In TAZ: Ethersea, there was a joke that you can't ask for three descriptive traits of a background character, because then they instantly become a beloved NPC, and I have firmly believed this since.
The biggest thing I forget to do is actually make notes of things I adlib during NPC interactions. I have notes on the NPC sheet or card already, but if some new quirk or element is added on the fly I don't always remember to add that. Usually it doesn't matter, but every once in a while... "Didn't the blacksmith have a limp last time?" "Why yes, he did. Perhaps he was hiding an injury that has now healed..."
SAME, or accent types, sometimes I go off the rail. Always good to take notes and I'm a terrible note taker which is why I NEED to have the sessions prepped 100% every time haha
AI is still my best friend for getting an image better than I can describe. for band width reasons as well as some people I know just preferring typing I've been unable to add voices but have been able to describe them and some people take to adding typos that sound like that persons speech pattern. I love when the impact of adventures ripples out on the NPCs, if they just defeated a lot of monsters that were attacking the fruit farms the prices of that fruit is lower since there's a larger supply, if they cleared a mine of monsters then the black smith might be able to work with better ore for new items, and the tavern will have more miners in it at the evening when they return. even bigger if a player gifts something to an NPC let that matter, I was so happy when my alchemist spent time making protective goggles for the blacksmith and now on when he's at the forge he wears them. Also when they conflict with the players, like being made to leave the adventuring hall from asking too many questions slowing things down, owing someone a favor and having that matter.
A year late comment I make my NPCs just like I make my PCs, full stat blocks, personality, backstory, items, spells... everything To me, I have recorded every character (or concept) from every single campaign. Now, I have an insane vault of PCs that I can use as NPCs with minor tweaks and changes, and all I need to do is to note which character does what, and where, with their voice and some events about my world .. In my campaign (homebrew), I get to work on the plot or story once or twice a month because all my ideas are recorded already.. so I get to spend my "prep time" to imagine how the NPCs react to their world events and what possible actions may happen My players are always in shock to how realistic the world is and hooked on it.. they already asked me to run a campaign in parallel to this one within the same world with different time-lines
Distinct Character/characteristic. Name/need of something: My name is Tibbs I need a lawyer Agenda where they come into the story, how they might come back later if they were memorable. DNA~
In TAZ: Ethersea, there was a joke that you can't ask for three descriptive traits of a background character, because then they instantly become a beloved NPC, and I have firmly believed this since.
LOVE this haha. The moment they become a full-fledged person you can see in your head, they're real haha
The biggest thing I forget to do is actually make notes of things I adlib during NPC interactions. I have notes on the NPC sheet or card already, but if some new quirk or element is added on the fly I don't always remember to add that. Usually it doesn't matter, but every once in a while...
"Didn't the blacksmith have a limp last time?"
"Why yes, he did. Perhaps he was hiding an injury that has now healed..."
SAME, or accent types, sometimes I go off the rail. Always good to take notes and I'm a terrible note taker which is why I NEED to have the sessions prepped 100% every time haha
AI is still my best friend for getting an image better than I can describe. for band width reasons as well as some people I know just preferring typing I've been unable to add voices but have been able to describe them and some people take to adding typos that sound like that persons speech pattern.
I love when the impact of adventures ripples out on the NPCs, if they just defeated a lot of monsters that were attacking the fruit farms the prices of that fruit is lower since there's a larger supply, if they cleared a mine of monsters then the black smith might be able to work with better ore for new items, and the tavern will have more miners in it at the evening when they return.
even bigger if a player gifts something to an NPC let that matter, I was so happy when my alchemist spent time making protective goggles for the blacksmith and now on when he's at the forge he wears them.
Also when they conflict with the players, like being made to leave the adventuring hall from asking too many questions slowing things down, owing someone a favor and having that matter.
A year late comment
I make my NPCs just like I make my PCs, full stat blocks, personality, backstory, items, spells... everything
To me, I have recorded every character (or concept) from every single campaign. Now, I have an insane vault of PCs that I can use as NPCs with minor tweaks and changes, and all I need to do is to note which character does what, and where, with their voice and some events about my world
..
In my campaign (homebrew), I get to work on the plot or story once or twice a month because all my ideas are recorded already.. so I get to spend my "prep time" to imagine how the NPCs react to their world events and what possible actions may happen
My players are always in shock to how realistic the world is and hooked on it.. they already asked me to run a campaign in parallel to this one within the same world with different time-lines
Distinct Character/characteristic.
Name/need of something: My name is Tibbs I need a lawyer
Agenda where they come into the story, how they might come back later if they were memorable.
DNA~
6 comments is insane, randomly stumbled open an act1 video and cant stop watching the videos
aw shucks thanks for the love! :) Appreciate you being here
UNDERATED
thanks for the comment!
Didn't the Wheel of Time have the traveling merchant be a villain?
Oooo good question, I only saw it once, I honestly don't remember.
@TheFantasyForge yup. The traveling merchant Padan Fain was secretly a cultist... great character
mystery solved, thank you@@robertwaluchow1034 ! That's been on my reading list for a long time