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I made several fractions of goblins that lived within Cragmaw Castle. Each faction leader had an exaggerated physical feature that the faction was known for (the BigNose, SaltyFeet, MintyBreath, Woodleg, etc). The party favorite was the Bignose leader that would occasionally laugh through his nose (as if you were playing it like a flute). A simple gimmick that resonated
This is a fun idea! I like it. A system I have used for a long time is to randomly generate 3 personality/quirk words and use those to inform the npc. The PCs walk into a bakery and are confronted by a baker who is... Grouchy, lovesick, revengeful. There are lots of ways to interpret that. My initial reaction is to emphasize the lovestruck. She is in love with the cobbler's son. She is grouchy because the son dumped her last night. Deep down he is a contemplating some kind of revenge, perhaps a prank against the son or trying to find a "better" boyfriend to make the son jealous. Perhaps one of the PCs could be just such a fake boyfriend? The PCs encounter a roadside merchant who is... Reliable, outgoing and upbeat. So my initial reaction would be that the merchant is a total boy scout. He not only wants to find happiness for himself, he wants others to find happiness too. He does not over charge customers nor does he swindle them. If they ask for help, he does his most to render aid. Even, perhaps risking injury. The party goes to a temple to buy healing potions. The priestess is... Compulsive, mournful and light hearted. So my initial reaction would be that she treats her potion making duty as art. She is compulsive about performing the exact correct ritual and using the exact correct ingredients every time. Her potions take time to create, they are artisinal. She is mournful because her brother passed away recently. All her knowledge of divine rituals could not save him, which makes her very sad but she hides it by making jokes and being a bit irreverent. Anyway, I have 600 words that I generate my lists from. I will copy/paste the list here so all canenjoy. grouchy cranky nonjudgmental distressed doomed free diminished pushy stuck mushy empathetic happy-go-lucky rotten child-like fluid hitting animated bullied light lovesick blindsided cowardly uptight amazed resourceful confounded frowning communicative touchy suspicious revengeful invaded reflective connected no energy low stalwart nauseated disdainful mad gracious truthful flexible paralyzed bright critical genuine brave honored comely groaning dirty glowing doubtful scared supported chipper incapable daring unbending chivalrous in good humor satisfied alarmed loved despicable moaning mournful scornful self-hating supportive productive mellow cross mature meditative passionate oversensitive observant dull anxious fatigued delighted zany fascinated lifeless graceful curious tickled patient sarcastic uncertain aware tight crushed disrespectful open-minded centered fake insecure frisky belittled mercenary allowing upbeat guilty serene insulted jittery authentic nostalgic satanical troubled blissful reprimanding apprehensive carefree guarded wary disillusioned attracted distant thoughtful accepting sullen complacent fragile self-critical equal retaliating grumpy absorbed timid drawn impassioned exasperated obsessive unresponsive certain grateful grounded creative embracing approachable attacking powerful realistic sour distracted conniving offensive loud intrigued compassionate spiteful romantic rigid interested tolerant screaming bitter motivated understanding discouraged squirming festive attacked boring great balanced jolly victimized wonderful combative restless hurtful blocked contrary preoccupied fiery slow indignant steady thrilled seething distrustful ticked off tired sincere distraught unworthy affectionate demanding selfdenigrating selfcastigating bossy pleased powerless defensive glum disgusted relaxed crazy tormented sick fine awkward non-controlling dishonest panicked present incompetent adequate blushing furious secretive hungry unpleasant cut off indecisive dissatisfied helpful listening intimidated weak punishing in hell offended lousy unique woozy remorseful contracted calm sunny at ease surprised vigorous inferior complaining mean rested down disturbed giving impatient secure jubilant enamored disappointed judgmental flowing adaptable petrified mysterious devoted content anguished miserable kindly authoritative enjoying insolent slighted tender glad brutal cooperative dismayed misgiving swearing vulnerable phony controlling spunky incapacitated incensed unfair hardy comfortable frightened selfabsorbed tenacious grieved argumentative humiliated overwhelmed receptive resistant sympathetic excited taut trusting prejudiced pained appreciative lost self-sufficient enthusiastic hopeful disoriented unassuming involved afflicted quiet unburdened achy overbearing faultfinding joyous shy wronged cheerful infuriated shaky upset shorttempered despairing perseverant lighthearted harmonious good active delirious desolate sensitive competitive sluggish assured welcoming paranoid optimistic suffering malicious meanspirited dotard fun-loving smothered walking on air territorial uncaring wrathful sweet placid disheartened privileged pathetic craving twitching disconnected inept expansive perplexed jealous intelligent uncomfortable off desperate spirited sulky venomous reserved rosy clear embarrassed selfconscious alienated masochistic in the zone hard lustful easy sharp euphoric cold blooded responsible touched grateful vile outgoing useless morose fulfilled discontented phobic playful admiring familiar confident efficient bored burdened shallow doting on top of the uplifted positive serious blunt glaring confident pessimistic waiting withdrawn stewing bold blessed keen unhappy repulsed condemning courteous worried healthy forgiving vindictive glorious friendly quarrelsome heartbroken unwelcoming fearful considerate constructive slumped approving energetic thankful natural attached lonely conscientious humble stifled negative miffed honoring unsure rapturous ranting reliable shut down responsive antagonistic exhilarated abrupt fidgety tearful bummed out despondent innocent hateful focused excellent acting stubborn tortured terrified hostile trapped warm sharing intence moody terrible nervous sorrowful spontaneous elated alone intolerant glamorous irritated aggressive appalled in heaven manipulative dreadful fantasizer scolding menaced irate laughing agitated shrill hesitant ashamed fatalistic insensitive ecstatic selfdeprecating kind haggard robotic gentle resentful whimsical gloomy hopeless sure disrupted radiant smiling stilted okay bad rebellious rejected reactive stony inspired fuming stern frenzied superior ardent beautiful agonized earnest funny threatened poisonous easygoing off-kilter envious immobile slouching cloaked devastated beaming compulsive vivacious weary closed amused stable solid self-affirming peaceful enraged honest trembling hotheaded caring tense overjoyed encouraged exuberant insufferable bulldozed stressed gratified inhibited sane respectful unhurried frustrated dejected intent empty raging deprived uninteresting infatuated uneasy insulting annoyed downhearted uninterested cold stonewalling world attentive neglectful violent gleeful tactless agoraphobic cheerless injured inquisitive avoiding yelling crying condescending savage youthful jovial energized liberated eager sadistic courageous rude out of sorts sexy recoiling vexed dynamic engrossed
@@duhg599 - Actually this might inject really easily into a spreadsheet, which you can then set to randomly pick words off the list. Knowing myself, I will probably build such a tool in Google Sheets. If you folks want, I could share it here.
While running the Lost Mine module I introduced a NPC who's name was quickly rolled on a random name table. So Far'bar Ar has become a NPC that the characters hired to renovate the property they bought and is someone that watched their home while they are away adventure. Its been 6 real world years and their characters still talk to him all the time.
Some sort of instant NPC creator would be a great tool for DDB. Currently, I use the PC generator for instant stuff, but it's way more than the average NPC needs.
I'm sure no one here is old enough to have watched the show Taxi, which is where Danny DeVito came to fame. He was up in a booth, yelling at people and being angry and intimidating. Then, he famously stepped out of the booth and his diminutive size was juxtaposed to his character's overbearing personality. It was amazing. This type would make a great city guard chief that the PCs have to deal with. Also, maybe please share the lists?
Great advice thank you Joe. My favorite NPC I made was an elderly Goblin shop keeper who was hard of hearing and rather absentminded. She was also a bit of a pyromaniac.
Great scheme. I'm going to try this because my usual list of attributes for NPCs takes too long to read in the moment. A single word like an animal, which immediately conjures a list of qualities, seems so much more...efficient?
Oh man, I have missed Joe Star. Screen junkies and their debate show was my favorite thing to watch on Saturdays. And then bad stuff happened and it was never the same
my favorite NPC (from a ravnica campaign) was this izzet goblin laboratory leader, he was very small and old and allways smoked expensive cigars, had the most expensive clothes and furniture and would give orders in a very dissmissive way to get back to reading the newspaper. he was an odd guy for an izzet guild member because he didnt really care about the science that much but he was very much the 'make new connections/public image' kind of guy.
Fantastic video, love the idea of having set lists and randomizing what the next NPC could be. As far as my favorite NPC that I’ve made - Namphoodle; a gnome magic dealer, who is a cross between Professor Farnsworth, David Bowie, and Posh Spice - smart, but forgetful, flirty with everyone, and a little high maintenance. Runs a magic shop in Waterdeep for the players to trade items with. Also, is sleeping with the dragonborn cleric 🤣
Some of my favourite npcs I created were 2 weapon masters, a halfling and an ogre, both wearing the same outfit as teachers of the local academy. The halfling was a ruthless fighter and drillmaster, the ogre was soft spoken, bespectacled, a more technical teacher and spent a lot of his time reading
My favorite NPC was an Aarakocra wizard of invention named Artran that would tinker to make magic items and sell them to the group.. He was almost a mixture of Victor and Gillmore from Critical Role. Once the PCs became fond of him, I spent a whole session where he invited the group to be his test subjects for new items that he created. One of which was the infinite rope. It looked like a normal 6 foot length of rope, but when more than 5lbs of force would pull on it, it would stretch and bend to any length, but hold no weight. Upon its first use, my wife's character fell 60 feet off the side of a tower. The players had a lot of fun with the session. They even bought the rope. And they look forward to seeing that character anytime I bring him out.
This is so cool. As a compulsive list writer I feel that the next 10 years of my life, at least, will now be dedicated to compiling NPC concept lists! I hope one day to create an NPC as memorable as Daisy - Jasmine Bhullar's goblin warlock.
I used to prepare a list of random names , with one or two random character traits to each name. I have it lying besides me. Whenever I need a random npc, i just pick one name from the list and I take that person. I know to play him out with those initial character traits and i just note down further things that are being conjoured up in the improv behind the name. Some of those random names have become great fleshed out npc. Also it really helps out when players ask: what's the name of that inkeeper? If you don't have a name players tend to know, that this npc is not important and bland. Being able to conjour npc on demand, that are believable and somewhat fleshed out, keeps players on their toes.
I have two things to comment here, first, My favorite NPC in the tinkerer, he’s a madman artificer, TL:DR madman put guns into the world and no one has thought to ask how/why. Also he shoots you if your not quick enough. he works for an assassin guild one of my players is in, and through his madness fallows the same god as one of my other players, also a madman, but the kick is the tinkerer can build anything and everything, he speaks with a high pitch voice like Victor from Critical Role campaign 1 like take Percy and victor and smash them together, then make him jacked from working in a forge all day everyday. Whenever someone goes into the tinkerers lab I have them make a Dex save to Dodge because whenever someone enters his lab/workshop he shoots at them with a pistol, he is the one who invented guns in this world and some of his designs were stolen and he doesn’t know, but the party has fought a few enemies who have guns, and they haven’t even thought “how are these things out in the world if he is the only one who has them?” I mean the one playing a madman has but it would be out of character for him to bring it up and he doesn’t want to meta game. Now my second comment is, Mellie, and Amy look like they could be sisters and I would love to see them play sisters in a live stream campaign lol
I was so impressed with this idea that I knocked together a script to make it easier. But when I tried to share it, D&D Beyond deleted the comment within minutes (right around the time they were liking all the others). Ouch.
Yeah, they deleted a reply I tried to leave yesterday; I was just trying to provide a helpful response to someone’s general question (how to get started with DMing without spending a lot of money). Someone else suggested a useful YT channel, and I wanted to mention one of my favorites when I was getting started. They deleted my reply but not the other one. Let’s see whether your comment and my reply get to stay or not.... I understand they have to moderate, and maybe they don’t like external links. But my reply yesterday didn’t have a link, was just mentioning another YT channel (similar to another reply). Who knows.
I name characters based on what they do as an anagram. Gatch Themen is almost an anagram of "the night watchmen". I don't want to work that hard so I only use the letters I want. My only rule is I need to be able to read and pronounce the name every time so none of the traditional D&D names ... lol
This is great!! Sometimes I'll let my players name the NPC they just met and it's always the best. We now have an old, scraggly, very weird sailor who my players named Drake in a panic, which means that obviously this dude is also secretly a rapper. I plan on the players running into him performing at a show someday.
"good musicians borrow, great musicians steal outright" took me a long time to understand what this meant... and i think ur getting to s similiar point but with NPCs Essentially meaning a good musician can borrow licks and tricks from other players, but a great musician "steals it outright" by making it there own. incorporating into the fiber of their being. building a style from it. Will farrell didnt borrow Bush's personality he stole it out right.
I steal from Literature, folklore, and Pop culture all the time to make NPC's. Created my NPC Madam Sookie a Swamp Hag with a Zombie Gaterhut. I've since been told that she's basically a blend of Baba Yaga and Mama Odie from the Princess and the Frog. and I stole the name from True Blood.
I hate to be the critic in the crowd but, after all these years you're telling me D&D Beyond doesn't have a higher "standard" on audio equipment for these videos?! It sounds like they're all using their computer camera and mic to make professional content. Get better audio equipment please!
What's your favorite NPC you've ever created? Tell us what they're like!
Pre-order *Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft* now on D&D Beyond: dndbeyond.link/vrnpc
Pre-order *Candlekeep Mysteries* now on D&D Beyond: dndbeyond.link/cknpc
I made several fractions of goblins that lived within Cragmaw Castle.
Each faction leader had an exaggerated physical feature that the faction was known for (the BigNose, SaltyFeet, MintyBreath, Woodleg, etc).
The party favorite was the Bignose leader that would occasionally laugh through his nose (as if you were playing it like a flute).
A simple gimmick that resonated
My favourite npc is a cursed security guard who happens to be at all the dangerous locations my characters have to break into
Ok, that is golden. That is an amazing curse.
This is a fun idea! I like it.
A system I have used for a long time is to randomly generate 3 personality/quirk words and use those to inform the npc.
The PCs walk into a bakery and are confronted by a baker who is... Grouchy, lovesick, revengeful. There are lots of ways to interpret that. My initial reaction is to emphasize the lovestruck. She is in love with the cobbler's son. She is grouchy because the son dumped her last night. Deep down he is a contemplating some kind of revenge, perhaps a prank against the son or trying to find a "better" boyfriend to make the son jealous. Perhaps one of the PCs could be just such a fake boyfriend?
The PCs encounter a roadside merchant who is... Reliable, outgoing and upbeat. So my initial reaction would be that the merchant is a total boy scout. He not only wants to find happiness for himself, he wants others to find happiness too. He does not over charge customers nor does he swindle them. If they ask for help, he does his most to render aid. Even, perhaps risking injury.
The party goes to a temple to buy healing potions. The priestess is... Compulsive, mournful and light hearted. So my initial reaction would be that she treats her potion making duty as art. She is compulsive about performing the exact correct ritual and using the exact correct ingredients every time. Her potions take time to create, they are artisinal. She is mournful because her brother passed away recently. All her knowledge of divine rituals could not save him, which makes her very sad but she hides it by making jokes and being a bit irreverent.
Anyway, I have 600 words that I generate my lists from. I will copy/paste the list here so all canenjoy.
grouchy
cranky
nonjudgmental
distressed
doomed
free
diminished
pushy
stuck
mushy
empathetic
happy-go-lucky
rotten
child-like
fluid
hitting
animated
bullied
light
lovesick
blindsided
cowardly
uptight
amazed
resourceful
confounded
frowning
communicative
touchy
suspicious
revengeful
invaded
reflective
connected
no energy
low
stalwart
nauseated
disdainful
mad
gracious
truthful
flexible
paralyzed
bright
critical
genuine
brave
honored
comely
groaning
dirty
glowing
doubtful
scared
supported
chipper
incapable
daring
unbending
chivalrous
in good humor
satisfied
alarmed
loved
despicable
moaning
mournful
scornful
self-hating
supportive
productive
mellow
cross
mature
meditative
passionate
oversensitive
observant
dull
anxious
fatigued
delighted
zany
fascinated
lifeless
graceful
curious
tickled
patient
sarcastic
uncertain
aware
tight
crushed
disrespectful
open-minded
centered
fake
insecure
frisky
belittled
mercenary
allowing
upbeat
guilty
serene
insulted
jittery
authentic
nostalgic
satanical
troubled
blissful
reprimanding
apprehensive
carefree
guarded
wary
disillusioned
attracted
distant
thoughtful
accepting
sullen
complacent
fragile
self-critical
equal
retaliating
grumpy
absorbed
timid
drawn
impassioned
exasperated
obsessive
unresponsive
certain
grateful
grounded
creative
embracing
approachable
attacking
powerful
realistic
sour
distracted
conniving
offensive
loud
intrigued
compassionate
spiteful
romantic
rigid
interested
tolerant
screaming
bitter
motivated
understanding
discouraged
squirming
festive
attacked
boring
great
balanced
jolly
victimized
wonderful
combative
restless
hurtful
blocked
contrary
preoccupied
fiery
slow
indignant
steady
thrilled
seething
distrustful
ticked off
tired
sincere
distraught
unworthy
affectionate
demanding
selfdenigrating
selfcastigating
bossy
pleased
powerless
defensive
glum
disgusted
relaxed
crazy
tormented
sick
fine
awkward
non-controlling
dishonest
panicked
present
incompetent
adequate
blushing
furious
secretive
hungry
unpleasant
cut off
indecisive
dissatisfied
helpful
listening
intimidated
weak
punishing
in hell
offended
lousy
unique
woozy
remorseful
contracted
calm
sunny
at ease
surprised
vigorous
inferior
complaining
mean
rested
down
disturbed
giving
impatient
secure
jubilant
enamored
disappointed
judgmental
flowing
adaptable
petrified
mysterious
devoted
content
anguished
miserable
kindly
authoritative
enjoying
insolent
slighted
tender
glad
brutal
cooperative
dismayed
misgiving
swearing
vulnerable
phony
controlling
spunky
incapacitated
incensed
unfair
hardy
comfortable
frightened
selfabsorbed
tenacious
grieved
argumentative
humiliated
overwhelmed
receptive
resistant
sympathetic
excited
taut
trusting
prejudiced
pained
appreciative
lost
self-sufficient
enthusiastic
hopeful
disoriented
unassuming
involved
afflicted
quiet
unburdened
achy
overbearing
faultfinding
joyous
shy
wronged
cheerful
infuriated
shaky
upset
shorttempered
despairing
perseverant
lighthearted
harmonious
good
active
delirious
desolate
sensitive
competitive
sluggish
assured
welcoming
paranoid
optimistic
suffering
malicious
meanspirited
dotard
fun-loving
smothered
walking on air
territorial
uncaring
wrathful
sweet
placid
disheartened
privileged
pathetic
craving
twitching
disconnected
inept
expansive
perplexed
jealous
intelligent
uncomfortable
off
desperate
spirited
sulky
venomous
reserved
rosy
clear
embarrassed
selfconscious
alienated
masochistic
in the zone
hard
lustful
easy
sharp
euphoric
cold blooded
responsible
touched
grateful
vile
outgoing
useless
morose
fulfilled
discontented
phobic
playful
admiring
familiar
confident
efficient
bored
burdened
shallow
doting
on top of the
uplifted
positive
serious
blunt
glaring
confident
pessimistic
waiting
withdrawn
stewing
bold
blessed
keen
unhappy
repulsed
condemning
courteous
worried
healthy
forgiving
vindictive
glorious
friendly
quarrelsome
heartbroken
unwelcoming
fearful
considerate
constructive
slumped
approving
energetic
thankful
natural
attached
lonely
conscientious
humble
stifled
negative
miffed
honoring
unsure
rapturous
ranting
reliable
shut down
responsive
antagonistic
exhilarated
abrupt
fidgety
tearful
bummed out
despondent
innocent
hateful
focused
excellent
acting
stubborn
tortured
terrified
hostile
trapped
warm
sharing
intence
moody
terrible
nervous
sorrowful
spontaneous
elated
alone
intolerant
glamorous
irritated
aggressive
appalled
in heaven
manipulative
dreadful
fantasizer
scolding
menaced
irate
laughing
agitated
shrill
hesitant
ashamed
fatalistic
insensitive
ecstatic
selfdeprecating
kind
haggard
robotic
gentle
resentful
whimsical
gloomy
hopeless
sure
disrupted
radiant
smiling
stilted
okay
bad
rebellious
rejected
reactive
stony
inspired
fuming
stern
frenzied
superior
ardent
beautiful
agonized
earnest
funny
threatened
poisonous
easygoing
off-kilter
envious
immobile
slouching
cloaked
devastated
beaming
compulsive
vivacious
weary
closed
amused
stable
solid
self-affirming
peaceful
enraged
honest
trembling
hotheaded
caring
tense
overjoyed
encouraged
exuberant
insufferable
bulldozed
stressed
gratified
inhibited
sane
respectful
unhurried
frustrated
dejected
intent
empty
raging
deprived
uninteresting
infatuated
uneasy
insulting
annoyed
downhearted
uninterested
cold
stonewalling
world
attentive
neglectful
violent
gleeful
tactless
agoraphobic
cheerless
injured
inquisitive
avoiding
yelling
crying
condescending
savage
youthful
jovial
energized
liberated
eager
sadistic
courageous
rude
out of sorts
sexy
recoiling
vexed
dynamic
engrossed
Good list. Maybe next time use commas to separate the words instead of new lines.
@@duhg599 - Actually this might inject really easily into a spreadsheet, which you can then set to randomly pick words off the list.
Knowing myself, I will probably build such a tool in Google Sheets. If you folks want, I could share it here.
While running the Lost Mine module I introduced a NPC who's name was quickly rolled on a random name table. So Far'bar Ar has become a NPC that the characters hired to renovate the property they bought and is someone that watched their home while they are away adventure. Its been 6 real world years and their characters still talk to him all the time.
Some sort of instant NPC creator would be a great tool for DDB. Currently, I use the PC generator for instant stuff, but it's way more than the average NPC needs.
I'm sure no one here is old enough to have watched the show Taxi, which is where Danny DeVito came to fame. He was up in a booth, yelling at people and being angry and intimidating. Then, he famously stepped out of the booth and his diminutive size was juxtaposed to his character's overbearing personality. It was amazing.
This type would make a great city guard chief that the PCs have to deal with. Also, maybe please share the lists?
Great advice thank you Joe.
My favorite NPC I made was an elderly Goblin shop keeper who was hard of hearing and rather absentminded. She was also a bit of a pyromaniac.
Great scheme. I'm going to try this because my usual list of attributes for NPCs takes too long to read in the moment. A single word like an animal, which immediately conjures a list of qualities, seems so much more...efficient?
Oh man, I have missed Joe Star. Screen junkies and their debate show was my favorite thing to watch on Saturdays. And then bad stuff happened and it was never the same
Hi! I live here now! Welcome to the party! -j
my favorite NPC (from a ravnica campaign) was this izzet goblin laboratory leader, he was very small and old and allways smoked expensive cigars, had the most expensive clothes and furniture and would give orders in a very dissmissive way to get back to reading the newspaper. he was an odd guy for an izzet guild member because he didnt really care about the science that much but he was very much the 'make new connections/public image' kind of guy.
Fantastic video, love the idea of having set lists and randomizing what the next NPC could be.
As far as my favorite NPC that I’ve made - Namphoodle; a gnome magic dealer, who is a cross between Professor Farnsworth, David Bowie, and Posh Spice - smart, but forgetful, flirty with everyone, and a little high maintenance. Runs a magic shop in Waterdeep for the players to trade items with. Also, is sleeping with the dragonborn cleric 🤣
I have a goblin tavern/inn owner name Magpie, that I based off Fran Drescher and her cook is an ogre called Cookie that I based off of Gomer Pyle.
This was some wonderful content! I loved the light and breezy approach to NPC building.
Some of my favourite npcs I created were 2 weapon masters, a halfling and an ogre, both wearing the same outfit as teachers of the local academy. The halfling was a ruthless fighter and drillmaster, the ogre was soft spoken, bespectacled, a more technical teacher and spent a lot of his time reading
My favorite NPC was an Aarakocra wizard of invention named Artran that would tinker to make magic items and sell them to the group.. He was almost a mixture of Victor and Gillmore from Critical Role. Once the PCs became fond of him, I spent a whole session where he invited the group to be his test subjects for new items that he created.
One of which was the infinite rope. It looked like a normal 6 foot length of rope, but when more than 5lbs of force would pull on it, it would stretch and bend to any length, but hold no weight. Upon its first use, my wife's character fell 60 feet off the side of a tower.
The players had a lot of fun with the session. They even bought the rope. And they look forward to seeing that character anytime I bring him out.
This is so cool. As a compulsive list writer I feel that the next 10 years of my life, at least, will now be dedicated to compiling NPC concept lists! I hope one day to create an NPC as memorable as Daisy - Jasmine Bhullar's goblin warlock.
I used to prepare a list of random names , with one or two random character traits to each name. I have it lying besides me. Whenever I need a random npc, i just pick one name from the list and I take that person. I know to play him out with those initial character traits and i just note down further things that are being conjoured up in the improv behind the name. Some of those random names have become great fleshed out npc. Also it really helps out when players ask: what's the name of that inkeeper? If you don't have a name players tend to know, that this npc is not important and bland. Being able to conjour npc on demand, that are believable and somewhat fleshed out, keeps players on their toes.
It would be really awesome if a website that had access to licensed WOTC material made a random NPC generator using said official material.
That’s crazy talk. They would need to have a dice roller that worked.
I know this has been up for a while now, but thanks, it made my day!
That’s very interesting way of making NPC’s thank you.
Dude, this is an incredibly good idea. Thanks, pal!
I have two things to comment here, first, My favorite NPC in the tinkerer, he’s a madman artificer,
TL:DR madman put guns into the world and no one has thought to ask how/why. Also he shoots you if your not quick enough.
he works for an assassin guild one of my players is in, and through his madness fallows the same god as one of my other players, also a madman, but the kick is the tinkerer can build anything and everything, he speaks with a high pitch voice like Victor from Critical Role campaign 1 like take Percy and victor and smash them together, then make him jacked from working in a forge all day everyday. Whenever someone goes into the tinkerers lab I have them make a Dex save to Dodge because whenever someone enters his lab/workshop he shoots at them with a pistol, he is the one who invented guns in this world and some of his designs were stolen and he doesn’t know, but the party has fought a few enemies who have guns, and they haven’t even thought “how are these things out in the world if he is the only one who has them?” I mean the one playing a madman has but it would be out of character for him to bring it up and he doesn’t want to meta game.
Now my second comment is, Mellie, and Amy look like they could be sisters and I would love to see them play sisters in a live stream campaign lol
This was such a useful discussion! Love these tips! :)
I was so impressed with this idea that I knocked together a script to make it easier. But when I tried to share it, D&D Beyond deleted the comment within minutes (right around the time they were liking all the others). Ouch.
Yeah, they deleted a reply I tried to leave yesterday; I was just trying to provide a helpful response to someone’s general question (how to get started with DMing without spending a lot of money). Someone else suggested a useful YT channel, and I wanted to mention one of my favorites when I was getting started. They deleted my reply but not the other one. Let’s see whether your comment and my reply get to stay or not.... I understand they have to moderate, and maybe they don’t like external links. But my reply yesterday didn’t have a link, was just mentioning another YT channel (similar to another reply). Who knows.
I name characters based on what they do as an anagram. Gatch Themen is almost an anagram of "the night watchmen". I don't want to work that hard so I only use the letters I want. My only rule is I need to be able to read and pronounce the name every time so none of the traditional D&D names ... lol
This is great!!
Sometimes I'll let my players name the NPC they just met and it's always the best. We now have an old, scraggly, very weird sailor who my players named Drake in a panic, which means that obviously this dude is also secretly a rapper. I plan on the players running into him performing at a show someday.
My favorite NPC that I've created is a small green dragon named Lore. He has a gambling problem which really messes with his penchant for loot.
The cave of Daves reminds me of the Vault of Gary's in Fallout 3.
I love the actor or movie character ideas
"good musicians borrow, great musicians steal outright"
took me a long time to understand what this meant... and i think ur getting to s similiar point but with NPCs
Essentially meaning a good musician can borrow licks and tricks from other players, but a great musician "steals it outright" by making it there own. incorporating into the fiber of their being. building a style from it.
Will farrell didnt borrow Bush's personality he stole it out right.
I might do this but with famous characters, instead of actors: X-Men; Fellowship of the Ring; Sailor Scouts; Buffy the Vanpire Slayer, etc.
I steal from Literature, folklore, and Pop culture all the time to make NPC's. Created my NPC Madam Sookie a Swamp Hag with a Zombie Gaterhut. I've since been told that she's basically a blend of Baba Yaga and Mama Odie from the Princess and the Frog. and I stole the name from True Blood.
Love to you all
That is hilarious, I love it. Thank you :)
Amy is in an almost constant state of ":D"
i like the energy!
A Red Wizard Necromancer that was just NoHo Hank from HBO's Barry. Funny, friendly, sensitive, and casually evil!
Thanks so much!!!!
Am I crazy or are they twins?
Accents help making them unique as long as they aren’t offensive. Bad accents really help make them memorable.
What would be an example of an offensive accent? I’d imagine context is more important than execution?
@@mi.Dalton im guessing the "ME cHiNesE" accent or the really shitty irish accent
Well... I'm stealing this idea.
Where can I watch these live?
I only ever get notifications after the live stream is over
DDB Weekly is live on twith.tv/dndbeyond Tuesdays at 2pm PT, and Thursdays at 12pm PT!
@@DnDBeyond
Thanks for the prompt response.
I call this lists "mind ratlers"... ;)
Regards from Tabasco, México [Land of The Olmecs]!
names Google "least popular names of (insert random year)
Speaking of NPCs and D&D Beyond, how is there not a "Create NPC" function on D&D Beyond yet....instead of having to homebrew them as monsters....
15 minutes in and I still don't know how D&d Beyond has anything to do with NPC management
This advice is good for creating NPCs on the fly. I don't think it speaks to how to make them particularly memorable.
The host shouldn't put the guests on the spot like this. Just my opinion.
Sigh.. Doesn't have the same feel without the gang
Interesting use random tables.
I hate to be the critic in the crowd but, after all these years you're telling me D&D Beyond doesn't have a higher "standard" on audio equipment for these videos?! It sounds like they're all using their computer camera and mic to make professional content. Get better audio equipment please!
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