100 Descriptors for nondescript NPCs

By definition, urban settings in fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) are filled with people. Generally, only a handful of the non-player characters (NPCs) in a given city are likely to be sought by the heroes, so the remaining inhabitants are reduced to “generic townsfolk” status. 

There is nothing inherently wrong with generic townsfolk living in an RPG setting. Having prominent NPCs quickly enter the story helps the players distinguish between NPCs who are clearly to be part of the story and the nameless NPCs who won’t. It also helps the players avoid wasting time and energy on an NPC that won’t be able to further the plot.

But it is important to remember that the background details make an RPG setting more believable to players, and having such details on hand – even if the players never ask for them – is part of being a well-prepared dungeon master (DM).

The following list of physical and behavioral descriptors was compiled so that a DM can provide better physical descriptions of generic folk with a handful of percentile rolls. Whether in response to a hero stopping passerby to ask questions or just to provide better background imagery when describing a street scene.

This list has been exported as an Adobe .pdf file, can can be downloaded by visiting the Free Downloads page or clicking here.

Roll percentile dice to determine that the NPC…

1. Has missing or crooked teeth
2. Walks with a limp
3. Is unusually short
4. Is unshaven
5. Has a pet ferret
6. Gestures often when talking
7. Has unkempt hair or beard
8. Has freckles or moles
9. Is blind
10. Has a pot belly
11. Wheezes when breathing
12. Wears an unusual hat
13. Has a pet ferret
14. Is deaf
15. Has hairy knuckles
16. Has a prominent, bulbous or hooked nose
17. Has watery eyes
18. Suffers from intestinal gas
19. Has an unusual eye color
20. Is exceptionally handsome or beautiful
21. Carries a sachet of fragrant herbs
22. Has breath heavy with the stench of garlic
23. Has a bandaged wound
24. Speaks very loudly
25. Is missing one or more fingers
26. Is gaunt or thin
27. Smells of manure
28. Talks to his or herself
29. Wears well-made or finely-tailored clothing
30. Carries a small pouch of sawdust for good luck
31. Has ink stains on his or her hands
32. Frequently interrupts others during conversation
33. Smells of ale or malt
34. Likes to eat or is eating carrots
35. Is unusually tall
36. Sings or hums to his or herself
37. Tends to spit or drool while talking
38. Just had a bath
39. Has extremely bushy eyebrows
40. Has large ears
41. Wears a ring on every finger
42. Wears muddy footwear
43. Carries a small mirror, in which the NPC frequently checks his or her appearance
44. Is balding or bald
45. Frequently chews mint leaves to freshen breath
46. Wears a necklace or brooch bearing a religious symbol 
47. Is pigeon-toed
48. Laughs easily and heartily
49. Is playing a musical instrument
50. Wears an old cloak, like those issued by the army
51. Has fleas or lice
52. Is overweight
53. Is sweating profusely
54. Has perfect teeth
55. Wears simple or homespun clothing
56. Is barefoot
57. Wears perfume
58. Has calloused hands
59. Has bloodshot eyes
60. Obviously bites his or her fingernails
61. Has sores on his or her face or lips
62. Talks with a lisp or slurred speech
63. Has a severe cough
64. Whistles constantly
65. Wears mismatched clothing
66. Walks with military bearing
67. Has numerous, visible tattoos
68. Has one or more gold teeth
69. Wears hobnailed boots
70. Smells like fish
71. Has a fine pewter stein tied to his or her belt
72. Is heavily muscled
73. Wears threadbare clothing
74. Carries a weapon of high quality
75. Has a thin layer of soot covering clothes and exposed skin
76. Has several skin piercings or nose rings
77. Talks very quickly
78. Laughs nervously between sentences when speaking
79. Smokes a clay pipe
80. Wears a backpack
81. Has profuse nose hair
82. Is sun tanned or sunburned
83. Carries a pet snake
84. Wears a dead rat around his or her neck to ward off evil spirits
85. Talks to his or herself
86. Doesn’t seem to blink (at least not often, anyway)
87. Cracks knuckles often
88. Sneezes frequently or suffers from allergies
89. Has a high-pitched voice
90. Has ornately braided hair or beard
91. Grumbles to self
92. Has very long fingernails
93. Is bow-legged
94. Has a habit of picking his or her teeth with a knife
95. Is very affectionate, and punctuates most conversations with hand-shaking, back-slapping and hugs
96. Has sausage fingers
97. Likes to eat or is eating sardines
98. Has hives or a skin rash
99. Has full lips
100. Has visible bruises

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