Npc Essentials

by Four, Johnn; Hunt, Jared; Davis, Chris; Rice, Charles; Halme, Aki; Collins, Bill; Shane, V.

• ISBN13: 9780972482639
• ISBN10: 0972482636
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-01
• Publisher: Interactivies Ink Ltd

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction	11	(3)
Chapter 2: NPC Design	14	(37)
Planning Considerations	15	(1)
What To Plan And How Long It'll Take	15	(1)
NPC Story Roles	16	(9)
Villains	16	(1)
Rivals	17	(2)
Major NPCs	19	(1)
Minor NPCs	20	(1)
Extras, Walk-Ons, Bit Parts	21	(1)
Combat Constructs & Cannon Fodder	22	(1)
Remote NPCs	22	(1)
Creatures	23	(1)
Items	24	(1)
NPC Elements	25	(4)
Naming Your NPC	25	(1)
Mood and Atmosphere	26	(1)
Description	26	(1)
Tension and Fear	26	(1)
Clues	26	(1)
Plot Hook	27	(1)
When Do You Create An NPC's Name?	27	(1)
Before	27	(1)
After	27	(1)
During	27	(1)
Name Types and Parts	27	(2)
Race	29	(1)
Gender	29	(1)
Power Base	29	(12)
When To Design A Power Base	30	(1)
Individual Power And Scalability	30	(1)
Adding A Power Base To An NPC	31	(1)
Adding Multiple Power Bases	32	(1)
Crafting Stories From Power Bases	33	(1)
Tragedy And Power Bases	33	(1)
Types Of Power Bases	33	(8)
Class & Level	41	(1)
Appearance	41	(1)
History & Background	42	(1)
Social Class & Society	43	(1)
Alignment	44	(1)
Personality	44	(2)
Loyalties	44	(1)
Goals, Motives, and Dreams	45	(1)
Traits	45	(1)
Jealousies and Fears	46	(1)
Interests	46	(1)
Relationships	46	(1)
Secrets	47	(1)
Daily Life	47	(1)
Wealth	48	(1)
Equipment & Belongings	49	(1)
Sources Of Inspiration	49	(2)
Chapter 3: NPC Roleplaying	51	(31)
Bring Your Npcs To Life	52	(1)
The Pcs Have Entered The ...	52	(7)
What Is The Purpose Of The NPC?	52	(2)
All Creatures Seek Pleasure And Avoid Pain	54	(1)
Goals	55	(1)
Subtext	55	(2)
NPC Expectations	57	(1)
Quirks	57	(1)
NPC Moods	57	(1)
Roleplay The Weaknesses	57	(2)
How To Make Your NPCs Distinct	59	(1)
Acting Tips & Techniques	59	(6)
Body Language	59	(1)
Body Language Exercise	60	(1)
Create A Trigger	61	(1)
Be Aware Of The Scene	61	(1)
Make Eye Contact With Your Audience	62	(1)
The Fourth Wall	62	(1)
Use The Props	63	(1)
Remember Names	64	(1)
Practice Tricky Names And Phrases	64	(1)
Never Apologize	64	(1)
Make It Interactive	64	(1)
Be Yourself	64	(1)
What Are You Selling?	65	(1)
Voice Techniques & Tips	65	(3)
Learn The Best Way To Breathe	65	(1)
Avoid Upspeak	66	(1)
Avoid Fade-Out	66	(1)
Pronunciation And Crispness	66	(1)
Speak With Enthusiasm	67	(1)
Avoid Hesitation Words & Phrases	67	(1)
Quiet Speaking Forces Players To Listen	67	(1)
Parley Tips, Tactics & Strategies	68	(5)
Keep GM And NPC Information Separate	68	(1)
Know What Your NPC Wants From This Scene	69	(1)
A Game Within The Game	70	(1)
What Is The NPC's Leverage?	70	(1)
Questions = Control	71	(1)
He Who Speaks First Loses	71	(1)
Give PCs Choices, Not Ultimatums	72	(1)
Small-Talk Tips	72	(1)
GM Schizophrenia:	73	(2)
Why Do It At All?	73	(2)
He Who Runs Away Lives To Fight Another Day	75	(4)
Plan An Escape Route Before The Encounter Starts	75	(1)
Keep The Escape Option Open During Encounters	76	(1)
Crunch Some Numbers	76	(1)
Tweak The NPC For Chases	77	(1)
Don't Cheat the PCs	78	(1)
Finding Opportunities To Roleplay During Combat	79	(3)
Let The Participants Talk, Then Game	79	(1)
Insults And Challenges Always Work To Get Things Started	79	(1)
Actions Speak Louder Than Words	80	(1)
The Parting Shot	81	(1)
Do Not Abuse The Players' Trust	81	(1)
Look Out Behind You!	81	(1)
Chapter 4: Campaign Management	82	(23)
Organizing Your Npcs	83	(2)
Method Of Organization	83	(1)
Updating NPCs	84	(1)
Introducing Npcs	85	(4)
Introduce An NPC Before He Becomes Important	86	(1)
The Law Of Awe: Time Delay Introductions	87	(1)
Time Lapse Introductions	87	(1)
Introductions Are Important: Roleplay At Your Best	87	(1)
Focus On The Differences	87	(1)
Use Foreshadowing	88	(1)
Use Contrast	88	(1)
Introduce For Effect	89	(1)
When Pc & Npc Power Levels Differ	89	(4)
When NPCs Are Lower Level Than The PCs	90	(1)
When NPCs Are Higher Level Than The PCs	91	(2)
Tying Npcs To Your Campaign	93	(5)
Trendsetters And Trend Followers	94	(1)
Trend Followers	94	(1)
Trendsetters	94	(2)
NPC Knowledge	96	(2)
Creating Dynamic Npcs	98	(2)
A Note About NPC Deaths	99	(1)
Regional Changes Are Important Too	99	(1)
Organizing Updates Using The Charts	100	(1)
Character Cast Creation In 6 Steps	100	(5)
Why Create A Cast?	100	(1)
Step 1: Brainstorm A List Of NPCs	101	(1)
Step 2: Prioritize Your NPCs For Development	102	(1)
Step 3: Do A Quick Fly-By And Flesh Out Critical Details	103	(1)
Step 4: Budget Your Time	103	(1)
Step 5: NPC Development	104	(1)
Step 6: Re-Sort, Re-Write, And Maintain Your List	104	(1)
Chapter 5: NPC Archetypes	105	(23)
Craftsman	106	(2)
Free Versus Indentured	106	(1)
Employee Versus Business Person	106	(1)
Urban Versus Rural	107	(1)
Crafts Have Different Prestige	107	(1)
Consider Creating A Brand Name	107	(1)
Plot Hooks	108	(1)
Merchant	108	(2)
Merchants Are Real People Too	108	(1)
Recruiting	109	(1)
Consider Barter	109	(1)
Give Merchants High Standards	109	(1)
The Grey Market	109	(1)
Plot Hooks	110	(1)
Servant	110	(2)
Servant's Actually In Control	110	(1)
Use Monstrous Servants	110	(1)
A Little Something On The Side	111	(1)
How Well Do They Serve?	112	(1)
Plot Hooks	112	(1)
Upper Nobility	112	(3)
Make Them Traveling Companions	113	(1)
They Expect To Be Obeyed	113	(1)
Nobles Have The Most To Lose	114	(1)
Make Them Weak	114	(1)
Make Them New	114	(1)
Plot Hooks	115	(1)
Soldier	115	(2)
Being A Soldier Is Just A Job	115	(1)
Only A Few Soldiers Need Identities	115	(1)
Give Soldiers Name Tags	116	(1)
Use Good Tactics	116	(1)
Plot Hooks	116	(1)
Artist/Entertainer	117	(2)
A Surprise Double-Life	117	(1)
Have The Right Attitude	117	(1)
Creative People Are Unusual People	118	(1)
Create A Competitive Environment	118	(1)
Roleplay A Fraud	118	(1)
Plot Hooks	118	(1)
Politico/Minor Noble	119	(1)
Establish A System Of Favors	119	(1)
Marrying Upwards Is Key	120	(1)
Corrupt By Necessity	120	(1)
Plots Hooks	120	(1)
Guild Leader	120	(3)
UMC	121	(1)
Organization, Respect, Honor, Discipline	121	(1)
Recruitment	122	(1)
Earn Prestige	122	(1)
Create A Secret Service Or Society	122	(1)
Plot Hooks	122	(1)
Clergy	123	(2)
Not All Clergy Members Are Clerics	123	(1)
Skilled Members Of Society	124	(1)
Guardians Of Secret Knowledge	124	(1)
Source Of Information & Gossip	124	(1)
Plot Hooks	124	(1)
Beggar	125	(28)
Beggars Have Nothing To Lose	125	(1)
Some Beggars Are New	125	(1)
The Tale Is The Key	126	(1)
Beggars Go Where Few Others Will Travel	126	(1)
Plot Hooks	126	(2)
Chapter 6: Mini-Adventure	128	(25)
Chapter 7: Charts & Tables	153
Fantasy First Names	153	(3)
Modern First Names	156	(3)
Fun Last Name Generator	159	(3)
Phonetic Last Name Generator	162	(4)
Background	166	(5)
Appearance	171	(2)
Traits	173	(5)
Quirks	178	(6)
Secrets	184	(3)
Events	187	(3)
Story Roles vs. NPC Elements	190