"Seven-sentence" NPCs: details?

[The Shaman]

Years ago there was an article in Dragon entitled something along the lines of "Seven-Sentence NPCs," a primer on creating NPC backgrounds.

Does anyone remember this article? Could someone point me to the issue number and/or provide a brief summary of the method?

 

[Psion]

Per Dragon Magazine Archive:

Issue 184 page 22.

Unfortunately I've got to run or I could add a few details, but hopefully that will get you pointed in the right direction.

 

[Psion]

Okay, here's the short version:

1. Occupation & History
2. Physical Description
3. Attributes & Skills (above & below average, class & levels)
4. Values & Motivations
5. Interactions with Others
6. Useful knowledge
7. Distinguishing Feature

 

[The Shaman]

Thanks very much - that was what I was looking for.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Probably my favorite dragon article ever.

 

[haiiro]

Probably my favorite dragon article ever.

It's one of my favorites as well -- I can't do SSNPCs from memory anymore, but even years later this article still informs my method.

 

[arwink]

Heck, I still use it when I'm writing up characters for products, just to make sure that I'm covering everything I think is necessary and hitting the important points.

 

[Imhotepthewise]

I also think that this is a most useful article. Plentiful, interesting npc's are the sign of a healthy campaign.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I just dusted off this old issue and I must concur that it is an excellent article and I'm using it right now to flesh-out some of my NPCs.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

What I like about is that it's remarkably easy to have the checklist in front of you and make up a good character on the fly with it. Jot down the answers as they come to you, and you've got a good character for the life of the campaign, or even beyond.