NPCs, ready to play
The moment a player asks the stable-hand's name, you'll have it, plus what they want, what they're hiding, and how they sound.
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Stanion Ilyasael
Falconer · Half-Elf
Pronounced: STAH-nee-ohn · ee-lee-AH-sayl
Stanion
Stone
IlyasaelLight-star
- Age
- Old, sharp as a tack
- Look
- Eyes of two different colours
- Manner
- Speaks bluntly and expects the same
- Wants
- To find the source of the music they hear at night
- Secret
- Can hear the dead, faintly
- Voice tip
- Use a sing-song rhythm, as if reciting a poem.
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Frithilda Ockley
Herbalist · Human
Pronounced: FREE-thihl-dah
Frithilda
Peace-battle
OckleyOak clearing
- Age
- Young
- Look
- A missing front tooth they whistle through
- Manner
- Refers to themself in the third person when nervous
- Wants
- To see the sea before they die
- Secret
- Owes money to a thieves' guild
- Voice tip
- Talk as if every sentence is a secret.
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Thometh Amkran
Mercenary captain · Dwarf
Pronounced: THOH-mehth · AHM-krahn
Thometh
Snow
AmkranWisdom-storm
- Age
- Barely of age
- Look
- Paint under their fingernails
- Manner
- Stares a moment too long before replying
- Wants
- To find the source of the music they hear at night
- Secret
- Can hear the dead, faintly
- Voice tip
- Speak slowly and drop every "g".
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Eos mac Carn
Lamplighter · Human
Pronounced: EH-ohs · mak kahrn
Eos
Nightingale
mac CarnSon of Carn (“Cairn”)
- Age
- Barely of age
- Look
- A missing front tooth they whistle through
- Manner
- Offers food to everyone they meet
- Wants
- To see the sea before they die
- Secret
- Knows where the old treasure is buried
- Voice tip
- Speak quickly, then stop dead mid-thought.
Running an NPC in thirty seconds
Players remember non-player characters for one of three things: a name they can repeat, a detail they can picture, and something the character wants. Each NPC here gives you all three, plus a secret for when the players start digging, and a voice tip so you're not stuck doing the same accent for everyone.
Read the manner line and do it immediately. Fidget, glance at the door, apologise too much. Then let the want drive the conversation: an NPC who wants something is an NPC who can offer a quest, a bribe or a betrayal. Hold the secret back until it is dramatic.
Keep the ones that work. Every NPC can be saved to your Codex, and the meaning of their name is a handy reminder of who they are.
What does the NPC generator include?
A full name with meaning and pronunciation, plus occupation, age, a visual detail, a mannerism, what they want, a secret and a tip for voicing them.
Can I generate NPCs of one people?
Yes. Choose a people from the menu; leave it on Any for a realistic mix weighted towards humans.
Are these NPCs free to use in published adventures?
Yes. Everything generated here is free for any use, commercial or not.