A little help with NPC's [Archive] - Wizards Community

A little help with NPC's [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Heroic
09-25-04, 03:10 PM Hey ,
I'am basicly a new DM , and , well, we are basicly a new group of guys playing except 1 . ( he is an experienced player).

I have some questions as I'am finishing the 1st adventure but it's taking too much time.

The whole campaign takes place in a city and I have generated 2 NPC's - commoners , just in case the rogue of the group wants to steal something, or perhaps just to give the commoners some personality. However that means that like 3000 people have 2 different statuses, equipments and so on .
Is there any different way to generate uccupants of a city ???

I have this same problem with some more NPC's, because the city is being raided by rogues , and I really don't feel like creating 1000 characters , however there must be some way, because I don't know with which one the PC's will want to react.

Thx.
Eightbitmage
09-25-04, 03:30 PM essentially you dont have to create that many people. The average commoner will have no equipment and maybe a few coppers and or silver on their body. As for stats assume all 10s, and youre done. If you want someone to be important then give them stats. The stats of these characters will not matter in 99% of all cases, so just dont bother, and if the rogue steals, give him 1d6 -1 silver 1d12 copper and 1d8-6 gold.
DougC
09-25-04, 03:32 PM You can find links to NPC generators and any number of other programs designed to make DMing easier in the Useful DM Links (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=181536) thread stickied at the top of the What's a DM to Do forum.

Hope this helps. :D
LiXinjian
09-25-04, 04:15 PM Just do your best to know the rules, and you can create some minor NPCs on the spot. Give the most important ones stats and a few sentences about how they act if you wish, but don't bother preparing commoners ahead of the time as would-be targets of your PC rogue's pilfering. I'd only do that if there were a plot hook linked to this pick pocket attempt, and then, only if the commoner was more than a simple target (he will have a role to play in the adventure, like providing clues and all).

Focus on making your life easier (ie. less time-consuming). If your PCs won't battle him, then you hardly need stats. Assume a lousy +1 or +2 on any commoner's die roll, and go from there.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Heroic 09-25-04, 03:10 PM	Hey , I'am basicly a new DM , and , well, we are basicly a new group of guys playing except 1 . ( he is an experienced player). I have some questions as I'am finishing the 1st adventure but it's taking too much time. The whole campaign takes place in a city and I have generated 2 NPC's - commoners , just in case the rogue of the group wants to steal something, or perhaps just to give the commoners some personality. However that means that like 3000 people have 2 different statuses, equipments and so on . Is there any different way to generate uccupants of a city ??? I have this same problem with some more NPC's, because the city is being raided by rogues , and I really don't feel like creating 1000 characters , however there must be some way, because I don't know with which one the PC's will want to react. Thx.
Eightbitmage 09-25-04, 03:30 PM	essentially you dont have to create that many people. The average commoner will have no equipment and maybe a few coppers and or silver on their body. As for stats assume all 10s, and youre done. If you want someone to be important then give them stats. The stats of these characters will not matter in 99% of all cases, so just dont bother, and if the rogue steals, give him 1d6 -1 silver 1d12 copper and 1d8-6 gold.
DougC 09-25-04, 03:32 PM	You can find links to NPC generators and any number of other programs designed to make DMing easier in the Useful DM Links (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=181536) thread stickied at the top of the What's a DM to Do forum. Hope this helps. :D
LiXinjian 09-25-04, 04:15 PM	Just do your best to know the rules, and you can create some minor NPCs on the spot. Give the most important ones stats and a few sentences about how they act if you wish, but don't bother preparing commoners ahead of the time as would-be targets of your PC rogue's pilfering. I'd only do that if there were a plot hook linked to this pick pocket attempt, and then, only if the commoner was more than a simple target (he will have a role to play in the adventure, like providing clues and all). Focus on making your life easier (ie. less time-consuming). If your PCs won't battle him, then you hardly need stats. Assume a lousy +1 or +2 on any commoner's die roll, and go from there.