You tossed an elf into the background of a scene and now one of your players wants to talk to them. You did not prepare for this. You’re about to name an elf “Bob” just to keep things moving.
No wait, if you do that, the players will make Bob their new best friend and then a lame elf named Bob will become a central figure to your whole campaign. You know how players are. You need to get on top of this now.
Don’t panic. Roll 3d20 and consult the Quick-Work Elf table. You’ll make quick work of finding a name for your background elf, their non-adventuring elfy job, and some character hook that you can play up—all in the time it takes for your players to get nervous about why you’re rolling d20s behind the screen. You can also just pick something; no one’s watching. Just make it something you like.
After that, your new elf can steer the players back toward the action. And if the players take a liking to this one, you can build on it without slapping your forehead every time someone wants to talk to that elf they met that one time.
Quick-Work Elf
| d20 | Name | Job/role | Characteristic |
| 1 | Aerilwen | Woodworker | Likes to talk about elven history and lore |
| 2 | Sylvandel | Weaver | While trancing, sometimes seems to channel another voice or being |
| 3 | Elariana | Musician | Studies stars both for practical navigation and divination purposes |
| 4 | Thalorien | Scout | Prefers to be in a tree if nothing pressing is happening on the ground |
| 5 | Arivael | Arborist | Has a facial birthmark that portends a destiny |
| 6 | Elindor | Hunter | Observes lunar cycles closely |
| 7 | Lirivian | Falconer | Knows a dozen languages |
| 8 | Aeloria | Herbalist | Greets trees as though they are friends |
| 9 | Galanaris | Sculptor | Can see and speak with spirits |
| 10 | Thalvion | Archer | Laughs musically at events |
| 11 | Elenaria | Farmer | Seems unbothered by anything bad that happens |
| 12 | Farandil | Merchant | Knows scandalous gossip and wants to tell you . . . but no! they shouldn’t . . . |
| 13 | Selavion | Bookbinder | Casts a nonviolent cantrip every chance they get |
| 14 | Alariel | Enchanter | Seems burdened by the weight of years |
| 15 | Elowyn | Healer | Wears an outrageous hat; changes the subject if it comes up |
| 16 | Thalorian | Guard/soldier | Very into dwarves and dwarven culture; grows a wispy beard |
| 17 | Nivalis | Ritualkeeper | Carries a handful of wildflowers; gives them to people |
| 18 | Lyrael | Scribe | Can speak to birds |
| 19 | Arandor | Leatherworker | Breathtakingly graceful in movements |
| 20 | Silviana | Layabout | Everyone seems to know and like them |
