How do you all keep track of NPCs? I usually like to try and keep things on paper when it comes to those who will actually fight, but its hard to find a good npc character sheet out there. I'm thinking i will start using just the normal character sheet for them. I keep all their background things, traits, and flaws things in my notes on my laptop so i can just pull them up whenever needed.
Also do you roll stats for every npc or just the important ones? I mainly do them just for ones who will probably be fighting. If worst cast scenario comes and they are in a combat situation i use either the noble stat block or just the commoner. If some are actually battle trained i'll use a different appropriate stat block.
Also how do you handle Shop owners and what they have in supply? I usually have a list of items generated from http://donjon.bin.sh/5e/magic/shop.html each time they decide to visit a shop. This can sometimes take awhile depending on how the wifi is feeling that day. Any tips on a way to make this a bit easier to manage?
I don't roll stats for any NPC. Generally I just grab whatever monster stat block most works for the NPC...like say a Spy for a Rogue or an Acolyte for a Cleric. Normal folks might just be a Commoner or a Bandit.
I don't provide a list of what my shop owners have for sale. Often I just ask the party what they are looking for and then direct them to a shopkeep that has it if I want them to have access to the items they seek.
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"The mongoose blew out its candle and was asleep in bed before the room went dark." —Llanowar fable
I don't roll stats for any NPC. Generally I just grab whatever monster stat block most works for the NPC...like say a Spy for a Rogue or an Acolyte for a Cleric. Normal folks might just be a Commoner or a Bandit.
I don't provide a list of what my shop owners have for sale. Often I just ask the party what they are looking for and then direct them to a shopkeep that has it if I want them to have access to the items they seek.
I see i like that idea better as my players always ask every shopkeeper "What do you have?" which would be a good question for a shop im prepared for but some shops im not prepared for so that question blindsides me. I'll try and steer them in the direction of just asking for what they are looking for
I see i like that idea better as my players always ask every shopkeeper "What do you have?" which would be a good question for a shop im prepared for but some shops im not prepared for so that question blindsides me. I'll try and steer them in the direction of just asking for what they are looking for
Realistically, a shop owner would not list out all their wares. Imagine walking into a store and asking the person to describe their entire inventory to you. Not going to happen. They can look around the place if they want to, or you can just have the stall owner/shopkeep list a couple popular or rare items, and have them as if they're looking for anything as greeters tend to do in stores.
The only NPCs I roll up stats for are Big Bads and more relevant, special enemies (a dragon who is also a Mystic when in human form, for example, which took a full sheet to figure out properly).
I use a lot of products from r-n-w and the GM's Kit Essentials (and GM's Kit Deluxe) have a very good set of NPC cards in them. I'd show you a preview but I don't think they would appreciate it. But I will say the GM Kit Deluxe is the best $15 or $20 I ever spent on D&D, hands-down. The stuff really helps keep me organized, and has some cool on-table papercrafty kind of things, like an initiative tracker. I hope that's not too advertisey/plugging, I'm not affiliated with the business in anyway, I'm just a DM that's gotten great useage out of it.
If you're into physical stuff: Index cards. If you figure out a good format to capture the initial info you need, you're golden. If you use a computer: Excel is such a go-to for me.
Depending on the shop I think common items should be slayed out for your players to find, magical and rare items might be in a locked chest or an attic space but randomly roll to see if they have it depending on the rarity.
I see i like that idea better as my players always ask every shopkeeper "What do you have?" which would be a good question for a shop im prepared for but some shops im not prepared for so that question blindsides me. I'll try and steer them in the direction of just asking for what they are looking for
Realistically, a shop owner would not list out all their wares. Imagine walking into a store and asking the person to describe their entire inventory to you. Not going to happen. They can look around the place if they want to, or you can just have the stall owner/shopkeep list a couple popular or rare items, and have them as if they're looking for anything as greeters tend to do in stores.
The only NPCs I roll up stats for are Big Bads and more relevant, special enemies (a dragon who is also a Mystic when in human form, for example, which took a full sheet to figure out properly).
I use a lot of products from r-n-w and the GM's Kit Essentials (and GM's Kit Deluxe) have a very good set of NPC cards in them. I'd show you a preview but I don't think they would appreciate it. But I will say the GM Kit Deluxe is the best $15 or $20 I ever spent on D&D, hands-down. The stuff really helps keep me organized, and has some cool on-table papercrafty kind of things, like an initiative tracker. I hope that's not too advertisey/plugging, I'm not affiliated with the business in anyway, I'm just a DM that's gotten great useage out of it.
If you're into physical stuff: Index cards. If you figure out a good format to capture the initial info you need, you're golden. If you use a computer: Excel is such a go-to for me.
That Kit looks super useful and i definitely will be looking into to that. But yes you're right about that no shop owner would list out what they have lol. I like the idea of just rolling for the big bads. I also like using stat blocks and the such for ease but sometimes i cant find the right one like for say an evil wizard? I guess i would use like a litch's block. But i think its those specific moments when i would do it by scratch.
I plan important NPCS before a session and i write them down. I usually follow the steps to describe and NPC in the DMG. Other not as important NPCS I use the stats of monsters like Bandits or Commoners. When it comes to items to shop I just give the merchant or shopkeeper items that the players need nut sometimes I make special merchants with special items.
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How do you all keep track of NPCs? I usually like to try and keep things on paper when it comes to those who will actually fight, but its hard to find a good npc character sheet out there. I'm thinking i will start using just the normal character sheet for them. I keep all their background things, traits, and flaws things in my notes on my laptop so i can just pull them up whenever needed.
Also do you roll stats for every npc or just the important ones? I mainly do them just for ones who will probably be fighting. If worst cast scenario comes and they are in a combat situation i use either the noble stat block or just the commoner. If some are actually battle trained i'll use a different appropriate stat block.
Also how do you handle Shop owners and what they have in supply? I usually have a list of items generated from http://donjon.bin.sh/5e/magic/shop.html each time they decide to visit a shop. This can sometimes take awhile depending on how the wifi is feeling that day. Any tips on a way to make this a bit easier to manage?
"I am THE truth"
I don't roll stats for any NPC. Generally I just grab whatever monster stat block most works for the NPC...like say a Spy for a Rogue or an Acolyte for a Cleric. Normal folks might just be a Commoner or a Bandit.
I don't provide a list of what my shop owners have for sale. Often I just ask the party what they are looking for and then direct them to a shopkeep that has it if I want them to have access to the items they seek.
"I am THE truth"
Yeah, there's no point making an whole inventory list if your group is only looking for specific things.
In terms of ideals, bonds, and flaws, I have a couple of methods to track. One is to create "homebrew monsters" in DDB based on whatever archetype I used (e.g. Bandit Captain, Priest) and add them as traits in the appropriate box. The other is that I use Trello somewhat like recommended at GeekDad (https://geekdad.com/2016/02/easy-dungeon-master-preparation/) and have a card for some NPCs, including that information and other stuff based on DMG chapter 4 (https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/dmg/creating-nonplayer-characters#DesigningNPCs).
Depending on the shop I think common items should be slayed out for your players to find, magical and rare items might be in a locked chest or an attic space but randomly roll to see if they have it depending on the rarity.
"I am THE truth"
I plan important NPCS before a session and i write them down. I usually follow the steps to describe and NPC in the DMG. Other not as important NPCS I use the stats of monsters like Bandits or Commoners. When it comes to items to shop I just give the merchant or shopkeeper items that the players need nut sometimes I make special merchants with special items.