DMs: What types of NPCs do you feature the most?

[Turanil]

Well, I tend to find the design of NPCs pretty long and boring. As such, I have decided to create two big (hopefully) documents detailing many NPCs ready to use in d20 Modern-Future, and in D&D 3.5 games. However, it's difficult to think of what would be really useful, and what isn't. So, can you give your opinions on this subject?

-- What are the most frequent NPCs you tend to use in your games?
-- What classes and levels they tend to be? (i.e.: a generic soldier is a 1st level warrior or a 3rd level fighter?)
-- Do you prefer very generic NPCs, or unique individuals with their personality, etc.?
-- What sort of info is the most important for you in a NPC?
-- Etc.


Some of you may remember the d100 City block Thread begun approximately one month ago. It is now completed and being worked into a PDF that anyone around will be able to download (for free). I have begun two other threads, this time about NPCs (in the Rogue Gallery forum, see links in my signature). Understandably, these two will take much more time to complete, as coming up with full stat-blocks tend to be tedious and takes time. Note however, that if any DM out there contribute only one entry, we will quickly reach 100 entries, and so: for one entry contributed you end up with 100 usable!. Furthermore, if 100 different persons contribute, you get much more variety than if only one (me) contribute. That is, you would have more probability of finding NPCs that suit your needs. For example: I consider a regular soldier to be a 3rd level fighter, while others may see it as a 1st level warrior; then, I will only create half-orcs and humans because I don't want elves, gnomes and the like, who could yet be needed by another DM. So... in short... please contribute! (links below)

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

The fully statted NPCs I need most frequently are villains or opponents. Allies generally only need exact stats if they are helping the PCs in combat or if the PCs are using their help to recover or create items (can the armorsmith create a masterwork sword? Can the cleric cast remove curse, can the adept use the heal skill to treat filth fever, etc)

For soldiers, my expectations are generally as follows:

Conscripts/New Recruits:
Com 1-4, Exp 1-4, War 1, Ftr 1

Veterans:
Com 1-4/War 1-2, Exp 2-6, Exp 1-4/War 1-2, War 2-3, Ftr 2-3

Elite soldiers:
Com 1-2/War 4-5, Exp 1-2/War 4-5, War 4-6, Ftr 4-6

Champions, knights and other exceptional warrior types:
Ftr 7-12, Aristocrat 3-4/Ftr 4-8, Ftr 6/Prestige class 1-6

I prefer generic info for NPCs who are really just nameless foes to fight the PCs and specific info for NPCs with whom the PCs will interact. I can and often do make up personalities, etc for NPCs on the fly anyway but having them prepared gives me more to go on and makes it more likely that I'll do a good job.

IMO, the most important bits of info about NPCs are:
Name
Marital Status
Age
General demeanor
Goals
Alignment

(Note that this is extra information not included in normal statblocks. I generally consider statblock info to be non-negotiable. I want to be able to know what his spot and listen bonus are if a rogue is trying to sneak into his house without having to spend a few seconds calculating them. I want to be able to know if he's good at what he does (max ranks+ability bonus+skill focus) or a layabout. Etc.)

 

[VirgilCaine]

-- What are the most frequent NPCs you tend to use in your games?
-- What classes and levels they tend to be? (i.e.: a generic soldier is a 1st level warrior or a 3rd level fighter?)
-- Do you prefer very generic NPCs, or unique individuals with their personality, etc.?
-- What sort of info is the most important for you in a NPC?

1. Having a variety of squads of well-equipped squards of guards/soldiers would be nice, with a variety of equipment options to throw in if they are better equipped than usual. Ordinary merchants/shopkeepers and criminals/bandits, would also be useful.

2. It depends. Militia levy, regular army, or experienced mercenary? The more experience, the higher the level and more chance of a PC class. The average soldier is probably a 1st-3rd level fighter, with warrior being the less experienced militiamen.

3. Most every NPC could use some personality, but not every guard or merchant needs a whole background.

4. No names to replace, logical and powerful feat and equipment selections, use of all core rules material.
Also, a few lines on how the NPC will respond to certain situations--e.g being outnumbered or beaten in combat for soldiers or being cheated or whatever for a merchant, etc. would be very welcome.

 

[Turanil]

Furthermore, if 100 different persons contribute, you get much more variety than if only one (me) contribute. That is, you would have more probability of finding NPCs that suit your needs.

Thanks to the first contributor to the D&D 100 NPCs Thread! The two npcs contributed are indeed useful ones, but I would never had thought adding them myself. So, if you are interested in this compilation, don't hesistate to add your suggestions here (e.g.: I need a gnome alchemist, a half-orc bard, etc.), or better contribute a full stat block to one of the 100 NPCs Threads (D&D 3.5 or d20 Modern).

Thanks