Are you creative?

[Bjarkmundur]

After my Magic Missile post I realized we have some really talented and creative people here, that apparently love tackling the occasional story writing challenge. If you like these creative miniatures storytelling exercises, here's maybe something you can help me out with.

I'm thinking about expanding my world on multiple different fronts, one of them being off-screen carousing. I'm want to use the Xanathar downtime suggestions, and allow a player to carouse to gain allied contacts and a possible favor / feature granted by their newly made friend. Can you guys help me create the NPCs, which lifestyle they fall into, and what kind of benefit they my provide a character? I'm thinking about having a few possible options for each lifestyle, which allows me to pull one out of a hat when needed. I'm thinking about tying some small background feature-like benefit to each NPC, to give the player an interesting way to benefit from his/her ally and use the connection during gameplay. We are playing in Waterdeep, but tie-in are not required, but this does allow me to use all the interesting factions.

[Fable Wright]

1. Low-Class: A strange golem-like creature that claims to have traveled to Faerun aboard a vessel that can travel worlds, before (and get this) he claims his ship was hijacked by Halaster Blackcloak himself. He now works on more terrestrial ships, but if you need something—he can get it for you. (The ability to get one item at standard price that otherwise wouldn't be available.)

2. Low-Class: A Ghostwise Halfling hired as a mascot of some kind; little did he know, the mascot outfit was cursed. He's now stuck in a piggy suit saving up for the cash needed to get the curse removed, but until then, he's a level 3 Valor Bard fond of the Help action. (You can contact him during downtime to get Bardic Inspiration right before attempting something in Waterdeep.)

3. Middle-Class: A bookish Gnommish historian who has spent the last century penning a biographical series—about one Wood Elf Archdruid, currently aged 6,843. A big part of the time taken is the need to establish historical context each time a civilization springs up and crashes around the druid. Who was in his second millenium of life before Netheril was founded. If you need to know something major that happened in the last, oh, 7000 years or so, he's your hookup.

4. Middle-Class: A young man with eyes filled with PTSD—he's the butler of an eccentric but wealthy lord, and the stories he can share all inevitably end in his horrible death. He can tell you about the time his oni to-be-girlfriend killed him after he quit his job; the time she was killed by a flying white whale; the time when his crush (a silver-haired half-elf) died, and the world was plunged into ice by her familiar. His stories clearly can't be trusted, but they can be remarkably prophetic. (Contact can provide a hint on one factor that is likely to kill a party member.)

5. High-Class: An illusion of a wealthy investment broker. He looks real. Sounds real. Smells real. Pays coin, and his drink goes somewhere, but your hand can go right through his chest and he wouldn't skip a beat. Rumor has it an illusionist uses him as a decoy, and provides an Unseen Servant to make him seem real as part of some form of elaborate con, but the illusion actually does manage a quite successful firm. (Contact can provide a loan to the party, which will need to be paid back with interest.)

[Bjarkmundur]

^This is amazing! I love the Gnome Druid!

The benefits are perfect and very thematic :D

[Maelynn]

Lower-class

Jamie is a little street rat who put his hands in the wrong pockets - yours. You grabbed his hand so fast that he froze in place, staring at you with eyes filled with a mixture of fear, awe, and desperation. When he begged you to not turn him in, because then they'd chop off one of his fingers, you gave it some thought. Eventually you told him that you'd let him go, if he promised to help you with some information if you ever needed it. Not for free, of course, you'd make sure to give him something for his trouble. At first he squinted at you with a look of distrust and slight disdain, but when you pulled a sweet roll out of your pack and handed it to him as a sign of good faith he decided you were true to your word.
Benefit: if you need information from the streets, he's your guy. Well, kid. It will cost you 1 sp, either in coins or in food, but he can tell you what you want to know. (DM decides the information, but it should be helpful in locating a building or a person within the city or figuring out who knows more about the stolen jewellery).

Bragnor hates you. Hates people like you. But what he hates more, is losing gold at Three Dragon Ante. That night when he made the mistake to bet more than he had, he noticed you standing behind his opponent. The almost imperceptible shake of your head was enough for him to turn the game to his advantage and win back what he almost lost. Once outside, he grabbed you by the arm - a bit more forceful than necessary, perhaps. Not that he cares. He just wanted you to know that he's now in your debt, and he hates being in a debt. Especially with people like you. So the sooner you cash in the favour, the happier he'll be.
Benefit: you can use Bragnor as a one-time aid. He'll either join in on a fight, as long as he knows time&place, or he'll intimidate someone who could cause you trouble to back the hell off.

Middle-class

Alani never really has issues with her customers, but the one time that someone brought an overly enthusiastic pup into her shop almost had disastrous consequences. Luckily, you were there to grab the overexited pup's tail to prevent it from swiping the shelf clean - only 2 potion vials had fallen victim, but you made sure there weren't any more. Or any expensive ones, for that matter. It's a good thing you happened to be there and were able to help the dog owner subdue his pup.
Benefit: you can buy basic potions at a 5% discount, and as a one-time aid she can help you obtain rare and hard to get potions/ingredients (no discount, just providing availability).

Merrin is proprietor of an inn that's part of a large chain of inns in various towns and cities. He almost wasn't, though. That night when the fire almost burnt down his entire establishment - or so he'd like to tell his patrons, anyway. Truth is that a pan caught fire in the kitchen, causing a teatowel nearby to cause a small fire. You saw the flames through the open door and immediately ran in with your cloak to put out the flames. Then all that was left was to calm down the panicked cook, and while you were soothing her Merrin hurried in to ask what the hell was going on. The cook described how you heroically saved her life from this amazing fire that was about to destroy the kitchen - and how knows how much more! Genuinely impressed, Merrin insisted you were somehow repaid for your heroic deed. He handed you a letter by his own hand, saying that the bearer of this letter was entitled to 1 free meal at any <name of chain> inn that he paid lodgings for.
Benefit: if the inn the character is going to spend the night is part of the <name of chain> chain of inns, then he gets a free meal if he pays for his lodgings - provided he shows the letter as proof.

Upper-class

Lady Berillo is the wife of a wealthy art trader and gallery entrepeneur. She also has a daughter, a little girl named Senna who is not really known for her skills in Perception. And you were one of the lucky people to experience that first-hand, as you were walking down the street one day and saw a panicked horse gallop down the street... heading straight for a little girl who was following a bright yellow butterfly. Without a moment to think, you launched yourself at the little girl and both of you rolled to the other side of the street. To you it was just a random good deed, but Lady Berillo didn't rest until she had found you and gave you 50 gp for saving her daughter.
Benefit: if setting lacks it, she is a guaranteed buyer for valuable object found as loot. She may also, at the DM's discretion, pay a little bit more than face value.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Mikkel was a street urchin who offered to shine your shoes for a copper piece. You wouldn't normally make use of such a service, but you were drunk at the time and decided to humour him. By the time he was finished, your shoes had never been so shiny! Thoroughly impressed and still quite drunk, you recommended him to several of your acquaintances, who recommended him to their acquaintances and so on. Thanks to this, he was able to secure a position as a page boy to one of the masked lords, and will be forever in your debt.
Benefit: Mikkel is always happy to let you slip unseen into his employer's house through the servants' door. Could be useful for all sorts of reasons.

Jennie is a shop assistant by day, but her real passion is darts, in which she is regionally competitive. She witnessed you throwing a couple of impressive games while you were carousing one night, and has been trying to persuade you to join her team ever since.
Benefit: you can count on her to buy you a drink whenever you run into her at a tavern. As a one-off if you agree to play on her team at least once, she will teach you some tricks that improve your darts skills.

Purgis Hammerhand is a dwarven stonemason who specialises in decorative carvings and sculptures. You saw him fall from a ladder while working on a building and managed to save him with your <quick reflexes/healing abilities/feather fall spell>. He owes you his life and he'll find a way to pay you back if at all possible.
Benefit: Purgis is knowledgeable about the history of architecture, if you ever need an expert on the subject but, possibly more useful to you, he also has an amazing ability to tell which gargoyles are alive and which are just sculptures just by looking at them. He'd even be willing to take a few days off work to travel with you and point out gargoyle-based danger.

Deidre the Mad is an old halfling woman who is widely regarded as insane. She's always doing strange things, muttering about 'voices in the deep', and tying strands of seaweed into her hair. While volunteering at the temple of your chosen deity, you got into a long, confusing and inconclusive theological argument with Deidre. Since then, Deidre has come to believe that you need her help to understand something, so she keeps appearing wherever you go, rambling her mad nonsense.
Benefit: Deidre may be mad, but so are some of the villains you will have to fight. If you come across a riddle or puzzle that no rational mind could possible solve, you could try asking Deidre. She might just see right through it.

[Great Dragon]

Here are my attempts:


Low Class

Brian is the quintessential Halfling Privateer.
His friendship with (most) ship captains, and knowledge of how to run a ship, gets him anywhere the sea touches the shore.

Benefit: Cheap passage on any non-military ship.


Middle Class

Francisca Markun is the gal you want to know.
Because she knows everyone in the "business".
You know - the type that everyone avoids talking about?

Benefit: Need a new Identity?
Need connections because you're new in town?
Don't wanna pay Union/Guild Dues, but still work your "trade"?
Fran's got your back - for a few favors, of course.


Upper Class

Myl'Rezaq the Unexpected Guest.
This Far Traveler is a male V-Human (Prodigy: Persuasion) 15th level Illusionist Wizard, that usually hides how powerful he really is.

Myl is a friendly type that loves to invite himself to any interesting gathering, from the Adventuring Party in a Dungeon to the King's private (invitation only) ball. Myl prides himself on never resorting to any Charm related spells, and actually has the ability to detect and discern magical effects on people; Myl will immediately Dispel any Charm/Suggestion/Dominate and Hold spells affecting someone.

Benefit: Myl is your ticket into private parties, regardless of Social Status, and even into Race-exclusive events: From Dwarven Feast Hall to Drow Slumber Party. Myl can also be a quick ticket out of an otherwise unpleasant Encounter.
Just don't abuse the service.


Nobilty Class

Prince Delber is a young and reckless type.
Not at all content to simply sit by and maintain the status quo, He seeks to improve the lives of all the people in his kingdom. Never to the point of outright rebellion, this prince wants the revolution to still remember and respect the Traditional Values.

Benefit: The Prince can get you a meeting with anyone of Noble or Upper Class Status.
Meeting any of the Royal Family needs must first earn his trust, since he is very protective of them.

[Sparky McDibben]

Astrananikazi

Any class

Description: This high elf has curious, copper-colored eyes, a deeply bronzed tan, and one helluva a sense of humor. That's because she's actually a polymorphed young bronze dragon (a fact she will never, ever disclose to the players) out experiencing life before she settles down and builds her hoard. Prankster characters or characters who have great stories to tell will get on her good side.

Benefit: Astrananikazi is a great person to go to for that obscure bit of lore or the riddle you just can't crack. Even if she can't solve the problem, she's been alive for 500 years. She knows some people, and she can figure it out if you give her a week.


Iaconicum

Middle class

Description: Iaconicum is a tall young man who prefers plain, dark clothing and speaks with absolute certainty common to fanatics everywhere. Iaconicum is a devotee of the dark [god of evil, slavery, what-have-you] and seeks to establish a cult. Thing is, he knows the city authorities won't allow him to set up shop, so now he's trying to do good in the city without disobeying his god. If the PCs can do some good and let Iaconicum take the credit, he can identify magic items (either at a reduced rate or for free, depending on your campaign), trade cleric spells of 1st to 3rd level, or even use a few of his cultists (once he has them) to help the PCs. Just make sure you don't get them killed. Sorry, that one might be more of a plot hook than a contact.

[Ninja_Prawn]

How about a cameo appearance from a PC in another game?

Kyu Sweetbreeze is a pixie who wants to travel the world. She's in Waterdeep to see the sights, but when she overheard you casually say a sentence including the phrase "...I wish...", she became obsessed with granting 3 wishes for you. Unfortunately, she's only a 5th level wild magic sorcerer so her wish-granting powers are somewhat limited. <character sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=653553)>
Benefit: you can ask Kyu for anything you want, by phrasing it as a 'wish'. You have 2 wishes left (one happened off-screen during the downtime). However, Kyu will actively try to twist, misinterpret or delay the granting of wishes that are outside of her power to grant, and makes no apology if a wild magic surge causes a wish to go wrong. She also follows you around, which is kind of annoying.

[Phhase]

Kl'K (As best you can tell-it might've just been a stutter)

This rusty cast iron construct look truly ancient. He is humanoid, spindly, and wrapped in a great big beige cloak and hood. His voice is a quiet, whispery buzz. His seven eyelights shine a dim red.

When you tripped over some bit of metal sticking out of an alley, it was Kl'K that you tripped over. Turns out, there was a construct of some sort lying there, wrapped and hooded, seemingly a dead beggar. However, you noticed some sparks coming from a rusted hole in the iron of his neck, and upon reconnecting the wire, he awakened again. Kl'K immediately thanked you, and asked how he could repay, for he owned nothing. However, despite having never met him before, he knew your name. When asked how, he pointed at a point in space near your face, saying "It is written, right there. Just as the angle of your sword's edge is, or the magic of your <unidentified item you are carrying>."

Simply by casting his eyelights upon an item, Kl'K can identify the magic of any item (in uncannily fine detail) that you bring him, and knows almost everyone in the city's names. That is, if you can find him again. He asks for no pay, but very much appreciates and will always repay any freely given aid.

[Laserlight]

Mathieu Thistlehunter can pick up a plow horse and carry him to the next village. He's friendly, honest, and reliable, perhaps a bit simple, but wise enough and more perceptive than most people expect a mud-footed country bumpkin to be. He won't do anything obviously criminal, but if it's not more than a little dubious, and if you need muscle behind you, he's a good choice.

Most people agree that Alain Candlemas has read far, far more than was good for him. If you ask him about anything that's ever made it into a book, he's likely to be able to tell you the answer. He's also likely to tell you, with boundless enthusiasm, about the anatomy of squid, a bit about how to remove a cataract from an eye, that purple dye is made from crushed shellfish, and the way the ancients built their roads. Without pausing for breath. Look for the tall, skinny redhead who obviously doesn't own a hairbrush or a mirror, wearing mismatched clothes. He's usually in a library or his workshop.

Connall deGrey is a wealthy merchant with an estranged wife. He knows many of the city's courtesans, escorts, and call girls, is on good terms with most of those, and is well regarded by them. If you need information, a discreet way to get into gardens and mansions, or a place to lay low, deGrey can find out. However, if you hurt or harass one of his friends, he'll find a way to make you regret it--and he probably knows the law, the judges and the town guard much better than you do.

[Tawmis]

Morobunce: This is a Halfling Rogue, who got a little too curious. A human wizard had spotted that a halfling had been tailing him, and assumed it might be a rogue, considering how intensely the halfling had been following him. The human wizard guessed the halfling rogue was looking to make a quick score of something magical from the wizard. The wizard ducked into a tavern where he sat at a table, and as he had suspected, the halfling rogue followed him in. The wizard pretended to stretch and take off the rings from his Summer swollen fingers and laid one ring (or appeared to) at the edge of the table. The halfling rogue bumped into someone so they collided with the table in a manner that allowed the halfling to grab the ring as it fell from the table. The wizard smiled as he watched the halfling pocket the ring and leave. Only to hear the halfling scream a moment later - as it turns out - it's a Cursed Ring of Blinking. But the Blinks are random, and only a distance of 1 to 6 feet (1d6 in a 1d6 direction [N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW]). Now Morobunce, the cursed blinking halfling is asking for someone to find a way to get this removed from his finger (without going as far as cutting his finger) - though he's getting close to that, because the random blinking happens every 1 to 4 minutes (1d4), so there's been times he's blinked out of the tub, or away from the dinner table.

[LaserFace]

After my Magic Missile post I realized we have some really talented and creative people here, that apparently love tackling the occasional story writing challenge. If you like these creative miniatures storytelling exercises, here's maybe something you can help me out with.

I'm thinking about expanding my world on multiple different fronts, one of them being off-screen carousing. I'm want to use the Xanathar downtime suggestions, and allow a player to carouse to gain allied contacts and a possible favor / feature granted by their newly made friend. Can you guys help me create the NPCs, which lifestyle they fall into, and what kind of benefit they my provide a character? I'm thinking about having a few possible options for each lifestyle, which allows me to pull one out of a hat when needed. I'm thinking about tying some small background feature-like benefit to each NPC, to give the player an interesting way to benefit from his/her ally and use the connection during gameplay. We are playing in Waterdeep, but tie-in are not required, but this does allow me to use all the interesting factions.

I would sooner suggest you rely on a random generation tool. The DMG even has good resources for this stuff. Outsourcing for other people to figure this stuff out for you isn't going to make you any better at it; forcing yourself to come up with something workable with the challenging, potentially even contradictory results that come with dice rolls will probably go a long way to helping you make memorable material, which over time will only become easier the more you do it.

Also, while you're obviously not forcing anyone to participate, I think there's something distasteful about asking a forum to make your game material for you on this scale.

[Tawmis]

I would sooner suggest you rely on a random generation tool. The DMG even has good resources for this stuff. Outsourcing for other people to figure this stuff out for you isn't going to make you any better at it; forcing yourself to come up with something workable with the challenging, potentially even contradictory results that come with dice rolls will probably go a long way to helping you make memorable material, which over time will only become easier the more you do it.

Also, while you're obviously not forcing anyone to participate, I think there's something distasteful about asking a forum to make your game material for you on this scale.

I am not sure I agree (which is fine, we can all have different opinions).
To me, asking a forum here - especially when, as they said there's some people here who REALLY know the game inside and out and are "really talented."

Why would you not ask for help from a pool of people? Especially if they're willing?

Do you think it's distasteful when someone uses RISE OF THE DRAGONS, STORM KING'S THUNDER, PRINCE OF DEMONS or any other pre-generated modules? Or any of the resources on that DMGuild site? Are those that use that... any less talented? Is it because it's not going to make them better, and they can't do it themselves?

I'd hardly think so - so I am not sure how proposing to a forum of willing participates, who might enjoy creating such ideas for others - is any different than using an existing module.

So I am not saying you're wrong (to be clear) - I am just saying I don't see a difference between existing modules vs just asking forum folks to help add life to a campaign.

[Agent-KI7KO]

Low Class
Anya Kess is a half-elf orphan shepherd who worked hard and now owns her own flock. During the weekends she brings her prized ram “Jet” to town where she sings, dances, and tells stories of myths, legends, fairy tales, and gossip. Buy her a drink and she will hook you up with rumours worth investigating.

Middle class:
Maybelline O’Nays is a seasonal Eladrin who claims to be many things: Once human, a scholar, illegal librarian, banned bagpipe player, story trader, etc.
Though her clothes are well kept and impeccable, she has messy hair, dark circles around her eyes, and if her mailman’s bag had any sentience it would be crying from being overstuffed. If you need a book that was written a long time ago, a book that was never written, or a book that hasn’t been written yet, May can find it in a few days... for the price of a rare magical item... she needs it for her thesis, not because she’s greedy.

High class:
Truce De’Claired is always very well dressed. Though she isn’t a Noble, she knows her way around them, she knows politics, she is extremely aware of the going-ons in the kingdom, and she knows bureaucracy better than she knows the back of her own hand, though to be fair it’s always gloved.
If you need to see an authority figure or need an official document, she can get it faster than anyone else if you can explain your case to her and it aligns with her goals (for the good of the common people). You may have to protect her from potential assassination attempts though, she has many enemies.

[Tawmis]

Barek Twotone: He's the half-elf bard that sings on the corner - sounds extremely drunk, as most of his words are slurred. If he spots a well equipped party, he will drunkingly follow them; and tell them of all his wonderful feats (Oh, yes! Oh, how I remember that fight with that Hill Giant! The odor alone defeated the King's army - but I had the fortitude to press on! A good shot with a dagger to the privates convinced that smelly beast to cease his attacks on the local farmers!). The catch is - Barek isn't the least bit drunk - but his high Performance skill, he's certainly mastered it (and it'd take a Perception of DC 16 to notice this!) as all being an act. As he drunkingly follows and stumbles into people (and perhaps the party members), he's also pickpocketing those he runs into. (He may end up pick pocketing something that's of value to the party - and either get caught immediately - at which point, he will give a sob story, "Never knew my mother... Never had a mother to show me love... really messed me up... led to excessive drinking ... and as you can see, me stealing to pay for my drinking addiction!") or it may be noticed later - where the party will suddenly remember that bard - and now need to go find him. Which won't be difficult... he's loud (and "drunk"). But does he still have what he took from the party? Or has he sold it? Talking to him may lead to all the answers.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Also, while you're obviously not forcing anyone to participate, I think there's something distasteful about asking a forum to make your game material for you on this scale.

As far as I'm concerned, writing up random NPCs is a fun creative exercise that costs me nothing. Besides, there's nothing to stop anyone else in this thread borrowing any NPC here that takes their fancy!

Kifna Crystalcave is a dwarf who left the mountains in order to persue a career in fashion. It took a few hundred years to break through, but through great patience and industry, she established a reputation for reliable quality a clever blend of style and practicality. Kifna now counts half of Waterdeep's nobility among her clientele, so she's doing quite well for herself. She actually sought you out thanks to your (minor) fame as a hunter and slayer of monsters - she wants some rare monster skins to make into clothes for next season and she thinks you could be useful as a supplier.
Benefit: Kifna will pay good money (maybe above market rates, given how profitable her business is) for any monster skins you can bring her and, as an added extra, she'll make you one item of clothing per season for free as long as you bring her at least 5 skins.

[AdAstra]

Danika Marlowe-Upper Class- The brains behind the King's menagerie, this half-elf has heard of every creature on the Material Plane and then some, but to fulfill her duties, she needs specimens and artifacts. She can provide compensation for parts from rare and exotic monsters to add to the menagerie, and may occasionally post bounties to capture certain creatures alive. In addition to having the ear of the King and some favors to call in from the local nobility, she can provide information and stories she's gathered on countless different beastly foes the players have encountered or are looking for, though as her sources are rarely thorough, the information she can provide might be incomplete or wrong, depending on a roll of the dice. Her son/wife/third cousin, a plane-hopping big game hunter, went missing three years ago, a potential quest hook for the players to divert themselves on if they want to get a little mileage out of Plane Shift.

Coriolis-Not really any class- A towering war golem built as a vanity project by a fabled SORCERER KING, so large that he sank into the ground, immobilized by his immense bulk. Now he mostly serves as a glorified statue in the town square, providing advice as well as shooting down the occasional hungry-looking dragon with his colossal, enchanted Farsight bow. His body is adorned with the brightly-colored chalk drawings of local children, something he treasures dearly. He loves hearing stories of the battles he was never able to partake in, and if sufficiently entertained, may lend his services to the party. In addition to the town being under his considerable protection, the party may acquire special Tracer Arrows/Darts (either provided by Coriolis himself or forged by a local spellsmith, whichever you feel makes more sense).
Upon using a Tracer projectile, Coriolis looses an arrow from his Farsight bow, which arrives at the Tracer's location at the start of the attacker's next turn. When it arrives, any target hit by the Tracer must make a Dexterity Saving throw or take 6d12 (or however much damage you feel is appropriate for an arrow the size of a pike) magical piercing damage, or half as much on a successful save. The arrow can pierce through most cover, including structures, but being deep underground or on other planes can stop it from reaching its target.
Quest-hook: Coriolis has heard rumors from travelers that the SORCERER KING may still enact his mad tyranny elsewhere. Dispatching this threat, harrowing though it may be, would be a great weight off his shoulders and a service to the world at large.

[LaserFace]

I am not sure I agree (which is fine, we can all have different opinions).
To me, asking a forum here - especially when, as they said there's some people here who REALLY know the game inside and out and are "really talented."

Why would you not ask for help from a pool of people? Especially if they're willing?

Do you think it's distasteful when someone uses RISE OF THE DRAGONS, STORM KING'S THUNDER, PRINCE OF DEMONS or any other pre-generated modules? Or any of the resources on that DMGuild site? Are those that use that... any less talented? Is it because it's not going to make them better, and they can't do it themselves?

I'd hardly think so - so I am not sure how proposing to a forum of willing participates, who might enjoy creating such ideas for others - is any different than using an existing module.

So I am not saying you're wrong (to be clear) - I am just saying I don't see a difference between existing modules vs just asking forum folks to help add life to a campaign.

Asking for help from people is absolutely cool. Using modules you pay for is also cool. I'm just saying, it's rather easy for me to pop onto a forum, throw out some platitudes about how great everyone is, and then scoop up all the work they do on my behalf.

Additionally:

As far as I'm concerned, writing up random NPCs is a fun creative exercise that costs me nothing. Besides, there's nothing to stop anyone else in this thread borrowing any NPC here that takes their fancy!

It is a fun creative exercise. It's certainly generous to do it on behalf of another person; I just wonder if OP should be making these kinds of requests? Like, are they just gonna jam this stuff into their game and pass it off as their own? Will their players understand the forum did the bulk of the work, not their DM? Why should we be invested in helping this person, who to my knowledge hasn't demonstrated willingness to work on it themselves? Will that suit their play-group in the long run?

I think a more productive and useful way to approach this is to invite the forum to create a new thread, pin it, and use it as resource for the forum to draw from as a whole, with the understanding that yeah, this is a tool to help struggling DMs, not some random dude with one specific campaign. We could even sort NPC archetypes by spoilers tags, etc, maybe include a section about general advice and tips on how to alter characteristics to suit a variety of campaigns.

[NRSASD]

Asking for help from people is absolutely cool. Using modules you pay for is also cool. I'm just saying, it's rather easy for me to pop onto a forum, throw out some platitudes about how great everyone is, and then scoop up all the work they do on my behalf.

If the OP was going to repackage it and sell the ideas for cash, sure, I'd agree.



It is a fun creative exercise. It's certainly generous to do it on behalf of another person; I just wonder if OP should be making these kinds of requests? Like, are they just gonna jam this stuff into their game and pass it off as their own? Will their players understand the forum did the bulk of the work, not their DM? Why should we be invested in helping this person, who to my knowledge hasn't demonstrated willingness to work on it themselves? Will that suit their play-group in the long run?

I view it as more of a communal sharing program. I occasionally ask the forum for assistance with my specific campaign. I occasionally render assistance for others' specific campaigns. Sometimes, it's useful. Sometimes, it isn't.

Honestly, if someone takes my idea off the forum and uses it in their game, that is the highest possible praise. I'd love it if they told me they did that; it'd be nice if the forum got a shout out in their game, but certainly not required.



I think a more productive and useful way to approach this is to invite the forum to create a new thread, pin it, and use it as resource for the forum to draw from as a whole, with the understanding that yeah, this is a tool to help struggling DMs, not some random dude with one specific campaign. We could even sort NPC archetypes by spoilers tags, etc, maybe include a section about general advice and tips on how to alter characteristics to suit a variety of campaigns.

Great idea! Get right on that and we may turn up to help populate it. In the meantime...

Katia Managan: Lower Class. Arcane Trickster. During a long night of serious partying, you hear a small voice calling out for help from within a nearby well. A tawny tabaxi woman in light armor, covered in small cuts and with a wounded eye, appears to be clinging on for dear life to the well's rope. After fishing her out, she thanks you profusely and introduces herself as Katia Managan, general lowlife, wannabe wizard, and Faerun's most f***ing f***up that's ever lived. She feels she owes you one, and while she can't do much, she's willing to try.
Benefit: If you ever need a diversion to draw the attention of the City Watch, (or anyone else), Katia is your girl. Granted, you might need to rescue her again due to that potent cocktail of poor decisions and impossibly bad luck that she can never, ever shake, but A+ for effort on her part.
Prequel: Making a Cat Cry. (https://www.prequeladventure.com/2011/03/prequel-begin/) Seriously, it's an awesome webcomic. Give it a read! PG13 for alcoholism, censored nudity, swearing.

[Great Dragon]

I've gotten great Ideas and suggestions from the fine Folk here, with Segev changing quite a bit for the Outer Planes in my games;
and I've dropped my 2cp from time to time.


And
I'm always making references to the Site with my Players.


****
"Here I come to save the..... PCs!!"
This Arcane Cleric seems to be insane.

Dressed in a skin-tight one-zy of bright (possibly clashing) colors and a piece of dark cloth with holes covering their eyes (which never seems to keep their Identity secret!) S/he joyfully flies (sometimes litterally) into any dangerous situation to offer aid. All rewards are refused with the statement "just doing my Civic Duty, citizen"
But, exchanging Favors is acceptable.
********. **********. *********
This individual has the following Background features:

Multiple Identities: mostly for when they aren't rescuing People from (un)natural disasters, this can be changed as often as needed. Changing the "Superhero" identity is a little trickier, but possible.

Contacts: The Superhero just always seem to know who to ask for that important information or needed skill.
*******. **********. *********
Unknown to all, the suit is actually Legendary Glamered Plate Armor (Attunement, looks and wears like cloth, while granting full AC 18) that might also have some magical Protection Abilities upon it.

Add spellcasting for Superpowers....
Shinagines!!!

[Ronnocius]

If you wanted to include a side quest from the player's carousing, here's an idea.

Darren Wynd is a merchant or minor nobleman who spends a lot of time frequenting the city's taverns and brothels. He is very wealthy and has an easygoing, charming personality. The character who is carousing quickly becomes his acquaintance and over time they become friends.

A few months later after the character has earned Darren's trust he invited him (and possibly the rest of the party, so they aren't left out) to a special hunt in the countryside (cliched I know, but hey). It turns out Darren's thugs kidnap rival merchants for him and they bring them to his rural estate where they are beaten and humiliated before being hunted by Darren and his minions. For a dark turn, they could cannibalize their victims. Anyways, the character will probably have to choose between participating in the evil hunt or stopping his friend.

If you have a villain that would fit, he could have been Darren's mentor or boss, with Darren acting as a spy within the city or something along those lines.

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, I'm not very familiar with Forgotten Realms or Xanathar's Guide to Everything.

[Ninja_Prawn]

...kidnap rival merchants for him and they bring them to his rural estate where they are beaten and humiliated before being hunted by Darren and his minions. For a dark turn, they could...

:eek:

As for XGtE, it's basically got some tables to roll on to represent the outcomes from a week of carousing. You pick whether you want to hang out with lower, middle or upper class people, and have to spend an amount of money (presumably to pay for booze) that is proportional to the exclusiveness of your company. Then you roll to see how many allied/hostile contacts you make (and possibly roll for 'complications').


Lower-class contacts include criminals, laborers, mercenaries, the town guard, and any other folk who normally frequent the cheapest taverns in town.

Middle-class contacts include guild members, spellcasters, town officials, and other folk who frequent well-kept establishments.

Upper-class contacts are nobles and their personal servants. Carousing with such folk covers formal banquets, state dinners, and the like.

[Bjarkmundur]

Mwuahahah! You have all fallen for my EVIL scheme! I will now take your words and sell across the globe at premium prices! I will make millions, I tell you, MILLIONS!

Seriously, I was not expecting this level of participation :x I mostly just expected Tawmis and MoG to take over this thread within a tenday xD

I love all of your ideas, and I really feel like this thread and a couple of others posted last week, have resulted in a resurgence of story-based discussions on the forums. I remember not long ago every thread her was just CharOP, so if anything I'm really glad to have been able to help showcase how the forums can just as be a creative outlet as it can be a way to ask for rule clarifications and build advice.

I know if any of the amazing stories on this thread will ever be used in a game, the creator will recieve a PM. I personally can't imagine how happy I'd be if someone told me what I created was being used to entertain a group of friends somewhere on the other side of the globe. I might even take your suggestion and try to come up with a couple of NPCs on my own. I have read all your stories and you have really helped me understand what makes a good NPC contact, which is something I lacked before this thread.

You guys are all amazing, and I really hope this thread will get pinned as a resource for all of us to enjoy. <3

[NRSASD]

You guys are all amazing, and I really hope this thread will get pinned as a resource for all of us to enjoy. <3

Glad this is useful for you! As others have mentioned, this is a lot of fun to create. Speaking of which, here's some more!

Inda Os'Pital: Middle Class. Life Cleric. In one of the more respectable but less social dives dedicated to serious dwarven liquor, you meet a stunningly beautiful wood elf clad in bloodstained chainmail emblazoned with a rod of Asclepius (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Esclapius_stick.svg/320px-Esclapius_stick.svg.png). She seems to be determined to drink herself under the table, but when she thinks you aren't looking she's having a furious, one-sided whispered conversation with something called a "Whippletree".
If you try to strike up a conversation with her, she'll happily regale you with horrific stories of vampire and demon inflicted battlefield injuries and all the crazy treatments she had to implement. She introduces herself as "Dr. Os'Pital, battlefield surgeon" with a quick, angry glare at the ceiling, daring it to contradict her.
If a cleric is in the group or you manage to get her very drunk (not easy!), she'll mutter about how she was perfectly happy as a medic until Whippletree came along. Whippletree is a baby god apparently, was looking for a prophet, and turned her into a cleric; causing her to lose her job with the Dwarven military and be honorably discharged because, frankly, they didn't know what to do with her.
After a long life of adventuring, she's given up the life of a wandering vagabond to open her own medical center where science, not magic, saves lives. Also, she's looking into how to cure/prevent lycanthropy and/or STDs. No reason.
Benefits: If you ever need medical assistance, she'll be glad to take you in and operate on you. While quite intimidating and frequently alarmingly drunk, Inda knows her stuff and will patch you up quickly, professionally, and cheaply. If you happen to have lycanthropy or other magical diseases, she's a great source of information; she might ask you to field trial some experimental treatments in exchange though.

Reccar: Lower Class. Monk of the Open Hand. Reccar's Yum Yum Hut, the hottest new eatery in town, serves only the finest in delicious, unidentifiable fried... food? Staffed by a swarm of street urchins, the chef is none other than the bugbear himself, Reccar. Cheerfully stirring a giant pot of something with an oversized spoon the entire time, his alarmingly green eyes, bulging muscles, and unnervingly large fanged smile may put some on edge, but he is all heart beneath his terrifying exterior.
Benefits: He is more than happy to buy the... odder parts of any monsters the party kills, and may even contract the party to bring some choice bits back. Besides that, he's a great source of rumors as everyone (and I mean everyone, noble, thieves' guild, and doppleganger alike), are interested in his supernaturally good food.

Use these two with care; they're both PCs from my campaigns that have lived long enough to retire!

[KorvinStarmast]

Astrananikazi

That's because she's actually a polymorphed adult bronze dragon Fixed that for you. Check young dragon stat block. Change shape does not arrive until "adult" dragon. (love your idea, though). :smallsmile:

---------------------------------

A middle class contact

Duvran Silvertone

While carousing an a tavern, you encounter an amicable singer / songwriter / troubador whose show you went to. He sings some songs and chants a capella, does some solo instrumentals (lute), and also plays lute while singing. You bought him a few drinks after the show and you two became friendly. He has a knack for finding things out when he has a little time to scout around and ask around. He seems to be able to talk people in to doing him small favors. He has a way with animals that is uncanny, almost like he can talk to them, and learn things from them.

=========================

While his public appearance is that of a bard or troubador, Duvran is in fact a Warlock, half elf, archfey, pact of the chain. His sprite familiar is a capable invisible spy/scout/observer.

Archfey Warlock, Pact of the Chain
Du'Vran (half elf)
S 12 D 14 C 14 I 12 W 14 Ch 18

Background: Entertainer (Voice, Poetry, and Instrument Routines)
Skill Proficiencies: (Class) Deception, Investigation; (Entertainer) Acrobatics, Performance; (Half Elf) Stealth, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit, Lute
Feature: Back by popular demand
Languages: Elvish, Common, Celestial
Fey Ancestry: Adv versus being charmed, can't be put to sleep magically. Darkvision 60'
Cantrips: Mage Hand, Eldritch Blast
Invocations: Agonizing Blast, Beast Speech
Level 1 spells known: Hex, Armor of Agythys, Faerie Fire
Level 2: Hold Person then flesh out the rest to taste)

[Maelynn]

it's rather easy for me to pop onto a forum, throw out some platitudes about how great everyone is, and then scoop up all the work they do on my behalf.

I think 'easy' is rather subjective in this case. Someone could be struggling with creating NPCs, where someone else can roll them out like a conveyor belt. You already concurred that he isn't forcing anybody, so that's good. Personally I think it's perfectly fine for him to ask, because I reckon that those who don't want to share their ideas will just refrain from contributing - those who don't mind can freely post their ideas. Don't forget that this is a public forum, so it already is readily available. Which brings me to:


I think a more productive and useful way to approach this is to invite the forum to create a new thread, pin it, and use it as resource for the forum to draw from as a whole, with the understanding that yeah, this is a tool to help struggling DMs, not some random dude with one specific campaign.

Anyone with some Google Fu can find this thread, whether they're registered users or not. If I were to find myself in a situation similar to Bjarkmundur, then simply googling for things like 'carousing npc help' would eventually point me to this thread. So the NPCs posted here are not just for Bjarkmundur's personal use, they'll be floating around the forums for anyone who might at some point desire such inspiration. Which I think is great.


I know if any of the amazing stories on this thread will ever be used in a game, the creator will recieve a PM. I personally can't imagine how happy I'd be if someone told me what I created was being used to entertain a group of friends somewhere on the other side of the globe. I might even take your suggestion and try to come up with a couple of NPCs on my own. I have read all your stories and you have really helped me understand what makes a good NPC contact, which is something I lacked before this thread.

You guys are all amazing, and I really hope this thread will get pinned as a resource for all of us to enjoy. <3

The bolded parts are what imho makes these things worthwhile. I consider myself to be quite creative, and I enjoy sharing ideas with others and helping them when they're stuck or lack inspiration. The fact that you learned something and found tools to come up with your own is the cherry on top for me.

In general, I love how cooperative and sharing the majority of the users here is. I have benefited from it myself and thoroughly enjoyed the feedback - whether it's an entire NPC, or improvements to make my ideas work, or criticism to prevent me from doing something that wouldn't go down well with my players, it all helps me build my campaign. And if others benefit in turn from what I post here, then I love how I'm paying it forward.

[Great Dragon]

@All

I'm "ok" at creating NPCs, my biggest problem is Names.

Sure, I can (and do) use a Name generator, but most are very generic and since everyone on the net has access to it, Seeing it repeated is possible.

As such I much prefer to ask for help with Naming People, and Things.

Blatant plug for attention
Hello+ (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?592107-Hello-and-Querries)

(This space saved for another contact, whenever I think of one)

[Ninja_Prawn]

Names are serious business. The right name can make or break a character.

I find that I sometimes have these really hot streaks where I can come up with perfect names in the blink of an eye, and then at other times it's really hard work.

Random generators are fun too though. I like seventhsanctum.com, donjon.bin.sh and nine.frenchboys.net.

[Sparky McDibben]

Names are serious business. The right name can make or break a character.

For an excellent example of how names can break a character, read Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Floon Blagmaar, Urstul Floxin, etc. I'm sorry, but it just kills me. Wonderfully creative adventure otherwise, but those names though!

[Great Dragon]

Names are serious business. The right name can make or break a character.

I find that I sometimes have these really hot streaks where I can come up with perfect names in the blink of an eye, and then at other times it's really hard work.

Random generators are fun too though. I like seventhsanctum.com, donjon.bin.sh and nine.frenchboys.net.
Yes indeed.
Thanks for more places to look for random names!

I use this one a lot.
Kool (https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com)


For an excellent example of how names can break a character, read Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Floon Blagmaar, Urstul Floxin, etc.
I'm sorry, but it just kills me. Wonderfully creative adventure otherwise, but those names though!
I know, i just can't stop giggling!!

[NRSASD]

Urstul Floxin!? Did you say aflatoxin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin)?

[Great Dragon]

Urstul Floxin!? Did you say aflatoxin?

ROFLMAO!!!!!


**Kinda short**
Need a bruisier for a tough fight?
Zanzed, the Half-Orc Wolf Barbarian is your guy. Found in the nearest town (reluctantly, City) he's willing to fight, and only asks for enough gold to maintain comfortable living for a month.

[Tawmis]

In general, I love how cooperative and sharing the majority of the users here is. I have benefited from it myself and thoroughly enjoyed the feedback - whether it's an entire NPC, or improvements to make my ideas work, or criticism to prevent me from doing something that wouldn't go down well with my players, it all helps me build my campaign. And if others benefit in turn from what I post here, then I love how I'm paying it forward.

A-freaking-men. There's a reason I come here to post my questions about some D&D rules, and ask for input about games, custom rules, etc. Everyone here seems genuinely interested in helping one another, rather than puffing out their chest, pushing up their glasses and spouting why a custom rule would break the entire game. People here are sincere. I've never had such a huge response to offering to write people's backgrounds - and the amount of positive responses has been incredible. Honestly, these forums are great!



Mwuahahah! You have all fallen for my EVIL scheme! I will now take your words and sell across the globe at premium prices! I will make millions, I tell you, MILLIONS!
Seriously, I was not expecting this level of participation :x I mostly just expected Tawmis and MoG to take over this thread within a tenday xD
You guys are all amazing, and I really hope this thread will get pinned as a resource for all of us to enjoy. <3

:smallamused: There are some amazingly talented and creative folks here - and so many people know 5e so very well (I've bene playing D&D for eons!) and I still feel like I can come here and learn something new.

[Nagog]

Here's some support characters I enjoy throwing into my campaigns as NPCs or supporting characters:

Ellie Greyroad: A human girl with some half-elven features, a whiz at making and enchanting custom magic items. Party members may make requests of her for a large sum of coin, and she'll do her best to fulfill the request. (Allows the players to help create the magic items they'd like to see, but allows the DM to adjust and nerf/buff as needed)

Moze: a flamboyant bard who owns nightclubs spread throughout the land. Rumor has it that he's some sort of Lich, but investigation from law enforcement comes up clean. He is more than willing to gossip with adventurers about local happenings, and if the party provides him with some juicy information he may pay them in kind with a Bardic inspiration (Dice of your choice, based on party level)

Tobias Greyroad: Father of Ellie Greyroad, Tobias is the head of the Greyroad Family Monster Hunters. He can be contacted for information on monster weaknesses, strategies, and locations to help the party prepare for their next fight.

Nephesh and Shop: Nephesh, an unborn soul trapped in a leather armor construct, runs a magic item and potion shop he inherited from an old friend named Aman. the Shop, Aman's Extracts and Antiquities, is in fact a Huge Mimic that has been tamed. It's not uncommon for the pair to show up and disappear in towns at random, often leaving a large vacant lot in town where Shop once sat. Nephesh may offer small discounts on merchendise in exchange for the bodies of enemies the party slays to help feed Shop. the corpses of other Mimics will fetch a much higher discount.

Coy, Kitsune Cleric of Mask: Coy is a Kitsune Cleric of Mask, the god of Trickery and Thieves. While friendly, you may want to watch your coin purse around him! However, if he does manage to nab it, he'll typically return it within a day or so, usually with one or two coins missing, on account of his conscience not being up to par with his skills. If asked, he'll provide a party member with 10 temporary hit points that last all day, or until lost. Also gives surprisingly good advice.

[AdAstra]

Kay, I think I have a couple more in me. Let's see about this...

Cloudfront Thunder:Middle Class-A quiet but affable Kenku ranger who runs a mail service from his pet Roc Waggles. He's a lightweight, but even smashed he's mean with a set of cards or a dartboard. Players that gamble with him will find him impossible to read and difficult to fool (very high Insight and Deception bonuses). With a sufficient rapport with him, there is a good chance that he will be in any town of significant size for the night (you could either set up a specific route for him to fly, or roll dice to see if he's there, or even just decide as the plot demands), and he may be willing to take a little detour to get the PCs anywhere they need to be. Be prepared for a bumpy ride and occasional screaming of livestock. Waggles and Cloudfront will only fight in self-defense and will attempt to flee if possible, barring extraordinary circumstances.

Imago Mann:Upper Class-A suntanned timeworn stick of indeterminate shortness, Mann describes himself only as a collector of trinkets, but upper-crusts whisper excitedly at rumors of his next appearance. His humble spread of wares across a threadbare, but exotic carpet can contain anything from pretty, harmless knickknacks to artifacts of power beyond mortal comprehension, which he usually describes as some sort of letter opener. Probably explains why everyone with a platinum piece in their pocket gives his inventory a good once-over, even when he always takes up shop in the poorest places in town. He'd say it gives them a good opportunity to go out and see the parts of the world that aren't embroidered. Making nice with him won't earn the party any discounts, but from then on they'll always seem to find him wherever they visit, almost like he's following them...Beware of trying to make off with any of his goods, for he has eyes like a hawk and a gaze that can chill the blood in your veins. If you haven't guessed by now, he's an Ancient Silver Dragon (also a sorcerer), which will become very obvious if he ever invites the players to his home, and lethally obvious if they try to shank him and steal his stuff, as PCs are wont to do.

[Great Dragon]

Put up an Alignment RP Challenge in
Evil? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?592340-What-is-EVIL&p=24040825#post24040825)

So, I figured since it's based on strong RP, I'd add my answer to that question here, as something for people to use in their games.

Let me know what you think.



10th level Thief Rogue
Ruxnal (Kobold) pretendingto be the Stout Halfling Xandal Featherlight.
Does speak Halfling. Draconic, Common, Undercommon.

Has the Dungeon Delver plus Lucky Feats.

*Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location plus a Hat of Disguise, and Expertise in Deception, Stealth; Investigation and Thieves Tools.

LG = Actually in the Service of a >Gold< Dragon, he still knows that he wouldn't be accepted as a Kobold by any of the so-called Allied Races, except perhaps Dragonborn.

CG = Inspired by some Freelance Treasure Hunters, he has joined the Harpers (FR) and just seeks to undermine the forces of both Tyranny and Evil, without caring about any particular order in doing so.

NG = rescued by some Dream Druids, he now works for the Emerald Enclave (FR) to protect the Wilderness, while still allowing towns. Cities remind him of above ground Warrens.

LN = He learned fast that Laws make it easier to get things done, but didn't buy into the hate-mongering of the followers of Kurtulmak or any other so called Kobold Deities. Losing his status amount the Inventor class caused him to need to Forever leave the Warren.
Only hides his Race because he'd most likely be killed on sight by most other Races. He's now a spy for Hire, and freelance Treasure Hunter to maintain a very comfortable life style. Prefers well defined Contracts for being hired.

NE = Raised in the Kobold Warren, thievery was the only way to get ahead. Once he learned enough to actually be good at it, he knew he needed to leave, lest he be either made a slave of the current Chief, or killed.
He now hides amongst the Allied Races, since it's easier to exploit them as an acceptable Treasure Seeker. Never forgets or forgives any true insult, and doesn't care how long it takes to get Revenge.

CE = growing up oppressed has made him resentful of Rules; and how other Races have treated him since had made him hateful of nearly everyone. Now, he tricks them into believing he's a harmless Halfling to better catch them offguard.

LE = While he prefers the company of his Kobold Tribe, he accepts the need to spy on the other Races, and learn their Customs and Laws, to help his people overcome them.
Someday, he'll go back and became the new Chief.

Edit:
For Anyone interested, I just made a Character Development (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?594088-Character-Development&p=24060231#post24060231) thread