www.enworld.org
Good starting point, thanks! I think a map of the small town could get me started. Is there a way to make content system agnostic?
Use descriptive language rather than numbers. The blacksmith is barrel chested and immensely strong for example. Highlight aspects that index possible stats and/or skills and would help a GM portray the NPC in-game, plus an aspect or two that would serve as a shorthand description. The Duke's Chancellor, Raek Fallister, is a tall cadaverous older man with piercing blue eyes, he is soft spoken and very perceptive and has a flair for diplomacy and negotiation. Past that, I'd add a goal or two to give the NPC some teleos - The Chancellor is committed to the Duke's rule and will do just about anything to maintain the security of the realm, sometimes without the Duke's knowledge. To finish, I'd add in some faction info to help define the NPCs allies and enemies (if appropriate) - Raek despises the Duke's older son Guy and thinks he will make a terrible Duke. Raek works closely with Devos, the Captain of the Duke's guard. Presto, one well defined system agnostic NPC.
Point form in the language of your choice will get the same job done.
The point is to give a GM some hooks to work with. Likes, dislikes, and motivations are key though, because that's what informs the NPCs actions, rather than simply describing what they look like. I'd treat this more like a spectrum than a recipe too, the more important the NPC the more information I'd include, so the results range from a quick pencil sketch to a rich portrait in oils.
