Hello peoples!
So I have a low fantasy setting that focuses mainly on the lower levels. When looking over the spells that are cast and the monsters that are fought at higher levels I decided that normal humans are limited to levels 1-10. In my world levels 11-20 is for demigods and such and are only used in specific campaigns.
Anywho! Given that along with the fact that expensive arms and armor are less common (low fantasy = half treasure) I thought it would be handy to do my own quick reference NPC list. I figured I'd do a generic NPC for each base class (Core & APG) from levels 1-10. Then all I would have to do is add racial modifiers as needed and I'm covered for all my general NPC needs.
As I started on this I looked over the NPC Gallery for ideas on names and such. This started to remind me of old D&D where each level had it's own name. Not that I would name levels but having NPCs of ever every level be named would be neat. I need help rounding this out with different names for the NPCs of each level. Any thoughts, comments, input, etc is much appreciated.
This is what I have thus far.....
NPC NAME/SKILL GUIDELINE
Levels (1-5 are base or "normal" levels)
1 A working knowledge of a trade but no practical experience.
2 Some experience but not at a professional level. Part timer.
3 Someone who does it for a living. (like a carrier soldier)
4 Experienced in their trade. Been around a little while.
5 One with a full understanding of their trade. Class Name.
6-10 Ever higher levels of officers, nobles, elites, etc.
NON-CASTER CLASSES
Fighter
1 Militiaman, 2 Guard, 3 Soldier, 4 Veteran, 5 Sergeant
6 Lieutenant, 7 Captain, 8 Major, 9 Colonel, 10 General
Cavalier (Are of the nobility in my setting)
1 Squire, 2 Outrider, 3 Cavalryman, 4 Cataphract, 5 Knight
6 Lord, 7 Count, 8 Baron, 9 Duke, 10 King
Barbarian
1 Tribesman, 2 Warrior, 3 ?????, 4 Raider?, 5 Berserker
6 ?????, 7 ?????, 8 Subchief, 9 Chieftain, 10 Warchief
Outlaw (a sort of non-stealth based Rogue/Warrior idea I'm playing around with)
1 Mugger, 2 Bandit, Brigand, 4 ?????, 5 Highwayman
6 ?????, 7 ?????, 8 ?????, 9 ?????, 10 Bandit Lord
Rogue (Traditional sneaky type)
1 Beggar, 2 Pickpocket, 3 Robber, 4 Burglar, 5 Theif
6 Adventurer, 7 Treasure Hunter, 8 Tomb Raider, 9 ?????, 10 Guild Master
Monk
1 Novice, 2 Initiate, 3 Brother, 4 Disciple, 5 ?????
6 Master, 7 Master of ?, 8 Master of ?, Master of Dragons, Master of the Four Winds
HYBRID CLASSES
Paladin
1 ?????, 2 Protector, 3 Defender, 4 Guardian, 5 Champion
6 Prefect, 7 Archon, 8 Justicar, 9 Paragon, 10 Saint
Ranger
1 Hunter, 2 Trapper, 3 Scout, 4 Tracker, 5 Ranger
6 Bounty Hunter?, 7 Beast Master?, 8 ?????, 9 ?????, 10 ?????
Inquisitor
1 ?????, 2 ?????, 3 Interrogator, 4 ?????, 5 Inquisitor
6 ?????, 7 Witch Hunter, 8 ?????, 9 Demon Hunter, 10 Grand Inquisitor
Alchemist
1 Pupil, 2 Intern, 3 Researcher, 4 Experimenter, 5 Alchemist
6 Professor?, 7 ?????, 8 ?????, 9 ?????, 10 ?????
Bard (Oh I'm not using prestige classes btw)
1 Vagabond, 2 Wanderer, 3 Storyteller, 4 Minstrel, 5 Bard
6 Scholar, 7 Chronicler, 8 Lorekeeper, 9 ?????, 10 Celebrity Bard
Summoner
1 ?????, 2 ?????, 3 Caller, 4 ?????, 5 Summoner
6-10 Umbral, Planar, Dimensional somethings?
SPELLCASTERS
Cleric
1 Pilgrim, 2 Deacon, 3 Paster, 4 Preist, 5 Cleric
6 Bishop, 7 Archbishop, 8 Cardinal, 9 ?????, 10 High Priest
Druid
1 Aspirant, 2 Naturalist?, 3 ?????, 4 Shaman?, 5 Druid
6-10 Tiers of the Inner Circle?
Oracle
1 Acolyte, 2 Adept, 3 Seer, 4 Mystic, 5 Oracle
6 Sage, 7 Prophet, 8 Theurge, 9 Thamaturge, 10 Heirophant
Sorcerer
1 Touched, 2-4 Enigmatic, Eldritch, Escoteric something?, 5 Sorcerer
6-10 ?????
Wizard (Not using UM btw)
1 Apprentice, 2 Hedge Wizard, 3 Magician, 4 Mage, 5 Wizard
6 ?????, 7 ?????, 8 ?????, 9 ?????, 10 Archmage
Witch
1 ?????, 2 ?????, 3 Hexer, 4 Occultist, 5 Witch/Warlock
6-10 ?????
I don't like calling Fighters and Cavaliers "General" and "King" since those imply certain other abilities. Imagine this exchange:
Tim, level 10 cavalier: Greetings, I am King Tim.
Karl, level 1 Fighter and hereditary monarch: Hello your majesty, I am Militiaman Karl, its good to meet another king.
Tim: What, you are level 11! that's impressive! How did you break the level cap?
Karl: Level 11? what? I'm just a king. Which country is yours again?
Tim: Country? I am a knight errant on a quest to better the world!
Karl: Then why did you call yourself a king?
...
And so on :p
Well as I mentioned these wouldn't be actual fixed level titles. They're just for general NPC types. Like if I need a generic General I can just flip to the General NPC entry and take it from there. It would be more along the lines of my own custom NPC Gallery for my world's power scale. The names are for fluff and to remind me of general power level. Really it's just going to be a chart of level/class.