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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Soul Stigma" data-source="post: 7159958" data-attributes="member: 6887393">I don't know how many EnWorlders use Realm Works from Lone Wolf Development, but I thought I'd occasionally share tips and tricks with the community anyway and hopefully learn some along the way.  Background: I DM D&D5E using Hero Lab and Realm Works together.  Combining the two makes things very easy to manage as a DM.  I realize there are forumers who are anti-laptop or simply prefer pencil and paper all the way, and that's fine.  This post is for those who use software tools and, specifically, Realm Works (this particular tip has nothing to do with Hero Lab).Standby NPCs: a common shortcut for DMs is to keep a list of NPC names for quick access in case the PCs encounter one and a name is needed.  As names get used, they get crossed off the list, etc.  This is a great method for keeping the game moving without a pause while the DM thinks up a name on the spot.Standby NPCs in Realm Works: Here's how I handle standby NPCs in Realm Works.  In the World Almanac, I create a container under People called "Standby NPCs".  Then, when I feel creative with names, I create a new Individual with the containing topic Standby NPCs.  I give the NPC a name, add "Name Only" in the Suffix box, then save.  What this does is create an alphabetical list of names with the suffix "Name Only", which tells me this NPC is just a name.  If I know ahead of time some details about a specific NPC, but not yet where the PCs will encounter them, I'll flesh out other things (race, gender, portrait pic, short description, etc.), remove the suffix "Name Only" but keep them contained in Standby NPCs and save.  When it comes time to use a standby NPC, I tell the characters the name, role play the interaction, and take any extra notes right there on the NPC's page as the interaction occurs, so that the NPC is being fleshed out in real time.  Once the interaction is done, I change the containing topic of the NPC from Standby NPCs to whatever location (under Places) they were encountered.  Now the NPC exists in the world, in a specific place and they were ready on the fly.  Conclusion: Hopefully this tip is useful to new or even experienced Realm Works users who maintain a list of NPC names but haven't integrated it with Realms Works.  The more you manage within the software, the easier campaign management becomes as a wholeThanks for reading!</blockquote>

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