

1. Does your character feel restless or irritable if they go too long without moving around?

2. Does your character enjoy physically demanding work, sports, training, or adventures?

3. Is exercise or physical challenge a regular part of your character’s lifestyle or goals?

4. Does your character get more clarity, calm, or emotional balance through physical exertion?

5. Would your character rather take an active job/task over a sedentary one, even if both paid equally?

6. Does your character naturally pace, fidget, or seek physical outlets when stressed?

7. Is your character drawn to challenges that push physical limits (like climbing, combat, endurance feats)?

8. Would your character struggle emotionally if stuck in a sedentary or physically restricted environment for long periods?

9. Does your character prefer "doing" over "sitting and planning" whenever action is an option?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Physical Activity Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Physical Activity Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Physical Activity Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Physical Activity Drive: Your character values rest, thought, or stillness over physical action. They move when necessary but don't seek exertion as a source of pleasure or energy.

• Average Physical Activity Drive: Your character enjoys movement and activity but balances it with downtime. They’re active when needed but aren’t defined by it.

• High Physical Activity Drive: Your character craves physical action. Movement, exertion, and physical challenges aren’t optional — they’re part of what makes life worth living. Stillness feels suffocating over time.

How Strong Is Your Character’s Independence Drive?

Independence is the desire for autonomy, self-reliance, and freedom from control. A character with a strong Independence drive resists being told what to do — they want to make their own decisions, follow their own path, and define life on their terms.

Answer the following questions for your character. Yes or No:

INDEPENDENCE TEST

1. Does your character feel uncomfortable being dependent on others for help or resources?

2. Does your character prefer making their own decisions over taking advice or direction?

3. Is your character resistant to authority, rules, or expectations imposed by others?

4. Does your character value personal freedom more than group belonging or conformity?

5. Would your character rather fail on their own terms than succeed by following someone else’s lead?

6. Does your character struggle to ask for help, even when it’s the smartest move?

7. Is your character more energized when working alone than when collaborating?

8. Does your character hate being micromanaged or "parented" in any form?

9. Would your character give up comfort or stability to protect their freedom?

Scoring:

• 0–3 Yes = Low Independence Drive

• 4–6 Yes = Average Independence Drive

• 7–9 Yes = High Independence Drive

What Your Character’s Score Means:

• Low Independence Drive: Your character is comfortable in interdependent or even subordinate roles. They may value guidance, support, and collaboration over blazing their own trail.

• Average Independence Drive: Your character wants some autonomy but isn’t driven to resist control at all costs. They’re flexible — fine working alone or with others, depending on the situation.

• High Independence Drive: Your character needs freedom. Direction feels like constraint. They make bold moves, reject control, and often clash with authority — even when cooperation would be easier.