The Grand Tangent NPC Chart (d100)

Description (more info)

The Grand Tangent NPC Chart
Every so often a DM has a powerful need to go off on a tangent. Sometimes it is simply for a stress break, sometimes it’s to regroup and rethink, and sometimes it’s about a change of pace or to shake things up. Whatever the reason, the fastest way I know to send your PCs rolling down a new path or to distract them from their current quest is to throw an NPC at them.

But where are you going to find the time to create a new NPC with a distracting story? Never fear! What follows are thirty four examples of terrific NPCs ready to go with tangents built into their design. Feel free to choose whichever one best suits your wants or needs. Or, if you feel brave, have a roll on the accompanying chart. Please note that this chart is specifically geared towards 4th and 5th edition; however, it can easily be converted to all editions with a few minor adjustments. Good luck!

d100 Name About Backstory

1-3

Tonk Gabber

Female Gnome Wizard

On the hunt for lost magical item needed to save her family.

4-6

Geri Levandis

Female Elf Druid

Injured after goblin attack.

7-9

Tommis Pellarc

Male Human Cleric

Searching for nearby ruins.

10-12

Gabby Marc

Male Dwarf Fighter

Hunting for wanted bandits.

13-15

Jerric Belindo

Male Drow Wizard

On the run from Orcs.

16-18

Messa Farrow

Female Human Monk

Needs escort to local monastery.

19-21

Kendra Plunk

Female Halfling Rogue

Looking to sell cursed item.

22-24

Naus Ferderra

Male Dragonborn Barbarian

Asks for help to avenge dead tribe.

25-27

Soren Jullun

Male Elf Warlock

Thinks PCs are trying to arrest him.

28-30

Tamara Cobb

Female Half-Elf Ranger

Searching for missing children.

31-33

Dominic Deller

Male Human Paladin

Hunting for nearby demon.

34-36

Jannis Lamra

Female Tiefling Bard

Wants to steal money from PCs.

37-39

Ageron Ionic

Male Elf Sorcerer

Looking for abducted wife.

40-42

Meltia Copperboot

Female Dwarf Barbarian

On a quest to prove herself.

43-45

Helena Loom

Female Human Druid

Tracking a pack of Gnolls.

46-48

Gobran Jonns

Male Gnome Rogue

Tied to a tree and left for dead.

49-51

Markus Ashenleaf

Male Elf Wizard

Searching for rare spell component.

52-54

Serra Markenfell

Female Half-Elf Fighter

Asks for help recovering lost gold.

55-57

Tibby Fozoni

Male Halfling Bard

Wants help following treasure map.

58-60

Candori Misk

Male Dragonborn Warlock

Accidentally opened random portal.

61-63

Dori Pewter

Female Dwarf Paladin

On quest to find mount.

64-66

Jenna Wellward

Female Human Ranger

Poisoned and looking for cure.

67-69

Ordon Grell

Male Half-Elf Cleric

Searching for stolen holy item.

70-72

Lissa Winn

Female Elf Monk

Was attacked and has amnesia.

73-75

Kellar Duan

Male Tiefling Rogue

Almost dead from sickness.

76-78

Fiona Tanger

Female Halfling Fighter

Is an old girlfriend of one PC.

79-81

Duggan Monty

Male Human Wizard

Is lost and has memory issues.

82-84

Kallico De’Juani

Male Drow Sorcerer

Being hunted by other Drow.

85-87

Cammie Aya

Female Half-Elf Bard

Is searching for her lost twin sister.

88-90

Smolts Brassblood

Male Dwarf Cleric

Tracking an evil necromancer.

91-93

Talon Quanto

Male Elf Paladin

Recently bitten by a Vampire.

94-96

Deanna Velna

Female Human Druid

Hunting nearby Kobold clan.

97-99

Tori Husk

Male Dragonborn Fighter

Mistakes PCs for old foes.

100

Damerjam Mookie

Male Gnome Wizard

Wants escort inside rival Wizard’s tower. Compensation TBD.