I am having some success running the serpent's skull AP as a one-player PBP experience, and I'd like to eventually approach the Carrion Crown AP in the same way. One thing I'm doing is giving the player the option to ally with the NPCs provided in the SS AP.
However, these are not offered in the CC AP. I'd like to request help in creating 5 compelling NPCs that are also friends of professor Lorrimor, who would have been called in to assist with the funeral. If you have time, or have created something like this already, I'd like to hear your ideas for Backstory options. Maybe it's for a character you created for this AP, maybe it's a brand new concept. Either way, I'd appreciate your insights. Thanks!
I'm actually running it for my wife, and I have two characters that have been introduced so far.
The first is Stutters. She is a Changeling Life Oracle with the Tongues curse. She was found by the Professor living alone in a small hut in the woods and constantly targeted by local bigotry's. She discovered him after he had been wounded by some monster and nursed him back to health. He offered her a home in Ravengro, and she arrived only a day or two after his death. Her real name is Emilee, but she herself identifies more with "Stutters". She's extremely self-conscious about the fact that she slips into Celestial when nervous or stressed, and often Stutters (in both languages). Her mother just so happens to be an NPC in book 5. ;)
The Second is Aiden, a half-orc Cavalier of Lastwall. He often acted as a bodyguard for the professor and was able to join the Knights of Lastwall with his help. He's used to people reacting badly to his race and usually keeps himself hidden in full armor and helmet in order to keep from causing a scene (which is especially important in Canterwall).
Both characters are more than willing to help, but they also don't jump to the front to take over. Stutters is too self conscious about speaking to strangers that way, while Aiden doesn't want to draw too much attention to what he is in areas where people may be put off by a half-orc.