What is essential to know about an NPC?

[The_lone_gunman]

I am trying to create a list of things that I, as the DM, should know about an NPC in order to roleplay him realistically and effectively. What I mean is, what do you guys consider to be the most important aspects you should have created before hand? Right now I am relying on my ability to make stuff up as we go along, but I would like to make a "cheat sheet" if you will that I could fill out in advance and review quickly to stimilate my mind during the game (and also keep in consistant). Anyone out there have some best practices to share?

TLG

 

[Furn_Darkside]

Anyone out there have some best practices to share?

I try to have a list of seven adjectives to describe every signifigant npc.

That might seem like a little thing, but coming up with seven distinct personality traits is difficult and you will have a thorough character to rp when you are finished.

FD

 

[Fayredeth]

A few personality-describing words are best, because you can use those as a foundation for the character and build a more intricate personality from there. An extremely good resource site brought to us by our very own angramainyu, http://members.rogers.com/wilson0246/DnD/index.html , includes a reference sheet of many different character traits, arranged in tables for random character generation.

 

[Wicht]

The name.

 

[Irda Ranger]

I also try to list a few priorities. What does the NPC think is important? Politics? Money? His next meal? Circumstances and NPC stats have a lot to do with this, mainly Int and Wis. A Int 7 Commoner only know a few things, and those are what he focuses on.

So, Adjectives ... Gruff, Honest, Blunt, Twitchy, etc.

Motivations ... God & Country, Weather, Chess, Sports ....


Ever notice how two people in real life who are completely different in character and "allignment" can talk about Sports for hours if that's "their thing"? I think this is true for (N)PCs too.

Irda Ranger