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As the name on the thread states, this will be an on-going journal for me, concerning the Kingmaker Adventure Path I will be running for a few friends of mine once I get back to the states after Deployment. I like being prepared (though nothing can prepare anyone for this group), and I want to iron out as many details as possible so that I'm ready to tackle this AP to the best of my abilities (and what happens after the AP).
As such, the first task I would like to accomplish would be a set of optional NPCs in the event that the party of PCs lack certain roles, abilities, and to add general flavor to the game. This isn't an all-inclusive list right now, and anyone on this board can make suggestions for NPCs. Note, even though I use the 'he' or 'him' descriptor, each of these NPCs could feasibly be either male or female.
#1: Guide -- Generally, anyone who is a fairly decent explorer and hunter. Naturally, this would either be a Ranger, Rogue, or Fighter. Essentially, this NPC will be tossed into the campaign should the PCs lack any sort of Survival, Knowledge (Nature), and Knowledge (Geography) skills.
Concept: When I think about a guide and hunter, I immediately get an inspiration for an Elven (or Half-Elven) Ranger, stereotypically focusing on the Bow and Rapier.
History: Nothing concrete yet, but he's likely one of the unnamed individuals of trappers, hunters, and explorers that occasionally venture into the Greenbelt (at their own risk). Likely driven by wanderlust and general distaste for the city life (he's likely a native to Restov). For right now, he's likely acting as a man-for-hire, but I would like to tie him into the plot a little, having the Swordlords hire him to help the PCs in charting the entirety of the Greenbelt.
Boon: When the PCs need someone to roll survival checks, or any other nature-related skill checks, he'll be there to help out, as well as helping gather/hunt food, predict the weather, guide the PCs over terrain, act as a Cartographer, and aid in combat to a limited degree.
#2: Ne'er-do-well -- Basically, this individual acts as an information/rumor broker, as well as someone who can acquire hard-to-find items for the PCs, especially items that are less-than-legal. He's meant to be a shadier character that occaisonally helps the PCs when they're stuck.
Concept: I'm thinking a Bard or Rogue, someone really good with words and information. Likely Chaotic Neutral.
History: Originally, he's acting as a spy for the Stag Lord, mostly out of a sense of self-preservation as well as profit. The scoundrel is very much focused on himself and what he gets out of the deal in the end. Eventually, he'll see that the PCs are capable of taking out the Stag Lord and switches sides, probably revealing information about the Stag Lord's fort and how one might sneak in. Of course, he'll never reveal how he knows or why he's telling the PCs ("What they don't know won't hurt them--or me.").
Boon: While he won't venture with the PCs into the wilderness, he can act as an information and rumor mill, as well as someone who can obtain something that PCs normally can't. He's a very good musician and performer, and he likes being the center of attention, as well as wooing young maidens. He's handy with a rapier, and able to defend Oleg's or any other town should the need arise, but he also acts well as a messenger. He can also perform Harrowings for the PCs from time to time, though he'll admit he's not very good at it yet. When the PCs eventually start building up their kingdom, this NPC will likely be very suited to Black Markets or other areas that rely on his sense of economics and his way with words.