I found a excellent character development guide, unfortunately it's meant for another game. I will however be doing my best to translate this guide to NWN2 because I surely think it would be worth it.
In the meanwhile let's start with a few links that could help and a handy character development questionnaire.
The Links:
The Top 7 Lazy Character Clichés
An alternative naming resource For if you want help with getting a name and think the randomize option isn't up to the job then here is a more complex and customizable engine on your browser.
Another alternative naming resource This is a engine you can download for some name generators that include a generator with names for certain races in Fearün.
Even more name generators Seventh Sanctum, a website full of name generators for all kind of things.
A D&D Specific Name Generator You can pick a gender, a race, a class, a profession and a reputation, then just go ahead and generate.
(If you think that you still know one or more good links then please let me know, either by PMing me, posting here or by sending me a message in another way.)
The Questionnaire:
Here follows the questionnaire, I want to know your opinions, suggestions and questions/doubts so feel free to post in here. These are questions you should be able to answer if you want to have your character thought through.
(This questionnaire was made from a male perspective but it can of course also apply for female characters.)
Character name?
Physical
- - Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well? Is he crooked? - Is he in good shape or out of condition? Is he muscularly weak or strong? - How is his health? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities? - Is he physically active or sedentary? A fast or slow mover? - Is he clumsy? Awkward? Graceful? - Is he physically tense or relaxed, nervous, controlled? [/li]
- - What are their favorite articles of clothing? - Are their clothes new or old? Homemade, hand-me-downs, expensive? - Do his clothes fit well? - Is he comfortable in what he wears or does he “fight” his clothes? - Does he have to dress a certain way because of his job or position? If so, do his usual clothes fit his real, basic character? [/li]
- - Does he speak in a high or low-pitched voice? When might he be higher than usual? When lower? - Is he a loud or soft-talker? - Is there a wide range in the voice in pitch, volume, and/or quality, or is the voice pretty consistent and even? - Is there an accent? Anything unusual in pronunciation, emphasis, phrasing? - Is the speech clear or muddy? Does he mumble, is he distinct? [/li]
- - Does he think quickly? Slowly? Is he quick-witted? Dull? - Is the character impulsive or deliberate in reaching conclusions? Is he logical, rational, or emotional? [/li]
- - Is he an extrovert, an introvert? - Does he like people? - Does he have many friends? Any close friends? - Is he hot-blooded or cool-headed? - Does he have a narrow or wide range of emotions? Do they show? - Would you say he is basically sensitive or callused? - Is he suspicious, cautious, trusting, or naïve about new people or situations? - In a danger or emergency situation, would he go to it or run away from it? - Is the character basically nervous or calm? - Is he a practical joker? What is his opinion on tricks or jokes played on other people? - Under what conditions could he be harmful or cruel to another person? - Is he a loving person? Is he full of love and giving or rather bound and tight in this area? - Is he capable of relating to others in a loving way? Is a capable of relating to one person in a romantic way? [/li]
- - Does this person have much money? Does it provide position or respect from others? - Is he generous or selfish with his money and possessions? - Does the character rate high on the pecking order with his household? Town? Area? Nation? World? - Can he command others to do his bidding, by word or manipulation? - To whom is he subservient? Is this submission willing or unavoidable? [/li]
- - What does this character do when he is bored? - What does he do when he's excited or nervous? - What things does he really like to do? - What things does he really hate to do? - What are his leisure activities? Pastimes? Recreations? - Does he play games? What kind? - Does he like to eat or drink? How important to him are food and drink? [/li]
- - Colors? - Food? - Drinks? - Smells? - Time of day? - Season of year? - Books? - Places to visit? - Metals: gold, iron, copper, pewter, etc? - Building materials: stone, wood, clay, tile, etc? - Fabrics: silk, wool, linen, etc? - Pieces of furniture? - Animals? - Miscellaneous? [/li]
- - What things frighten him? - Is he motivated by fear? - To what extent is he motivated: never, occasionally, usually, constantly? - What would this character think were the three most terrible things that could happen to him? - What would he think were the three most wonderful things were to happen to him? [/li]