Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Metaldays 04-27-07, 04:09 AM	We are all beginners in DnD but we are doing pretty well. I have 1 major problem though. I printed put 5 of ech npc class via a NPC generator and my party came to a town. They immediatly went to have some warm beers after 10 days of journey ( its a speciality of the town ;) ) and I couldn't find a proper NPC in my papers for he bartender. This has happened most of the times when I needed an NPC... You cannot create 100's of NPCs before each session. So how do you solve this ? Also, am I correct in thinking that my PC's shouldn't see the monster manual, so they dont know if their spell will be effective etc ? (trial-error) And last question, I'm running the storm wreck today and the PC have an option to gain some help from militiamen and lizardfolk. If they do, do I have to play all 10 militiamen ? It's gonna be really confusing with such numbers...
AffableDoomwalker 04-27-07, 04:39 AM	We are all beginners in DnD but we are doing pretty well. I have 1 major problem though. I printed put 5 of ech npc class via a NPC generator and my party came to a town. They immediatly went to have some warm beers after 10 days of journey ( its a speciality of the town ;) ) and I couldn't find a proper NPC in my papers for he bartender. This has happened most of the times when I needed an NPC... You cannot create 100's of NPCs before each session. So how do you solve this ? Also, am I correct in thinking that my PC's shouldn't see the monster manual, so they dont know if their spell will be effective etc ? (trial-error) And last question, I'm running the storm wreck today and the PC have an option to gain some help from militiamen and lizardfolk. If they do, do I have to play all 10 militiamen ? It's gonna be really confusing with such numbers... Pro tip: it generally helps to have a centralized locale to play in/around, that way you can make a town, add a few specific people here/there for whatever you want/need in the town. If isn't just a random town that you don't plan on using, I'd suggest something along these lines: Elite Array: Str14, Dex8, Con15, Int13, Wis12, Cha10 Make the Innkeeper a Human NG Fighter 10/Expert 2 and throw in Craft(Brewing)*, Craft(Winemaking)* & Profession(Innkeeper) Add one ability increase to his Constitution (adjust HP from level 4-12 accordingly), one to his Intelligence (adjust SP from 8-12, maybe have him learn a new language), andone to whatever you please after that... Bam! Instant retired adventurer who now owns a halfway decent tavern and inn. The guy is smart, friendly, makes some halfway tasty home-brewed beers/ales/meads/lagers and wines, and he's no pushover either... he still has his +3 Club of Stunning cocked, locked and loaded right under the bar in case things get rough. Which, given his reputation, they often don't. He's not a DMPC, he's just a guy serves you beer and rents you a room, knows a bit of local gossip, and speaks a few different languages (which makes him easier to warm up to), he's also a man who's kind of disinclined towards have Commander Chaotic-Psycotic the level 6 thinking he can go nuts or start a killing spree in his bar. Sometimes these kinds of NPCs are the best way to keep PCs in check. Rinse and repeat for constables/sheriffs, alchemists/herbalists, carpenters, locksmiths, blacksmiths, mayors, merchants so on and so forth, have some be retired (or maybe even "active") adventurers with careers that reflect/fit their current occupation (like a rogue/expert locksmith, or a mage scribe/sage/soothsayer) have others be straight NPC classes out of the DMG, next thing you know your town is thriving. Its not that much work really. Just roll a few people up, be creative, and have some fun while you're at it. As for the MM: Initially, sure why not? But at the same time what if one of your characters was a Ranger, or has the Foe Hunter feat (from the FRCS)? How about a bookworm Mage? I'd say its entirely situational, but adventurers aren't sheltered commoners, and chances are they actually know that Orcs operate at a disadvantage in sunlight, or kobolds won't face you down if the odds are worse than 3:1, or that casting [I]Fireball on a fire elemental isn't going to work too well, its probably better if you let them take a gander in the Monster Manual every once in a while. As for the scenario you mentioned: Toss the rules? Howsabout you just use generalist comments and save the rolling of all those poor bastards for really critical moments? Or you could divide them into two teams of 5, and roll 1 primary D20, and 1 secondary d20+25 an assist roll. Could save you a lot of headache.
Free1983 04-27-07, 04:42 AM	We are all beginners in DnD but we are doing pretty well. I have 1 major problem though. I printed put 5 of ech npc class via a NPC generator and my party came to a town. They immediatly went to have some warm beers after 10 days of journey ( its a speciality of the town ;) ) and I couldn't find a proper NPC in my papers for he bartender. This has happened most of the times when I needed an NPC... You cannot create 100's of NPCs before each session. So how do you solve this ? You are right. You can't prepare for every npc in a town, let alone a city. So, what you should do is: don't prepare for random npc's. You won't need stats for a bartender or a merchant. These npc's you just wing. It's not that hard. If you need those npc's to roll something (an attack roll, an appraise check) you just add a small bonus to their roll (+0 to +3) that you think appropriate. only prepare those npc's that your pc's will meet of that you think that your pc's will want to meet (persons like the captain of the guard, the priest of the local temple, the mayor,...) Also, am I correct in thinking that my PC's shouldn't see the monster manual, so they dont know if their spell will be effective etc ? (trial-error) Well, you are right about that, but I don't think your players will note down what are the strenghts and weaknesses of each monster and that they rather flip through it for the nice pics (*rrrr* nymph ;)). I took the place of DM only after I read a lot in the DMG and the MM. So I wouldn't inhibit them in reading it. If you're afraid that they'll manage every monster because they know about them, than you can ask for knowledge checks when they encounter a monster (knowledge religion for undead, nature for beasts, planes for outsiders,...) so that you give them the information they can use. But in the end I wouldn't make a big deal of it. There are litteraly thousands of groups where dm's are players and thus know about the monsters and those groups do just fine. And last question, I'm running the storm wreck today and the PC have an option to gain some help from militiamen and lizardfolk. If they do, do I have to play all 10 militiamen ? It's gonna be really confusing with such numbers... If you mean roleplaying, just bother with one lizardman that is the spokesman of the group. In combat, you'll have to give them their attacks, but just put them on the same initiative count. Also, give them all the same stats so that you don't need to look for different kinds of modifiers & stuff. Hope this helps, Cheers
Warpmind 04-27-07, 07:05 AM	Remember: If it has stats, it can be killed. That's why you NEVER give bartenders stats... Unless they're retired adventurers who will turn out to be specific BBEGs, Lieutenants or major assets to the PCs... ;)
Pegasos989 04-27-07, 08:37 AM	Yeah, I normally don't stat bartenders. Aside from one bar that was actually a route to den of thieves but that was special occasion. Actually, I haven't statted any major NPCs lately either. Really, think what your PCs will need. Is there any reason why they would fight the bartender? No? Then his combat stats won't matter. The rest... Just assume he has +7 sense motive and bluff in case it is needed and you have all the stats you need of him. I used to have NPC bases ready. I had a few dozen of NPCs statted as generic characters. Commoner 3 bartender, warrior 1 city guard, etc. I used repeatedly but I don't need even those anymore. Really, the only NPCs I have statted is those I expected players to fight. For example, I have a PC whose mentor is about 12th level. He will not participate in the combat any time or atleast any time soon, so all I have about him is "about 12th level character" and the rest is about background and such. I should make sure that I decide whether he is paladin or fighter based though so that if he needs to cast spell or such I know whether he is capable of it. However, when PC gets around 10th level, I will stat him because then there is the (distant) possibility that they would participate in some fight together. The BBEGs aren't statted either because he won't fight them yet. However, I have pretty much everything in the next session statted as it will be full of combat, only the guestgiver NPC's stats are unknown...
daggeroflath 04-27-07, 09:19 AM	Well... After playing for a long time it's not too difficult to invent NPCs instantly and have a good idea for what they can and can't do. Once you've made a lot of 3rd level fighters, you know how many feats they have, what their saves are like, etc. I know this isn't much help to you right now, I'm just suggesting that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Every part of roleplaying games gets easier and better with practise, especially DMing.
Lazigothi 04-27-07, 12:50 PM	Always think story first when it comes to flavor, non-important NPC's. I take it with this much concern for the tavern that your PC's will use it as an important hang out. Instead of worrying about stats, per se, try to create story traits for the NPC's as well as a few of the other bar flies. Let's take two bar scenarios: Moe's from "The Simpsons," and Cheers. At Moe's, the bartender/owner is a pugly, none-too-bright, ex-boxer that may be friend when the cash is coming in, but will not be above stealing an idea for a hot drink idea. Barney is a pal, and a slush, but he can outshine the hero when he wants to when it comes to plowing, and he knows a famous celebrity. Moe keeps wanting to violently savage this annoying pranktser that keeps crank calling the bar, who happens to be the hero's son, but nobody has yet to be enlightened. In Cheers, "everybody knows your name," the bartender used to be a drunk (and ex-athlete) but is now sober for many years. He will, however, catch a good skirt when he sees one, even trying to flirt with his staff (much to their chagrin). You have the local messenger, the local fortuneteller-seer, the local odd-job person all wise-cracking it up with the staff who love to berate customers. Using just the above two settings as examples, the bar transforms into a haven of gossip and potential hooks for adventure. It can be a great place to release tension after a harrowing escape from a nasty adventure, with others captivated with the hero's exploits.
nlentz88 04-27-07, 02:13 PM	I'll echo the above sentiments about not having to stat every single NPC the party encounters. When I make a city/town, I'll create a list of NPCs the party will most likely encounter, e.g. the mayor/lord, the healer, the local mage, the armor/weapon smith, etc. Then I'll assign each a name, class/level, alignment, and personality. That's it. No ability scores, no skill points, no feats. The PCs don't care if the armor smith has craft (armor) and neither do I as DM. He just makes armor and sells it the PCs. What's more important is the guy's personality. The PCs will come into direct contact with that aspect of this NPC, and not the number of ranks he has in Swim. Don't kill youself here. In my opinion, the most important part of being a DM is being able to wing it. Sure, you do the prep work. You make maps, create encounters, brainstorm some NPCs, but the PCs will inevitably do something you didn't predict. Then you'll be forced to wing it. So work on that skill. Do in depth prep work on the important parts of the game, but only sketch out the less important aspects, e.g. NPC townspeople. Don't kill youself with prep work!
Dazzer 04-27-07, 02:21 PM	Don't make all the NPC's. In general, 90% of DnD dudes are commoners, experts or aristocrats. When the bard says "I cast charm person on random bartender number 432" Quickly decide, was he once an adventurer, or is he just a bartender. How old is he? I usually base level for common people off age, older people will be level 2-3, while younger dudes will be level 1. If you decide he's common, give him 11 or 10 in all stats, or decide he is wise but not smart, or something, and roll his will save, the bonus should be somewhere between: -1 and +4 If he was an adventurer, what did he do? Did he fight dragons, or just raid an orc lair once or twice in his life? If the former, he'll probably save, if the latter (orcs) He'll stand a half chance. Estimate level, but don't be exact. Conversely you could just say "He has...+7...somehow..." It's a rough system, but that's how it is unfortunately. Unless you have buckets of time, 80% of your NPC's won't be named, and won't have class levels immediately associated with them. Just decide on the fly. It's an art, but it's one that can be trained and learned. I suggest you keep a table of saving throws (levels 1-20), not "reflex, will" just a two columned table. Good, Bad. Use Good for cool bartenders, bad for common bartenders, and estimate level (the table should show all 20 levels of good or bad save.)
funnymanmike 04-27-07, 02:30 PM	You cannot create 100's of NPCs before each session. So how do you solve this ? use a name generator list, and excel, make a big list of names, 1 page. Now as you need a name, just pick one, and next to it write what your using it for. Also, am I correct in thinking that my PC's shouldn't see the monster manual, so they dont know if their spell will be effective etc ? (trial-error) 2 options. 1) have those who summon monsters or would use such a thing have a photocopy of everything they need. 2) allow the following Knowledge Nature check DC 15 + hd of creature Knowledge Arcana check DC 15 + hd of monster Knowledge Religion check DC 15+ hd of undead success means you can look it up, but you only have one minute. you might want to change the DC's around a bit, but in general it works o.k.
doink1212 04-27-07, 02:38 PM	My adventurers love getting in bar fights only to discover that the that the owner of the bar is a retired epic lvl wizards who transports them into a different dimension. Thats when the game becomes interesting. I can honestly say I have had a DDR mini game turn into a 3 way mud wrestling competition in my D&D game. the mud wrestling ring broke... mud went everywhere and then bam everyone teleported to new dimension.
Sereno 04-27-07, 03:21 PM	90% of your NPCs need only three things: a name, and appearance and a personality. Unless you run a game for a bunch of psychotics who attack and kill everything they come across (from monsters to barmaids) you can have extensive interaction with tons of NPCs without ever once knowing their stats or even their classes. Think of all the people you know and meet on a regular basis ... do you think you know anything close to their "game stats"? Does it matter?
daggeroflath 04-27-07, 03:29 PM	use a name generator list, and excel, make a big list of names, 1 page. Now as you need a name, just pick one, and next to it write what your using it for. On that note, you could get a character creation program that can randomly generate characters and use it to create every npc. I wouldn't recommend it though... And damn, now that I have that thought in my head I want to write that program, even though I'd never ever use it.
funnymanmike 04-27-07, 05:43 PM	On that note, you could get a character creation program that can randomly generate characters and use it to create every npc. I wouldn't recommend it though... And damn, now that I have that thought in my head I want to write that program, even though I'd never ever use it. however this is good for when you need a name on the fly, here is a example Name Ragnor: ________________________ Horace:________________________ Jullian:________________________ now as you need a name Name Ragnor: ________________________ Horace:_bartender, fork in the road inn__ Jullian:________________________ instead of going.. oh the bartenders name? you wanted that eh.. its u..um.. Sharp, Iemarker not saying thousands. just enough to get you through the night.
krichaiushii 04-27-07, 06:56 PM	As for the naming bit of random one-shot NPCs; consider that in different regions of the world, certain names are viewed as being very common. That being the case, do the same in your world for your NPCs. Make a list of 20 male and 20 female names that fit each region (easy if you just 'borrow' real world languages for each region), then roll a d20 to get the name. For differentiation, some cultures use job titles (Smith), locations (von Danzig), or their parents names (Erikson, Jansdatter) as surnames. Do the same for your NPCs.