Connections to others

When you have time—usually between sessions—think about how this NPC gets along with others. Ask yourself some or all of the following:

• What do they think of the PCs?
• Who are they related to? Friends with?
• Who are they loyal to, and why?
• Who do they dislike, and why?

Ask yourself follow-up questions. If you're unsure of an answer, leave it as something to wonder about for now.

Use the answers to portray the NPC, and to help resolve PC actions. The smith dislikes the Fox's spouse? The Fox might have to Persuade the smith to do an otherwise simple task. The smith is loyal to the midwife? Her support might get the smith to agree.

Don't flesh out an NPC's entire social network. Leave blanks, and fill in details as they become relevant to play.

My notes for Elios now look like this:

ELIOS (he/him): farmer, humorless, ex-mercenary, Blodwen's uncle. Newly married. Eeyore voice. Instinct: to complain but get the job done.

After the session, I ask myself some of these questions and add these notes:

Respects Rhianna. Kind to Blodwen. Vahid is a dangerous weirdo. Loyal to his wife.

I need to flesh out his wife, but it can wait until I need her for a scene.