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Creative NPC Exercise

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Howdy all,

Wanna help me build some NPC's? My steampunk campaign continues, and I want to load down a train full of individuals. As always, I like to have a good range of characters, and feel like anyone I build will still be me, to a degree, so help me out making unique peeps.

Also, what are your favorite or most memorable NPC's you've seen in game? Maybe I can use them also, as nobles, passengers, etc.

If you want to add a bit more on these characters, most of them will be met during a masquerade ball, in which everyone will be wearing mechanical masks and costumes. There will be a decent mix of nobles and travelers on the train, so lots of room for any type of folk. Thanks!

-Jhaosmire

:D

No time to stat NPCs at just the moment, but I'll definitely get back to this.

Out of curiosity, how did the encounter with the orcs go?

Cool idea. I was thinking of a G.I.joe type organization made up of all the Paizo classes,Psionic classes,Akashic classes and most of the Spheres of power wiki classes.

What level about do you want the NPCs?

Doctor Holiday (Andre R Psktrovoski) is always accompanied by two well dressed ladies (Sylvia and Maeble) and he always carries his bag "just in case". Every bartender and cocktail waitress around knows the good doctor sells drugs and potions of all sorts, no questions asked. He also takes care of medical emergencies for a price.

What most people don't know is the two ladies accompanying him are well armed and use to quietly taking care of 'problems'. Occasionally exceptionally problematic individuals become organ doner to the good doctor's cause. Also the doctor only accepts cash and gems and jewelry.

Joey Tapper is a lanky man in his mid 20s. Just a tad unshaved and wearing an ill fitting (and cheap) suit this fellow is glad to have a drink and talk about his military exploits which vary between how awful it was doing mundane kitchen tasks, booring guard duty, and his brave charges into the enemy line where he single handedly beat every enemy he encountered. If anyone sticks around for a few of his tall tales he'll proudly show them his pride and joy...a rare and exotic captured enemy weapon that a civilian like him should definitely not have. If any trouble starts he'll try to lay low with this thing in his hands ready to use it at the first good opportunity...

Veemar and Oggy are two huge dark skinned gentlemen wearing heavy black coats with turned up collars, with waxed mustache and goatee and an expensive hat pulled down low. They spend most of their time drinking, eating nuts, and quietly cursing in an obscure language. If approached they say in a heavily accented voice "Bugger off ya tinky wink." They are from a warmer country and are rather unhappy with the cooler climate. The two gentlemen are auditors of the Golden Sands Trading Company on their way to inspect a warehouse the company owns and suspect the local managers are skimming from its inventory. Both are former caravan guards but want to avoid trouble.

Asmodeus' Advocate, They really can be any level. Not sure if any of these people will actually get into combat, that'll totally be the Player's choice, or mistake.

The Orc adventure was great! It turned into a really cool way to throw a bunch of story at the Player's without me having to speak for an hour straight. I loved the concepts they came up with as they played the orc characters, which really made it interesting when they then had to fight those same concepts later. One Player greatly regretted having his orc with the Improved Dirty Trick feat use his own excrement to blind others, that came back to haunt him.

Meirril, those are all great! Since I run in Forgotten Realms, as I read your entries, I could immediately see those characters, how and where they will fit in. Thanks a bunch! Veemar and Oggy will be Halflings from the Chondalwood, Doctor Holiday a Half-Elf from Neverwinter, and Joey Tapper a Human from Waterdeep.

Also, no need for stats if you don't want to put in that effort. I recently got the NPC Codex, so I can simply mix and match from that.

You can't really expect people to stat out NPCs if you don't know what level the PCs are. Lots of NPCs should be weaker than the players, but occasionally one will be on par or even stronger. Of course any NPCs meant to be a challenge to the PCs should be about their level or have some other method to become an irritant.

A masked gentlemen (obviously an elf) in rich and tasteful clothing sips tea and watches the world go by. Two Elves wear servants attire and stand beside him attending to his every desire. A perceptive observer will note that there are several other elves in the compartment that seem to be bodyguards. If any of the PCs stand out one of the servants will invite that person to join 'Lord Incognito' for tea. The Lord will introduce himself as "a man of former importance who's time has come and gone, a man best forgotten." who wishes to hear about the player's experiences.

If the player makes a roll for a social skill Lord In seems pleased and rewards the player gp equal to his roll + bonus. If the player tells a story that entertains the other players he'll reward the player with a pouch containing 50gp and an Escape Charm (when shattered the charm casts obscuring mist, dimension door and improved invisibility). If someone tries to pickpocket Lord I or his servants an assassin elegantly and expertly follows the thief and throws the corpse from the train when he is done. If Legend Lore is cast it is revealed that the mysterious stranger was a King 200 years ago who was forced to abdicate his throne after a Dragon angered by adventurers he backed attacked his Kingdom.

Cool idea, the Lost King.

I'd rather folk not know the Player's level, that way nobody feels restricted. Make 20th level experts, or 12th level nobles, or just 1st level commoners. Anything. The train is meant to be diverse.
Jhaosmire wrote:
The Orc adventure was great! It turned into a really cool way to throw a bunch of story at the Player's without me having to speak for an hour straight. I loved the concepts they came up with as they played the orc characters, which really made it interesting when they then had to fight those same concepts later. One Player greatly regretted having his orc with the Improved Dirty Trick feat use his own excrement to blind others, that came back to haunt him.

I'm glad it was fun! Satisfy my curiosity, which ten orcs did you wind up using? Actualy, perhaps you'd best ought to give me a blow-by-blow account of the interesting battles . . .

Interesting NPCs!

Zulkaz the Vindicated is a troll, and a paladin. She wears a tunic embroidered on both the front and back with the holy symbol of Torm so that no one mistakes her for a feral monster. Despite her formidable appearance, Zulkaz is quite gregarious and extroverted, and if there isn't anyone nearby who she knows for her to talk with, she'll strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Use the stats of a troll with the paladin template.

Krioc of the Serene Revel is, at first glance, a satyr. He wears a bow tie and suitjacket under a long coat that he wears open. Many satyrs have a messy and unkempt beauty to them, wild creatures of wild places, uncontrolled creatures from the untamed wilds. Krioc is not like these satyrs. He's classy, not a hair out of place, as close to perfect as any immortal creature. Surrounding him are, for lack of a better word, groupies. Men, women, boys, and girls completely besotted.

In reality, Krioc is a vampire, and these people are under the effect of his charm person spell like ability. They cart his coffin around, disguised as someone's luggage, and let him drink their blood in turns.

dot; I want to give you some folk, tomorrow this will be a reminder to me. nite, nite.

Three teenage girls; one is actually a construct created by the other two and they use it/her to say all the things that they wouldn't dare. This may start a fight around hot-headed types of course. It's unstable and will explode if attacked - none of them know this.

I'm curious about the orcs too!

A dubious <Caster> Merchant; a pudgy/tall Elf in vibrant greens and blues. He travels on a boat that's oddly shaped due to having enslaved a few Ogres via Dominate to do the heavy lifting. He is a pushy salesman and stutters awkwardly as he talks; despite having a minimum of knowledge on the given subject matter.

For example if you asked about delivering something to a place he didn't know hey might say:
"B-b-but I could find it!" and attempt to seal the deal.

He is certainly not above shanghaiing* others. He's generally polite and sounds well meaning (and he will do business he's contracted to do) though he may cause something terrible in the place you send him; requiring you to go there anyway to deal with whatever mess he's made of it.

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghaiing]
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Two fellows, one much older looking but spry, the other young and seeming awkwardly out of place, sit nervously in the first passenger car behind the locomotive. While the boy continues glaring at the passage to the engine ahead his elder companion fiddles relentlessly with a pocket watch. "Doc, I don't think this train has the juice we'll need for..." the lad begins but the other cuts him off patting a satchel. "Don't worry about it Marty; once we hit this locomotive's top velocity I'll deposit these three alchemical coal logs in the reactor. When this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious..." and with that they're shushed by a lady traveler sitting ahead of them on the train.

Tatar Bollas (Hobgoblin) Bounty Hunter/ ranger / captures if at all possible//
His name means Tartar-"raw meat' Bollas- 'son of Bolls"
His catchphrase-“If you are not afraid you will be//"
Str-17 Dex-11 Con-14 Int-13 Wis-15 Cha-11

  • Appearance:Bollas is bulked up and tremendously strong/ He has many scars with the shaved head and he has a scalplock braid of the Raven Clan pirates// he carries many cruel looking weapons/
  • Roleplaying: once commissioned Bolas is doggedly determined. persistent to the point of irrationality to the tracking of an individual or group/ those who get on Bolas’s bad side learn that Bolas has a cruel and calculating intellect/ Will always be 3 levels above the pcs//
  • Motivation: Bollas loves the thrill of the hunt but gets angrier and angrier the more the PCs allude him/
  • Background: Growing up in the Raven clans creche was an ordeal by itself/ at a young age he was singled out by the hunters of the clan / he became a hunter of people early on relishing the challenge/ cast out of the Raven clans for falling for a frost elf sorceress//
  • Items and skills: survival, climbing, intimidation// wand of stinking clouds, lasso of entanglement, +2 bow/ 6 web-slinging arrows// Tartar has an Ghost Blade// It is a +3 longsword which does its normal damage plus it drains 1d4 wisdom, int, or charisma per touch of the sword making the victim open to mind control//
  • Tactics: Bollas almost never works alone but will get the pcs running will drive them into the teeth of his cohorts// will use fire and traps to capture his prey alive and with the ghost blade all needs to do is touch them which to weaken their resolve//

Tartar Bollas-to play for maximum effect you need to play Tartar with a foil; here she is//
Kecknoo la Ulmal she is a Frost Elf Sorceress ([think Uma Thurmon] play Ulmal 2 levels above the average pcs level)//

  • Stats: S-9 D-16 CO-11 I-15 W-13 CH-17
  • Appearance: she is a babe with cool blueish/ whitish skin and long flowing white hair// depending on temperature she will wear a long gray duster and matching above the knee boots made of ankleg leather// she will also have on a cable net sweater your choice of color//
  • Presonality: she and Bolas are tight they got ostracized from their communities because of their relationship which is quite tender// To any other man she is cold-hearted man-eating B!tchasuirus // She is cruel and harsh she likes to use poison, especially poisons that cause cramping of the muscles, Ulmal likes a special Poison she milks from her zebra jumping spider telepathic linked\ familiar ( her name for it “Jsaselly” a hypnotic dancing/jumping spider, it is about the size of a dinner plate).// this poison does not kill but paralyzes and makes the victim suggestable//
  • Motivation: Ulmal wants to settle down and have some kids with Tartar// Even though her people, the frost elves, can have children up into their 1200’s // she has zeroed in on Tartar and no one else will do she is terrified that Tartar is going to get himself killed, and that makes her b!tchy and why she takes it out on captives//
  • Items and skills: She has a webcaster (it looks like a pistol with 4 prongs facing forward// The caster shoots out webs capable entangle 2 large subjects//) wand of mirror images, injecter glove 4 fingers of poison Skills: knowledge[poisons] Craft[poisons][handling poison]// Spells:any spells that are good with slowing or entanglement, and or suggestibility//
  • Tactics: she will station herself ahead of Tartar as he flushes prey towards her// She does most of the captures// she is linked with the spider which gives her +2 perception//

A trio sits at a window table, having a lively discussion over tea and cakes. Their subjects ranging from the latest archaeological discoveries to current fashion to favourite burlesque theatre show.

"The Genial Merchant" Mosden ibn Harmun Warrior/Expert
Appearance: A swarthy looking middle aged human male with a well groomed beard and no moustache. The solid body of an ex athlete that's let themselves go a little. Dressed in a well tailored businessmen suit with a large gold ring on both thumbs.
Personality : Quick to smile, well spoken, he seems friendly and affable. As an ex-soldier turned businessman, Mosden retains some of the habits and skills that kept him alive in battle. He notes the location of everyone in the vicinity and is quick to assess someones attitude. Despite his easy going outward nature, he is actually quite cautious.
Abilities: Mosden retains his close quarters combat and gun skills. If forced to fight, he uses whatever advantage his environment allows to end a fight quickly. In hand to hand he makes good use of Improved Dirty Trick.
Notable items: Mosden carries a concealed mini firearm on one ankle, his army pistol holstered under his jacket and a jackknife in a pocket.

"The Exotic Entertainer" Sharifa. Witch(Decadence patron)/Expert
Appearance: An exotic looking, young adult human (Changling) female, Sharifa has pale skin that faintly shimmers gold in the light (she dusts herself with gold dust), dark blue-black hair, plum coloured lips and brilliant green eyes. Her long exquisitely groomed nails are painted the same plum as her lipstick. She wears a gold embroidered, red and green, ethnic looking outfit with sheer shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her every movement is graceful, almost dance-like.
Personality : A singer and dancer of rising popularity, Sharifa treats every moment she's in public as a performance. Even when seemingly relaxing, her every movement is controlled, poised. Her speech is almost musical in cadence. A keenly intelligent woman, she knows how best to project the 'exotic mystery' feel of her stage persona. Well versed in a wise range of subjects, she is a skilled conversationalist. Subtly self centred, she is not above using her hexes to get her own way or repay a slight. Though she normally never causes lasting physical harm, she can be dangerous if she feels threatened.
Abilities: Sharifas hexes are subtle, causing misfortune to others or manipulating them. Her spells tend towards lifestyle enhancing effects or those that would help her performances. She is not a combatant and will flee a fight as soon as opportunity arises, until then, she uses her hexes to disrupt an attacker as much as possible.
Notable items: A small golden bird cage with an brightly coloured song bird(her familiar) sits on the table next to her.

" The Inquisitive Librarian" Yostvyn Humbolt Investigator(Sleuth)
Appearance: a middle aged male gnome with slicked back black hair, widows peak, large eyes and a hooked nose, giving him an owlish appearance. He wears a slightly rumpled dress shirt and vest, with suit trousers, his jacket lying on the seat beside him. His ink stained fingers wave as he gesticulates enthusiastically when speaking.
Personality : A linguistic archaeologist and university lecturer, Yostvyn is usually reasonably friendly though quiet and somewhat withdrawn. When brought out of his shell through the subjects of linguistics and sociology however, he becomes a vibrant and enthusiastic speaker. He has a habit of peppering his speech with words from different languages if they better convey his intended meaning, forgetting that not many people speak as many languages as he does.
Abilities: Yostvyn is a truly gifted linguist, speaking no less that 12 languages, 5 of which he is fluent in. A surprisingly daring combatant for a scholar, Yostvyn doesn't shy away from a fight. Yostvyn fights with skill and finesse, darting in and out of combat and using his size and environment to his advantage. He freely uses his scrolls both before and during combat using the Esoteric Linguistics feat.
Notable items: He is never seen without his notebook and at least one academic text on language or ancient culture at hand. in his pocket is a fountain pen that magically produces it's own ink. Tucked into his notebook or in his vest pockets are various scrolls of wizard spells. They're usually defensive buffs or dispel effects. He also has an enchanted sword-cane that he keeps next to him at all times.

Awesome, thanks everyone! Lots of cool ideas for me to work with, going to be a well populated party.

I'll incorporate these and any more you all want to add to this thread.

Love the Back to the Future reference, they're in. In fact, they are going to lead a cult that is attempting to use the train (at 88MPH) to get back to a different plane (a Plane of Bone).

Bounty Hunter Tartar and his woman are in. They'll be agents sent in last minute from the Kingdom of Many-Arrows, trying to ascertain who the Players are, why they're on the train, and finally bring them in when he can piece together that they are in fact his bounty.

While all three are in, I like Yostvyn best amongst them. He'll definitely be the character I push to have Player's interact with. The dancer will be featured on stage during the masquerade, and the expert soldier will be amongst the crowd.

Dang, this train level is going to be great, thanks again all!

I'll answer all the Orc Campaign questions in that thread, just to keep things a bit more concise.

Here's another question, from someone who hasn't DMed a ton in his tenure of roleplaying: How would you recommend navigating between NPC's? Should I print out NPC sheets for each guy, keep them digital and just scroll through, what works best for you all?

I recommend a crib sheet with each NPCs Name, a short Visual description and Personality/Roleplay prompt.

Their stats, combat abilities etc aren't needed unless combat actually happens. Same with hidden schemes or anything beyond general interaction.
So keep those on a doc to pull up if needed.

I've had success using note cards. I find an image on the net somewhere that resembles the NPC and print it for a visual reference on one side of the card, then drop some basic info under the pic like personality traits, quirks, etc. On the lined side I'll throw down a stat block just in case battle breaks out. This small of a space doesn't leave much room for mass amounts of stuff so it probably breaks down at high levels, but I've never gotten above 7th in my homebrew campaigns so it's done ok so far!

That's along the lines I was thinking. I found some concepts online, which are similar to note cards, and I'm making all these characters onto them. Basically, each will be a half sheet, with three sections. Section one will be a picture I fold towards the Players. Section two will be appearance and personality traits. Section three will be simple stat blocks, class/level, and items. I'll pull from the NPC Codex if I need more complicated info for them. Thanks!

Is it possible to post images in the forums? I could show some examples of how these are turning out.
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