Pen & Paper tools for managing NPCs


#1

I am about to run an almost Warp Shell game. I have recruited some D&Ders after great effort and want their first session to be a wide open sandbox. I have outlined several seeds and created NPCs and bad guys to support their choices. We play at a game cafe and I am trying to have all the info on paper and easily at my fingertips. This is a challeneg in balancing “trees killed” with “level of detail.”

I like the Heroes of The Hammer NPC format, but one page per NPC seems rather large. I am pondering a 4-up NPC info card, sort of like an index card character sheet. What paper tools do you guys use for managing NPCs at the table? Got examples to share?


#2

There is a booklet form with like 4 characters per sheet floating around somewhere


#3

Thanks. I actually used the search box before posting, but to no avail. Got a link?

I am knocking together a 4-up, but it is still just a character sheet (and utilitarian - no style at all ). I sort of hoped this post might reveal one of those super cool I-wish-I-had-thought-of -that solutions. An NPC tracker in a format that eludes me would be great. HA! :grin:


#4

I was just searching too, it might have been in the google+ days.


#5

I stumbled across this:

Looks WAY better than mine (but still just a character sheet and not a paradigm-shifting GM tool). I like it a lot, though.


#6

Ok in the back of the core book 2nd edition is a 4 characters per page sheet, just look in the back where all the various sheets are


#7

I would recommend stripping the character sheet to its essence. For example, SDIWChC represents all Attributes. If there isn’t a bonus then don’t write it. Most monsters in ICRPG have a blanket bonus (+2 to all rolls). So Smitty the Goblin could be written as: Smitty (gob) +2.
Let’s say you want more detail for Lars the Archer: Lars (arch) S1 D3 C2 A12 W2
S, D and C are attributes, A is armor and W is Weapon Effort. Hearts (or H) is only mentioned if it is more than one.


#8

My Go-To Character Sheet I created a 3x5 char sheet awhile ago that might work for NPCs,


#9

Very nice!

Still… I am hoping for a breakthrough tip on managing the NPCs. :grin:

OTOH… Perhaps printing a small deck of NPCs is as simple as it gets.

When it comes to actual character sheets, I love the several designs but usually opt for greatest utility for least amount of ink. That means little visual appeal, but info intact. Just sayin’… :wink:


#10

For simplicity I use the following NPC method that often requires 0 paper:

*Rule of 3: Give +3 to the 1 or 2 stats that make sense for the character. Everything else is 0.This is the equivalent of given a character easy checks in areas of their strength and is easy to remember.
*For Armor simply add +1 if they’re wearing some and +2 if they carry a shield (+3 for both). Using a mini, or even the image of the character in my mind’s eye I remember this.
*If relevant, give one special power/spell/loot item.

So as an example:

A Paladin STR +3 & WIS +3 Armor +3 (he wears armor and caries a shield).

A Cleric +3 WIS. He knows Cure Spell (magic, so Magic Effort).

A Barbarian +3 STR & +3 Weapon Effort.

A Rouge +3 DEX & +3 Basic Effort. Wearing leather armor so +1 Armor.

I’ve found this works well for me. Using this technique I literally can pull them together on the fly or if needed I can fit a bunch onto one index card if I want to include a detailed spell or something.

For more detail, I like what @Sweenie_McGuffin posted above. the main thing is just write abbreviated notes for those things that are more than 0.


#11

Here is a set of NPC sheets I made a while back and have enjoyed using, especially when tracking multiple monsters in battle. It doesn’t save the most ink but I could easily re-design it to have more white. I don’t know if this is anything like what you’re looking for though :slight_smile:


#12

Good ideas here, so thanks to all. Until the “eureka moment” comes along, I am leaning towards a small NPC deck. This is for NPCs that matter and not mooks and their ilk.

Here is one semi-filled in with some details.

At this size, I get 8 NPC cards from a letter size sheet of card stock. Hmm… Still to ponder.


#13

To save even more space, split that in half (between stats and Gene splicing) and print the second half on the back.


#14

I realize you’re using Warp Shell, and this doesn’t quite fit… but for a fantasy setting check out:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/114325

It’s free, though there is an inexpensive paid option with better backgrounds. You get over 100 NPC images at 9 per page.
The art is good & there’s space on them for a few quick notes.