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Returning 35 results for 'npc some best'.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Special Favors A reward might be a favor the characters can call on at some future date. Special favors work best when the individual granting them is trustworthy. A Lawful Good or Lawful Neutral NPC
will do whatever can be done to fulfill an obligation when the time comes, short of breaking laws. A Lawful Evil NPC does the same, but only because a deal is a deal. A Neutral Good or Neutral NPC
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Special Favors A reward might come in the form of a favor that the characters can call on at some future date. Special favors work best when the individual granting them is trustworthy. A lawful good
or lawful neutral NPC will do whatever can be done to fulfill an obligation when the time comes, short of breaking laws. A lawful evil NPC does the same, but only because a deal is a deal. A neutral
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
longer acts in the party’s best interests. The disloyal NPC either leaves the party (attacking characters who attempt to intervene) or works in secret to bring about the party’s downfall.
Optional Rule: Loyalty Loyalty is an optional rule you can use to determine how far an NPC party member will go to protect or assist the other members of the party (even those he or she doesn’t
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
checks might be appropriate in certain situations, at your DM’s discretion. Pay attention to your skill proficiencies when thinking of how you want to interact with an NPC, and stack the deck in your
favor by using an approach that relies on your best bonuses and skills. If the group needs to trick a guard into letting them into a castle, the rogue who is proficient in Deception is the best bet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
Thronehold Characters As you develop a character or NPC from Thronehold, consider the following: Cold Warriors. Thronehold is a gladiatorial arena for diplomats and spies, a dangerous playground for
one thing in common, it’s a weakness for pleasant distractions. When not playing their games of deceit, they seek out the best entertainment and companionship the island has to offer. Characters with the entertainer background can make many untrustworthy friends here.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
players laugh or feel emotionally engaged and to incorporate those things into your roleplaying. NPC Portrayals When thinking about how to roleplay an NPC or a monster, consider one or two adjectives
that best describe the creature. Knowing the creature’s alignment can also help with your portrayal. The classic advice for writers holds true: show, don’t tell. For example, rather than describe an
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
checks might be appropriate in certain situations, at your DM’s discretion. Pay attention to your skill proficiencies when thinking of how you want to interact with an NPC, and stack the deck in your
favor by using an approach that relies on your best bonuses and skills. If the group needs to trick a guard into letting them into a castle, the rogue who is proficient in Deception is the best bet
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
each student NPC with whom their character has a Relationship. The player should track how many Relationship Points their character has with each NPC; whether that NPC is a Friend, a Rival, or a Beloved
; whether that NPC confers Beloved Inspiration; and that NPC’s Bond Boon or Bond Bane, whichever is applicable. Report Cards. This section includes places to track the results of each Exam
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
the party’s best interests. The disloyal NPC either leaves the party (attacking characters who attempt to intervene) or works in secret to bring about the party’s downfall. Crew Loyalty and Mutiny
motivations. When you choose a stat block from the Monster Manual for an NPC party member, make sure the NPC doesn’t overshadow the player characters. Use a stat block whose Challenge Rating is no
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
banal as the best inn in town or as important as a clue needed to solve a murder. Ideal In a sentence, describe one ideal that the NPC holds dear and which governs his or her greater actions. Player
memorable NPC, one sentence for each of the following: Occupation and history Appearance Abilities Talent Mannerism Interactions with others Useful knowledge Ideal Bond Flaw or secret Although the material
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
talk in haughty drawls. Let a pirate NPC say, “Arrrr, maties!” in your best Long John Silver voice. Let intelligent monsters unfamiliar with Common stumble along with awkward grammar. Let drunkards
laugh or feel emotionally engaged and to incorporate those things into your roleplaying. Being the NPC Imagine how a character or monster you bring to life would react to the adventurers. Consider what it
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
player character”) to accompany the party. This is a rewarding way for you to roleplay with your friends while they’re exploring your world, but keep in mind that you’ll have to run this NPC in combat
. Be sure to keep the players’ characters in the spotlight, and don’t take away the players’ agency by having your character make decisions for the group. NPC Party Members You can add nonplayer
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
. Perhaps an NPC warns the characters of impending danger or implores them for help. The trick is to not distract the characters from the adventure at hand. Designing an effective hook for a future adventure
requires finesse. The lure should be compelling, but not so irresistible that the players stop caring about what their characters are doing right now. To keep players from straying, save your best
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
. Action Cheldar, along with a small group of followers, appears in a tavern frequented by adventurers and seeks converts. A few NPC adventurers join his cause. Action In a public address in the town
square, Cheldar rails against the forces of chaos, laying blame for recent troubles on adventurers who are meddling in things best left alone. Event The characters find that all adventurers in town
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer Academy
NPC Information Petty Officer Winston Ryeback takes command of Miken, Krik’Lit, and Pffred and puts them to work unpacking gear (see “Equipment List” below), taking inventory, and setting up a
light sheen of sweat; kitchens are hot!
Quote: “The best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach.”
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
Treasure Just as they must ensure sufficient supplies for all the NPCs, the characters need to think about how best to share the spoils of encounters and adventures with their followers. Although the
bout of long-term madness could easily lead to obsession with particular items of treasure — especially magic items — with an obsessed NPC willing to steal or even kill to obtain them.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Magic in Ten-Towns Characters hoping to procure powerful magic items or the services of a high-level spellcaster in Ten-Towns are out of luck. At best, they might be able to find common magic items
available in Ten-Towns are summarized below. If an item or spell is not covered here, assume there is no friendly NPC who can sell or cast it. Common magic items cost 100 gp each where they’re
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
Small Groups Most of the time, each player runs one character. The game plays best that way, without overwhelming anyone. But if your group is small, players can control more than one character. Or
you can fill out the group with NPC followers, using the guidelines in chapter 4, "Creating Nonplayer Characters." You can also make the characters more resilient by using the healing surge option in
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Creating a Rival In essence, a rival is a somewhat specialized NPC. You can use chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to build a new NPC for this purpose, or pick one from your current cast of
supporting characters and embellish that NPC as described below. It’s possible for the characters to have two or three rivals at a time, each with a separate agenda. At least one should be a villain, but
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation
DM to be flexible and keep the story moving forward as best you can. If an encounter is going badly for the adventurers, you can have the monsters suddenly withdraw, demand the party’s surrender, or
deal nonlethal damage. You can have an NPC show up to lend assistance. Mindless predators might be scared off by a sudden volcanic eruption or earth tremor. In short, there is always a way to turn the party’s misfortune into a fighting chance of survival.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)
roleplaying your character: the descriptive approach and the active approach. Most players use a combination of the two styles. Use whichever mix of the two works best for you. Descriptive Approach to
adds, “I get up, glare at the elf, and head to the bar.” Results of Roleplaying The DM uses your character’s actions and attitudes to determine how an NPC reacts. A cowardly NPC buckles under threats
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)
roleplaying your character: the descriptive approach and the active approach. Most players use a combination of the two styles. Use whichever mix of the two works best for you. Descriptive Approach to
adds, “I get up, glare at the elf, and head to the bar.” Results of Roleplaying The DM uses your character’s actions and attitudes to determine how an NPC reacts. A cowardly NPC buckles under threats
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War
. You can select from or roll on the Sharn Watch Races and Sharn Watch Personalities tables to generate a Watch NPC. There is a 75 percent chance the NPC is taking bribes from the Boromar Clan or
garrison in Middle Central. He does his best to serve the interests of the nobles and wealthy patrons in the Central Plateau, and as a result these wards are among the safest in Sharn. But Yorgan’s
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Adventure Patrons Many adventures begin with a patron asking the characters to undertake a quest or mission, offering a reward in exchange for this service. Take the time to flesh out an NPC who
a quest. Ralph Horsley When rival factions inhabit a ruined dungeon, sometimes the best course is to stay out of the way!
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
Bring It to an End The climactic ending of an adventure fulfills the promise of all that came before. The best climax is one the players see coming, so if a dragon is the mastermind behind all the
whether to pursue a fleeing villain or save an NPC they care about or a group of innocents. 10 Just when the characters think the main threat is defeated, it transforms into a different monster or a more powerful form.
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Charisma checks during this activity can add to the characters’ points and help sway the lizardfolk into an alliance with Saltmarsh. For the best possible outcome, the characters must win over most or all
the occupants of the lair, including its two most important individuals. To earn the trust of an NPC (Sauriv or Othokent) or a group (commoners, shamans, other lizardfolk, locathah, or merfolk), one
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
doors, disarmed traps, and the like. Events beyond the scope of a single adventure are best recorded in a notebook dedicated to your campaign. Whether it’s a physical book or an electronic file, such a
record of adventures, which you can refer to if your own log is incomplete.) NPC Notes. Record statistics and roleplaying notes for any NPC the characters interact with more than once. For example, your
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm King's Thunder
a better chance of succeeding if the characters refrain from drinking their potions of giant size until after they have infiltrated the lair. It’s best if Hekaton (or Serissa) remains an NPC under
among the players in your group. If your group includes more than four players, not every player will receive a storm giant NPC to play, and that’s okay. Accompanying the giants’ stat blocks are
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters
Roleplaying Gnolls and Cultists of Yeenoghu When you’re roleplaying a cultist or gnoll of Yeenoghu, the following tables contain possible inspiration. They suggest characteristics that the NPC might
Personality Trait d6 Personality Trait 1 Once an enemy defies me, I dedicate everything to its destruction. 2 The best enemy to fight is one caught by surprise. 3 I hate the sun and travel only by night
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
characters. The adventure begins when the dragon or the dragon’s minions confront the characters.
2 …threaten a character’s bond or an NPC who’s important to one or more characters.
3
…create an opportunity for a character to pursue a personal goal.
6 …cause an accident or catastrophe that threatens the characters.
An adventure featuring a dragon’s schemes often works best as
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
you might give any NPC, as detailed in the section on creating nonplayer characters in the Dungeon Master’s Guide: Ideal. In one sentence, describe an ideal that the Darklord holds dear and that
obtain a bond. Flaws. In one sentence, describe how the Darklord’s personality causes them to act against their own best interests, especially in their quest to win their bonds and desires. Flaws are
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
episodes in this adventure assume that the characters selected Gildha Duhn as their franchise’s majordomo. If they chose another NPC to fill that role, simply adjust the text throughout the adventure
“Company Positions” in chapter 2. When they do so, Viari hands out any special position gear and instructs the characters in how best to fulfill their roles. Chapter 2 has more details on these
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
NPC companions have destinations of their own in mind, and are the ones best able to navigate the subterranean realms. As such, the adventurers will be dependent on their guidance. The NPCs can offer
. Sarith Kzekarit is the best potential guide in the group, but also the most deceptive. He can navigate to any region of the Underdark shown on the map, but will encourage the characters to travel to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide
in 5 hours’ time. Days. For long journeys, a scale of days works best. Following the road from Veluna City to the Free City of Greyhawk, the adventurers cover 96 miles in 4 uneventful days before a
minutes after an alarm is sounded. If the characters spend time working out a puzzle or talking to an NPC, you can estimate the time spent by keeping track of how much real time passes. Most combat
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)
purpose. 6 Retrieve a stolen item hidden in the dungeon. 7 Find information needed for a special purpose. 8 Rescue a captive. 9 Discover the fate of a previous adventuring party. 10 Find an NPC who
Goal 1 Locate a dungeon or other site of interest (roll on the Dungeon Goals table to find out why). 2 Assess the scope of a natural or unnatural disaster. 3 Escort an NPC to a destination. 4 Arrive at