[b]*Will add at least a brief note about character arcs*[/b] Since it's meant to be basic, I'll probably expand on it by offering players two very viable choices.

[b]#1:[/b] [u]Do not[/u] kill off your character's immediate family. Keep the parents alive as potential victims of circumstance later on, or to write your character letters, or call them on a phone, or so on. Have a sibling as well, if you like. This can add to the depth of a character without needing to do anything at all: [i]I can't lose now, my family is waiting for me back home, I can't let them down![/i]

[b]#2:[/b] Keep 1-3 articles from the past that aren't weapons or armour. Lockets, rings, pictures, lucky cards, religious or spiritual paraphernalia, etc, are all powerful ways to give others an easy way to explore your character and in turn an easy method to develop your character.

Also, generic soldier guy suddenly has a lot more humanity to him when he has a heart shaped locket hidden underneath his bulletproof vest.

Just saying.