D&D 5E DMG Preview: Creating NPCs

[Morrus]

The Id DM has previewed a couple of DMG pages! This is from the section on building NPCs. If you check out his site, he has some NPCs he created.

Previous DMG previews: Magic Items Table, Villainous Classes, Table of Contents, Firearms, Explosives & Alien Tech, Eye/Hand of Vecna & Orbs of Dragonkind, Magic Rings, Figurines of Wondrous Power, Deck of Many Things

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[Mercurius]

I'm not sure how much I'll actually randomly generate NPCs, but I love the return of the random table in a variety of contexts. Fun stuff.

 

[Queer Venger]

These are awesome tables, particularly like the NPC tables and the tease of monsters as NPCs!!!

Again: I continue to be blown away by the artwork in 5e.

 

[Zhaleskra]

Apparently Aang has fallen on hard times and become a thief.

 

[Henrix]

Love that image!

Random tables are very good for getting inspiration when trying to get memorable NPCs - as the blog clearly shows. His NPC creation from the random elements is very good.

But what this news really showed me was the ID DM blog, it's full of good stuff! *subscribed*

 

[Nebulous]

These are awesome tables, particularly like the NPC tables and the tease of monsters as NPCs!!!

Again: I continue to be blown away by the artwork in 5e.

Not just 5e, but the DMG in particular seems to be hoarding all the best art!!!

 

[Astrosicebear]

This is from the section on building NPCs.
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Not what I was expecting. The internet disappoints today.

 

[DMZ2112]

I'm not sure how much I'll actually randomly generate NPCs, but I love the return of the random table in a variety of contexts. Fun stuff.

You know why I find this stuff invaluable? Because the chances that I'll use what I roll are pretty minute, but it is far more likely that the combination of a series of rolls inspires me to do something related but original. If I'm really pressed I can use the tables as printed but they're really more of a means to an end. I hope the DMG is packed with these.

Also, great picture of the Xanathar. I love that D&D has recognizable non-humanoid NPCs (and I wish the cover of the MM paid lip service).

 

[designbot]

Looks like the artwork comes from Dungeon #206, from September 2012.

There's a copy linked here: http://dungeonsmaster.com/2013/04/the-xanathar/

 

[fuindordm]

These sorts of tables in the AD&D DMG really helped me get off the ground as a DM, when I was in high school. It's nice to see the DMG providing them.

And they're not a waste of space for experienced GMs either. There are so many tricks that one can use to make NPCs memorable, but most of us rely heavily on just a few. Chapters like this can help us break old habits.