Commander Shepard

In Mass Effect, you play as Commander Sheperd, a human whose gender, appearance, and skills are all customizable and will have an impact on your experience. The customizable appearance options include head, eyes, jaw, mouth, nose, and hair.

Pre-Service History
Space:

Both of your parents were in the Alliance military. Your childhood was spent on ships and stations as they transferred from posting to posting, never staying in one location for more then a few years. Following in your parent's footsteps, you enlisted at the age of eighteen

Colonist:

You were born and raised on Mindoir, a small border colony in the Attican Traverse. When you were sixteen slavers raided Mindoir, slaughtering your family and friends. You were saved by a passing Alliance patrol, and you enlisted with the military a few years later.

Earthborn:

As an Earthborn, you had a rough childhood in the slums of Earth, and have a gritty edge to your personality.

Psychological Profile
Sole Survivor:

During your service, a mission you were on went horribly wrong. Trapped in an extreme survival situation, you had to overcome physical torments and psychological stresses that would have broken most people. You survived while all those around you fell, and now you alone are left to tell the tale.

War Hero:

Early in your military career you found yourself facing an overwhelming enemy force. You risked your own life to save your fellow soldiers and defeat the enemy despite the impossible odds. Your Bravery and heroism have earned you medals and recognition from the Alliance fleet.

Ruthless:

Throughout your military career, your have held fast to one basic rule: get the job done. You've been called cold, calculating, and brutal. Your reputation for ruthless efficiency makes your fellow soldiers wary of you. But when failure is not an option, the military always goes to you first.