Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 9664939" data-attributes="member: 3285">Wandering monsters aren't the only beings you might encounter in a dungeon; NPC adventurers can be helpful too (even unintentionally).[ATTACH=full]406112[/ATTACH] <a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/merchant-train-dealer-middle-ages-1398066/" target="_blank">Picture courtesy of Pixabay.</a>Dungeons in D&D are often portrayed as desolate places, populated only by malevolent monsters. But what if these subterranean realms had a bit more life, a cast of non-hostile characters going about their strange business? Considering the various non-player characters who might also call a dungeon home can add unexpected layers of intrigue, humor, and even assistance to your D&D campaign.<h3>These Are the NPCs In Your Neighborhood</h3>Beyond the gnashing teeth and swinging claws, a thriving dungeon might host a variety of NPCs who aren't necessarily looking for a fight. There are several who can  have varying degrees of utility to an adventuring party.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DungeonShop" target="_blank">Dungeon Shopkeeper:</a> As seen in various interpretations of dungeon life, a resourceful individual might set up shop, offering adventurers vital supplies, questionable potions, or even a place to fence their ill-gotten gains. Their motivations could range from simple profit to a means of taking excess gear off a party's hands. In extreme cases, they can have exactly the tool PCs needs to defeat monsters on lower levels of the dungeon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DungeonMaintenance" target="_blank">Maintenance Crew: </a>Someone has to keep the dungeon (somewhat) functional. Perhaps there are individuals or even entire groups dedicated to removing corpses, clearing debris, or maintaining the traps (<a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-if-it-kills-we-can-build-it.713446/" target="_blank">as we explored in the previous article</a>). These NPCs might be reclusive, helpful, or just one step above grave robbers, rifling through pockets for loose change.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ButtMonkey" target="_blank">Poor Unfortunate Souls:</a> And then there are those NPCs who are simply down on their luck, perhaps prisoners, lost travelers, or individuals who are clearly out of their depth. While not intentionally helpful, unscrupulous PCs might find ways to leverage these individuals for their own gain, as distractions, bait, or even unwilling accomplices.</li> </ul> [MEDIA=youtube]8a0iYdkT8aA[/MEDIA]<h3>The Jarnathan Gambit</h3>The D&D movie, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64067943/" target="_blank">Honor Among Thieves</a> (SPOILER ALERT), provides a hilarious example of how even seemingly minor NPCs can play a crucial role in an adventurer's plans. Edgin Darvis, the charismatic bard, relies on an aarakocra named Jarnathan to facilitate his escape from prison. Jarnathan, a member of the Absolution Council, is repeatedly mentioned by Edgin as he stalls his pardon hearing with an elaborate (and likely exaggerated) tale. The humor comes from the fact that Edgin's grand plan hinges on the simple act of grabbing Jarnathan and throwing him out a window, forcing the aarakocra to fly them to freedom using his wings.Jarnathan is a minor character, but a memorable one for a reason: PCs might encounter NPCs in unexpected places who, through circumstance or their unique abilities, can be leveraged in ways neither party initially anticipated. This requires players to think outside the box, and for DMs to consider the potential uses (and misuses) of all the inhabitants of their dungeon.<h3>The Practicality of Fellow Adventurers</h3>The anime <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64067943/" target="_blank">Delicious in Dungeon</a> showcases a more pragmatic approach to interacting with other adventuring parties within a dungeon. The main characters, led by Laios, frequently encounter other groups of adventurers, and these interactions often prove beneficial (if mercenary). On multiple occasions, they either bargain with other adventurers for resources and healing, or contemplate waiting for another party to arrive to help tackle a particularly dangerous monster. In a dangerous environment like a mega-dungeon, it's a great reminder that other adventurers are doing their best to survive too, and banding together can increase the chances of survival.Of course, not everyone is an adventurer. Delicious in Dungeon's answer to the fate of dead adventurers is <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Corpse_Retrievers" target="_blank">Corpse Retrievers</a>. These are specialized adventurers whose job is to locate and retrieve the bodies of fallen comrades. Their motives can range from genuinely wanting to return the deceased to their families for proper burial and potential resurrection to more mercenary goals. As seen in Episode 14 ("Shīsāpento"), some Corpse Retrievers can be quite unethical, luring adventurers into traps so they can rifle through their corpse's pockets. When money for corpses is an incentive, it's a fine line between finding a dead body and helping make one, <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-stay-dead.703216/" target="_blank">as we saw with the real life example of Burke and Hare</a>.<h3>A Less Lonely Labyrinth</h3>Dungeons in your D&D campaign don't have to be solely populated by monstrous denizens waiting to be slain. By considering the presence of other NPCs – be they merchants, maintenance workers, unfortunate souls, or even fellow adventurers – you can create a richer and more dynamic environment. These NPCs can offer opportunities for trade, information, or unwitting assistance in a pinch.Just don't tell Jarnathan. They bricked up the window after the last prison break.[MEDIA=youtube]ljPbR9GT25c[/MEDIA]</blockquote>

Verification