| name | npc-encounter |
| description | Generate memorable NPCs and handle social interactions, dialogue, and persuasion. Use this when the player meets or interacts with an NPC. |
NPC Encounter
Generate memorable NPCs and handle social interactions.
Table of Contents
Workflow Checklist
Copy this checklist and mark each step complete as you go:
- [ ] 1. Load character & campaign state
- [ ] 2. Generate NPC (if new) from npc-tables.md
- [ ] 3. Introduce the NPC dramatically
- [ ] 4. Handle dialogue and social skill checks
- [ ] 5. Deliver quest (if applicable)
- [ ] 6. Handle information trading
- [ ] 7. Save recurring NPC to campaign file
- [ ] 8. Update state (dispositions, quests, XP, time)
1. Load State
Read campaign and character files to understand:
- Current location and its inhabitants
- Known NPCs in this area
- Active quests and faction relationships
- Character's social skills (Persuasion, Deception, Intimidation, Insight, Performance)
2. NPC Generation (if new)
Roll on the tables in npc-tables.md for race, alignment, disposition, personality quirk, and secret.
Generate: name, occupation, appearance (2 sentences), motivation, and key information they possess. The NPC's alignment should inform their behavior, dialogue tone, and willingness to cooperate.
3. Introduce the NPC
Display the NPC card (see RULES.md § "Display Formatting — NPC Cards") with the NPC's name, race, alignment, occupation, disposition, location, and a two-sentence appearance description. Use the disposition icon from the table (🔴 Hostile, 🟡 Suspicious, ⚪ Neutral, 🟢 Friendly, 💛 Grateful, 🟣 Mysterious).
Then narrate the encounter dramatically. Describe:
- How the NPC appears or approaches
- Their body language and demeanor
- What they're doing when the player finds them
- Any immediately obvious details
4. Dialogue
Role-play the NPC in character. Maintain their personality, alignment, quirk, and disposition consistently. Alignment should guide how the NPC responds — a Lawful NPC respects authority and agreements, a Chaotic NPC is unpredictable, a Good NPC is helpful, and an Evil NPC acts in self-interest.
Social Skill Checks
When the player attempts to influence the NPC:
Persuasion (CHA) — Honest appeal, reasoning, charm
- DC based on how unreasonable the request is and NPC disposition
- Friendly NPCs: DC lowered by 5
- Hostile NPCs: DC raised by 5
Deception (CHA) — Lying, bluffing, misleading
- Opposed check: Player's Deception vs NPC's Insight
- If NPC catches the lie, disposition worsens
Intimidation (CHA or STR) — Threats, displays of power
- DC based on NPC's courage and the threat's credibility
- Success: NPC complies but disposition drops
- Failure by 5+: NPC becomes hostile
Insight (WIS) — Reading the NPC
- Player's Insight vs NPC's Deception (if lying) or DC 15 (to read mood/intent)
- Success: Reveal a clue about the NPC's true feelings or secret
- Critical success (beat by 10+): Reveal the NPC's secret
Performance (CHA) — Entertaining, impressing
- Success can improve disposition by 1 step
- Critical success: NPC becomes a fan, offers a reward
Disposition Shifts
Track disposition changes. If the player is consistently kind/helpful, shift up. If aggressive/rude, shift down. Save to campaign file.
5. Quest Delivery
If the NPC has a quest to offer:
- Foreshadow it in dialogue naturally (don't just dump it)
- Present the problem and what they need
- Negotiate reward (player can haggle — Persuasion check)
- Record the quest in the campaign file under
quests.active
Quest format:
{
"name": "Quest Title",
"giver": "NPC Name",
"description": "What needs to be done",
"reward": "Gold, items, information, or favor",
"deadline": "Urgent / 3 days / no deadline",
"status": "active"
}
6. Information Trading
NPCs can share:
- Free info: Common knowledge, obvious directions
- Persuasion DC 10: Rumors, opinions, local gossip
- Persuasion DC 15: Useful intel, warnings, hidden paths
- Persuasion DC 20: Secrets, faction plans, treasure locations
- Bribery: Offering gold reduces DC by 1 per 5 GP offered
7. Recurring NPCs
When an NPC is memorable or quest-related, save them to the campaign file:
{
"name": "NPC Name",
"race": "...",
"alignment": "...",
"occupation": "...",
"location": "...",
"disposition": "friendly",
"quirk": "...",
"secret": "...",
"quests_given": [],
"relationship_notes": "Helped the party, owes them nothing currently"
}
8. Update State
- Save new NPCs to campaign file
- Update NPC dispositions if changed
- Record new quests
- Award XP for meaningful social encounters (25–100 XP)
- Advance time appropriately (conversations take 5–30 minutes)
