Creating a tragic backstory for your character can add depth and emotional weight to your story, making readers empathize with their struggles and root for their growth. Here are 12 tragic backstory ideas, divided into three categories: fantasy, romance and mystery.
Fantasy Tragic Backstory Ideas
If you want your character to struggle with the weight of destiny in a fantasy world, find inspiration below.
Cursed Bloodline
Your character’s family is cursed, and every generation brings misfortune and death. The character is destined to bring an end to the curse but at the cost of their own life.
They are constantly haunted by the knowledge that their fate is sealed, and they must struggle to balance their desire for a better life with the inevitable tragedy of their lineage.
Exiled Heir
Born into royalty, this character was exiled when their family was overthrown by a rival faction. As the rightful heir, they now wander the world, searching for a way to reclaim their throne.
They constantly wrestle with the guilt of abandoning their kingdom and the fear that they will never be able to return.
Lost Love to Dark Magic
Once in love with a powerful sorcerer, your character’s partner was turned into an unrecognizable, twisted creature by dark magic.
The character’s once bright future was destroyed, and they now search for a cure, tormented by the knowledge that the one they loved may never be the same again, or worse, may be beyond saving.
The Betrayed Knight
Once a loyal and trusted knight, your character was betrayed by their king and falsely accused of treason. They were cast out, and their name tarnished.
The shame of the betrayal now fuels their quest for justice, though they struggle with feelings of guilt and doubt about their own honor.
Romance Tragic Backstory Ideas
Every good character needs to recover from heartache in a romance. Here are some ideas to help you find inspiration.
The Love Lost to Time
This character once had a soulmate, but through circumstances beyond their control, they were separated by time itself.
Despite all efforts to reunite, the love remains unfulfilled, leaving the character with a constant ache in their heart as they navigate new relationships that pale in comparison.
Unrequited Love of a Lifetime
The character has loved someone deeply for years, but their feelings have always been unreturned. As they continue to secretly carry this torch, they see their love fall for someone else, leaving them heartbroken.
Despite knowing they will never be with the person they long for, they are unable to let go, and their love remains an unspoken tragedy.
The Loved One Lost to Addiction
In this tragic story, the character loved someone who was consumed by addiction: drugs, alcohol, or something darker. Despite their efforts to help, the person they loved succumbed to their addiction, leaving the character broken and devastated.
Now, they struggle with guilt and unanswered questions, never fully recovering from the loss of their once bright love.
A Love Betrayed by the Truth
The character was in a deep, trusting relationship only to discover a devastating secret about their partner, perhaps an affair or a hidden past.
The revelation shattered the character’s world, leaving them questioning everything about their own worth. They now struggle to trust anyone, and their love life is forever haunted by the betrayal.
Mystery Tragic Backstory Ideas
Let's unravel a dark mystery in a crime-driven narrative with these four tragic backstories.
Witness to a Crime
Your character was the sole witness to a horrific crime (a murder, kidnapping, or something equally chilling). However, the authorities never believed them, or the case was buried.
Now, years later, the character is haunted by the trauma and guilt of not being able to bring justice to the victim. They are angry, tormented by the memory and feel a personal responsibility to uncover the truth.
A Family Member’s Secret
The character’s family harbors a dark secret that was hidden from them throughout their life—perhaps a parent’s criminal past or involvement in a horrific crime. When the character stumbles upon this secret, it shatters everything they thought they knew.
Now, they must grapple with the discovery of their family’s sins while trying to maintain normalcy.
The Dead Twin
This character once had a twin who mysteriously vanished or died in their youth under suspicious circumstances. The surviving twin is consumed by guilt, wondering if they could have prevented the tragedy or if they are somehow responsible.
The mystery of their twin’s death remains unsolved, and the surviving sibling is obsessed with uncovering the truth.
Wrongly Accused of Murder
The character was once accused and imprisoned for a crime they didn’t commit, most likely murder. They lost years of their life behind bars, fighting to prove their innocence.
Though eventually freed, the experience has left deep scars, and the character now lives in constant fear of being wrongfully accused again, while also searching for the real killer.
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