At the front of these plots are NPCs, driving the characters forward.
One of the hardest tasks for a DnD DM is to think up entire characters on the spot.
Luckily, we have some tips for you.
The Bard and the Beholder By Zozanna Wuzyk
But how do you craft an NPC in someone’s backstory?
Where do you even begin, and what’s important enough to warrant making one?
Here are a couple of tips for creating NPCs specifically for a character’s backstory!
Tavern Bard by Rob Rey
This also means you’ll avoid some of thecommon pitfalls Dungeon Masters makeas your game progresses.
Put some time aside for your players, whether in person or on call.
If distance is an issue, just taking ten minutes to check in can make all the difference.
Tavern Bard by Rob Rey
Keep an open mind to their input, and they should keep an open mind to yours.
After all, both of you are writing the story!
Keep the collaboration alive toshare the workloadandmaintain player engagement.
Faction Agents by Taras Susak
A darker backstory may involve alooming evilthat the player has tangled with in the past.
These types of characters can serve as’mini-bosses’and prompt mid-level arcs in player characters.
They can also be benign influences,driving the character to achieve goals within the campaign.
Concept Art from Keys From the Golden Vault via Wizards of the Coast
The point of these questions is tohelp shape the NPCin their relations to the player characters.
We recommend keeping your player involved, even if you, as DM, are given complete creative control.
This mitigates the workload you’ll experience.
The Jars Of Time By Robson Michel
Don’t be afraid!
The fact that you’re bringing in a character from your player’s story will score you points.
Still, once you’ve established the player’s relationship with the NPC,personality will inevitably follow.
This can help you better set up a statblock or configure their ideals and bonds.
For you who wish to plunder through diplomacy.
