====== CREATING NPCS ====== As a core game piece for the Guide to tell their side of the story, Non-Player Characters (NPCs) may take increased amounts of thought and design. Like the Adventurers, an NPC may start as a small collection of simple facts which grow over time as Adventurers through repeated encounters in a variety of situations. A "stat block" or checklist that starts small and can grow as necessary helps create NPCs quickly and help improvise roleplaying them confidently. ===== Core NPC Design ===== ☐ **NPC NAME** \\ What is the NPC called? \\ Choose or generate a name for this NPC. ☐ **NPC APPEARANCE** \\ How old is the NPC? \\ What species is the NPC? \\ How is the NPC dressed and what are they carrying or equipped with? \\ What first impression does this NPC make on the players? \\ What is this NPC doing when first encountered? (May depend on time of day...): * sleep * morning time * breakfast * morning work * lunch * afternoon work * dinner * relax * bedtime Daily activities of an NPC change depending on the month or season, such as the medieval Labors of the Months: * Baking * Butchering * Collecting and Gathering * Countryside (Walks) * Courting * Digging * Feasting * Fertilizing * Fires/Hearth * Flowers * Fruit Picking * Harvesting * Hawking * Hay * Hunting * Milling * Mowing * Planting * Plowing * Pouring wine into barrels * Pruning * Repairing * Rope Making * Salting and Smoking * Scaring the Birds * Scything Wheat * Sharpening Sickle * Shearing and Spinning * Skinning * Sowing * Tool Mending/Making * Treading Grapes * Tying * Weaving * Weeding * Winnowing and Threshing ☐ **NPC PORTRAYAL** \\ Some example merchant responses to imagine or consider: * Selling an item to an Adventurer * Rejecting a sale: Adventurer has no gold * Rejecting a sale: out of that item * Appraise item value * Buy item from Adventurer * Rejecting a buy: cursed items * Rejecting a buy: does not deal in item * Rejecting a buy: junk item of no value * Rejecting a buy: too many items of that type already * Defending from Adventurer: attacked and hit * Defending from Adventurer: attacked but missed * Attacking Adventurer: hits * Attacking Adventurer: misses ===== Additional Optional NPC Design ===== ☐ **NPC REACTIONS** \\ Create a table of reaction roll results this NPC has to each of the Adventurers. * Writing it out helps keep it persistent across sessions or through additional future encounters * These are only initial opinions and can change over time depending on the outcome of adventurer/NPC encounters * This is particularly effective for patrons and henchmen. ☐ **NPC NEEDS / AGENDAS / HOOKS** \\ How does this NPC provide an adventure for the players? * A need to fulfill? The adventure hook ... something out of the NPCs ordinary day that they need adventurers help to resolve? * An agenda or task the NPC is set to complete which may aid or conflict with the PCs tasks? ☐ **NPC RUMORS / SECRETS / CLUES** \\ What does the NPC know that could help the party? * Interludes - backstory questions and answers which are not conflict based, but further the NPC and the PCs stories * Encounters / Social Conflicts - something the PCs will have to "talk" the NPC into sharing ☐ **NPC ATTRIBUTES / RESERVES** \\ Choose or role the base attributes of the NPC (Strength, Intelligence, etc) and set the corresponding RESERVES. ☐ **NPC ROLE / PROFESSION** \\ What is this NPC's purpose, function, or plain old job in the world? * Fantasy: poor, peasant, merchant, clergy, knight, wealthy, nobility? * Modern: citizen, emergency services, military, government? * Futuristic: modern, but ... IN SPACE? ☐ **NPC SKILLS / SFX** \\ List the primary skills or SFX this NPC might use ☐ **NPC ALLEGIANCE / FACTION** \\ Who does this NPC serve or owe allegiance to? * Fantasy: oaths of fealty? guilds? schisms? * Modern: secret societies? organizations? companies? * Futuristic: megacorps? stellar factions? empires? ===== NPC Worksheet ===== Create a note card for each possible recurring or persistent NPC or Patron: ^ Core Design ^ ^ | NPC NAME | | | NPC APPEARANCE | | | NPC PORTRAYAL | | ^ Additional Design ^ ^ | NPC REACTIONS | | | NPC NEEDS / AGENDAS / HOOKS | | | NPC RUMORS / SECRETS / CLUES | | | NPC ATTRIBUTES / RESERVES | | | NPC ROLE / PROFESSION | | | NPC SKILLS / SFX | | | NPC ALLEGIANCE / FACTION | | ===== Example NPCs ===== ^ Name: ^^^^^ ^ Appearance: ^^^^^ ^ Portrayal: ^^^^^ ^ Hooks / Secrets: ^^^^^ ^ Romance / Major Interests: ^^^^^ ^ Romance / Minor Interests: ^^^^^ ^ Romance / Dislikes: ^^^^^ ^ Terror / Phobias: ^^^^^ | Reaction To Adventurer | Adventurer Appearance | Adventurer Charisma | First Impression Roll | First Impression Result | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ===== Additional Resources ===== [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/one-sentence-npc-generator/|Roleplaying Tips: One-Sentence NPC Generator]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npc-tracker/|Roleplaying Tips: NPC Tracker Workbook]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/8-npc-parley-tricks/|Roleplaying Tips #0025 - 8 NPC Parley Tricks]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/5-ways-to-make-your-npcs-better-more-memorable/|Roleplaying Tips #0037 - 5 Ways To Make Your NPCs Better & More Memorable]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/gm-schizophrenia-tips-for-holding-conversations-between-multiple-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0078 - GM Schizophrenia: Tips For Holding Conversations Between Multiple NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/creating-npc-voices-6-techniques-tips-from-subscribers/|Roleplaying Tips #0080 - Creating NPC Voices: 6 Techniques & Tips From Subscribers]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/designing-npcs-6-miscellaneous-tips/|Roleplaying Tips #0088 - Designing NPCs: 6 Miscellaneous Tips]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/roleplaying-gming-servant-npcs-part-i/|Roleplaying Tips #0101 - Roleplaying & GMing Servant NPCs - Part I]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/roleplaying-gming-servant-npcs-part-ii-tips-from-subscribers/|Roleplaying Tips #0102 - Roleplaying & GM Servant NPCs - Part II: Tips From Subscribers]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/practical-methods-for-making-your-npcs-come-alive/|Roleplaying Tips #0114 - Practical Methods for Making Your NPCs Come Alive]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/135-npc-side-plots/|Roleplaying Tips #0148 - 135 NPC Side Plots]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/8-city-npc-tips/|Roleplaying Tips #0169 - 8 City NPC Tips]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/talking-the-talk-npc-speech-patterns/|Roleplaying Tips #0172 - Talking The Talk: NPC Speech Patterns]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/crafting-npc-interaction-plans-designing-encounters-with-your-players-in-mind/|Roleplaying Tips #0265 - Crafting NPC Interaction Plans: Designing Encounters With Your Players In Mind]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/7-tips-on-crafting-dynamic-relationships-for-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0286 - 7 Tips On Crafting Dynamic Relationships For NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/the-npc-factor-part-1/|Roleplaying Tips #0328 - The NPC Factor - Part 1]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/the-npc-factor-part-2/|Roleplaying Tips #0329 - The NPC Factor - Part 2]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/npc-name-tips-and-resources/|Roleplaying Tips #0330 - NPC Name Tips And Resources]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/rpt349-manage-npc-guides-carefully/|Roleplaying Tips #0349 - Manage NPC Guides Carefully]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/jail-break-part-iii-its-all-about-the-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0384 - Jail Break - Part III: It's All About The NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/easy-gming-with-one-sentence-npcs-new-contest/|Roleplaying Tips #0406 - Easy GMing With One Sentence NPCs + New Contest]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/one-sentence-npcs-part-2-contest/|Roleplaying Tips #0407 - One Sentence NPCs - Part 2 + Contest]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/how-to-handle-npc-networks/|Roleplaying Tips #0439 - How To Handle NPC Networks]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/how-to-create-factions-3-new-tips-plus-44-awesome-ready-to-use-npc-hooks/|Roleplaying Tips #0447 - 44 Awesome Ready-To-Use NPC Hooks]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/5-tips-on-how-to-roleplay-npcs-if-you-are-uncomfortable/|Roleplaying Tips #0544 - 5 Tips On How To Roleplay NPCs If You Are Uncomfortable]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/5-ways-to-breathe-life-into-your-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0549 - 5 Ways To Breathe Life Into Your NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/the-3-line-npc-method-how-to-create-story-full-npcs-fast/|Roleplaying Tips #0575A - The 3 Line NPC Method: How To Create Story-Full NPCs Fast]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/npc-contest-starts-now-the-3-line-instant-npc-method/|Roleplaying Tips #0575B - NPC Contest Starts Now + The 3 Line Instant NPC Method]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/great-3-line-npc-tips-for-you/|Roleplaying Tips #0576 - Great 3 Line NPC Tips For You]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/npcs-as-campaign-rewards/|Roleplaying Tips #0591 - NPCs as Campaign Rewards]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/combat-missions-for-war-animated-objects-one-unique-thing-for-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0648 - One Unique Thing for NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/how-to-roleplay-npc-mannerisms/|Roleplaying Tips #0693 - How To Roleplay NPC Mannerisms]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/how-to-roleplay-seducers-ancient-evils-law-enforcement-and-genius-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0696 - How To Roleplay Seducers, Ancient Evils, Law Enforcement, and Genius NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/running-games/how-to-stop-the-abuse-of-your-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0742 - How To Stop The Abuse Of Your NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/game-of-thrones-for-npcs-part-i/|Roleplaying Tips #0830 - Game Of Thrones For NPCs - Part I]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/game-of-thrones-for-npcs-part-ii/|Roleplaying Tips #0831 - Game Of Thrones For NPCs - Part II]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/game-of-thrones-for-npcs-part-iii/|Roleplaying Tips #0832 - Game Of Thrones For NPCs - Part III]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplay/how-to-gm-genius-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0918 - How To GM Genius NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/monsters-are-npcs-too-a-short-monster-personality-stat-block/|Roleplaying Tips #0944 - Monsters Are NPCs Too -- A Short Monster Personality Stat Block]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/what-roles-to-build-for-a-grand-cast-of-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #0966 - What Roles To Build For A Grand Cast Of NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/an-npc-improv-trick/|Roleplaying Tips #0988 - An NPC Improv Trick]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/my-favourite-npc-move-gain-leverage/|Roleplaying Tips #1011 - My Favourite NPC Move -- Gain Leverage]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/do-this-one-simple-thing-to-create-compelling-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #1027 - Do This One Simple Thing to Create Compelling NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/the-three-word-npc-formula/|Roleplaying Tips #1054 - The Three Word NPC Formula]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/the-secret-role-of-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #1071 - The Secret Role Of NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/make-your-npcs-unreasonable/|Roleplaying Tips #1075 - Make Your NPCs Unreasonable]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/5-rules-for-gming-awesome-npcs/|Roleplaying Tips #1138 - 5 Rules for GMing Awesome NPCs]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/adventure-building-campaigns/how-to-master-your-craft/|Roleplaying Tips #1170 - How Can NPCs Survive Contact With Your Players?]] \\ [[https://www.roleplayingtips.com/npcs-roleplaying/17-more-tips-to-help-your-npcs-survive/|Roleplaying Tips #1192 - 17 More Tips To Help Your NPCs Survive]] \\ ===== Salvage Space: NPCs ===== ◢ [[:salvage_space:npcs|Salvage Space: NPCs]] ▲ [[:Chronology:]] :: ◢ [[:Chronology:references#npcs_03.n|References: NPCs]] ~~DISCUSSION~~