D&D 5E (2024) NPCs, and the poverty of the core books

[TwoSix]

Except aren't the game mechanics there to abstract and reflect that universe as best they can? Isn't that their job?

No.

 

[Micah Sweet]

No.

Depends on the table, obviously. For me they very much are. I'll die on that hill.

 

[pawsplay]

I don't expect PCs and NPCs to all have identical abilities, but I do expect PC classes to have some reflection in the game world. Like, if a PC is a Cleric of Sune, then I expect there to be NPC clerics of Sune, and whatever differences in their abilities exist should have some kind of explanation.