grammatical number - Plural vs singular form of verb after set of plural and singular subjects

Should I use verb in plural or singular form if the first subject in the row is singular but is followed by set of subjects in plural form:

The story itself, the characters and their tempers make up/makes up a completely different utterance

Answer

Since the subjects are homogeneous, the predicate-subject agreement requires us to use a plural verb:

As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.

You can read more about subject-verb agreement here or in many other sources online.