When running campaign encounters, especially in a
town or city environment, count on players to surprise
you by seeking out encounters with walk-on NPCs you
haven’t detailed.
Whether their characters want to speak
to merchants, burghers, servants, or criminals, this
list of instant personalities and agendas is perfect for
surprise NPCs.
Don’t bother to create an interesting character for every
single encounter.
Many scenes are best left short and sweet,
allowing you to move on to an entertaining scene that
relates to the main adventure.
Every so often, you should
throw in a memorable character whose agenda has nothing
to do with the main plot.
This creates the illusion that your
world is a living, complex place, not a mere backdrop for
the adventurers’ activities.
Often, players remember these
improvised characters and come back to them, weaving
them into the ongoing story of your campaign.