How to best use NPCs?

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Something similar to this topic came up in another post, and started to take a life of it's own, so I thought I'd give it one

The subject of using an NPC in a small PC party came up, and while I think it can be effective, there are lots of pit falls. The main one I've fallen into before is that the NPC becomes too important to the party, and the DM (me) starts thinking of themself as a player, rather than the referee of the game. Since then, I've avoided using NPCs within the party, unless it's really necessary.

Another problem is when the NPC is used to 'direct' the party into taking certain actions; basically railroading the party in the direction the DM wants them to go.

 

I think a NPC can be effective on a short term basis. Build some limit into how long the NPC will be around. He's a guide for this part of the adventure or she is willing to come along and help 'find' her missing master. They can be valuable in a small party campaign and can be killed off if they become over depended on.

On the railroad issue they can provide help to new players in a way that will not damage the quality of the campaign. For more experienced parties they don't have to have the right answers. It's all how the DM plays them. Have them disagree with the party and make bad choice. It's all party of the role-playing experience. You have to draw a clear line between all powerful DM and not all power NPC played by them.

On a interesting twist your DM split the 8 player party up to solve 8 quests at the some time and for each quest the other 7 players run NPCs going along with the 'main' party member. It's worked you great. You get to play a lot of character classes and races in the same campaign without really changing main PCs.

 

NPCs are *definitely* valuable to have around. I tend to use them more as 'sign posts' than as active party members. Giving out information, helpful tips, lending aid at critical times, etc. I think it's also handy for the party to know where certain NPCs hang out, so they can come back and find them at a later date. Also helps to fill things out when you're creating a campaign world.

You're 8 Players x 8 NPCs idead sounds interesting. Sounds like a lot of work for the DM though Have you actually tried this, or played in an adventure like that?

 

The npcs in the party don't really need to be great heroes, all npcs I've used in parties have been more or less sidekicks, who follow the others around because they're friends/hired/got nothing better to do, and usually won't offer much help (except in combat situations.) They might be a liability too, one just might have kleptomania. Or actually be a vampire. The possibility for annoying your players are endless.

 

I've played in two out of the 8 adventures so far. Yes, it is a lot of work for the DM he needs to create 7 NPCs for each adventure but it is very rewarding.

I like the idea for 'returning' NPCs. Character you can meet up with from time to time for adventures. I think moving past the 'sign post' NPC is important. We had a NPC in our party who was trapped in a flute. He only appeared as a vision so he couldn't affect anything. He could only provide information. This was very interesting since he had been in the flute for a generation and the world had changed since then and his advice was not always right. Lot of fun to deal with.

 

NPCs can be great as plot characters, like Voltric's guy in the flute. With 'sign post' NPCs I meant real personalities that add to plot, and are made available to PCs when they need them, or when they want to go looking for them. I think NPCs are most interesting, and valuable, when they are more than just 'flat' characters used as window dressing.

One of the keys in using NPCs is maintaining balance: NPCs that are more involved with the party should be on equal footing with the PCs (similar level, knowledge, etc) whereas those that operate outside of the party can differ greatly in level, as well as possessing knowledge and information that the PCs wouldn't otherwise have access to.

 

Hey I liked your Dryad NPCs Gnolyn.
Too bad they didn't show up again