NPC Creator’s Toolbox

The following pages present hundreds of options to help inspire or randomly generate interesting and nuanced nonplayer characters of all types, from simple townsfolk to stern guardsmen to notorious archvillains. GMs might use one or more of these tables to create interesting and realistic NPCs on the fly during a game or when looking for more ideas to flesh out a campaign’s major characters.

Table 4–1: NPC Backgrounds

d%	Background
1–3	Military veteran
4–6	Reformed criminal
7–9	Comes from a long line of tanners
10–12	Once owned an inn that was burnt down by bandits
13–15	Former alchemy lab assistant
16–18	Disgraced noble
19–21	Fought on losing side of civil war/revolution
22–24	Former prostitute
25–27	Refugee from land overrun by evil
28–30	Pious member of a notorious family
31–33	Ran away from a duel
34–36	Left at the altar
37–39	Criminal who retired after betraying rest of gang
40–42	Orphaned
43–45	Recovering addict
46–48	Childhood playmate of somebody important
49–51	Killed someone in self-defense
52–54	Escaped slave
55–56	Falsely convicted and then escaped from jail
57–58	Former indentured servant
59–60	Ran away as a youth and joined the circus
61–62	Abandoned spouse and children
63–64	Former sickly child who overcompensates as an adult
65–66	Failed priest
67–68	Failed merchant
69–70	Passed a guild test but too disillusioned to practice
71–72	Outwitted powerful monster
73–74	Practiced magic before a traumatizing accident
75–76	Died but came back through magic
77–78	Lost a magic item with potent abilities
79–80	Ran for office and suffered a humiliating defeat
81–82	Inadvertently saved the life of a future villain
83–84	Lost a spouse or child
85–86	Used to have to beg for food
87–88	Former artist suffering from a creative block
89–90	Raised by members of a different race
91–92	Former witch hunter
93–94	Pledged to keep a fantastic secret
95–96	Wanted for serious crime
97–98	Oppressed for race, sexuality, religion, etc.
99–100	Monster reincarnated as a human

Table 4–2: NPC Goals

d%	Goal
1–2	Get a good night’s sleep
3–4	Sire a child
5–6	Prove noble heritage
7–8	Visit the next village
9–10	Solve a mystery no one else really cares about
11–12	Earn enough money to retire
13–14	Climb a mountain
15–16	Get a different, and better, reputation
17–18	Make friends with the PCs
19–20	Erase past failures with a single dramatic act
21–22	Move out of parents’ house
23–24	Get in better shape and learn to fight
25–26	See the ocean
27–28	See a particular holy text, fresco, or building
29–30	Find a new home for a mistreated animal
31–32	Get into the history books
33–34	Return home despite obstacles
35–36	Overcome a significant personal vice
37–38	Get proof that the afterlife exists before dying
39–40	Travel
41–42	Get married
43–44	Humiliate a rival
45–46	Find a missing child
47–48	Learn to gamble
49–50	Carry on a family tradition, like enlisting in the army
51–52	Go on a pilgrimage
53–54	Marry a childhood sweetheart
55–56	Commit a holy text to memory
57–58	Complete some sort of creative work (write a play, carve a statue, etc.)
59–60	Find a better job
61–62	Avoid bankruptcy
63–64	Impress a disapproving parent
65–66	Impress a love interest
67–68	Achieve a higher social rank
69–70	Start own business
71–72	Help child get a good start in life
73–74	Become the recipient of an actual miracle
75–76	Redeem family name
77–78	Hunt and kill a particular sort of monster
79–80	Continue to live in family estate despite danger
81–82	Solve a murder
83–84	Cross an ocean
85–86	Discover the meaning of life
87–88	See an angel
89–90	Murder someone
91–92	Get cured of a disease or other affliction
93–94	Become a monster
95–96	Become a hero
97–98	Marry a prince/princess
99–100	Rule a country

Table 4–3: NPC PHYSICAL Characteristics

d%	Characteristic	d%	Characteristic	d%
1	Warts	26	Sweats a lot	52
2	Bad breath	27	Giggles	53
3	Big nose	28	Hobbles	54
4	Long fingers	29	Jolly looking	55
5	Stubby fingers	30	Cracks knuckles	56
6	Boils	31	Whistles when talking	57
7	Very clean	32	Cross-eyed	58
8	Very white teeth	33	Harelipped	59
9	Dazzling eyes	34	Rotten teeth	60
10	Sweet smile	35	Generally filthy	61
11	Beautiful curves/muscles	36	Tattoo	62
12	Dirty nails	37	Many tattoos	63
13	Dirty hands	38	Covered in tattoos	64
14	Calloused hands	39	One pierced ear	65
15	Eye patch	40	Pierced ears	66
16	Glass eye	41	Pierced nose	67
17	Glasses	42	Pierced lip	68
18	Enormous sideburns	43	Tribal scar on forearm	69
19	Yellow teeth	44	Winks a lot	70
20	Scratches a lot	45	Hacking cough	71
21	Sneezes a lot	46	Spits	72
22	Compulsive blinking	47	Dreadlocks	73
23	Bites nails	48	Different colored eyes	74
24	Obviously dyed/unnaturally	49	Missing teeth	75
	colored hair	50	Scarred	76
25	Avoids making eye contact	51	Twitches	77

Table 4–4: NPC Personality Characteristics

d%	Characteristic
1	Always agrees (but changes mind just as easily)
2	Asks how much everything costs
3	Likes to act mysteriously
4	Makes snap judgments about people or situations and tries to diminish any later evidence contradicting that first impression
5	Makes token bets about minor things
6	When talking to someone says that person’s name a lot
7	Haggles over everything
8	Brings own food and drink
9	Says everything in a profound way
10	Know-it-all
11	Polite, but calls attention to it with elaborate bows or other gestures
12	Constantly apologizes as a verbal tic
13	Makes lots of threats but swiftly backs down if challenged
14	Very mellow; advises people to take a philosophical approach to both success and failure
15	Says as little as possible
16	Snickers or laughs at the misfortune of others
17	Gives people nicknames or uses terms of endearment
Characteristic Laughs nervously Lisps Limps One eye Missing a finger Scarred face Picks teeth nervously No teeth No fingers on one hand Bald Comb-over bald patch Shaved head Curly hair Long hair Short hair Blonde hair Black hair Red hair Gray hair Big ears Fat Tall Thin Short Homely Handsome/beautiful d% Characteristic	d% 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100	Characteristic Moustache Beard Stubbly Obscenely fat Strangely tall Unusually short Double-chinned Thin-lipped Very hairy Eyebrows meet Wide mouthed Missing a hand Club-footed Missing a leg Missing an arm Horrible facial scars Clawed hands Webbed hands Scarred from pox Terrible facial disease Covered in cysts Covered in pustules Major deformity
18 Prays a lot
19 Gives people treats (cookies, candy, etc.)
20 Often appears surprised and slightly offended when spoken to
21 Tosses a coin to make decisions
22 Has a list of numbered rules or maxims covering different situations and quotes them when appropriate
23 Tells people the “real” reason they do things
24 Asks for advice or opinions about very unlikely situations
25 Speaks with great formality; never uses contractions and employs bigger words than necessary
26 Easily distracted by minor events in the area
27 Usually needs someone to explain a joke or metaphor
28 Has a particular core belief, potentially a rather odd one, and steadfastly looks at everything through the lens of that opinion
29 Likes to count things and have fun with numbers
30 Always tries to find a compromise
31 Always eating
32 Very bad liar
33 Asks rude questions without realizing they cause offense
34	Grumbles and complains about the difficulties involved in any requested activities
35	Very sensitive to criticism or conflict
36	Absent-minded
37	Blames trolls for every trouble he encounters
38	Intellectual bully
39	Makes allusions to events from history or mythology without bothering to explain them
40	Doesn’t kill insects or other pests, gently moves them out of the way instead
41	Sniffs or tastes things
42	Makes lists and checks things off
43	Cannot keep a secret
44	Seems slightly surprised whenever anyone else has a good idea or does something productive
45	Easily moved to tears
46	Easily angered
47	Terrified of disease and sick people
48	Has a stock phrase and an accompanying gesture
49	Habitually mumbles a word that rhymes with the final word other people speak before they pause
50	Delighted by puns and other sorts of word games
51	Makes animal noises when feeling threatened or excited
52	A connoisseur of fine food and drink who insists on lecturing about it
53	Very superstitious; insists on carrying out elaborate practices to attract good luck and avoid bad
54	Never turns down a dare or challenge
55	Never uses one word when ten will do
56	Propositions any even remotely attractive person encountered but makes panicked excuses should someone accept the offer
57	Always has a reason why something won’t work
58	Careless about possessions, spends lots of time searching for overlooked nearby objects
59	Tells boring stories about children or other beloved young people
60	Constantly suggesting ways to make activities more “fun” and “exciting”
61	Collects small, relatively worthless objects like spoons, salt shakers, or wine corks; enthusiastically inspects any encountered and extols their “unique” qualities
62	Dotes on an obnoxious pet
63	Ignores a loyal pet
64	Self-loathing to an almost violent degree
65	Occasionally chants annoying little rhymes
66	Acts like someone from a lower social class as a sign of solidarity but comes across as offensive instead
67	Openly scornful of organized religion and believes all gods are selfish liars
68	Gets angrier and more determined with each setback
69	Thinks most objects are magical wondrous items
	not in everyday life); often proposes horrific solutions to minor problems
71	Quietly makes personal sacrifices to help others, including forgoing meals, “losing” warm clothing, and repaying nonexistent loans
72	Suffering from some terminal illness
73	Name-drops constantly
74	Does a terrible job rather than refuse an unpleasant or unwanted task
75	Never tires of learning new and interesting bits of knowledge
76	Complains about smells no one else notices
77	Can’t stop drinking once starts
78	Trying to master some kind of performance skill like juggling or ventriloquism but not very good at it yet
79	Is a failed actor and blames everyone else for it
80	Has a seemingly endless font of gossip; never stops chattering about various rumors and scandals
81	Is a very distant noble and treats lower orders with disdain
82	Very cheerful; tries to raise downcast spirits with songs, jokes, and uplifting stories
83	Grows more and more relaxed the worse things get; conversely, on edge and nervous when things seem to go well
84	Carries around a notebook to write down important information but has trouble reading own handwriting
85	Makes up seemingly arbitrary rules of etiquette (“Redheads always sit on the left side of the table!”)
86	Avoids making any kind of physical contact; grows noticeably repulsed if touched and tries to clean self as soon as possible
87	Always tries to be the center of attention
88	Is a little unhinged when the moon is full
89	Questions others about their background in order to determine if they are “suitable”
90	From a place with different customs; often asks for explanations of everyday things
91	Very jealous and possessive about a particular object or person; tends to view others as rivals and treat them as such
92	Continually mentions a heroic battle he was in and how nothing else compares
93	Gives people little colored cards to represent the emotional state they are creating (blue for sad, red for angry, etc.)
94	Explains simple things that don’t need explanations
95	Wishes was a cat and seeks someone to polymorph him/her into one
96	Refers to self in third person
97	Has an imaginary ethereal friend
98	Has a habit of eating live insects without realizing it
99	Compulsively wipes or cleans things
100	Asks a kobold glove puppet its opinion at inopportune moments

70 Seems to lack a moral compass when making plans (though

Table 4–5: NPC Occupations

Acrobat	Chandler	Groom
Actor	Chaplain	Guard
Alchemist	Chimneysweep	Guide
Almoner	Chronicler	Haberdasher
Ambassador	Cleaner	Harlot
Animal Keeper	Clerk	Harpist
Animal Trainer	Clothier	Healer
Apothecary	Clothworker	Hedge-layer
Appraiser	Cobbler	Helmsman
Archer	Coffinmaker	Herald
Architect	Coin minter	Herbalist
Armorer	Composer	Hermit
Artillerist	Constable	Historian
Artist	Cook	Hornmaker
Assassin	Cooper	Hospitaler
Astrologer	Courier	Hunter
Bailiff	Courtesan	Infirmarer
Baker	Custodian	Innkeeper
Bandit	Deckhand	Interpreter
Banker	Diplomat	Jester
Barber	Doomsayer	Jeweler
Bard	Dowser	Judge
Barkeep	Dung Sweeper	Juggler
Barker	Dyer	Keeper
Barrister	Embalmer	Knight
Bearer	Engineer	Laborer
Beggar	Engraver	Lackey
Bishop	Entertainer	Lady in Waiting
Blacksmith	Executioner	Lamp Lighter
Boat Builder	Falconer	Launderer
Boatswain	Farmer	Leatherworker
Bookbinder	Farrier	Limner
Bouncer	Ferryman	Linkboy
Bounty Hunter	Fire Eater	Locksmith
Bowyer	Fisherman	Lookout
Brassworker	Fletcher	Madam
Mourner	Scaffolder
Mummer	Shepherd
Navigator	Sheriff
Nun	Shipwright
Nursemaid	Shoemaker
Oarsman	Siege Engineer
Officer	Sign Maker
Orator	Silversmith
Organist	Sineater
Ostler	Singer
Pack Handler	Skinner
Painter	Slaver
Parchmenter	Smith
Pardoner	Smuggler
Peddler	Soapmaker
Philosopher	Solicitor
Physician	Soldier
Pilot	Soothsayer
Pimp	Spy
Pitch Maker	Squire
Playwright	Stablehand
Poacher	Steward
Poet	Stonecarver
Porter	Stonemason
Potter	Storyteller
Precentor	Surgeon
Prelate	Swineherd
Priest	Tailor
Prostitute	Tanner
Puppeteer	Tax Collector
Quarryman	Taxidermist
Ranger	Teamster
Rat Catcher	Thatcher
Rent Collector	Tinker
Roofer	Tobacconist
Roustabout	Tool Maker
Magic Item Trader

Brewer	Footman
Bricklayer	Forester	Magistrate
Builder	Fortune Teller	Maid
Busker	Fowler	Masseuse
Butcher	Furrier	Master
Butler	Gaoler	Master-at-Arms
Candle Maker	Gamekeeper	Mercenary
Captain	Gardener	Mercer
Carpenter	Gatekeeper	Messenger
Carpet Weaver	Gemcutter	Midwife
Cartographer	Gentleman	Milkmaid
Cartwright	Glassblower	Miller
Cask Maker	Goldsmith	Miner
Castellan	Governess	Minstrel
Chamberlain	Gravedigger	Moneylender
Chambermaid	Grocer	Monk

Rope Maker	Torturer
Sacristan	Tradesman
Sage	Turner
Sail Maker	Valet
Sailor	Verderer
Sapper	Vicar
Scholar	Vintner
School Teacher	Wainwright
Scribe	Waller
Scrivener	Warrener
Scullery Maid	Watchman
Sculptor	Water Carrier
Scop	Weaver
Seer	Weaponsmith
Seneschal	Weapons Dealer
Servant	Wheelwright

Table 4–6: NPC Secrets

d%	Secret
1–2	Knows where a magic item is buried
3–4	Knows the best fishing spot
5–6	Knows who the murderer is
7–8	Is making liquor illegally
9–10	Knows why no one swims in the millpond anymore
11–12	Knows how to safely cook a poisonous fish
13–14	Is having an affair
15–16	Steals from his neighbors
17–18	Is a habitual liar
19–20	Is secretly related to another NPC
21–22	Knows what happened to all the rats
23–24	Is being blackmailed
25–26	Drinks heavily
27–28	Has a secret stash of funds
29–30	Is beaten by his/her spouse
31–32	Knows proper way to read a treasure map
33–34	Is an obsessive collector or hoarder
35–36	Beats offspring regularly
37–38	Is quietly religious
39–40	Knows location of a bandit hideout
41–42	Knows a particular monster’s favorite snack
43–44	Is a spy
45–46	Hears voices in the graveyard
47–48	Knows who really runs the neighborhood
49–50	Knows where to contact the fey
51–52	Is an assassin
53–54	Has a secret illness
55–56	Knows why no one in the village eats meat anymore
57–58	Knows how to get the oracle to answer truthfully
59–60	Engages in some deviant behavior
61–62	Knows command word for a magic item
63–64	Owes the local moneylender substantial funds
65–66	Worships an evil deity
67–68	Knows some local secret
69–70	Has a secret identity
71–72	Was a very different creature prior to reincarnation
73–74	Knows how to placate an angry ghost
75–76	Is a member of a secret local cult
77–78	Is wanted for a crime
79–80	Murdered spouse
81–82	Makes secret donations
83–84	Lost paladinhood due to cowardice
85–86	Is a paladin working undercover
87–88	Is the bastard child of a noble
89–90	Knows when the heir to the throne sneaks away to visit an attractive peasant
91–92	Is terrified of a particular monster type
93–94	Has some orc blood in their family
95–96	Has some troll blood in their family
97–98	Knows where the meteor landed
99–100	Knows someone is not what appears to be

Table 4–7: NPC Rewards for Heroic Deeds

d%	Reward
1–2	Wash or mend your clothes and equipment
3–4	Perform a skill check for you
5–6	Offer you a pet (dog, cat, pig, etc.)
7–8	Pray for you
9–10	Tend your mount
11–12	Pay for your lodgings
13–14	Buy you a small gift
15–16	Invite you to dinner
17–18	Sharpen your weapons
19–20	Gather supplies for you
21–22	Carry your belongings
23–24	Compose a poem praising your prowess
25–26	Compose a song praising your heroic qualities
27–28	Praise you loudly in public
29–30	Pay for your meals
31–32	Introduce you to a friend
33–34	Provide shelter
35–36	Write a letter or make some other sort of appeal to an authority figure on your behalf
37–38	Buy you a reasonable gift
39–40	Boycott one of your rivals or enemies
41–42	Look after your home while you are away
43–44	Provide you with an alibi
45–46	Carry a message for you
47–48	Follow someone for you
49–50	Loan you property
51–52	Call in an important favor and use it on your behalf
53–54	Cast a spell for you at no cost
55–56	Wait for a specific event and then light a signal fire
57–58	Organize a festival or other public event
59–60	Train an animal for you
61–62	Buy you a substantial gift
63–64	Become your friend
65–66	Sell you goods at a discount
67–68	Bury or hide something dangerous
69–70	Lie or cheat for you
71–72	Name a child after you
73–74	Start a fight for you
75–76	Publicly protest against a ruler or other powerful being
77–78	Sabotage a bridge, road, or something equally important
79–80	Raise a child or care for another relatively helpless creature
81–82	Spy on your behalf
83–84	Agree to work off a major debt that you cannot pay
85–86	Take the blame (and punishment) for a minor crime
87–88	Become your servant
89–90	Become your follower
91–92	Become your squire
93–94	Become your henchman/woman
95–96	Become your cohort
97–98	Offer the hand of a relative in marriage
99–100	Marry you

Table 4–8: Random Adventuring Party Name Generator

d%	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Roll on the first and third columns to create a suitable name, making additional rolls on any combination of other columns as desired. Column 5
1–2	Mighty	Ebon	Lions	Swords	and Slayers
3–4	Quiet	Black	Dragons	Spears	and Merciless Inquisitors
5–6	Valorous	Green	Giants	Weapons	and Vanquishers
7–8	Undaunted	Blue	Angels	Scythes	and Slaughterers
9–10	Questioning	Violet	Tigers	Halberds	and Talkers
11–12	Selfish	Shade	Wolves	Daggers	and Avengers
13–14	Foolhardy	Shadow	Wolverines	Blades	of Justice
15–16	Brave	Pearly	Warriors	Scimitars	and Revengers
17–18	Noble	Blood-red	Fools	Lancers	for the Victims
19–20	Questing	Crimson	Monsters	Archers	of the Vendetta
21–22	Great	Brown	Aberrations	Swordsmiths	of the Endless Feud
23–24	Ignoble	Ochre	Outsiders	Crossbowmen	and Vindicators
25–26	Pious	Bright	Revenants	Monster-Slayers	and Payers
27–28	Strong	Moonlight	Snakes	Invincibles	and Punishers
29–30	Studious	Shadowy	Rats	Thrusters	and Torturers
31–32	Incredible	Dusky	Mad Dogs	Stars	and Gloaters
33–34	Stout	Rainbow	Demons	Gorgers	and Sinners
35–36	Sturdy	Pitch	Devils	Puddings	of Unspeakable Terror
37–38	Unbreakable	Tar	Beasts	Bows	with the Witch-Hunters
39–40	Fearless	Coal	Savages	Flails	for the Pilgrims
41–42	Blinded	Nadir	Griffins	Axes	for the Glorious Masses
43–44	Fearsome	Mold	Banshees	Gauntlets	of Murderers
45–46	Potent	Jade	Wyverns	Oozes	and Gibbeters
47–48	Commanding	Sage	Carnivores	Spines	and Merciless Questioners
49–50	Superior	Amethyst	Vultures	Sticks	the Tools of the Gods
51–52	Impressive	Coral	Sharks	Biters	the Speakers of Truth
53–54	Meddling	Tiger Eye	Panthers	Fists	the Wayfinders
55–56	Lucky	Obsidian	Vipers	Staves	of the Path
57–58	Contagious	Mithral	Spiders	Pikes	of the Way
59–60	Loud	Gold	Trolls	Iron Maidens	of the Faith
61–62	Holy	Silver	Ogres	Racks	of the Spirit
63–64	Unholy	Platinum	Crows	Burning Torches	of the Day
65–66	Ascendant	Copper	Ravens	Hunters	of the Night
67–68	Gripping	Adamantine	Eagles	Tramplers	of Gods
69–70	Fascinating	Steel	Dogs	Wounders	in the Dark
71–72	Infectious	Iron	Scorpions	Smashers	in the Sunlight
73–74	Eminent	Forged	Octopuses	Breakers	in the Shadow of Angels
75–76	Grave	Snow	Krakens	Fire	from Outside Reality
77–78	Compelling	Dark	Apes	Smoke	with the Right
79–80	Hypnotic	Light	Bears	Flames	with Righteousness
81–82	Persuasive	Day	Boars	Clubs	with the Gods
83–84	Irresistible	Night	Crocodiles	Guisarmes	with the Moon
85–86	Alluring	Deep	Cats	Whips	with the Angels
87–88	Fascinating	High	Lizards	Tridents	by the Side of Heaven
89–90	Magnetic	Long	Hyenas	Javelins	by the Hand of the Gods
91–92	Predominant	Gray	Hornets	Warhammers	as Whispered to by Things from Beyond
93–94	Magic	Stone	Raptors	Slings	as Commanded
95–96	Reputable	Ultramarine	Toads	Saps	by Faith
97–98	Famous	Mauve	Weasels	Falchions	for Glory
99–100	Beautiful	White	Wasps	Nets	in Sureness