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I've been gaming since I was 10. Thats something like 17 years now. Most of the time (90% or more, I'd say), I've been the guy behind the screen. Over the years, I've developed some "staples" or things that generally make an appearance in my game no matter what, especially if I have players from previous games or whatnot, so they get the injoke or wonder about the ongoing mystery.
First: Supernatural entities. I have a spirit of healing/beauty, one of undead/disease, one of chaos/destruction, and one of law/evil/warfare. Normally, theyre Gods in my fantasy games, but theyve appeared in GURPS, RIFTS and Iron Kingdoms games in one way or another as angels, demons, infernals or whatever. Same names or slight derivations, personalities, etc.
Second: Old Gurdy. NPC spellcaster. Always the "either enigmatic or slightly insane" guy, quoting prophecy or utter noonsense. Usally appears in the early campaign and returns later FAR more powerful. PCs have seen him die a dozen times, but he always comes back and never ever talks about how it works. Again, multigenre, multicampaign world.
Third: Frothing Otter. The McDonalds of the gaming world. Franchise tavern/inn chain, hiring twins/triplets exclusively to maintain the illusion of the same people working there all the time. Open 24 hours, caters to adventurers with easily-repaired furniture. Multigenre, multiworld.
I know you experienced DMs out there have some of these, even if you dont realize it. By necessity hese are probably some of the best ideas you work with because they keep coming back again and again, and they wouldnt if the players didnt enjoy them.
What are yours?
hmm; Cuthulu is my big mover and shaker; he is cross game and cross dimensional; the whole mythos.
some heroes like Elric of Melnibone or Count Brass and I have a few npc demigods like Graymalkin the Catlike Fey who is a deadly assassin world to world; and Bob, a short - usually a halfling, an uber rouge/theif type with a crazy sense of humor; the Fey court is portrayed world to world with some modification as i run three courts that are past/present/future courts and all three kings and queens exist simultaneously accross dimensions and their main court members as well like Puck and such; Graymalkin is one of these as well for instance.