d e v o n
Not today Justin
No title available
祝日 / Permanent Vacation
Love Begins
will byers stan first human second
Janaina Medeiros
Stranger Things
dirt enthusiast
Kaledo Art
No title available
NASA
TVSTRANGERTHINGS
todays bird
Kiana Khansmith
Product Placement
$LAYYYTER
Sade Olutola
occasionally subtle
almost home
seen from Finland
seen from United States
seen from Italy
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Denmark
seen from Belarus
seen from Malaysia
seen from Italy
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
@npc-guy
I GOT A FUCKING RAISE THE POTATO WORKED WTF
This potato works. Every. Fucking. Time.
Then bring me luck
the day after I posted this last time I was notified that I was selected for a really cool mentorship gig and got an unrelated glowing review at work
Hey Potato, cure my -ing cold so I can have a good time while away.
Here's the potato. Make what use of it you will. :)
Definitely golden! Here's hoping it works xD
Sure, let's give it a try.
Halfling Alchemist
Okay, first new post in a long time. I hope that people enjoy it.
Pathfinder’s alchemists’ focus is on potions, bombs, and things of that nature. But while healing and explosions are notable you can’t forget the various other capabilities they possess. While there isn't a direct translation at the moment for mainline 5e, the concept can still be applied regardless. And for a halfling, there are probably a number of possibilities from this class/archetype that would be appealing.
Halfling alchemists… okay, no, going for the height thing is too easy. That’s also going to be a thing for the gnomes, and it’s just way too obvious. Also rather presumptive. But let’s move past that. Let’s consider classic halflings: based on hobbits, living in idyllic countrysides for the most part. Lots of farming, food, drinking, and generally peaceful living. How does an alchemist fit in here? Well, halflings can still get injured or sick: accidents happen, and infections can take hold. So a healer is especially useful, especially one that can create bottled brews. But wide open spaces are also great for using explosions in attack or defense. And anyone with a measure of chemistry can help with local issues of water, food, or cleanliness.
There’s also something to be said for their adaptability and creativity. They can find solutions that wizards might not have considered, or which the domains of clerics don’t cover. Halflings are often considered lucky, but it’s good to have a plan for when luck runs out. Flexibility can be the key to survival, let alone victory. And halflings might often have to be flexible, given their standing in most worlds. So maybe they go against the grain? What’s most important is that they get results. Although, it’s important to remember that an alchemist can be just as good or evil, lawful or chaotic, as any other class. Although I may have used this line before in this project, I’m still going to use it: the healer can have the bloodiest hands.
Sietske Van Wieren: Town in Trouble
One of the queendom’s smallest farming communities is surviving in the midst of a terrible drought, and thanks are due to its local alchemist. Sietske was hoping to help her grandmother’s home prosper, but now she might be the only thing keeping it alive. Bandits and dangerous creatures are being drawn to the village due to a lack of food elsewhere. Sietske has sent word to the royal army, but they may not arrive in time. As a back-up plan, she also puts up postings on the job board of the next closest town. Adventurous individuals will find that the pay is good and potentially long term, especially if the queen finances Sietske’s efforts.
Aadan: Business is Booming
A small and previously unimportant stretch of hills and mountains is now swarming with people due to a gold rush. However, Aadan isn’t a miner himself. Instead, he is an opportunistic alchemist who is selling both curatives and explosives to those willing to pay. Unfortunately there are only so many ingredients that he can safely harvest himself or buy from traders. In order to acquire some of his most necessary components he is willing to hire mercenaries (or “adventurers” if that’s what they call themselves). As a bonus, he’ll sell to those who succeed at a slight discount.
Ofa: Where the Sick Guards Went
The island city-state of Moʻunga-Lanumata is in need of assistance. Many city guards have fallen terribly ill, with a few even disappearing in the night. And then a horrible monster appeared and terrorized the market district for hours before it was killed. Thankfully the island’s small order of alchemists can assist with healing, but the island’s rulers must turn to adventurers to assist in the investigation. Eventually, it will turn up that a halfling alchemist named Ofa has been indirectly involved in the treatment of all those who vanished and somehow most of the ill guards as well. If the party goes looking for Ofa’s records, they will find half-truths and forgeries. Who is Ofa, and what have they done with the missing guards?
Welp
Apologies for not posting for two years. It's been... a time. I'm considering starting again and at least finishing the PF1e APG classes, but I do want to know if anybody actually cares? If you like my stuff and would like to see even a little bit of something new then please speak up. It's honestly really hard to write for just myself. Also, I hope that - whoever you are - you're doing well. TTFN.
Human Witch
Oh, yes. Humans like power. Because in many ways we feel powerless. That’s probably true for most forms of sentient, mortal life. But power and control are oftentimes just illusions that we believe because it makes us more comfortable. This can also be applied to the witch (or warlock, for 5e D&D) and the bargain they make with a patron. You think you’re getting free magic, but really you’re promising to work for a powerful entity that may not care about your well-being. Arch-devils, abyssal despots, undead demigods- the list goes on for toxic supernatural employers. Some mortals probably think they can make it work out, but entities that can grant magic can plan far in advance and can have contingencies for contingencies for contingencies. And, of course, there are those who are aligned with their patron’s interests from the beginning.
But why be a witch instead of a cleric or something similar? Well, witches have access to some unique magic and powers, so that’s probably a draw. Plus, I think I’ve gone over the idea that a witch can be more incognito than a cleric with their holy/unholy symbol and prayers and such. So, human witch? Figure out why they want power and that can help inform how they can factor into a campaign.
Bryn Rhydderch [Patron: Deception]
Growing up in an orphanage can make a child desperate to achieve a better life, which is why they are often targeted by dark powers. But in Bryn’s case, it was actually a more neutral entity: an elemental water demigod. To allow Bryn safety from bullies and then bigots, this patron granted them power to avoid and evade as well as a bonded cat. Over time, Bryn has used this power while working as an agent for a relatively benign thieves guild as well as “liberating” orphans who are being mistreated. Of course, all of that comes with lawkeepers trying to take down what they see as a criminal with access to wicked magic.
Ghalib Nejem Al-Amin [Patron: Endurance]
The nation has a problem: assassins. Specifically, spellcaster assassins. Ghalib is a government investigator and a distant relation of the royal family, so he’s had a target on his back for some time. Thankfully, a spirit of justice noticed how dedicated Ghalib was and granted him powers of protection After accepting them from the owl this spirit sent as an intermediary, the harried investigator could reasonably survive an arcane ambush. Now Ghalib is looking for help in stopping the assassins and finding out who exactly put the hit on him in the first place.
Intan [Patron: Animals]
Boar demons are well known for representing gluttony, but a close second could be considered greed. Intan serves a greater form of such a demon who has granted them power over animals. Normally, animals are disgusted by demonic magic, but by granting power to a human the odor is masked. So, Intan uses her magic to make animals do her bidding. Whether it’s stealing, distracting, or actually attacking, Intan sees animals as tools to be used. How does that work with the viper that is acting as Intan’s familiar? Well, that’s a very… complicated relationship.
Update
Someone commented that a couple of things were messed up on the Human Cleric NPC Character Sheet post. They were correct, and I fixed them. Everything should be good, but if there are further technical issues regarding past or future posts feel free to let me know. Now, back to your regularly scheduled (?) content.
Human Cleric NPC Character Sheet
What class would you associate most with an antagonist in a D&D or Pathfinder campaign? Probably warlock/witch? Maybe a wizard? Perhaps even a rogue. But what about the cleric? After all, the cleric can serve evil just as easily as good. But, what if it’s not just evil that’s a problem? Law and chaos are on that alignment grid too, after all. And for today’s NPC character sheet, order is always the order of the day.
Pathfinder 1e Character Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-9ES6jwsznNwi-p8OWQlLtB1z1_aD55L/view?usp=sharing
Adventure Hooks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11DDRW2w-IoNRlKr79JI9Nds4olBv6CURu-vxwAURHcY/edit?usp=sharing
Brigh’s Pathfinder Wiki Page: https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Brigh
The human cleric that I’ve chosen to make a sheet for is Lenox Acheson, whose domains are Knowledge and Fire. I wrote that he follows a god of industry and invention, of which there is one already made for Pathfinder which could work: Brigh, sometimes called the Whisper in Bronze. She is primarily concerned with crafting and research into mechanisms, constructs, and alchemy. But, as a True Neutral deity her followers can be Lawful Neutral, which would make sense for Lenox as someone trying to bring order to the world. In fact, he might see the world as a kind of mechanism which is not operating properly.
In Lenox’s view, the world would be a lot better if everyone were in a more efficient and advanced society. Because of this, he’s decided to start uniting the world by whatever means necessary. Now that’s not to say he’s cruel or unnecessarily destructive: that would go against the tenets of Brigh, and he is very faithful to his goddess. But he does lead an army to conquer new territory in the name of unity and progress. Traditional lifestyles are erased in the name of efficiency and differences in culture are being ignored. But his regime does make a number of improvements for the lives of people: free education and healthcare for everyone, meritocratic systems instead of aristocracy or castes, and improved living conditions all around.
So, is Lenox an ally or enemy? That’s up for you and your players to decide.
P.S. Remember you don’t have to use Brigh specifically as the deity, I just used her as a helpful example!
Half-Orc Cavalier
Half-orc cavaliers probably have a lot in common with half-orc paladins based on general lore. Following a code of conduct could help them find a place in the world or open up avenues that would otherwise be closed to them. In a world that usually dislikes them, being a cavalier could be the best option for those half-orcs that have the option. But, there is an interesting alternative. What if orcs and half-orcs are the people that are known for being cavaliers? After all, in both Pathfinder and D&D orcs are generally known for basing social status off of their martial prowess. The oldest concept (or stereotype) is of the orc barbarian warlord, but what if they were known for their orderly knight commanders? You could even have the orcs act more like the turians from Mass Effect with a civilization based around military service. But, we’re talking about half-orcs here, so let’s get to the characters!
Namgung Seong-Jin, Wandering Warrior of the Deer [Order of the Dragon]
In the land that Seong-Jin calls home, some noble children take up the mantle of an order of warriors that works separately from but alongside the military. Seong-Jin most often serves as back-up alongside soldiers at poorly defended border forts. While being a half-orc often makes others initially distrust him, his nature as a gentle giant often throws people off-guard. If people inquire about him with those on his list of references they will receive word of nothing but good deeds, professionalism, and an overall morale boost. And if his martial prowess is in question, Seong-Jin is more than happy to provide a demonstration of his capabilities both mounted and on foot.
Mele of the Island Guardians [Order of the Shield]
Foreigner pirates have been raiding the archipelago for months, taking many goods and even desecrating sacred places. To stop this, all of the island leaders have dedicated warriors to a new group to protect the people. Mele was one of the first to volunteer. With the blessings of the shamans, the guardians have bonded with the mighty wave-runners (hippocampus to the foreigners) and have been given ships to patrol the archipelago. While Mele will never betray her oaths to her leaders, people, and ancestors, she also sees this as an opportunity to better her family’s position.
Jordan Atanasov [Order of the Sword]
Getting promoted is the goal of many soldiers, but Jordan didn’t really care about making it to a command position. They just wanted to do their job. So, ending up as a judge’s soldier seemed like a pretty good idea. Unfortunately, it’s also resulted in them getting hated by two groups: the racists and the corrupt. But being a half-human does mean that the tuskless soldiers and civilians often trust Jordan more than their compatriots, which sometimes helps with investigations. Regardless, Jordan remains professional and incorruptible at all times and does their best to make sure justice is served.
Gnome Fighter Character Sheet
Ah, the first proper post after returning. Let’s get to it.
Many people underestimate the gnomes, thinking them easy to push around due to their small stature. But as I’ve often pointed out the gnomes can be just as capable as any race. And the gnome warrior Nakano Shinobu is going to prove that as this post’s NPC.
Pathfinder 1e Character Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r0jrFY8J10pWJYzSpKhu1gzG5GzFNaUSEjy1HZH0pd8/edit?usp=sharing
Adventure Hooks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r0jrFY8J10pWJYzSpKhu1gzG5GzFNaUSEjy1HZH0pd8/edit?usp=sharing
I originally described Shinobu as a “ronin,” which for those who don’t know was the term for a samurai in feudal Japan who no longer had a master. Now, samurai is a class in Pathfinder but that’s not what we’re discussing today. Shinobu is a fighter by class and focuses on assisting other gnomes in defending themselves. Whether training gnomes to defend themselves, leading local soldiers, or just fighting off a small group of brigands himself, Shinobu is always working to keep his people safe. This makes him readily available for whenever and wherever you might need him to show up. Additionally, being a higher level NPC he can realistically be a DM-ex-machina to save player characters who are in trouble. Perhaps he could even serve as someone to teach a PC character a particular feat or fighting style.
However, his only real goal is the safety of his people, so he won’t join any cause that doesn’t involve them. Bandits attacking a human town? Not his problem. Oni having taken over an elven fortress? Nope. Dragon sinking ships and disrupting trade? Nah. It would take a lot of convincing to get Shinobu to see a non-direct threat as something to concern him. Of course, helping gnomes will get you points with him, but it takes time and effort to get him to actually trust non-gnomes. He’s not prejudiced, it’s just literal centuries of witnessing his people be attacked, persecuted, or abandoned.
Finally, there’s the Pathfinder gnome issue: the need for wonder. However, while it could be an interesting plot hook, you don’t need it to make it work for your world. Just toss it out the window if you don’t like it. I’ve written gnomes with this in the past, but of course you can do things as you want. In a world where it does happen you could have Shinobu pay the player characters to defend a gnome town or enclave while he travels somewhere new. It could be the basis of an entire arc, waiting for the renowned ronin to return. If this supernatural need doesn’t exist, you could just explain it as Shinobu needs to be gone for another reason. In fact, there’s a prime example in the adventure hooks. Regardless, I hope that you enjoy my rendition of a high-level gnome fighter. While I’m currently only making character sheets for Pathfinder 1st edition, I am contemplating trying to make them for 5e D&D as well. I’ll see if I can make it happen. For the time being, it’s good to be back. Until next time!
It’s been a long time
I haven’t made a post on this blog in nearly two years. I kept meaning to, thinking I would finally get back to it and continue my efforts. But, it never came to pass. In that time, the world as we know it changed forever. Thankfully, I have been okay and so have the people closest to me. While I don’t know if anyone will actually be excited to see this, I am going to try and continue this blog. It was fun, and I would at least try to finish off the Pathfinder 1e Advanced Player’s Guide classes. Hopefully the steam won’t run out and I drop this again for another two years. To that end, I probably won’t be posting multiple times a week like I did in the past. Most likely, I’ll be trying for once a week, possibly only once every two weeks. But, this project isn’t a race, it’s a marathon. Of course, there is other stuff that I can show off to those who are interested.
For a little while now I’ve been streaming on Twitch. Mostly video games, but I do have something that I call “World Building Wednesday,” where I stream a writing process of creating a fantasy RPG setting. So far I’ve made an island inhabited by tieflings and a half-orc founded desert city-state. I’m still figuring out how to publish them for use, but when I do it will likely go on my streaming-profile’s Twitter account. For those interested, please give it a look and feel free to check out my streams. Otherwise, please continue to enjoy the NPCs that I can create. And of course please feel free to tell me about how you used them in your own campaigns. Until next time, I hope everyone is doing well, wherever and wherever you are. -NPC Guy, a.k.a. LoremasterBernard
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/loremasterbernard
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoremasterB
What happens when a tree branch falls onto a powerline?
Answer: Dramatic Annihilation
Only 17 seconds long - stick to the end.
Wtf is that sounddd
watch til the end pls omg
The sound is steam escaping the wood.
I have to imagine that this is something that magic might look like in real life.
Elf Alchemist
Alchemy is often the hot new thing in terms of magic, a strange and often underestimated arcane practice. Entrenched customs will likely not want to give alchemists the same respect that clerics, wizards, and other spell-casters receive. After all, generally these practices have centuries or even millennia of tradition to legitimize them. Therefore, an elf taking up this pseudo-science is likely to turn heads.
Given their long life spans, an elf alchemist may take their time in developing their formulae and crafting their concoctions. Years of experimentation, decades of refinement, centuries of expanding their knowledge. Of course, they are likely still going against tradition, but that may be the point. Perhaps these elves are engaging in a new branch of research in order to adapt to changing conditions, very in line with their chosen profession. They could also be fed up with how static elven magical practices have become, wanting to make discoveries and explore concepts traditional casters won’t pursue. There might even be some foresight in this, using their many previous years of experience to see trends and conditions coalescing into an advantageous position for alchemists in the future. No matter what, these elves are likely to make good use of their natural advantage of time to ensure their experiments are successful.
Xolani Mandla Amahle Maningi
Out past the outskirts can be found the territory of the elves, and on the far fringes of that you can find an isolated island in a little-known lake. On that island stands a tower surrounded by a high wall. Rumors say it is the home of an elderly elven wizard, but in fact its sole inhabitant is relatively young alchemist. Xolani’s family is wealthy even among elves, and they invested in the tower to give the cripplingly shy young prodigy a place to feel at ease. Although he isn’t far into his second century, Xolani has accomplished multiple breakthroughs in the field of alchemy, but the sometimes pyrotechnic results have led to the rumors about his tower. If someone tries to entreat the “mysterious mage,” Xolani sends his homunculus to send them away. If they insist, he’ll try and give them various potions to make them leave. And in case of trespassers, numerous alchemical traps have been set around and inside the tower.
Zorion Salazar
The elves have watched other races go to war many times, and often the signs are the same. So, some of the more entrepreneurial elves start to watch for those signs and then invest into related industries. Zorion set up shop in a historically neutral city-state that borders on three historically feuding nations. From there, they can keep their ears open to news and rumors pointing towards growing conflicts. Though their primary stock and trade is healing potions, “bottled strength” and alchemist’s fire are also quite popular. If approached by adventurers during the lead up to or during a conflict, Zorion will have limited supplies but be willing to offer completed product in exchange for gathering resources or transporting orders to the front lines. Whether this makes them targets of the belligerents is not of great concern.
Zoie Remington
A new continent is discovered, and colonists head to unknown shores. But when they arrive, a shocking complication is found: magic here works in strange and sometimes unpredictable ways. The only thing that seems unaffected are potions, so the demand for alchemists surges in the colony. Zoie Remington finds herself thrust into a public leadership position as both her settlement’s head healer and arcane scholar, which she views as a double-edged sword. Yes, she’s got authority, respect, and pay like she’s never seen, but other elves centuries her seniors are glaring at her from afar. These clerics and wizards, used to being on top in matters of magic, are generally quite unhappy with being displaced from what they assumed to be easy seats of power. Zoie’s feeling the pressure, but she’s too concerned with her official duties and ongoing experiments, for which requests are often found on the town work board to gather both known and newly discovered components.
Half-Orc Paladin
To be honest, I wasn’t very happy with any of the three characters I initially created for my half-orc paladin post. They’re not my finest work and I’m just not really inspired by any of them. But, I had to choose one of them so this post’s half-orc paladin of choice is Lanaka of the Whispering Cavern.
Adventure Hooks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qlapQAUyC4m0XP93Z1SErrKb5NUeNbvYIIiylO4fw30/edit?usp=drivesdk
Half-Orc Paladin Adventure Hooks A worshipper of a lawful good god in your party receives a vision from their deity. It directs them to a re
Character Sheet:
As a paladin, Lanaka is dedicated to order and benevolence, through and through. She will not suffer injustice or cruelty, but in my original post featuring Lanaka she was described as fulfilling an ongoing mission. Namely, she is guarding a mysterious doorway behind which something bad is hidden. To take up this post, Lanaka must be tremendously dedicated and faithful. She believes wholeheartedly that this is a worthwhile task, but because of it she is mostly isolated. Perhaps she might enjoy company, but she will not tolerate any attempt to open the doors or even to study them. In her opinion, no good can come from the doors or knowledge of them being out in the world. So if you leave here she will swear you to secrecy. Possibly with a mark of justice attached. Look, she’s very serious about it, so if you don’t want to be cursed then just keep your mouth shut. Okay?
Alternatively, Lanaka could be guarding a vault containing priceless relics, the unmarked grave of a tyrant, or perhaps a hidden refuge for the faithful. Basically if the location is important, remote or hidden, and needs protecting, then Lanaka would be a good guardian for it. If you need her out in the world for some reason, perhaps have her in-between duties, such as after a lich's supposedly indestructible phylactery is finally destroyed. Also, I know she's a higher level than most NPCs with some pretty nice gear but she's supposed to be a lone protector so she kind of needs to be strong. Hopefully your party doesn't get too curious and try anything. But, that's what lay on hands and mark of justice are for.
(Also apologies for the weirdness of the first section, Tumblr was not playing nice for some reason.)
Hello, good followers.
Sorry for not posting in so long. I just havent been in a good headspace to write anything for months. But, I'm going to try and get back to at least one post per week, starting this week. I'll try and get the post out by Saturday. Thanks for sticking around for so long. Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the U.S.!
tfw Taliesin’s aura begins to bleed onto the mortal plane
I also pointed at the screen, this was so cool.
Half-Orc Inquisitor
(Sorry this took so long, real life keeps draining me of energy.)
A repeating theme of the half-orc is persecution, so it’s interesting that today’s half-orc NPC is one whose entire job could be considered a form of persecution. Of course, when you’re “persecuting” undead horrors or demon worshippers not many are going to decry your actions. And the dedication, precision, and power of the inquisitor are what cause them to be seen as heroes of their faith.
Now, half-orc inquisitors have a lot of opportunities similar to their half-elven counterparts for stories. Maybe your NPC is part of a faith that orcs and non-orcs share and is working to prevent conflict and heal old wounds for their faith. Alternatively, they could have embraced their faith due to being an outcast and are more dedicated to it than any racial or cultural identity. Another possibility is the allure of an inquisitor’s status in their faith. They hold a position of power and responsibility similar to clerics or paladins but even more specialized. Whatever the case, these NPCs are profoundly defensive of their religion and fellow worshippers.
Irma Bosch [Domain: Knowledge]
Words and ideas should be free to flow from person to person. But some words, said in the right way, can be terrible instruments for darker powers. There are tomes and scrolls in the world whose words could destroy or corrupt to a terrible extent. Irma has been tasked with hunting these dread inscriptions and either destroying them or locking them away. As a half-orc in a land where her kind are more often servants to others, she can move through many places in disguise without drawing undo attention. Often working alone, she still keeps track of local mercenary groups or bands of adventurers who may come across ruins or bring whispers of her quarry. While not opposed to accepting help, Irma knows that any knowledge of what she seeks is dangerous if it spreads. So, if she has to, she will employ methods that others would find... questionable.
Mari Sobol [Domain: Darkness]
There are no churches to the god of thieves, but that does not mean he has no priests. Even more surprisingly, the Uncatchable has inquisitors who actively work to ensure that thievery and criminality in general are never entirely wiped out. Mari only ever ate because they stole food or coin, and so sees no benefit in a society without a seedy underbelly. To that end, Mari has travelled the world to places where the law is strong in order to weaken it. Or, at the very least, give crime a boost where needed. They have trained promising thieves, revitalized guilds and syndicates, and on occasion acted as an assassin with targets of lawmen, judges, and nobles.
Suman the Dedicated [Domain: Repose]
The desecration of the dead is one of the most vile acts one can make, at least according to the followers of the Good Boatman. This lesser deity is the protector of souls on their way to the afterlife, and as such his mortal followers protect those who are dying and the remains of those already gone. Suman is a “preserver,” though his role is not one of tending to graves. Though he chose his faith as a result of the lessons of his parents, he was not content to follow their ideals of pacifism. Too many across the land think they can simply break into graves and tombs to steal burial gifts and disturb hallowed spaces. The ancestral shrine of Suman’s own ancestor was found to have been looted. It drove him to start down the path of one who would stop the desecration. Now, he moves from graveyard to graveyard, shrine to shrine, and temple to temple, offering his services to faiths besides his own whose dead are disrespected. After all, everyone dies, no matter which god you follow.
Elf Monk NPC Character Sheet
Okay, here we go! Sorry for the wait- an event I worked at took a lot of time and attention from me, and I got either allergies or a cold right after. Not a great couple of things to have in succession when you’re trying to write. Anyway, I hope you’re all ready for the next NPC character sheet!
Character Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9YZhiS33lWhwizG-iEXVbPDZKyEQ75F/view?usp=sharing
Adventure Hooks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IRwyfSmoqLYGzsUP2AmVkkeliLnNg7XV_d4WwKjO3NU/edit?usp=sharing
Kenichi Toshokami (and to clarify, this is using the Japanese naming convention so family name is first) is a character with a lot of possibilities. He can be helpful or harmful, assisting or obstructing, but above all he is dedicated to the continuation of knowledge. Because of that, Toshokami has trained his body as well as his mind, and is capable of fighting quite well with the kama and sickle. Additionally, you may notice that he has more than a few magical items, each of which only serve to amplify his capabilities. If your PCs were to kill him, they’d gain a small windfall, but then they’ll have to deal with Toshokami’s patron(s) and allies, some of whom may be even stronger than him.
The thing is, Toshokami is a high-ranking member of some type of governmental system. I originally set him up as the head of archives in some sort of empire, but really you could use him wherever you need a by-the-book-OR-DIE elf monk. Republic, theocracy, benevolent dictatorship, it probably wouldn’t matter too much to Toshokami unless they started censoring things or (even worse) burning books. This NPC, being lawful neutral, is good as either an ally or enemy of many different characters. He won’t go out of his way to kill any chaotic type, but he will be keeping a closer eye on them. The benevolent ones he’ll probably see as misguided, but at least benign; chaotic neutrals are going to be barely tolerated to a point; and chaotic evils will not leave his sight if in his domain.
However, if any character can follow the rules for long enough, Toshokami will be more than happy to assist them. Fill out the proper forms, go through the background check, and wait the requisite period, and you can absolutely borrow that ancient time which holds the secret to saving the world. But try to just sneak in and steal it? Prepare for a focused, uncompromising assault by a force of enlightened order.
Dwarf Witch
I'm super sorry about the hiatus, I've just been burnt out on writing for a while. I'm not even sure why, it just kind of plunged into a spiral of lack of motivation and inspiration. I'm going to try and keep this going for now, we'll see how that goes. Anyway, let's get to the reason you're here: today's NPC.
In the deep places, under the plains and forests, betwixt the roots of the mountains: this is often the world of the dwarves. And it is a strange world, a place that we might not recognize as being part of the overall plane or planet that comprises our prime reality. Places that have never known sunlight, without many of the features of a biome we might consider ubiquitous. Things we would consider very strange exist in the deeps, and things long forgotten by us surface dwellers may still linger in those ever-dark caverns. Dangers that can kill and destroy, things we may have no defense against simply because we don’t live with their threat. But the dwarves do, and because of this they may turn to means and methods we might consider unsavory, reckless, or even antithetical. Perhaps the need for power is too much, causing some dwarves to turn to unorthodox sources. That’s right, today’s post on The Daily NPC features the Dwarf Witch!
Of course the dwarves likely have magic-users such as clerics, paladins, and wizards. They are all inherently practical and useful professions that have immense benefits to dwarven society. Rangers can also play an important role, and druids and sorcerers (while odd and potentially disruptive) can also help their fellow dwarves. The witch, though, is likely a path taken out of desperation. After all, you could be a cleric of a reliable and understandable deity, or at least work hard to learn the spells of the wizard. Why make a pact with some strange, potentially unknown and hostile entity? Well, maybe the dwarf in question doesn’t have access to a teacher, either spiritual or arcane. Perhaps they are an outcast, fighting every day to survive in the caves and tunnels. The dwarf could have a deep distrust of the gods, or at least those who serve them.
In conclusion, the dwarf witch is a good choice for an NPC that has connections to worlds very alien yet not that far away from our own.
Nuka [Patron: Agility]
Survival is paramount, and power is a key component of survival. Nuka agreed to a bond with a great coyote spirit, who gave them magic and taught them to be quick. In exchange, a portion of what Nuka steals is left under rocks or buried in sand for the spirit to take. Sometimes though, Nuka is told by the spirit to steal from shamans or priests of other spirits. So far, it hasn't been a problem, but their targets have been getting more and more difficult.
Umber-eyed Seong-jin [Patron: Shadow]
The dwarves are children of the mountains and caves, staying beneath the safety of stone and soil. Skies can turn sour, the sun is fickle and far away. And yet the surfacers keep trying to convert the dwarves to their accursed gods. The dwarven gods say their people can't take up arms against these sky-addled idiots, but Seong-jin's magic doesn't come from the gods. He has allied with a being of darkness, an enemy of light. It wants the same thing as him, to drive away the sun and sky. There are a few tasks it wants him to perform, odd people or places he must find, but it promises him a world entirely covered by a safe and static roof of stone.
Mojisola of the Undersea [Patron: Water]
Beneath the western lands is an enormous series of caverns mostly filled with salt water. Mojisola and other dwarves live along the subterranean shores of the Undersea. But unlike most dwarves, she doesn't fear the deeper waters. A voice spoke to her in her dreams, offering power to her. The voice said it was trapped, under the bottom of the Undersea, and if Mojisola would work to free it she could have a drop of its power. Now she is travelling all over her sunless world, finding ruins of those creatures that predate the dwarves, making connections with merchant-nobles and mystics, and testing out her new elemental magic.
