Monday, January 9, 2023

Quickly tailoring NPCs : 1d20 distinctive features

It's a relatively common tip for game masters : if you want to make an NPC memorable,  give them one distinctive feature. Your players probably won't remember much more about the NPC, especially if it's not an important one, and you're always free to add more detail later if the need arises. Moreover, it allows for quick recalls that will better cement the NPC's presence in the game.

So here's a random table, useful for all settings, that will help you pick a category of features if you find yourself short of ideas. I'd like to tell you to not use it to caricature or make fun of anyone's physical features or disabilities, but let's be honest : if you are the type to do it, you would have done so with or without my table. For the others, I hope it will prove useful.

(Side comment : I quite like this format for random tables. They're not overly specific as to become quickly repetitive, but they provide enough guidance to help the improvisation or spark the inspiration.) 

What's remarkable about this NPC ? It's their... 
1, height, body shape, facial shape
2, skin (color, fantastical color, complexion, tattoos, scars, diseases, iron marks...)
3, hair (styling, cut, natural or artificial color, adornaments, lack of, headwear...) 
4, eyes (gaze, shape, color, damage and scars, adornaments, eyewear) 
5, smells (body odor, perfumes, environmental odors) 
6, nose or ears (shape, scars and damage, adornaments, cold...) 
7, speech (voice texture or timbre, tone, pitch, rapidity, accents, impediments, turns of phrase, old-fashioned words, specific slangs and registers, etc.)
8, gait, speed, general ease or clumsiness
9, limbs and joints (length, absence, really big hands or feet, missing or sixth fingers, visible strength or feebleness, visible handicaps or disabilities, cyborg parts...) 
10, facial and body hair
11, mood, emotional state (constant, frequent, just today ?) 
12, age, state of pregnancy, presence of a baby or child with them, or other age or family-relevant NPC
13, tone, consideration, general attitude, air
14, clothing, garments, general style and looks
15, accessories of all sorts
16, other rings, jewels, adornaments 
17, presence of an animal or other creature (pet, magical familiar, parasites, imps / fairies / elves / goblins / other folkloric spirits, working animal, wild animal, plants and fungus, small robots / golems / clockwork designs) 
18, tools, boxes, cases, books, documents, various items, weapons, armor, vehicles
19, habits, mannerisms, gestures
20, plastic surgery, magical or sci-fi additions, modifications, mutations, curses, etc. (reroll if not applicable)

As usual, tell me what you think ! 

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