When you have to explain that the reason the goblins targeted the PC with every ranged attack was that he climbed a tree and lit a torch at night because he didn’t have dark vision to see them as he was human.
I just make it up on the fly. There is not really to much involved with monsters/NPCs. Basically is like this. How much health, AC, Damage dice + a bonus as well as a to hit bonus. Any spells you might feel appropriate for the situation can be looked up quickly. You get the point. I found that this works wonders for when that player wants to beat up that seemingly helpless NPC. Unless you have something ready to go just make shit up. It works.
Where you decide to add a high level Incubus that enslaved/ destroyed a village to kill a demon, so you can introduce the Blood War and 3/6 party members sell there souls for goodies... and one becomes a Warlock so now you have to have them as a recurring character, trying to give good gear without breaking your campaign... great fun though.
When you really want an NPC to die but the cleric will have none of it so he wastes all of his spells to keep him alive but the barbarian is a good man and axes the NPC and breaks the clerics heart
When your Giff monk NPC with a shotgun is more diplomatic than the Dragonborn semi-paladin that was designed to be a kind, merciful figure... as well as the rest of the party.
There are days...
...when you have to look up the statblock for a commoner, because your players want to knock out the cook.
What sort of days do you have as DMs?
There are days
When you have to make up a reason the now 7th level ( About ONE YEAR) Dominated Hydra can't leave its nest and become the Party's new pet.
There are days....
When you have to explain that the reason the goblins targeted the PC with every ranged attack was that he climbed a tree and lit a torch at night because he didn’t have dark vision to see them as he was human.
There are days ...
When you should be planning the next session but you realise you left the PHB and module book at one of your players' houses.
Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1!
Never tell me the DC.
I just make it up on the fly. There is not really to much involved with monsters/NPCs. Basically is like this. How much health, AC, Damage dice + a bonus as well as a to hit bonus. Any spells you might feel appropriate for the situation can be looked up quickly. You get the point. I found that this works wonders for when that player wants to beat up that seemingly helpless NPC. Unless you have something ready to go just make shit up. It works.
There are days...
Where you decide to add a high level Incubus that enslaved/ destroyed a village to kill a demon, so you can introduce the Blood War and 3/6 party members sell there souls for goodies... and one becomes a Warlock so now you have to have them as a recurring character, trying to give good gear without breaking your campaign... great fun though.
DM - 13 years
Primary Class - Warlock (Pact of Chain)
Primary Race - Changeling
There are days...
When you really want an NPC to die but the cleric will have none of it so he wastes all of his spells to keep him alive but the barbarian is a good man and axes the NPC and breaks the clerics heart
There are days...
When your 1st level players see a cool (late game) location on your drawn map and will stop at nothing to get there, even if it kills them
There are days...
When your Giff monk NPC with a shotgun is more diplomatic than the Dragonborn semi-paladin that was designed to be a kind, merciful figure... as well as the rest of the party.
I is the feels good.
- Kefko, the Traveler