[Hoard of the Dragon Queen] NPC Generator #hdqRemix

The thing I don't like about Forgotten Realms names is that they don't go far enough.

If you're going to be campy and over the top, let's just go all the way over. 

So click on the image to generate you some characters with FR names, suitable for Hoard of the Dragon Queen.

HAIL TIAMAT

Last names and about half of the first names courtesy of Seventh Sanctum's Extreme Fantasy Name Generator. Everything else is mine, I think, or stolen from too many places to recall.

Here are some sample characters:

DAGGER SILVERLORD; hunched; exaggerated teeth (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); polite; crafting (sewing, candle making, manuscript copying, metallurgy); wants to be saved.

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CARTER SUNRISE; con save or cough at vanilla perfume, essential part of identity, of course can't change; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); perverse; applying lotion to keep the skin youthful and supple; wants to have the respect of someone.

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LANCE SINNERCHANTER; huge bulging eyes; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); religiously ostentatious; playing instrument; wants to be healed.

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LAW BANEGUARD; cheeks like golf balls; exaggerated nose (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); chummy; fighting; wants to be famous.

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ECHO TALON; soft, round face; exaggerated neck (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); generous; tidying up; wants to beat rival.

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VIOLET DOOM; carrot-nosed; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); creepily smiley; singing/humming; wants to beat rival.

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LORD LORESERAPH; glass/stone eye(s); exaggerated eye(brow)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); weak; playing with facial hair; wants to save someone.

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GENERAL GOLDMAGUS; like a sad pterodactyl; exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); egotistical; obliviously pondering; wants to have or maintain control.

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FLAME SHEOL; eyebrows like chalkboard erasers; exaggerated legs (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); aggresively insecure; applying lotion to keep the skin youthful and supple; wants to save someone.

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DAGGERS EDENHUNTER; wrapped up with bulging veins; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); generous; tidying up; wants to be saved.

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WEEKS QUAKEGRIFFON; so slight you lose sight; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); creepily smiley; pacing; wants to be healed.

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PLATINUM ROUGESOUL; so slight you lose sight; exaggerated chin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); sycophantic; playing game; wants to kill someone.

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BOAST NOBLETIGER; limping; exaggerated teeth (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); bossy; stealing; wants to save someone.

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GRAVES GRAVE; coins primary characteristic of attire; exaggerated neck (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); cute; pontificating (philosophy, people, racism, religion, shop, fashion); wants to kill someone.

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SPRAY DREADFINDER; thick teeth, pushing out the lips; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); sarcastic; smoking/drinking; wants to gain courage to do what is necessary.

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TRAPS GOLDMOURNER; con save or cough at vanilla perfume, essential part of identity, of course can't change; exaggerated eye(brow)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); thoughtful; obliviously pondering; wants to be forgiven by someone.

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LEVEL FELLGRIEF; six fingers/toes; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); absentminded; falling asleep; wants to be accepted in a group.

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CAMP FELLGUARD; skin merely film; exaggerated torso (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); belligerent; falling asleep; wants to prove not like someone.

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SCANDALON LAW; eyes crushed to slits by the heft of their lids; exaggerated neck (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); wild; sleepwalking; wants to know the truth.

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RADICAL GRIM; shimmering with oil; exaggerated chin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); creepily smiley; cleaning clothes, under nails, brushing teeth; wants to have or maintain control.

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ROGUE RASCALMOURNER; skin of silvery blue, as all in the family; exaggerated chest (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); hateful; praying; wants to know the truth.

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TEMPLE GODRUBY; legs to the neck; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); polite; rubbing/patting self uncomfortably; wants to fulfill duty.

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SAGE PURITYHUNTER; mountainous with muscle; exaggerated chest (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); nervous; playing instrument; wants to have or maintain control.

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CORRIDOR ANGELSPAWN; clothes so neat and crisp like a mannequin's; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); bursts into song; pontificating (philosophy, people, racism, religion, shop, fashion); wants to prove like someone.

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GRIFFON DREAMGOD; cheeks like golf balls; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); seductive; jovially hitting people; wants to have reputation restored.

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BOWSTRING DARK; giant; exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); perverse; studying; wants to be accepted in a group.

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SALEM FELLGUARD; earless; exaggerated nose (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); gassy; fixing hair; wants to put doubts to rest.

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WHEAT ARCANA; skin flaked and peeling; exaggerated neck (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); hateful; pacing; wants to have or maintain control.

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FLORA GUSTMAGUS; so slight you lose sight; exaggerated chin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); too nice; zoning out; wants to be famous.

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COPPER TEMPESTMAGUS; blind; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impassive; rubbing/patting self uncomfortably; wants to be at peace.

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CHAIN FLORAKILLER; jowly; exaggerated arms (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); cantankerous; sleepwalking; wants to know if someone is false.

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MYSTERY GHOSTSTRIFE; craggy cheekbones; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); arrogant; pitching get rich quick scheme; wants to know the truth.

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JAIL VEILKILLER; bent like a bow; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); just wants everyone to be nice; pitching get rich quick scheme; wants to possess someone.

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SIMULACRUM BLACKTOMB; brows prehumanly heavy; exaggerated chest (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impatient; giving someone a massage; wants to destroy someone.

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JAMB SHADOWRUBY; arms swing like bigfoot when walking, hands flat, rigid, turned backward; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impassive; starting stories with "remember that time..." followed by something ridiculous and/or awkward; wants to have reputation restored.

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DAGGERS DOOM; face rough with acne; exaggerated teeth (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); dumb; crafting (sewing, candle making, manuscript copying, metallurgy); wants to possess a treasure.

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DAGGERS GOLDMOURNER; clothes so neat and crisp like a mannequin's; exaggerated chest (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); cruel; tidying up; wants to know if someone is false.

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SHADOW NOBLESONG; swings arms when walks; exaggerated torso (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); pensive; advancing an obviously incorrect position without relenting; wants to put doubts to rest.

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DAWN RUNELIGHT; skin mottled and spotted; exaggerated neck (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); obnoxious; tidying up; wants to possess someone.

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WITCHER BLIZZARD; pupils like periods; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impatient; eating; wants to beat rival.

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PURITY SABERGRIFFON; skin like parchment; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); asocial; crafting (sewing, candle making, manuscript copying, metallurgy); wants to visit own pain upon others.

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MORALE NOBLETIGER; chest broad as a table; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); spacy; hallucinating; wants to have the love of someone.

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SQUARES GHOSTTEMPEST; hooded or veiled, perfectly opaque; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); venal; obliviously pondering; wants to destroy someone.

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HEX VALENTINE; skin like parchment; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); thoughtful; exercising; wants to humiliate someone.

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OUBLIETTE KILLERKATANA; missing two and a half fingers; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); out of breath; eating; wants to be healed.

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KATANA SABERGRIFFON; limping; exaggerated legs (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); obsequious; exercising; wants to destroy someone.

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CRIMSON JACKAL; missing an arm; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); just wants everyone to be nice; pacing; wants to be famous.

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DAGON FLORAKILLER; missing an arm; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); witty; giving someone a massage; wants to be free of someone or some system.

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PACK SILVERLORD; whistles constantly; exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); thoughtful; pacing; wants to be free of someone or some system.

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HEIR EDENHUNTER; missing nose, flap of gold-stitched green fabric to cover; exaggerated torso (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); creepily smiley; lusting; wants to be at peace.

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STORM NAZARETH; twice the usual amount of neck; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); aggresively insecure; exercising; wants to know the truth.

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HALBERD MAGESEEKER; bone-white; exaggerated jaw (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); dependent; lusting; wants to know if someone is false.

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HONOR SHADOWRUNE; smells of lavender; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); weak; applying lotion to keep the skin youthful and supple; wants to beat rival.

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VICE BANEGUARD; perfect skin; exaggerated teeth (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); sleepy; playing with facial hair; wants to possess someone.

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SLAYER KNIGHTVICTOR; six fingers/toes; exaggerated chest (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); obsequious; absolutely blowing up about something; wants to have the respect of someone.

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SIN FELLGUARD; mouthing words to unconscious conversation; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impatient; starting stories with "remember that time..." followed by something ridiculous and/or awkward; wants to do something meaningful before death.

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STAFF SQUALL; won't look you in the eye; exaggerated arms (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); out of breath; jovially hitting people; wants to be forgiven by someone.

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PIKE SILVERLORD; arms swing like bigfoot when walking, hands flat, rigid, turned backward; exaggerated eye(brow)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); officious; giving someone a massage; wants to be free of someone or some system.

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COPPER KILLERKATANA; mostly beard; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impatient; obliviously pondering; wants to possess someone.

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SHADE BLACKTOMB; looks pregnant, isn't; exaggerated jaw (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); wise; smoking/drinking; wants to kill someone.

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RATION ANGELSPAWN; large assymetrical bones beneath the face; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); dependent; social climbing; wants to be wealthy.

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SPARKS LAWAXE; lame; exaggerated torso (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); sycophantic; zoning out; wants to gain courage to do what is necessary.

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SHEOL RAGE; coke-bottle shaped; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); just wants everyone to be nice; playing with facial hair; wants to be accepted in a group.

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POINTS RASCALHOWL; carrot-nosed; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); spacy; playing instrument; wants to be famous.

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MYSTERY VEIL; arms swing like bigfoot when walking, hands flat, rigid, turned backward; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); twee; applying lotion to keep the skin youthful and supple; wants to have or maintain control.

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ZEAL DIREBATTLER; muscle-beardy; exaggerated chest (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); big-thinking; giving someone a massage; wants to fulfill duty.

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SURRENDER DIRE; six fingers/toes; exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); sycophantic; falling asleep; wants to have reputation restored.

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MASTER BANEHUNTER; wrapped up with bulging veins; exaggerated torso (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); chummy; pontificating (philosophy, people, racism, religion, shop, fashion); wants to save someone.

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SALEM RUNEGUARD; glass/stone eye(s); exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); officious; falling asleep; wants to be accepted in a group.

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SEEKER NOBLEFINDER; lesioned; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); spaces out; pitching get rich quick scheme; wants to visit own pain upon others.

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SEER DEMONSLAYER; four raven-skull rings; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); rude; stealing; wants to know if someone is false.

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PROPHET FLORA; legs to the neck; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); outwardly happy, obviously depressed; rubbing/patting self uncomfortably; wants to dominate someone.

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SEA SHEOL; pupils like periods; exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); smug; advancing an obviously incorrect position without relenting; wants to be wealthy.

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FLINT SILVERLORD; cysted and tumored; exaggerated jaw (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); vain; playing game; wants to possess someone.

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DAYBREAK ROUGE; smiling always, broadly and genuine; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); happy-go-lucky; sleepwalking; wants to accomplish a great work.

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OPERA ZEALOT; sing-songy for no reason; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); dreamy; scribbling (memoirs, poem, treatise, schematic, landscape); wants to know the truth.

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SQUARES DAWN; jaundiced; exaggerated torso (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); perverse; scribbling (memoirs, poem, treatise, schematic, landscape); wants to humiliate someone.

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TORCHES DEVILBATTLER; jowly; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); absentminded; lusting; wants to possess someone.

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VICE CLAWMOURNER; lips sagging and bouncing; exaggerated arms (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); wild; starting stories with "remember that time..." followed by something ridiculous and/or awkward; wants to be famous.

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BASILEIA KNIGHTCHANTER; muscle-beardy; exaggerated eye(brow)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); big-thinking; tidying up; wants to dominate someone.

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BOOTHS GODFIEND; limping; exaggerated nose (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); bursts into song; advancing an obviously incorrect position without relenting; wants to destroy someone.

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SEER DREADSPIRIT; mushroom-nosed; exaggerated arms (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); religiously ostentatious; cleaning clothes, under nails, brushing teeth; wants to dominate someone.

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TSUNAMI KNIGHTCHANTER; con save or cough at vanilla perfume, essential part of identity, of course can't change; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); officious; lusting; wants to possess someone.

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PILLAR SOULDRAKE; skeletal; exaggerated chin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); outwardly happy, obviously depressed; studying; wants to fulfill duty.

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HELM CLAW; goitered; exaggerated skin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); dumb; fixing hair; wants to prove not like someone.

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LANCE CLAWMOURNER; bizarre accent; exaggerated arms (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); sarcastic; fixing hair; wants to be at peace.

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STILETTO ROYALRAIN; shimmering with oil; exaggerated legs (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); picky about everything; tidying up; wants to have reputation restored.

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KNIVES SPIRITFLORA; hair fashionably occulding the eyes; exaggerated nose (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); zany; starting stories with "remember that time..." followed by something ridiculous and/or awkward; wants to possess a treasure.

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WAKE ROUGESOUL; rashed; exaggerated nose (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); impatient; falling asleep; wants to be famous.

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WARLOCK JESTER; hair crawling with lice; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); prideful; praying; wants to visit own pain upon others.

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ROUGE ROUGEBANE; smiles too broadly; exaggerated head (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); gassy; exercising; wants to kill someone.

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SEPHIROTH RASCALHOWL; dwarf; exaggerated neck (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); thoughtful; hallucinating; wants to possess someone.

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PIKE DEMONSLAYER; mushroom-nosed; exaggerated ears (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); perverse; pitching get rich quick scheme; wants to beat rival.

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BOWSTRING FELLGUARD; nose like a squid; exaggerated feet (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); zealous; lusting; wants to have the love of someone.

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RUBBLE DREAMGOD; mostly beard; exaggerated finger(nail)s (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); twee; absolutely blowing up about something; wants to know if someone is false.

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RAGNAROK WISESERAPH; large assymetrical bones beneath the face; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); spacy; advancing an obviously incorrect position without relenting; wants to destroy someone.

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LOCKE FAUNASIN; rashed; exaggerated hands (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); cantankerous; obliviously pondering; wants to be forgiven by someone.

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CHAR LIGHT; lesioned; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); zealous; lusting; wants to do something meaningful before death.

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FUROR LAWAXE; mute; exaggerated hair (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); arrogant; stealing; wants to know if someone is false.

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SHROUD RUBYLADY; ears to the neck; exaggerated chin (color, size, health, shape, beauty; itself or its clothing); spaces out; starting stories with "remember that time..." followed by something ridiculous and/or awkward; wants to dominate someone.

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The Best GM Advice Ever

If I were to go give two pieces of advice to new GMs, these would be those two pieces.

1. How to Make and Run NPCs

John Harper nailed it in half a paragraph in his new game Bootleggers, which I recommend you check out. It's pay what you want, and you should drop him some cash for it probably. 

Give each NPC a desire and preferred method of action. What do they want? What will they do to get it? Describe two visual details about them (very tall, smokes a pipe. weather-beaten face, scruffy clothes. big eyes, walks with a limp).

Those two adjectives are all you need. 

Re: the NPC's desire, following the advice of Apocalypse World, make it simple, obvious, and have the NPC focused on it absolutely. Better to go too far in this direction than not go far enough. 

Giving NPCs a single, strong desire (a) invites an emotional/intellectual response, identifying, judging, what have you; and (b) it gives the PCs a hook. It's obvious what this person wants. Presumably there's some he reason he can't get it; and that's a service the PCs can probably provide in service of their own ends.

Which brings me to:

2. What to Say Now, and Next

If you don't know what to say, be a machine, and spit out a risk and/or reward. 

Either give them the risk/reward itself or a lead to it.

The character of these will depend on the kind of thing we're playing, but, if we're playing the version of D&D where you get XP for killing things mostly, guess what you should do if you're at a GM-loss?

Give them things to kill. Either up in their face right now, or give them information on where things to kill might be lairing or having snacks. 

If you're playing a game where you get XP for treasure, give them a glimpse of treasure, unguarded or not. Give them a treasure map. Give them a rumor. 

Let's say you give them a rumor. "There's gold in the hills." So one of them says, "Let's go to the hills." The next thing you say should be a risk or reward. You are going to the hills when monsters. Run or fight. Or, you are going to the hills when you see a caravan loaded with goods (reward) beset by bandits (risk+reward). 

Or let's say you're playing a game where they win by getting their character's dramatic issues resolved. So the next thing you say is either an opportunity to resolve that issue or something that stands in the way of that issue. 

All your prep (including the assembling of modules, generators, tables, etc) is simply to give your brain a rest and to make sure you say things that are interesting and true to the game. 

Make Yourself an NPC Generator

Inspired by the principles and moves of Apocalypse World and this post from False Machine, I present unto you a way to make yourself a random generator of NPCs. 

NPC Generation

When you need an NPC for more than like five seconds, you need to settle these (memorizable things) in your mind (in addition to their name) in order. Their: 

1. Purpose: one of the GM moves (which see)
2. Presentation: some stereotypical or exaggerated behavior, appearance, or affect 
3. Passion: something they really want or are into 

Explication

By "GM moves", I mean the kind of things you say in your particular game to make things interesting for the players as players of a game. If you're playing D&D, that at least includes monsters, traps, weird stuff, and treasure. For my thieves guild game, I've got, at least:

1. Show them an enemy
2. Show them a mark
3. Show them a scandal
4. Show them a score (dangerous or easy)
5. Show them a mystery (that leads to another item on this list, ++reward)
6. Show them an ally
7. Show them an opportunity to take advantage
8. Show someone asking them why
9. Show them someone judging their behavior and/or motivations, presenting another way
10. Show them one thing that looks like another

And some principles:

1. Be direct and obvious sometimes
2. Misdirect and obfuscate sometimes
3. Alternate between grim and playful
4. Take a second to imagine what this person would actually be like

The three items above are for the "first pass," the first impression or first encounter with the NPC. As the players get to know the NPC or spend time around her, you have more options:

• Complication: show something unexpected or paradoxical given what we already know
• Confirmation: show the NPC being very consistent with what we already know
• Virtue: show the NPC doing something admirable or suffering something pitiable
• Villainy: show the NPC doing something that invites judgment or retribution

Examples

I'm doing these off the top of my head:

1. A shopkeeper: immensely rotund, has 12 cats he treats as his children, has a common enemy of the PCs and will shelter them (show them an ally)
2. A gang member: wears all white, looks like Bon Jovi, wants to be an architect but is short tuition (show them an enemy)
3. A militia member: dyes the horsehair of his helmet fuschia, totally macho, exercising in every dull moment, wants to win the legion's bodybuilding competition this year, not above paying PCs to poison the rival (show them a score)

100 NPCs for Your Delectation

Or just USE THIS GENERATOR. 

It's cobbled together from random places on the internet. 

The last clause is what's making the person unhappy. If they become a significant/recurring character, that's when you have them decide to do something about it.

1. A(n) quick penitent who loves hula hooping and is unlucky in love.
2. A(n) ferocious thief who loves hiking and is stuck in an abusive relationship. 
3. A(n) unguarded extraordinary person who loves tatting and is terminally ill. 
4. A(n) groggy rebel/revolutionary who loves rock stacking and doesn't measure up. 
5. A(n) pensive underachiever who loves models and doesn't measure up. 
6. A(n) capable hunter/predator who loves movie collecting and don't know what they believe anymore. 
7. A(n) tactless bureaucrat who loves poker and is deeply deceived. 
8. A(n) normal thief who loves graffiti and is unlucky in love.
9. A(n) churlish leader who loves disc golf and is untalented.
10. A(n) self-assured elder/mentor/teacher/parent who loves socializing with friends/neighbors and is stuck.
11. A(n) kind judge/mediator who loves amateur radio and is untalented.
12. A(n) idle rebel/revolutionary who loves tennis and is isolated.
13. A(n) cowardly judge/mediator who loves microscopy and is terminally ill. 
14. A(n) thoughtless fundamentalist who loves world record breaking and is denying there's a problem.
15. A(n) brave pleaser/show-off who loves movie collecting and is deeply deceived. 
16. A(n) obliging saboteur/betrayer who loves urban exploration and is stuck in an abusive relationship. 
17. A(n) illogical guardian who loves roller derby and is worried to death. 
18. A(n) paternalistic tempter who loves eating and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
19. A(n) sad caretaker who loves bird watching and is taken advantage of. 
20. A(n) plain rogue who loves impersonations and is unlucky in love.
21. A(n) idle tyrant who loves embroidery and is denying there's a problem.
22. A(n) unbalanced curmudgeon who loves model aircraft making and flying and is worried to death. 
23. A(n) warm underachiever who loves airsoft and is heavily indebeted.
24. A(n) timid catalyst who loves gun collecting and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
25. A(n) normal leader who loves sleeping and can't let go. 
26. A(n) depressed guardian who loves hunting and is isolated.
27. A(n) undependable sycophant who loves bonsai tree and is deeply deceived. 
28. A(n) short-tempered waif who loves net ball and doesn't measure up. 
29. A(n) dextrous analyst who loves disc golf and is denied a pleasure because an obligation or belief. 
30. A(n) paternal saboteur/betrayer who loves videophilia (home theater) and is stuck.
31. A(n) idle caretaker who loves swimming and don't know what they believe anymore. 
32. A(n) flabby ordinary man who loves beatboxing and has run out of ways to be happy.
33. A(n) mercurial dreamer who loves ziplining and is worried to death. 
34. A(n) talented caretaker who loves microscopy and is untalented.
35. A(n) lovable penitent who loves microscopy and is stuck in an abusive relationship. 
36. A(n) cool-headed investigator who loves camping and is unlucky in love.
37. A(n) delightful child who loves shortwave listening and doesn't measure up. 
38. A(n) pensive waif who loves mineral collecting and is friendless.
39. A(n) affectionate poet who loves bridge and is soon to be imprisoned/executed/enslaved.
40. A(n) circumspect sensualist who loves smooth jazz and is stuck in an abusive relationship. 
41. A(n) outgoing thief who loves planking and is terminally ill. 
42. A(n) tactless explorer/wanderer who loves reading to the elderly and is denied a pleasure because an obligation or belief. 
43. A(n) subtle survivor who loves bicycling and is unlucky in love.
44. A(n) hateful victim who loves garage saleing and can't let go. 
45. A(n) nasty curmudgeon who loves embroidery and is destructively addicted. 
46. A(n) affectionate perfectionist who loves boxing and is untalented.
47. A(n) orderly gossip who loves fencing and is destructively addicted. 
48. A(n) practical overachiever who loves kites and is destructively addicted. 
49. A(n) patient caretaker who loves soccer and is isolated.
50. A(n) stern curmudgeon who loves martial arts and is denied a pleasure because an obligation or belief. 
51. A(n) delicate slacker who loves gunsmithing and has run out of ways to be happy.
52. A(n) lethargic pleaser/show-off who loves cloud watching and is unlucky in love.
53. A(n) mature underachiever who loves brewing beer and is denied a pleasure because an obligation or belief. 
54. A(n) jovial monster who loves eating and is denying there's a problem.
55. A(n) malicious saboteur/betrayer who loves marbles and is unlucky in love.
56. A(n) frank hunter/predator who loves figure skating and is stuck in an abusive relationship. 
57. A(n) capable child who loves gaming and is destructively addicted. 
58. A(n) compassionate victim who loves motor sports and is unlucky in love.
59. A(n) eager thief who loves volleyball and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
60. A(n) flaky analyst who loves people watching and is stuck.
61. A(n) quiet monster who loves coloring and can't let go. 
62. A(n) short-tempered introvert who loves dolls and is denied a pleasure because an obligation or belief. 
63. A(n) self-assured victim who loves art collecting and is taken advantage of. 
64. A(n) flaky perfectionist who loves shark fishing and doesn't measure up. 
65. A(n) naughty gossip who loves antiquing and is heavily indebeted.
66. A(n) cold monster who loves renting movies and is friendless.
67. A(n) abnormal bully who loves candle making and is friendless.
68. A(n) uncooperative survivor who loves modeling ships and is stuck in an abusive relationship. 
69. A(n) deep bureaucrat who loves bmx and is untalented.
70. A(n) jealous fundamentalist who loves racing pigeons and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
71. A(n) intelligent thief who loves reading to the elderly and is deeply deceived. 
72. A(n) childish hunter/predator who loves kites and don't know what they believe anymore. 
73. A(n) polite hunter/predator who loves jukskei and is soon to be imprisoned/executed/enslaved.
74. A(n) judgmental benefactor who loves audiophilia and is worried to death. 
75. A(n) energetic benefactor who loves ultimate frisbee and is worried to death. 
76. A(n) gentle fundamentalist who loves motorcycles and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
77. A(n) guarded sycophant who loves hooping and can't let go. 
78. A(n) chic anti-hero who loves blacksmithing and is denying there's a problem.
79. A(n) slothful child who loves climbing and can't let go. 
80. A(n) unstable villain who loves planking and is stuck.
81. A(n) cold magician who loves trainspotting and has run out of ways to be happy.
82. A(n) unaffected explorer/wanderer who loves knitting and is destructively addicted. 
83. A(n) restless penitent who loves climbing and is deeply deceived. 
84. A(n) judgmental child who loves skating and is terminally ill. 
85. A(n) frank benefactor who loves figure skating and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
86. A(n) passionate martyr who loves scuba diving and is stuck.
87. A(n) idle rake who loves quilting and is deeply deceived. 
88. A(n) dainty monster who loves sand castle building and is destructively addicted. 
89. A(n) natural perfectionist who loves astrology and is unlucky in love.
90. A(n) indolent analyst who loves mountain biking and is stuck.
91. A(n) uncooperative bully who loves horse riding and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
92. A(n) discerning herald/messenger who loves snowboarding and is unlucky in love.
93. A(n) motivated investigator who loves learning to pilot a plane and is unlucky in love.
94. A(n) lovely pleaser/show-off who loves juggling and was recently made unable to fulfill role due to injury/disease.
95. A(n) unwilling caretaker who loves cloud watching and has run out of ways to be happy.
96. A(n) one-sided elder/mentor/teacher/parent who loves parkour and is heavily indebeted.
97. A(n) childlike introvert who loves taekwondo and is worried to death. 
98. A(n) sleepy bully who loves judo and is heavily indebeted.
99. A(n) warm fatalist who loves baton twirling and is friendless.
100. A(n) mature tempter who loves writing music and is denying there's a problem.

Kindness*

Kindnesses for your NPCs to perform. Generator is on the Generators page.

Alternately, cast the reverse to turn into a villainy.

The point is that people who display genuine kindness or villainy are more interesting than people who do not. If you want your PCs to care about an NPC, one way or the other, have them do one/more of these straight/reversed:

1. join them for a meal
2. ask if they'd like to go with
3. help them learn something
4. bring them food
5. give them a piece of art
6. give them something personally important
7. express genuine admiration, sympathy, or interest
8. clean or tidy something for them
9. do or offer to do a chore or small task
10. visit them while they are sick or down
11. give them a thoughtful gift: relevant trinket, favorite meal
12. tend to something important to them: pet, relative, child, collection
13. stand up for them, overtly or subtly
14. throw / take out for a party or celebration
15. buy drinks or meal, pay entry fee
16. pay off a debt or purchase something expensive
17. ask what they want to do
18. offer genuinely helpful advice
19. give them an opportunity to get something they want
20. give them company

Here's how it works. It's your turn as GM to say something interesting. Maybe they're in town piddling around, or maybe they've just rested up at the guild, and let's spice things up with some investment in the fiction, shall we? 

So you roll / click on the list and you get 16: buy drinks or meal, pay entry fee. 

1. Think of an NPC you'd like to show off with this kindness / villainy
2. Have the NPC approach with an offer to display this kindness / villainy
3. Have the NPC display this kindness / villany
4. This may lead to something else: another kindness / villainy, an opportunity for reward, whatever.

Example: PCs have just rested up in the guild. I have their old handler Igrild approach one of the PCs and ask if they want to head to the Roost tonight, drinks on me. Even if the PC declines, I've made the NPC more interesting. If you want to put some oomph in the fictional offer, actually offer a small amount of XP for completing the "quest" of going with her. While there, she offers an opportunity ("I was wondering if you might be interested in...") or reveals a vulnerability ("Thanks for coming. I haven't really been able to have much fun recently.") or else there is in general something interesting that happens—or not! This scene alone is fine. 

And then you move on. Took maybe 1d4+1 minutes of game time and made the world and the people in it seem more real. And maybe netted folks some XP. 

To do the reverse in the example above, have the NPC ask if the PC wants to go out to the club or whatever, but, when they arrive, have the NPC expect the PC to pay her way and to be genuinely nonplussed when the PC won't pay. Or, if the PC does, keep pushing her narcissistic sense of entitlement and general nastiness. Whether the PC ditches her in disgust or unaccountably goes along with it, either way you've got a good thing.