The party as a character

Characters make up a party of adventurers, but the party itself is a character, or at least something like it.  After all, the party is likely to outlive some (or all) of its original members.  Start by deciding what kind of party this is going to be:

Wilderness rangers. (John Buxton)

(You probably shouldn't roll randomly for any of these, but you could if you really want to.)

Purpose (d8)
1	a small company of wilderness rangers, commissioned by the military
2	a band of pirates/highwaymen, possibly operating under license
3	an exploring expedition, sent to learn about a little-known country
4	traveling entertainers, showmen, musicians, and storytellers
5	hucksters and tinkers, a merchant company, salesmen demonstrating products on the frontier
6	missionaries, evangelists spreading the word about the proper ways
7	a rowdy gang of scavengers and prospectors, looking to strike it rich
8	young, probably wealthy tourist-adventurers on a grand tour

The purpose of the party gives context, why you all came together and what sorts of adventures you may have had in the past, though it doesn't determine exactly what will happen in the future.  A company of rangers could end up running off to the gold fields to strike it rich.  A group of young touring students could get captured by pirates and join the crew.  This is a new world where you make your own destiny.

Pirates battling on the high seas.  (Jean Leon Ferris)

Every adventuring party needs funds, so decide how your party is funded:

Funding (d4)
1	given a grant by your benefactor, expected to check in with results
2	paid monthly by some authority, expected to follow orders
3	supported by your own activities, with everyone sharing equally of the proceeds
4	funded by donations from supporters, people grateful for your work

Some combinations are more sensible than others.  An exploring expedition is probably funded by a grant: from the tribal leaders looking for a new country to settle, from a scientific foundation wanting to publish a new map, from a mercantile company looking for new mining areas, etc.  Explorers funded by their own activities would be quite unusual, though not impossible if they're foraging off the land, hoping to pay back their debts by publishing a book about the expedition.

Fur traders.  (Robert Griffing)

And this doesn't say just how well funded you are.  The party could be very well equipped through generous donations, or they could be completely broke, scraping to get by.  As a general rule, the more money you start with, the more beholden you are to the ones who got you there.  Mo' money, mo' social entanglements.

Wealth (d4)
1	well-funded by benefactors with high expectations of you
2	enough to get you started on your way
3	decently-equipped, in debt to powerful people who expect to be repaid
4	broke, desperate, you've eaten things you're not proud of

Young aristocrats on a Grand Tour.  (Carl Spitzweg)

The party's relationship with the authorities will matter a great deal when they're looking for further support, whether from the superiors that sent them, or the ruling authorities of their homeland:

Authority (d6)
1	loyal, obediently following orders
2	wary of the way people are running things
3	independent, with no concern for what anyone else thinks
4	open rebellion against the authorities
5	rudderless, looking for a new benefactor or goal
6	secretly working for an enemy or someone unsavory

Shooting the rapids.  (Frances Hopkins)

Amongst yourselves you talk about what it's all about, why you stick together through tough times.  What would you emphasize in a recruiting speech, getting someone to join the team?

Rhetoric (d6)
1	camraderie, bonds of friendship
2	fame and reputation
3	a fine life of wealth and luxury
4	caring for those in need
5	dutiful service towards a noble goal
6	learning, knowledge, a deeper understanding of the world

This isn't just for building a good story: talking about what kind of party you'd like to be helps get everyone on the same page.  Figure out the way you'd like to go on an adventure together.

So what kind of party would you like to try?