I love what Legendary Games have done with their 'pregenerated character' line.
They provide a picture, stats, background, physical description, personality, and roleplaying tips for characters to be used by players or by DMs as NPCs. See a sample below for the KingMaker AP.
Unfortunately, they did not have a series for Mummy's Mask.
Are there any homebrew PCs or NPCs that you care to post for use by all?
Background: Born into squalor, Arkadyus Sakharov (ar-KAYDEE-us SAHK-uh-RAHV) has always lived a hard life. Whether fighting for scraps from the tables tended by his tavern wench mother, Isilda—or hunting the wilds as a young warden to earn extra coin to see them through the winter—he never lost hope for a brighter future. For Arkadyus' mother often filled his head with stories about his father, a noble lord named Aerdon Tselner who found frequent solace in her arms. An honorable man, Aerdon suffered under a difficult, arranged marriage to his sickly, conniving wife, Baroness Denila Gress, a perpetually cruel and ill-tempered woman who bore him three sons of like demeanor.
Wracked with guilt over his affair, and torn between his love for Isilda and duty to his kingdom, Aerdon longed for the day when Denila would pass away from one of her frequent illnesses so he could bring Isilda and Arkadyus to live with him. He even gave them his signet ring and a promise he would do so when the time was right. Unfortunately, Aerdon never fulfilled that promise.
Instead, he fell victim to mercenary bandits paid by Denila to slay him. She then secured the kingdom only for herself and her sons— stalwart Bherim, petulant Milo, and the studious Yheltsiv.
As Arkadyus grew older, his frequent trips into the wilds sustained him and his mother even as Isilda’s health declined.
After a particularly bad winter when he spent their last coin on a street healer’s poultice, Arkadyus finally grew desperate enough to use his father’s signet ring to gain an audience with the Baroness.
But Denila saw only the threat he posed to her sons’ claim on the throne. So she had him beaten, cast out, and the ring taken from him. Arkadyus crept back to steal it again, bloodying and breaking the nose of his half-brother Milo—the most handsome of the Gress boys (and Denila’s favorite)—during his escape. Thereafter, he took to the wilds again, leaving his ailing mother with friends and promising he’d send money for her care. Now he longs for an opportunity to provide a new life for them in the Lost Lands, hoping to establish a kingdom independent of his father’s legacy.
Physical Description: Even at 20 years old, Arkadyus cuts an imposing figure in his chain armor and heavy shield, standing
6-feet tall and weighing 185 pounds. His shoulder-length, dark brown hair and moderate beard tend to grow out more quickly while traveling the road. He knows well enough to sharpen his image in civil company, however, doing his best to impart a more regal appearance when he can—even if his clothes don't always look the part. Arkadyus keeps his weapons and armor in good repair, however, and routinely wears his father's golden signet ring on his left hand. The double image of a silver stag and gray wolf adorn his shield, serving as his personal heraldic device and an emblem he hopes to make known throughout the Lost Lands.
Personality: Arkadyus has an intense, determined air about him, always focusing on the task at hand and making sure it contributes to his long-term goals. Forthright and kind, he goes out of his way to help the less fortunate, sympathizing with their plight and seeing himself reflected in their eyes. He believes in seizing the initiative and doesn't shy from hard work. As a result, he cannot abide the lazy, the hopeless, or anyone who preys on others. Arkadyus has spent most of his life traveling the wilds and mingling with commoners. He has a frontier spirit and can-do attitude in all his endeavors.
Roleplaying Ideas
• The Gress family continues to guard against any claims which Arkadyus might bring against their throne. As such, they send paid mercenaries after him in the Lost Lands in an attempt to silence him, caring not that he’s already chosen to move on.
• Arkadyus could easily develop a romantic interest in an NPC or fellow companion, eventually leading to a union as king and queen of the Lost Lands. Among his fellow adventurers, Faun and Pollyna represent the most likely candidates. If both are part of his life, he could even marry one and fall into an illfated affair with the other.
• Under the kingdom-building rules of the campaign, Arkadyus is best-suited as a Ruler, but could also develop a leadership role as a General, Marshal, or Warden.