So you want to create a biography for your persona? Good!
Let’s assume you have chosen a persona and you have a vague idea of what era you are “living” in. Using some or all of the questions below, you can now embark on an educational journey that will not only result in you having a bio, but will also enrich your knowledge of your chosen period and how your persona would function within it.
Study the highlights of the period you have chosen. Give yourself a good range of years. Example: If you choose to be a 10th century Norse Warrior, look for the highlights of the entire century and choose the events that you would like to have seen your persona be a part of. Slowly narrow it down to your actual life span and limit further historical research to those specific years. Then fill in the blanks ...
General
When were you born?
Who were your parents? Siblings?
Where were you raised? City? Country?
Interests/Skills
What area(s) of activities are you pursuing in the SCA?
In your period, how did your persona come to learn these skills?
Why did your persona pursue this area of learning?
Weaving your Persona into the fabric of history.
Which events in your persona’s life span did you take part in?
What role did your persona play?
How did each event effect your persona?
And finally
Where is your persona now?
What is your persona doing?
How does your persona relate to your current shire? Principality? Kingdom?
Once you have all of the information in chronological order, write it out in a biographical form. Or have someone help you do so. (Sevrin is available to assist you in this presently, so long as you do all the legwork and provide accurate data)
Once that is done, include your heraldic device or badge. Include a portrait of yourself and any images that relate to your persona and your period.
The next level
To truly measure your persona, consider challenging the Golden Swan for female personas, or the Roll of Saint Ambrose for male personas. Do not, however, take these challenges lightly; You should be prepared to devote a year to research and costume construction. Though the demands of these persona challenge events are rigorous, the reward of becoming a Golden Swan or having your name entered on the Roll of Saint Ambrose is truly a badge of honour.
In closing
Have a look at the biographies already posted on this site to get a general idea of how to form your own goals in your bio. Your bio can be grandiose or simple, it’s all up to you. But going through the process will certainly enrich your knowledge of your persona and of actual history. You may be amazed at the information you come across by accident during your research.
Having done the research, you will also feel more secure in your persona. When other SCAdians ask you about your persona, you will have specific answers. You will have a firmer knowledge of the styles of garb, gear, and belief systems of your persona.
And the bottom line; It’s fun!