How Do You Keep Track Of NPCs?

[LastKingDown]

Hey there.

Alright - The title pretty much says it, but the long version is...

I am running a heavy role-play, custom campaign with a WIDE variety of "important" NPCs that the players are interacting with on semi-regular basis, ranging from the shop owners who all have backgrounds/personalities, and families, to city officials with likewise back-story, servants, employees, ect. Not everyone has a background, and all that, but my list of individuals is increasing, and I want to keep it that way, I feel like it's adding a great deal of depth, and flavor. I know who they all are in my head, but that seems unfair to the players, and allows room for error.
Additionally, I have a pretty diverse list of monsters in the area/world, and seeing as I'm running a "sand-box" game, where players can go wherever they wish, how would you keep track of monsters?

Any advice would be appreciated, but I'm mostly curious how other DMs handle a heavy load of NPCs.

Thanks a ton,
-LKD

[Owly]

index cards

set up a website where your players can post comments or participate in a forum, and you can attach a page devoted to your various NPCs, including illustrations.

[Rub-Eta]

As i was writing this, I realised that this wasn't realy what you where asking for, but I think it still does hold some relevancy, this can make it easier for both you and your players to keep track of them. I also realised that you may not be playing at a table, which could complicate my idéas.

From the top of my head, (since you are running a heavy role-play campaign I don't think you will hate the idéa of making it a bit more fun and interactive) you can do something like this:

• Show pictures of them when they're talking to the players, even if you suck at drawing (or else you can also try to find already excisting picture).
  
• Make them have distinguishable voices, best way to make someone else (your players) get all up in wierd acting and role playing is by starting yourself.
  
• Give each/some of your NPCs a specific Catch Phrase.
  
• NPC specific gestures (just a funny looking wave it does when approcing the PCs).
  
• Different music for different NPCs, when the caracter enters the room or is in some way present.
  

(there's probably much more that I'm not thinking of atm).

However, you probably shouldn't distract you players too much with these properties, have one or two of these specific things per character.
Partly, it makes it easier for you but also for your players, it will take a while before they catch on to the associations and it may only get convoluted if you throw too much impressions at them.

Also, try not to introduce too many new NPCs in the same session, let them get to know a few at a time.
Hand out a small summarizing mind-map of your NPCs with connections to each other and encourage your players to make notes on the mind-map.

About the monsters, I'd almost do my own random encounter table (adjusting it as I see fitting later on if I notice something funny about it).

I hope this read was, in some way, a help.