During a game session you’ll most likely improvise NPCs, but the important NPC’s can be prepared beforehand. These NPCs should play a main or key role in the adventure or story, not a side character. This however does not mean they cannot evolve to important NPCs because of repeated player interactions.
While prepare to improvise NPCs these are the must-haves
- Name
- Connection to the story
- Character archetype
Reference
E. Schea, M. (2018). Sly flourish’s return of the lazy dungeon master. Sly flourish shop
Highlights or timestamps
Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Highlights
- Most GMs both prepare NPCs ahead of time and improvise NPCs during the game.
— ^b6a22d from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- The NPCs you take the time to prepare ahead of your game should usually have some key part to play in the adventure.
— ^d23aa2 from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- You can focus on just the notes you need to run a particular NPC at the table. That might be nothing more than the NPCs name, their connection to the story and a character archetype to help you roleplay.
— ^646617 from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights