• Hello game master! Welcome to our growing community. Please take a moment to Register (top right button, see how: Slides).

    If you use Campaign Logger, you can use the same login details - we've linked the app to this forum for secure and easy single sign-on for you.

    And please drop by the Introductions thread and say hi.

Roleplaying Generator

JohnnFour

Game Master
Staff member
Adamantium WoA
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
Gamer Lifestyle
Demonplague Author
Borderland Explorer
Hi all,

A reader sent me this request:

I think help with creating random tables for roleplaying NPC purposes would be an awesome subject for the next burst of emails.

I'm not sure where to start with that request. I'm inclined to start with the output and work backwards.

What kind of generator results, outputs, and patterns do you think would help GMs roleplay NPCs better?
 

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
What kind of generator results, outputs, and patterns do you think would help GMs roleplay NPCs better?

For this purpose I have been collecting materials related to outward expressions of the NPC personality, like voice, facial and verbal expressions, catch phrases, gesticulation and communication-related traits and quirks. Some more plot-oriented details could be useful also for roleplaying purposes - at least plot hooks, interaction, goals, secrets, situations and problems. The character's personality type, cultural as social background as well as life events could be helpful as well.
 

Hannu

Mythras Guru
Gold WoA
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
For this purpose I have been collecting materials related to outward expressions of the NPC personality, like voice, facial and verbal expressions, catch phrases, gesticulation and communication-related traits and quirks. Some more plot-oriented details could be useful also for roleplaying purposes - at least plot hooks, interaction, goals, secrets, situations and problems. The character's personality type, cultural as social background as well as life events could be helpful as well.

I have done the same... :)
 

Hannu

Mythras Guru
Gold WoA
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
These for plot hooks:

Political Power – the villain seeks to gain direct or indirect political power at Extraplanar area.
Method: Fake Miracles. The villain is fooling people into believing that he is performing wonders (these are actually staged events, staged attacks, staged healing, etc.). Note that these are not necessarily magical miracles – they might be military “victories” against the villain’s own forces, for instance.
Minion:Expert on local area, brilliant mastermind
Insane (megalomaniac)
Receives payment

Increase Personal Capability – the villain is trying to increase his inherent personal power. This might include gaining levels of experience, useful information, magic items, etc.
Research how to activate or use to best advantage ...
Spells or spell book
Minion:Powerful warrior, civilized
Crippled or maimed
Worships villain as a god, messenger of a god, or holy person

These are starting points - source for these is the Tome of Adventure Design. Have not yet done the detailed level tweaking...
 
Last edited:

Hannu

Mythras Guru
Gold WoA
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
or another source

Story Plot
Adventure Type Oppressed Innocents - Innocent people having their lives or freedoms threatened by someone.
Opposition Military
Motivation Support Family
Theme Generation Gap
Action plus Thing Discredit Cover Up
Action plus Thing Break out of Unknown Language
Plot Device Heard the News? - Larger events are happening in the realm.
Plot Device Confessional - A once villainous NPC now sets to atone for his wrongdoings.
Story Background
Complication Forgotten Information/Facts
Complication Societal Custom
Location Zoo
Location Magick/Alchemical Shop
Location Kitchen
Action plus Thing End Sea Monster
Action plus Thing Summon Grave Digger
Action plus Thing Take Accusations
Plot Device You’ve Been Warned - Our heroes are repeatedly warned by locals to stay away and do not mess with some terrible place or group.
Plot Device Warm Welcome - The PCs arrive at some friendly house/place that puts them up.

The source is Covetous Poet. You need the original book to decipher some of these. This is also work in progress for detailing...
 
Top