NPC Generator

Manner, motivation and desires

Refer to page 182 of the Stars Without Number Revised (Free) Edition pdf for further information about create NPC characters.

Citation

Stars Without Number by Kevin Crawford

Result

Initial Manner

Roll on "Manner & Default Deal Outcome" (columns: 1)

Default Deal Outcome

Roll on "Manner & Default Deal Outcome" (columns: 2)

Their Motivation

Roll on "Motivation & Want" (columns: 1)

Their Want

Roll on "Motivation & Want" (columns: 2)

Their Power

Roll on "Power & Hook" (columns: 1)

Their Hook

Roll on "Power & Hook" (columns: 2)


Subcharts

Manner & Default Deal Outcome (d20)

d20 Initial Manner Default Deal Outcome

1

Ingratiating and cloying

They’ll screw the PCs over even at their own cost

2

Grim suspicion of the PCs or their backers

They firmly intend to actively betray the PCs

3

Xenophilic interest in the novelty of the PCs

They won’t keep the deal unless driven to it

4

Pragmatic and businesslike

They plan to twist the deal to their own advantage

5

Romantically interested in one or more PCs

They won’t keep their word unless it’s profitable

6

A slimy used-gravcar dealer’s approach

They’ll flinch from paying up when the time comes

7

Wide-eyed awe at the PCs

They mean to keep the deal, but are reluctant

8

Cool and superior attitude toward PC “hirelings”

They’ll keep most of the deal, but not all of it

9

Benevolently patronizing toward outsiders

They’ll keep the deal slowly and grudgingly

10

Sweaty-palmed need or desperation

They’ll keep the deal but won’t go out of their way

11

Xenophobic mistrust of the PCs

They’ll be reasonably punctual about the deal

12

Idealistic enthusiasm for a potentially shared cause

They’ll want a further small favor to pay up on it

13

Somewhat intoxicated by recent indulgence

They’ll keep the deal in a way that helps them

14

Smoothly persuasive and reasonable

They’ll keep the deal if it’s still good for them

15

Visibly uncomfortable with the PCs

They’ll offer a bonus for an additional favor

16

Grossly overconfident in PC abilities

Trustworthy as long as the deal won’t hurt them

17

Somewhat frightened by the PCs

Trustworthy, with the NPC following through

18

Deeply misunderstanding the PCs’ culture

They’ll be very fair in keeping to their agreements

19

Extremely well-informed about the PCs’ past

They’ll keep bargains even to their own cost

20

Distracted by their current situation

Complete and righteous integrity to the bitter end

Motivation & Want (d20)

d20 Their Motivation Their Want

1

An ambition for greater social status

Bring them an exotic piece of tech

2

Greed for wealth and indulgent riches

Convince someone to meet with the NPC

3

Protect a loved one who is somehow imperiled

Kill a particular NPC

4

A sheer sadistic love of inflicting pain and suffering

Kidnap or non-fatally eliminate a particular NPC

5

Hedonistic enjoyment of pleasing company

Pay them a large amount of money

6

Searching out hidden knowledge or science

Take a message to someone hard to reach

7

Establishing or promoting a cultural institution

Acquire a tech component that’s hard to get

8

Avenging a grievous wrong to them or a loved one

Find proof of a particular NPC’s malfeasance

9

Promoting their religion and living out their faith

Locate a missing NPC

10

Winning the love of a particular person

Bring someone to a destination via dangerous travel

11

Winning glory and fame in their profession

Retrieve a lost or stolen object

12

Dodging an enemy who is pursuing them

Defend someone from an impending attack

13

Driving out or killing an enemy group

Burn down or destroy a particular structure

14

Deposing a rival to them in their line of work

Explore a dangerous or remote location

15

Getting away from this world or society

Steal something from a rival NPC or group

16

Promote a friend or offspring’s career or future

Intimidate a rival into ceasing their course of action

17

Taking control of a property or piece of land

Commit a minor crime to aid the NPC

18

Building a structure or a complex prototype tech

Trick a rival into doing something

19

Perform or create their art to vast acclaim

Rescue an NPC from a dire situation

20

Redeem themselves from a prior failure

Force a person or group to leave an area

Power & Hook (d20)

d20 Their Power Their Hook

1

They’re just really appealing and sympathetic to PCs

A particular odd style of dress

2

They have considerable liquid funds

An amputation or other maiming

3

They control the use of large amounts of violence

Visible cyberware or prosthetics

4

They have a position of great social status

Unusual hair, skin, or eye colors

5

They’re a good friend of an important local leader

Scarring, either intentional or from old injuries

6

They have blackmail info on the PCs

Tic-like overuse of a particular word or phrase

7

They have considerable legal influence here

Specific unusual fragrance or cologne

8

They have tech the PCs might reasonably want

Constant fiddling with a particular item

9

They can get the PCs into a place they want to go

Visible signs of drug use

10

They know where significant wealth can be found

Always seems to be in one particular mood

11

They have information about the PCs’ current goal

Wears badges or marks of allegiance to a cause

12

An NPC the PCs need has implicit trust in them

Extremely slow or fast pace of speech

13

The NPC can threaten someone the PCs like

Wheezes, shakes, or other signs of infirmity

14

They control a business relevant to PC needs

Constantly with a drink to hand

15

They have considerable criminal contacts

Always complaining about a group or organization

16

They have pull with the local religion

Paranoid, possibly for justifiable reasons

17

They know a great many corrupt politicians

Insists on a particular location for all meetings

18

They can alert the PCs to an unexpected peril

Communicates strictly through a third party

19

They’re able to push a goal the PCs currently have

Abnormally obese, emaciated, tall, or short

20

They can get the PCs useful permits and rights

Always found with henchmen or friends