15 replies to this topic

[Erestor]

I was reading the "overused ideas" topic, and it dawned on me how true it is that so many NPCs, especially modded NPCs, have such a dramatic and/or convoluted background that it becomes hard to suspend one's disbelief long enough to enjoy their company.

*Note: I'm not criticizing the work of any modders out there, especially when you take into consideration how many mods I've written*

Anyway, I'd kinda like to see an NPC who was really just out there to make a buck (which is easy to believe... he'd be more like most real-life people than just about anything) and decided that adventuring was the best way to do it.

I know it would be hard not to make such an NPC seem dry and lifeless, but he'd still have a background and a personality, right?

Maybe he comes from a nameless old run-down farm run by his nameless old run-down dad who died a nameless old run-down death, poor and unknown. This might've made NPC decide that he'd not let that happen to him, no matter what it took, and thus set out to make a name for himself... or if not that, at least a good many golders.

I'd picture said NPC as a human in above-average condition, though not amazingly strong. Pretty darn smart (always figures out how to make a buck) though not necessarily all that wise (I mean, adventurers make a lot of money sometimes, but more often than not end up dead... not the safest career path to take just to make some cash). Probably quite adept in the use of whatever weapon he chooses, since that's how he earns his living (and his skill would make up for his not-terrifyingly-awesome strength, etc.). He's a hired hand, not a leader, so his charisma wouldn't win over the hearts of all he meets.. but maybe a dry, cynical sense of humour appealing to some?

Not a bad guy, just greedy. And perhaps by the end of his stay with CHARNAME he could even have learned that a little altruism feels good every now and then, too.

I'd think:

STR: 15-16
DEX: 12-13
CON: 15-16
INT: 14-16
WIS:9-11
CHA:10-11

And let's just say Grand Mastery in... oh... bastard swords. Or flails. Or whatever.

For a touch of uniqueness (and in the interest of staying in-character), he could ask for payment to join the party initially (although Korgan does the same if you pick him up then drop him only to ask him back again, right?), then perhaps when the party 'scored' a big reward (i.e. after freeing Nalia's keep), he could demand a percentage of the pay for himself. Take take take, but what does he give?



Like, say, Hubelpot, I'd play this guy more for his personality, etc. than his sheer usefulness. Although a fighter's nice to have around sometimes.

I guess that long-winded spiel was meant to say: I really just want an NPC who's enjoyable and very believable, if not remarkable.

[BobTokyo]

In some ways I think it's easier to write well for a character who has had a less over-the-top life. There are plenty of ex-military folks out there who've hit a rough patch, people who are smart and tough but are now finding it difficult to make a buck. Their stories and attitudes would work very well for a straghtforward merc with only a few changes. These sort of characters also serve as a nice contrast to CHARNAME and Imoen, and fit in well with the Bioware NPCs.

So, sounds good.

[Briannandoah]

I like this idea a lot. Something a bit similar I am trying to make with my own mod, though the reason for adventuring is a bit different (sorry for the selfpromotion part ).

But I really like this, so let's hope someone will try to make such mod someday (soon...).

[Erestor]

Thanks you guys. I wish I had the knowledge to do this myself, but I don't... nor do I have the time to learn. (stupid job... stupid college... grr... heh)


Edit: But if anyone with said knowledge wanted to do it... they'd be my hero.

Edited by Erestor, 24 August 2004 - 04:08 PM.

[BobTokyo]

After all there must be plenty of regular guys among magical races as well....

A serious, reliable LG female Gnome tinker (Cleric/Thief) could be interesting. Her main problem in life; most of the male Gnomes she meets are annoying or insane, which cuts down her marriage prospects considerably. Maybe a potential romantic interest for male Dwarves, Halflings, or LG Gnomes?

[SConrad]

A serious, reliable LG female Gnome tinker (Cleric/Thief) could be interesting.

I don't think that a theif can be LG, though.

[BobTokyo]

A serious, reliable LG female Gnome tinker (Cleric/Thief) could be interesting.

I don't think that a theif can be LG, though.

In 2nd Ed, True.

TN then.

[Ragnar]

A serious, reliable LG female Gnome tinker (Cleric/Thief) could be interesting.

Wasn't Tiax a Gnome Cleric/Thief?

Prehaps for something completely different, the Mercenary could be half-orc?

[SConrad]

That's quite a jump.

[EDIT] - Both for LG to TN and from gnome to half-orc.

[Erestor]

Hey, I'd be all for a non-human, too. My description was by no means 'the way it has to be.'  A half-orc... that'd be nice.

Well.. except.. half-orcs are generally not very bright, true? Which doesn't really mesh with my original mental picture of this fellow. But if it were done this way, I wouldn't complain, either.

[Ragnar]

Hey, I'd be all for a non-human, too. My description was by no means 'the way it has to be.' A half-orc... that'd be nice.

Well.. except.. half-orcs are generally not very bright, true? Which doesn't really mesh with my original mental picture of this fellow. But if it were done this way, I wouldn't complain, either.

The half-orc's human parent could be smart giving him average INT, but then half-orc's would generally be much more brighter than normal orc's.........

[Andyr]

Kagain in BG1 was sort of a mercenary.

[BobTokyo]

I don't think we can rule out new NPCs just because they have something in common with older NPCs. The difference is in the details.

[Andyr]

I wasn't suggesting ruling it out.