From the genesis of the D&D game, random lists have been used to create, inspire, and complicate games everywhere. A GM is essentially keeping all the knowledge of a fabricated world inside his or her head, along with all the relevant laws of physics and mechanics, which are transformed into a living story around the table. With that in mind, sometimes it is difficult to come up with appropriate names, descriptions, NPCs, castles, or environmental features on the fly. Luckily, there are certain tools that simplify a GM’s life no matter what game he or she is running.
These random generation tables can be used for just about any topic. The trouble is that though they are great to have, they take time to generate yourself. The good news is I have taken the liberty and done the hard work up front, leaving you free to copy, paste, and print right into your notes.
Nonplayer characters are a staple of roleplaying games across the genre. Your campaign may contain anywhere from dozens to upwards of a thousand different people. It can be difficult at times to give each one of these individuals their own look, sound, motives, backstory, and identity. Around the table I’ve found that giving an NPC at least one truly stand-out feature helps the players latch onto that person, as well as start to extrapolate some of their own conclusions about their lifestyle. For example, noting that an NPC shuffles a deck of cards deftly despite missing a few fingers or carries himself with impeccable posture and a raised chin paints a picture of who they might be. These identifying features can be used to distinguish between a wide variety of characters or serve as a starting point for a new adventure. It may be that running into someone with a feature such as number 17 or 22 may pique the interest of the party and raise a lot of questions that hopefully lead to excitement.
d50. Identifying Features
- Missing the same finger on each hand
- Has no tongue
- Tip of nose cut off
- Impeccable posture
- Constantly sneezing, sniffling, or coughing
- Badly rotting teeth
- Thick and veiny neck
- One eye sewn shut
- Scar cut in the shape of a moon inside a pyramid
- Tattoo across the ribs of five crowns in a circle
- Completely hairless
- Elaborately painted on necklace
- Missing jaw bone, skin remains
- Necrosis spreading slowly from dead ear
- Carries around a dead bird
- Foams at corner of mouth while speaking
- Bleeds from a fresh wound
- Wears a devil mask carved of black stone over a burned face
- Missing skin around mouth
- Three diamond-shaped metal shards floating around head
- Clothes and skin covered in a blue and white fungus
- A small imp is partially fused within his or her skin
- Arcane runes wrap around the neck like a collar
- Carries a bag of insects that he or she eats constantly
- Unblinking eyes that look like they are made of gold
- Small branches protruding from head like horns
- Scrawny and stuttering but genius at diplomatic solutions
- Thick and gruff beard knotted into a symbol
- All facial features are distorted as if stretched or disordered
- Extremely gaunt and frail; skin is tough like boiled leather
- Blood red patch of veiny skin on face
- Partial paralysis of one side of body
- Eyes leak small amounts of runny goo
- Left shoulder and neck has intricate mazelike scar
- Speaks with thick nearly indecipherable accent
- Bushy moustache that twirls at the ends, is actually fake
- Limps dramatically, but only while outside
- Wears a shirt woven from the tentacles of a monster
- Carries a large gearwork machine on its back, clicking and grinding constantly
- Has a two-headed raven familiar
- Wears a helm shaped like the giant head of a stag beetle
- Long forked beard with the ends capped with a spike
- Skin spotted with weeping lesions
- Forearms are covered with damp bandages
- A large node or bulge under the skin of the neck
- Has multiple scars from being struck by lightning
- Small polished stones encrusted on own brow
- Fingers and hands covered in black ink
- Long locks of flowing hair that shimmer red in the light
- One hand is shriveled, aged, and scaly, but the affliction appears to stop at a jeweled leather bracer
I love random generation tables so much. Thanks!
I read an article a few years ago that suggested that DM’s should employ all five senses (Smell, Touch, Sight, Hearing and Taste) when initially describing a scene. Perhaps in a future installment of Random GM you could try something along those lines. I for one would find it useful. Thanks for this article. A lot of the entries provide a good jumping off point for intriguing NPC backgrounds.
Yes, of course. GM’s can use the five senses in order to draw on the players imaginations and bring a sense of realism to the scene. Perhaps 50 different sensory descriptions could be a useful tool. Glad you guys are enjoying the articles!
Nicely Done, Frank! I love random tables as well!