101 NPCs OR "99 NPCs on the Wall (+2)"

[steeldragons]

I was inspired the other night as I was dreaming up NPCs for a halfling community I'll need at some point in an upcoming game, as well as by Weem's "Grade yourself as a DM" thread (that's not the title, but I don't recall it off the top of my head at the moment) - wherein some GMs seemd to have trouble with coming up with interesting or convincing NPCs for their games, and a couple of other threads concerned with NPCs...

I got to wondering. "How many," wondered I, "NPCs could I come up with in a day?" I decided to see if I could come up with 101. (Not to worry, it's not 101 halflings! haha. But I'll start with them since they were part of the initial inspiration.)

While some might have class levels, they are generally intended to be characters/personalities for random interactions, not necessarily combat.
I will keep the details simple so they might be "built" (if necessary) for the system of your choice.

I'll also try to keep descriptions short...3 or 4 sentences. A decent NPC concept, in my humble creative opinion, ought to be able to be conveyed within that amount of time.

This thread should be considered a reference resource for any GMs looking for some NPCs to spice up their game/setting/town, from the gracious (or greedy) nobles to the most mundane "peasant about town".

Anyone interested should feel free to use any of these folks in whole or build off of them...or maybe just spark an idea for a completely different character. (Independent Creativity is FUN!

So let's to it, shall we?

Hope you enjoy (at least some of them).
Happy Friday and happy gaming all.
--Steel Dragons

 

[steeldragons]

The Free Hollows (NPCs)

The original list that sparked this thread for a halfling* village in my homebrew setting of Orea, called the Free Hollows.

*My halflings are the hair-footed originals of old, but no reason you can't mold these guys into whatever type of halflings0or gnomes maybe- you/your group/system prefers.

1. Ompus "Old Otti" Goldfoot. Halfling/male. A member of the village elder council and codgery old patriarch (say in his mid-70s?) of the Goldfeet ("That's Goldfoots!")...er...Goldfoot's family. He brought his family great wealth by the accidental discovery of gold flakes and nuggets in a steam on his property. A widower of more than 10 years, Ompus has a serious crush on the Widow Possum and would do just about anything to win her affections.

2. Ostus Goldfoot. Halfling/male. Ompus' eldest son and the village "Mayor" for the past 20 years. Noone recalls him ever being elected but everyone avers that he was. Ostus is a simple figurehead for the elder council. He's in all ways, an "average" halfling (in the old "hobbit" sense), enjoying the comforts of his food and drink and station.

3. Ermien Goldfoot. Halfling/male. Ompus' second son. He is very intelligent and shrewd in his function as the Goldfoot house's bookkeeper and foreman of his house's affairs, keeping close account of the Goldfoot riches.

4. Talpin Goldfoot. Halfling/male. Ompus' youngest son and the family's "black sheep". Talpin is a very handsome and gregarious young (mid-20s?) hairfoot with a (somewhat embarrassing) reputation for excessive carousing and an unabashed "lady's man." He is the "playboy" with no desire to "settle down", despite the wishes of his elder brothers and father.

5. Eustes Merrirose. Halfling/male. A friendly, hardworking halfling who enjoys his farming and his role as "family man" with a beautiful wife and three young children.

6. Lavendar Merrirose. Halfling/female. The happily married wife of Eustes Merrirose. Lavendar is also the village's premiere baker, renowned in town for her pastries and pies.

7. Rosemary Merrirose. Halfling/female. Spinster sister of Lavendar who aids her household. Often helping in her baking and with the care of the children.

8. "Dame" Augustha Possum a.k.a. "the Widow Possum". Augustha Possum is the senior member of the community (being over 80y.o.) and unwavering matriarch of the affluent Possum clan. She was widowed by the Free Hollows most famed hero, "Sir Robers", nearly 30 years ago and has steadfastly refused any other mate. She has nothing but disdain for Ompus Goldfoot with his "new money" and that "deplorable cad of a son, Talpin." The Widow Possum has a verrrry influential voice among the Hollows' folk as well as the elder council (though she has declined a seat on the council numerous times).

9. Shanar Possum. Halfling/female. Dame Possum's youngest (and last single) granddaughter. Shanar is nearing her 20th summer. She lives with and waits upon the clan matriarch and while she loves her "Gran-mama" dearly, she is eager to wed and begin a family of her own. She is quite a beauty with a head (and tops of her feet) full of strawberry blond waves and slightly freckled and dimpled cheeks. Shanar has eyes for Talpin Goldfoot, but knows the Free Hollows' "most eligible bachelor" has a less than honorable reputation.

10. Deputy Rusdirt Tuber. Halfling male. 2nd level Fighter (often working with penalties for intoxication). The current sheriff's #1 deputy. "Rus" is a most likely to be found at the sheriff's office, at (or under) his desk sleeping off the previous night's (or morning's) overindulgence of ale. Otherwise he is amicably wandering the town streets, "jush keepin' a *hic* watsh on things" (often with flagon in hand for the kindly offered refill on a warm day or cold night).

11. Sheriff Tornard Brandywhistle. Halfling/male. 4th level Fighter. An upstanding halfling of the first order who rigorously oversees the protection of the Hollows and is in charge of training the village's militia. He basically lets Rusdirt do whatever he wants (and keep his job) since he is Tornard's wife's cousin. The sheriff also sits on the elder council.

12. Hillmother Saran Brandywhistle. Halfling/female. 6th level Cleric. Mother Saran is the high priestess of the Hilltenders of Faerantha (or Yondalla or whatever the primary nature-goddess your halfling's worship). She is the senior religious figure of the Free Hollows, well liked and respected by all. Saran is blissfully content in her station and devout to her goddess' tenets of kindness and protection, spending much time in the blessing of fields and livestock and conducting the happy rites and occasions of halfling life- marriages, births, festivals of all kinds, etc. Her wise counsel is highly respected by the elders though she, herself, is not a member of the ruling council.

13. Hilltender Brerrin Windstork. Halfling/male. 3rd level cleric. Brerrin is one of Saran's senior acolytes. He is sometimes overly fervent in his devotion to his temple and his perceived "will" of his goddess. He is, however, viewed with respect by most of the community. Hilltender Brerrin is wary, moreso than other of his kind, of the non-hairfoot residents of the Hollows.

14 & 15. Bestus Tuber and Duraine "Smithwife". Dwarf/female. Duraine came to the Free Hollows some years ago and fell in love with the community's resident halfling smith, Bestus Tuber. She became impressed with the simple country man's skills with the forge and added her own dwarven expertise to his craft. The interracial couple are childless, viewing their most skilled creations as their "children" and happy to contribute to the peaceful community's needs (though Duraine is most happy in the forging of armor and weapons)

16. Aster Merrirose. Halfling/female. Sister of Lavendar and Rosemary Merrirose. Aster has devoted herself to the Hilltenders of Faerantha, though does not, herself, possess any levels as a priestess. She serves the temple and the community as a whole, as the Free Hollows' premiere herbalist. She is fiercely intelligent and well respected for her skill in medicinal herblore. She also has, unbeknownst to many, a more than passing interest in learning about alchemical concoctions and "potion making"...an interest her sisters (and the select few others who know) view as dangerously "unnatural" and decidedly "un-hairfootish".

17. Derak "Fletcher". Human/male. 3rd level thief. Derak enjoys a passable living in the Free Hollows making bows and fletching arrows for the community's militia and hunters.

18. Pertrafence "Perty" Greenknoll. Halfling/male. Berty is Derak's assitant and clerk. He takes orders and helps Derak in fletching the smaller, more delicate, darts and arrows used by the halflings of the Free Hollows. He is a kind-hearted soul who is somewhat disconcerted by the occassional "errand of a mysterious nature" Derak has him run.

19. Gale Tuber. Halfling/female. Gale is the sister of the town's deputy. She is somewhat disgusted by her brother's public drunkenness. She is a goodly looking halfling, though not nearly the beauty of Shanar Possum. Gale is something of a tomboy, enjoying nights of drink and song, herself, with the single males of the Hollows...she, as many single females in the village, has a soft spot for the handsome Talpin Goldfoot.

20. Harbour Tuber. Halfling/male. 3rd level thief. Harbour is the wandering soul of the Tuber family. He is often noted "missing" from town for days at a time. Whenever he returns, he often has strange tales of "adventures" that he'll happily tell around the tavern fires to wide-eyed audiences. He is known to be "friendly" with Derak Fletcher, often seen visiting the bower's shop very near the end of the business day.

 

[steeldragons]

Random NPCs

21. Garand the Fishmonger. Human/male. A heavyset, affable loudmouthed of a man who is visited by those of all walks of life for his superior seafood. He is somewhat less known by those who need information trafficked of a somewhat...subtle or sensitive nature. Who the messages are to or from are not at all important to his ethics, as long as they are willing to pay the fee. "A striped sturgeon, you say? I think I have just the thing in the back. Fresh off the boat, best catch of the day." *wink* Naturally, mistakes do happen so a PC might find an odd cryptic communique tucked in the filets of his purchase.

22. Angelentius of Brightmoon. Human/male. This wirey young man might be encountered on the road or in a town in his constant travels to further his research of <insert scholarly topic appropriate to your campaign here>. Angelentius will be a WEALTH of completely useless information on a wide variety of topics. All of which he will share freely (i.e. unasked and generally unwanted) at the most inopportune times. But he is especially knowledgeable about "X". In a fight, he will be utterly useless. His "superior brain" must be protected! He has P.H.D.s ("Papers of High Distinction") in a variety of topics from the Royal Academy, after all.

23 & 24. Bert and Shelly Faecom. Human male & female, respectively. The Faecom's are an elderly couple (in their 60's?) who own the farm just outside of town. They will be friendly and hospitable, if approached with kindness and respect, offering meals or boarding in the barn for the agreement of a day's chores. They lost one son to "fever" two winters passed and their other son has "run off" with "that no good Furrow girl from the farm up the road."

25. Cynthana Faecom. Human female (22 y.o.). The Faecom's youngest and only daughter. She is helpful to her parents but starved for a life beyond a simple farmer. Cynthana will make advances (however unwanted) on the human, half-elven or elvin male PC with the highest Charisma. She is, at heart, a "good girl" so she will only make advances towards the "single" gentlemen.

 

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26. Jasper Furrow. Human/male (45 y.o.). Jasper is the owner of the farm down the road from the Faecom's. He has nothing but contempt for the "old man" who's son "stole his beloved Tempraine", the farmer's teenaged (granted 18 y.o.) and only daughter. Jasper is a widower of 3 winters and might just take a shine to a female PC of average or higher Charisma, lamenting his farm's lack of "a woman's touch."

27. Jarkin Furrow. Human/male (25 y.o.). The middle son of the Furrow household. Jarkin is brusque and hardworking. A man of the soil, through and through. He harbors his father's hatred for the Faecom boy who "stole" his sister from them. But, he might be persuaded to admit (or it could be noticed by the PCs?) that he harbors no ill-will towards Faecom's daughter and will be respectful of "Goodwife (Shelly) Faecom."

28. Alsania Turrenton. Human/female (30 y.o.), Alsania is a noblewoman of <insert minor noble house here>. She has thoroughly enjoyed her youth...and the young men who were in it. But now, she seeks a "respectable" man with whom to bolster the wealth of her ailing house. Still, she is "a mature woman with needs" and so might find herself persuaded to enjoy the company of a suitably charming and handsome young man...perhaps even after she takes a husband.

29. Derwood of Ducknese. Human/male (27 y.o.). Derwood is a kind and charming young-ish man from a far off Barony. He hails from an aristocratic family and is nothing if not polite and knowledgeable in the manners and etiquette of the land. He travels from town to town seeking the woman who stole his heart...a blond beauty with a pert little nose (he does not know she is the daughter of an affluent family of sorcerers) *tinka tinka tee*

30. Elezberith. Half-elf/female (60 y.o. looks 25). Mage (or sorceress or whatever) 7th level. Elezberith is the blond beauty of Derwood's dreams. Following a blissful triste of romance that lasted less than a week, Elezberith was whisked away (moreso by guilt for familial duty than magic) by her powerful sorceress mother.

31. Endora (she's just too fabulous to change the name). Half-elf/female (85 y.o. looks 45). Mage (or sorceress or whatever) 15th level. This spitfire with a head of flame-red curls is the matriarch of a wealthy dynastic family of witches. She considers any and all who do not use magic to be beneath her beloved daughter.

32. Pevlyn "the Point-ear". Elf/male. A young elf filled with wanderlust. He is as skilled as the rest of his people in woodcraft and archery (he holds no "levels" per se. But any DM could easily make him a ranger or thief or whatever works for your campaign/story) He wanders the lands of men, seeking to experience as much of their strange ways as possible. It is possible a particularly interesting (i.e. diverse) party of characters might find themselves being followed, if an offer to join them is not accepted. Pevlyn may be useful for his knowledge of lands he has traveled through that the PCs may or may not have.

33. Wilkins. Human/male (50 y.o.). Wilkins is a scribe. He might be traveling. He might be found conducting business in a town. He makes what living he can in the transcription of books and scrolls and the writing/sending of letters for those who cannot, themselves, write. Wilkins is capable (for an appropriate fee, of course) of transcribing spellbooks and/or magic scrolls.

34. Thomat. Human/male (16 y.o.). Thomat is one of the runner/messengers used by Wilkins. There is a 50% chance he will be found in the company of the scribe. The aging scribe has taken quite a shine to the industrious and trustworthy young man and is unlikely to send him on any message runs that will take him longer than 2 days (each way) to deliver.

35. Thrush Peltfoot. Gnome/female. 5th level thief. Thrush enjoys a life of frivolity and freedom. She will be very friendly and helpful (and almost 70% honest) to any PCs, though not put herself in any harm's way. Her attention span being what it is, it is likely she will avail herself of any notable shiny trinkets she safely can from the party and go about her way.


33.

 

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36. Delphine of Arangal. "Human"/female. Delphine appears as a lovely maiden in great distress and sorrow. She will be found alone in a deep wood, "unable to return home" she says, due to the curse of a vile witch within these same woods. She implores the party for their aid. She will only appear as human in the night and cannot be found come the rise of day. A particularly stealthy PC might be able to track her leaving camp and witness her morph into a small furry animal just at sunrise...she might knowingly lure a PC to witness this to lend credence to her tale. Delphine is, in actuality, a werefox, looking to seduce and slay as many male PCs as possible.

The Festival Fantabulous
37. Geebee Heebus. Gnome/male. 5th level Illusionist. The Festival Fantabulous is a wandering carnival/circus brainchild of its "master of ceremony", Geebee. On the outskirts of villages and towns, he and his folk will entertain the locals in a variety of ways, offering the "main event" in the grand multicolored "big top" for the meager admission of 2 coppers. He enjoys using "Hypnotic Pattern" on parts of the audience to fascinate the crowd while his team of tumbling clowns move through the people, picking every pocket they can.

38. Burkus "the Brave" Boggart. Human/male. (DMs could assign "fighter/warrior" levels as desired) Burkus is Geebee's "strong man" dazzling the crowds outside the tents with feats of brute strength, which he does have in abundance- Lifting benches with children from the crowd, bending "iron" bars. During the main show, Burkus doubles as the main event's fearsome captive "minotaur" (thanks to a minor illusion by Geebee).

39. "The Elemental Evelyn". Elf/female. 3rd level magic-user/3rd level thief (or assassin if you prefer). Evelyn enjoys using her magic to the amazement of "simple folk" expending minor spells to create the appearance of her "mastery" of the four cardinal elements (generating fire in thin air, gusts of wind to blow off hats, transmuting goblets of water to ice and back again, etc.) She is, in pinch, quite adept at using even these minor magicks to her advantage/in a damage causing way (DMs imagination is the limit).

40-44. Gibble, Hibble, Kibble, Lancer and Mawl. 2 halflings and 3 gnomes (your choice who is what)/all male. This diminutive bunch acts as the Festival's clowns and tumbling troupe. They are all pickpockets of the first order and skilled in acrobatics. In a fight, they work as a well-oiled machine using tumbling tricks and set-ups to trip/knock over opponents, "cannonball" each other as projectiles and otherwise "incapacitate" without necessarily doing much damage. Of the lot, Kibble is the most timid and doesn't like seeing anyone get hurt.

45. "The Wood Woman". Human/female (60 y.o.) The Wood Woman is actually a witch who was cursed (or by a backfired spell?) ended up with dark brown heavily wrinkled skin that looks like bark. Her hair is frizzled steel grey and her eyes a deep forest green. She gae up the use of magic after her "accident", but still possesses far greater arcane knowledge than Geebee or Evelyn. With her advanced age, she serves as a "curiosity" on display, wandering the festival hobbling along on a gnarled wooden cane. She also will act as the festival's "fortune teller" (tarot cards, crystal ball and all) in a small side tent, doling out bogus predictions of things people want to hear. She is an astute observer and reader of body language, facial expressions, etc. She can, with 90% accuracy tell when someone is lying...making her predictions almost always seem valid. She MAY (let's say, 10% of the time) be stricken with a long-ignored arcane spark and make a sincere prediction of relevance/importance.

 

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46. Brother Clitus. Human/male. 2nd level cleric (deity of your choice). Clitus is on pilgrimage from <insert town here> to <insert location of religious significance here>. He leads a band of 15 pilgrims (all 0-level/common folk). He may have information of the road ahead and will actively seek news of the road from whence the party came. He is, in general, a coward and wishes to finish his pilgrimage, "which these devout folk paid good money to be led on for <insert deity here>'s blessing", as soon as possible.

47. Dame Flotaine Avernus. Human/female. The dame's wagon has busted a wheel. She needs the party's assistance (and perhaps protection) to reach her the destination of her "summer manor" in all haste. She is accompanied by 2 attendant "ladies", a porter and the wagon driver. She is on her way to warn her paramour, the woodsman of her manor, that her husband knows of their affair...the PCs may or may not be able to glean this info from one of her ladies.

48. Lord Avernus. Human/male. 4th level knight (perhaps paladin?). He is encountered on the road, riding full tilt with 4 well-armed soldiers. He will stop briefly to find out if the PCs have encountered his "harlot wife." If they have, and have aided her, he will want to take them as "witnesses" to his wife's betrayal. If the PCs put up a fight, he will happily fight, being at the edge of blind rage after finding out he's been made a cuckold. He is equally likely to simply order his men to kill the party (to eliminate any witnesses to his dishonor). I'd give it a 30%-ride off in a rage to catch up, 30% want to take the party as "witness", 30% just kill them (his Lordship isn't thinking too clearly).

49. Bertrand the Woodsman. Human/male (30 y.o.). Bertrand is a woodsman- he gathers/chops the wood for the manor's multiple needs. He is handsome in a gruff sort of way. He has no ill-will towards the lord and is genuinely in love with her ladyship, the Dame Avernus. He is sincerely saddened by the circumstances of their love. If confronted by the Lord, he will (regretfully) fight for her honor. Sadly, given he has no fighting experience (though is handy with an axe) chances are he would not survive such a confrontation. If the Dame arrives to the manor (with the party's help, perhaps), he will proclaim his undying love and flee (preferably with the Dame) into the woods.

50. Evantor "the Hermit" (or beggar or wanderer, whatever works). Human/male (appears in his mid-60s?). Ervator has the appearance of a wizened old man. He can not give his place of birth/origin, having "long forgotten." He will say he "left the world of men long ago." His long unkempt beard and stooped hobbled walk, leaning heavily on a twisted staff make discerning an actual age rather difficult. If the party shows him any sort of kindness, they will find they all gain a temporary 5 HPs in their next encounter.

51. "Sparrowhawk". Human (presumably)/male (appears to be vital, well toned man in his 30s). DMs discretion for some level of druidic and/or arcane magical ability if it becomes necessary. Sparrowhawk is a "merlin" figure in the sense that he is a roving messenger of sorts. He travels from place to place conducting business of a political/mysterious/arcane or druidic nature. He may have words of wisdom or prophecy to share...perhaps seeking help with his current errand/quest. As stated, he's a Merlin type figure, so the sky's the limit with possibilities for him.

52. Seela. Elf (appearing)/female. Seela can be encountered anywhere, in the wildnerness, in a city, in a dungeon. She needs the party's help (or maybe shows up when the party is lost/needs aid of their own). She will try her best to aid the PCs with whatever information she can. When that aid (to her or the PCs) is delivered, she dissipates, evaporating into nothingness with a kind/contented show of thanks. She was a ghost (or maybe an air elemental/sylph?).

53. "The Hermit/Beggar/Wanderer" Take 2. A bedraggled enshrouded figure is seen, leaning heavily on a twisted staff. His long unkempt beard and bent posture makes discerning age difficult. This individual is actually a skilled thief/bandit. He is present to distract the party from his comrades who are waiting in ambush in the <insert appropriate cover here>. At the first opportunity (or if his cover is blown), he whips a crossbow out from under his tattererd robes and fires at the most powerful looking PC (or spellcaster if one is identifiable). This will trigger a rain of crossbow bolts (number of the bandit band should be, let's say, 2 more than the number of the party). After pelting the party with bolts, the bandits will move in with short swords (or bandit appropriate weaponry of your choice). They're looking to steal, not fight. So if they are thrown a decent amount of treasure, they will likely take it and retreat with all speed.

54. Utheluke "the Cardinal". Human/male. 8th level bard (or just a wandering minstrel if you prefer/don't use bards). Utheluke is a performer of the first grade. He wears rich trappings, all of bright red. He will eagerly play/sing/tell stories for the PCs...though might request a small "donation" for his skills. He is also highly knowledgeable in the surrounding countryside, including some "dirt" on the local nobility (who have recently offered him lodging for his skill.). He is somewhat "famous" in these parts. He travels with a troupe of 4 troubadours, each proficient in a different instrument, though no other actual "bards" (or low level bards if you prefer). He is handsome and charming and eager to get in the good graces (and pants) of any PCs (yes, any!) with above average looks/Charisma.

55. Trisk Trasket. Gnome/male. A gem merchant en route to <insert closest trade center here> atop his beloved ragged looking pony, Basket. He wears simple clothing and will not likely share his actual profession. He is carrying his wares, strapped in pouches beneath his tunic and in compartments within his curl-toed shoes (an keen observer might notice how large his feet appear, for a gnome. He will reply that is the gnomish style If the PCs agree to excort him to his destination, he will reward them with a particularly fine (<insert appropriate wealth here>) diamond for their trouble. He is, in actuality, carrying 10X that much in assorted precious gems and jewelry.

 

[steeldragons]

Aight. Time to grab some dinner. I'll get back to this later...gettin' tough coming up with different folks...

Hope some are finding it useful.

--SD

 

[steeldragons]

56. "Shin". Human/female. Maybe she's a monk or a thief or a priestess of some unknown god...or just some maiden?...you have no idea. She doesn't speak your language. She seems to need help, falling to her knees or grabbing onto the most powerful looking warrior. Her language and appearance (clothing, hair style, etc.) are like nothing you've ever encountered. Finding some means to communicate with her reveals she needs to get to a ship to get home...to some land believed to be myth. She was kidnapped from her homeland...by <insert slaver/crime organization here...or maybe some noble into "exotic goods"?>.

57. Chantacleer. You encounter a talking rooster. He's opted to speak to the PCs (or A PC), surreptitiously, because they look like experienced adventurers that can get things done. He claims to be a prince of <insert country/kingdom here> cursed/transformed by an evil witch who took his throne. She has usurped his throne and he needs your help to depose her and restore himself to humanity. In reality, Chantacleer is an evil wizard who lost a magical duel and slaying the rightful ruler will return him to human form, a magic-user of 10th level. He will immediately thank the party and shower them with gold to have them leave his land. If they discover the truth, he will flee (if still a rooster) or fght them with everything he's got. (Note: He will not detect as "evil" in rooster form, being a common animal and all.)

58 & 59. Brok & Grok. Half-orc twins/male. These are good guys. They're honest, hard working, sincere. They've survived the world (after fleeing their orc tribe) putting their brawn to good use as laborers. Their distinctly half-orcish appearance makes finding honest work difficult, but they try to manage as best they can.

60. Hoo? An aged giant owl who can communicate telepathically. But all he can say is "hoo". He watched a swathe of woodlands not far from town and, if he deems them worthy, will ask for the PCs aid in ridding his woods of a dark/demonic presence. The "dark presence" is actually just average humans settling near his wood, cutting down lots of trees for homesteads and timber business.

61. Gerthrude Jinglepots. Dwarf/female. The proprietor and bartender of the dwarf-catering Happy Bellows inn and tavern in <insert town/city/village here>. They have the BEST homemade dwarven ale in 10 leagues. She's a no nonsense, all business kinda innkeeper. Pay the fees, we have no problems. Try to bring an elf into her establishment...there might be.

62. Krud. Ogre/male. Krud is the bouncer for the Happy Bellows tavern. He is tolerated by the dwarves that frequent the space because he is totally devoted to Gerthrude..."Gerthrude save Krud from burning fire...and feed Krud too. Krud help Gerthrude always." Needless to say, there is verrrry little trouble at the Happy Bellows tavern. He's also fairly strict when on duty..."Gerthrude not like pointy-ears [elves]. No come in."

63. Estrathil Avrien. Elf (grey elf if you use those or eladrin if you prefer)/male. Mage 7th level. He's lost a "very important" trinket <insert campaign relevant powerful item here> and needs help to find it. He will use magic, sparingly, to aid the PCs as necessary, but generally wants them to do the work...keeping his magic for his own protection and/or escape. He MUST find this item and return it to his "master."

64. Brunice Cobbler. Human/female. The town's most celebrated shoe-maker/repairer. She's a harsh-faced but good-hearted honest businesswoman.

65. Sendralla Whitewax. Human/female. She's the candlestick maker. A lovely, recently-widowed young woman. She is willing to do anything to accommodate new business...including fabricating "magic candles" (with instruction). Since her [much older abusive] husband died, she has been struggling to keep the candle-making business afloat. Sendralla's am opportunist "black-widow."

 

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66. Arsk One-hand. Goblin/male. Arsk left his tribe (after losing one hand) and makes a meager (though enjoyable for a goblin) life in the back alleys, trash and sewers of the city. He is an unabashed sneak and snitch. Luck, street-smarts and lots of grovelling have kept Arsk alive thus far. He might be useful to know, if the PCs need some hard to come by information. He might also be willing to share some unsolicited information in exchange for an act of kindness or to avoid a beating.

67. "Lord" Trevor Trundle. Human/male. 5th level rogue. Trevor is a courtier of charm and wit and looks. His family are minor landowners. He makes his way through high-society, taking whatever liberties with the noble-women and ladies-in-waiting as he can. He is an expert with his rapier and, when not in the limelight of the courts, a deadly knife-fighter.

68. Perok Burnbeard. Dwarf/male. Perok is a smith of exceptional skill. His wares are things of beauty and the talk of legend. He wanders the countryside and wilds, working his craft wherever he can. If you can find him, he will make forge/repair your blade or armor for what sounds like an exorbitant fee...and generally a good amount of time. But when you get the finished product, you will realize just how good a deal it was. (Weapons repaired or forged by Perok will receive an additional +2 to hit/damage-for weapons or to their defense/AC/protection-for armor.)

69. Yelerna Tanner. Human (or half-elf or elf)/female. She makes the most beautifully detailed, supple and vibrantly colored leathers. She can make just about any outfit to order, given enough time. Leather clothings (breeches, blouse, etc.) made by Yelerna afford the protection of full leather armor. Leather armor crafted by Yelerna affords protection 1 grade better (be that higher or lower) than "normal" leather armor.

70. Norwinter Tanner. Half-elf/male. 4th level druid. Yelerna's husband. He wears some of his wife's superior leathers. Norwinter spends much of his time away from town, procuring hides (culling from the weak in the natural world...whatever species that may be) for Yelerna to work her craft. He is very much in love and devoted to his wife...she is unaware that some of her "hides" are actually human skins.

EDIT: While I could easily finish this list to 101 using NPCs I had already created for past encounters, the (self-made) challenge was for how many I could come up with this day. Unfortunately, dinner went on for some time...and involved some wine...and it is now 2:30am in my neck of this spinning blue ball. I will happily complete the 101 tomorrow...but am pretty much tapped for tonight.

I thank you all for your indulgence and look forward to any thoughts,comments,ideas,feedback you might have....I'll see it tomorrow.

Night ENworld. Don't let the vampires bite.
--Steel Dragons

 

[steeldragons]

71 & 72. Polly & Wally Grovestead. Human/female and male, respectively (8 y.o.). These carrot-topped befreckled twins are overtly curious, particularly of strangers and adventuring types. "Hey mister. Where'd ya get that big sword?" "Does it glow magic? I saw a sword that glowed magic once. That guy's sword was better'n yours." "Sh'up Wally, you did not.""Did too! Seen a dwarf with'n axe too. You ever seen a dwarf, mister?" (naturally, the PC he is asking is a dwarf.) Any amount of time the PCs spend in their village/hamlet/town, they are likely to notice attempts by the children to shadow them, multiple times (speeches about "how dangerous" things may be mean nothing to these two). The PCs are also likely to have any stealth missions blown by the well-meaning kids coming up to them (out of nowhere). "Hey mister, wut'cha doin'? Why ya trying to climb up on that roof? Does Ole Pappy know yer climbin' his house? Why ya wanna climb Ole Pappy's house anyway?"

Two dwarves walk into a bar...
73. Yuri Crackrock. Dwarf/male. 5th level cleric of <insert appropriate dwarf deity of battle or valor here>. Among his people Yuri is a dwarf of distinction, wisdom and honor, well-respected. He is a particularly well groomed dwarf. His waist-length light brown beard is meticulously kept with several braids wrapped in gold and silver rings, tabbard spotless, armor and weapons polished to a gleam. He is stoic but not gruff, serious but calm in tone and demeanor. He leads his brother on a quest to regain his (Kuri's) honor. (Yuri is a bit of a "neat freak". Getting dirty or unkempt shakes him up a little to a lot, depending on the extent of the dirt/mess and it's direct relation to him.)

74. Kuri Crackrock. Dwarf/male. 3rd level thief. Kuri is obviously younger than Yuri. His black beard seems recently trimmed, dipping little lower than his chin. He keeps his dark grey traveling cloak up over his head, even indoors. Kuri was caught stealing in the clan hall and would have been banished but for the high regard for his brother, Yuri. Kuri was offered a quest to regain his honor. Honestly, he doesn't really care about it all that much, thinking "dwarven honor" is nothing but a bunch of puffed up old dwarves beating their chests. But Kuri does care for his brother, and knows Yuri's honor is very important to him. So he's just going along with it.

75. Antarra of Yorr. Human/female (looks 35 y.o.?). Antarra is the ruler (baroness, countess...queen if you like?) of the mountainous, mineral rich lands of Yorr. It is a harsh land and tales of witches, curses and lycanthropy are not uncommon. Antarra is beautiful, charming, rich...and single. It is entirely possible she will select one of the most valorous PCs and attempt to woo him into staying with her in her castle/land as her "champion" and "lord". PCs that object to this will find themselves mysteriously set upon in the night by...creatures, and (if defeated) find themselves locked away in some dungeon somewhere. Yeah, Antarra is a vampire. She has no intentions of making the PC her "lord"...simply her "lunch."

76. Habart. Human/male (mid-40's?). Habart has been a beggar most of his harsh life. He is weathered, wrinkled, nearly toothless and hobbled by a clubbed foot. Habart has been begging on the streets of <insert campaign relevant city here> for most of his life and is accustomed to the cruelty and general indifference of people. Even so, he will be kind and helpful if shown kindness, keeping his ears open for the PCs or sharing some very important information he might have. "It's amazing what 'important people' will say in front of the us gutterfolk. Like bein' worthless means I ain't got no ears."

77. Watchman (or "Private" if you prefer something military) Ross Highside. Human/male (17 y.o.). Ross is relatively new to the town watch. He is eager to proof himself and please his superiors. He is honest, idealistic and a bit naive to the ways of the seedier parts of the city. If PCs get on his good side, Ross will be happy to help PCs in whatever LEGAL ways he can.

78. Sergeant Gontor Crest. Human/male (40 y.o.). The Sergeant is a gruff, somewhat rude, battle-toughened type who has been on the watch for his whole life. Gontor is a "dirty cop". He is involved in a "protection money" ring and other types of extortion (being on the watch, you acquire quite a bit of "dirt" on folks over the years). If the PCs get into any trouble that leads to interaction with Sergeant Crest, he'll promise to make it "go away" for a bribe of a few gold (per person involved). The sergeant has a ring of 10 similarly dirty watchmen, all loyal to him.

79. Evrett Grenhausen. Human/male (28 y.o.). Along the road, the PCs encounter a lone figure trudging slowly towards them. His clothes and armor are tattered. He drags behind him the haft of a shattered speear. He is obviously very ill, with yellowed skin, bloodshot eyes, sunken cheeks, etc. He will warn the PCs to leave him be and not touch him. His village was overrun last night be "evil unnatural horrors" and they are the cause of his illness. Evrett is, indeed, sick with Ghoul Fever and is slowly turning into a ghoul. If the party has some means to cure him, he will gladly support/fight for them in any way he can. His village (half a day's march away) is wholely destroyed, overrun with ghouls...the lucky inhabitants were slain quickly and eaten. If the PCs cannot cure him, Evrett will die by the day's end and rise that night as a ghoul himself...craving live human flesh.

80. Brother Bradley. Human/male (35 y.o.) A cowled figure who carries a staff topped with the symbol of <insert deity of light or love or some kind of goody goody thing>. If asked, Bradley will explain he is on pilgrimage to <deity's> temple in <insert the next nearest town>. Depending on the PCs familiarity with the region, it might be noted there is no temple to <good deity> in that town. Bradley is actually a cultist devoted to <insert deity of undead/evil/death here>. He possesses no casting ability of his own, but does have an unholy symbol that will summon/raise undead under his control, 3 times/day <DM's discretion for number and types of undead>. "Brother" Bradley is connected with the infestation/epidemic of ghouls spreading across the countryside.