Using Iconic characters as NPCs

[Solidchaos085]

So I was going to run this AP with a larger group, but turns out only my GF is available ATM. I've got a GM PC lined up to help her out, but she's really interested in the relationship score aspect of the AP (she's a diehard Dragon Age/Bioware fan, like me).

On to the topic: I plan on using most (if not all) of paizo's iconics as additional NPCs that we can recruit for assistance/guarding the caravan. I know that these characters have interesting personalities and backstories. But I'm requesting advice on what kind of likes/dislikes they would have in terms of gifts/insults. And possibly Romance scores should she choose to pursue them. (I see Valeros being an extremely easy option)

[Solidchaos085]

Sadness, I was hoping for some advice (or at least humorous comments) on the subject to see if anyone did anything similar.

[erikdlan]

I'm not an expert with iconics, but here's my 2c

If you are planning to use the relationship score system as written, I only use it as a guideline, the numbers should be near 35 for easy romance options and above 39 for difficult options, so I'd say Valeros and Merisiel should be 34 or 35, while Kyra should be 43 or so. I'm not sure about the others.

And my personal advice, if you want to put the iconics in the AP, ignore some of the NPCs the AP provides and substitute others with iconics. For example, substitute Kelda for Amiri, Ulf for Harsk and Miyaro for Reiko. Why? Well, most of my preparation time is going to decide what to do with NPCs. I'm GMing Tide of Honor right now and my NPC cast is Ameiko, Koya, Shalelu, Sandru, Spivey, Kelda, Ulf, Miyaro, Hatsue and Jiro. That is a huge NPC group. I'm having track of my pcs relations with all of them and even putting some romantic npc-npc relations.

Spoilers for my players:

Right now there is a Spivey-Ulf-Shalelu love triangle, Jiro is being attracted by the rogue PC, Ameiko is falling in love with one of my PCs and there's a Miyaro-Sandru-the paladin PC love triangle and I'm planning to throw a new NPC to make Sandru's life even more difficult.

I'm having much fun, but it's an awful amount of work sometimes.

[Solidchaos085]

That IS a big npc group, also for relationships, the lowest score I remember seeing was a 32 (Koya's I believe) not sure about replacing Kelda with Amiri (Kelda was Ulfen from LoLK while Amiri is khellid iirc from Realm of Mammoth Lords) but I also understand keeping caravan small. (It's ultimately up to my party on how many we get).

Your advice is much appreciated.

[Nimon]

Serpent's Skull is another AP that has some pretty dynamic PC/NPC involvement. It might be worth picking up the first book of that AP to check it out.