GM: Need Party Advice for Rise of the Runelords

[Deschain from Hax]

Hello and thanks for reading:
I am planning to GM RotR soon for a party of three: 2 PCs and myself as an NPC. One guy wants to be a blaster wizard, one guy wants to be a fighter. I am trying to create an NPC that will help them survive. I am learning toward a battle-focused human "reach build" cleric of Cayden Caliean (for flavor and mechanics, both) or a dwarf warpriest of Torag. Some kind of mix of front-line action, buffing and healing when the need arises. Also, I was thinking of going Epic Fantasy 25 point buy, to compensate for the small party. I want them to choose classes they want to play, so I am the x-factor here.

In the current game I'm in, I'm playing an inquisitor (which I like very much but want to try something new). I would like to run a character that is simple to play (so I can concentrate on running the world) and helps the others survive and shine in the game.

Folks who have played or run RotR before: am I headed in the right direction? What character should I make to meet my team's needs?

Thanks, all!

[Brad McDowell]

I would recommend 2 things...first, power up the PC's. Second, don't play a permanent NPC. You have enough to do as a GM. Taking the risk of outshining your 2 players isn't worth it. If you want to help the PC's, create 3 or 4 "sometimes" NPC's that show up just when they need them.

[Eltacolibre]

If you make both pc mythic, this should balance nicely and even prove challenging. I wouldn't go above tier 6 but up to you.

[Proley]

Could give them a homebrewed version of leadership, that way the 2 players can have 2 characters each and a more well-rounded party of 4.

I'd also caution against a DMnpc party tag along, you'll be busy enough as is and it may not be a big problem now, but keeping track of all the various moving parts, and character/player knowledge could be challenging.

If you're going with this plan anyway though, I think the reach cleric is a good idea, or someone capable of summoning, that way if you need a skillmonkey you call in a skill monkey, if you need a fighter, call in a T-rex, if you need a heal, call in angel, etc...

[Deschain from Hax]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I like the idea of hiring out static NPCs from town. I think I will go with that. Keeping it simple for me.