"If you cast Light, don't walk around with a glowing staff like an idiot." lol

I once had a foppish pirate npc that was a total Badass. He would fool the PCs, steal from them, and generally be a thorn in their side.....but he never wished them any harm...and in a sense liked the PCs...he was just a pirate! He would even sometimes help them (when their interests aligned), like giving them information and advice..even helped in a couple of battles. The players loved him! (Note: this was like 4 years before the 1st Pirates of the Caribbean. After one of my players saw the movie they called me and said they immediately thought of our NPC when they watched it:) )

Best part was the Witch overlay with her series of commands, loved it.

I like the idea of triggers. What I've found helpful too, are evolving NPC's. Instead of the NPC with a preconceived background. I casually set up goals for NPC's -- desires and wants that each one will go to the end of the earth to obtain, but none have achieved. Wants and Desires can be as simple as having the best guild in town to as complex as becoming the mayor. Once the desire is found the NPC uses the PC's to achieve their goals. This sets up a goal based world, versus a complete evil and good based world. The NPC evolve in the world, along with the PCs. The PC's can influence the world, as much as the NPC's. The tug and pull take you in weird directions but will achieve balance in the world, while causing a lot of tension between characters and NPC's. The characters usually do not understand that the NPC's goal once achieved, changed the world so drastically that it might not Overall benefit the PC's, and only monetarily benefited them, treasure.

"Contacts" should be placed on a D&D sheet. To help the players and to motivate the GM to make the world more "full." Now to redesign the Official D&D sheet :)

Wow, The Executioners set of NPCs is brilliant. I just want to adopt it into my campaigns and see how the players handle them. Not having them is like denying Christmas to kids. Thanks for this concept, it's really something I'm excited for

Another great one. I really like the use of minis to help illustrate your explanations. Have a great time at GenCon

So this episode is the one I return to. Probably my favorite. I have listened to it half a dozen times by now.

I love the minis you use in your videos

Also NPCs dept is a good way to encourage your players to add dept yo their characters. I loved the Witch comments hahaha

I had an elf bard named Velur Driassen that was a regular NPC in my campaign. He was sardonic and egotistical, and fond of making songs to mock the PCs. The party invited him to accompany them on adventures in hopes that he'd get killed, but he was like a cockroach, always surviving the fight, even contributing (although his dice rolls were miserable). He did once help an army of hobgoblins to capture the PCs (rather than killing them), then later snuck in and helped them to escape.

Dear professor Dungeon Master, I have been starting to DM a game with my friends and we have have a short and very fun campaign that lasted only 6 or so sessions. I used this as a practice run to get a good grip on the game and to test things out. I often tried new things that you talked about such as combat and a simple intuitive way to use spells. Thanks to your videos, that I only discovered no that long ago, I am prepped and ready to DM a full and amazing campaign. I look forward to your future content and will support your channel anyway I can! Thank you, Zack

I've been a DM for almost twenty years, and even with that experience I'm learning a lot of good, solid game tips from your channel. Keep up the good work!

Yo, Max Manheim's theme music is a legit bop. Made me like him the best among your rogue's gallery :)

I love the use of your miniatures. I've returned to this video a few times over the last few years, and i'm always impressed.

LOL the tavern keeper's eyes. I can't quite put my finger on what his expression might mean. I just know I wouldn't want anyone looking at me like that. Great work on the miniatures.

In my group's Curse of Strahd game the mentor role was filled by Van Richten; the contacts were the keepers of the feather and obviously the main villian was Strahd Von Zarovich. Additionally some of our party members and NPC's were rivals and foals including Kriv (a dragonborn fighter) Tomithia (NPC villian turned ally), and Alexander Von Roeyen-Zarovich (vampire and younger brother to Strahd and Sergei Von Zarovich).

I am saving this for future reference, this is amazing and helpful.

This is exactly the kind of advice I've needed. Your witch fits in perfectly with an NPC I already have - she's in the tower because she's been imprisoned there for treason (think Eleanor of Aquitaine with spells). And the wizard whose work contains her there is another possible mentor. How interesting if two PCs should choose (or be chosen by) different mentors? Muuuahaha!

love when you make videos about gameplay advice like this. so helpful. and I get so many ideas for running my session while watching! thank you!

always worth rewatching DC vids. You and Runehammer are like GM Bread and Butter. Keep making the world better by spreading the power of storytelling!!!

I really liked the production values for this video. The miniatures, lighting effect, music ques and camera work added a really fun element.

When did Raven become a drugged out dominatrix? O.o

Yet another great video, with excellent advice. In my opinion, the information packed in every one of The Professor's videos is immense. I have watched most of them multiple times, and I usually get bits of knowledge that I missed in the previous views. Well written, well constructed, and absolutely one of the top content providers on KZfaq.

Another excellent video, Professor! I like your description of the 3 types of characters. When you point it out, it’s so obvious...but I never thought of it till now. Thank you and have a great time at Gen Con. Cheers.

Every video is a gem. Everytime you upload, the next session with my players is better than the previous one. This is really the result of years of experience and making mistakes as a GM and I thoroughly respect that. Not only me, but my players are improving as well, making decisions about their characters I never thought they would. That said, I am eagerly waiting for the video on how to handle druids and their powers.

Your concept of "start small and work outward" is probably the best advice one can give. I started doing this after growing frustrated with the complexity of the "outward -in" approach and I actually find it creates a more diverse and colorful campaign as you can design as your group goes out and you are inspired to fulfill these quirks. Great video all around!

What a magical realm.

A group of Rival adventurers to compete with the players for smaller miscellaneous quests and magic items. (Equal in level of the players, with 1d6+1 total members in their group. Party composition can be determined by the Class table in X's GtE, pg 72.) If the players find a notice board with quests, the Rivals makes a competitive group initiative check with the players. The winning team gets first pick of which quest to perform. (If the Rivals win, their quest is already in progress at the time of discovery of the notice board, otherwise they pick an unchosen quest by the players after they leave the board.) The Rivals make a DC 15 save to see if they complete the quest without complications. (The Rivals have a +X modifier to their save equal to the number of members in their group.) On a failure, the Rivals make DC 10 "Death" Saving Rolls until they have 3 successes or failures, using the same modifier as above. (Natural 20s counts as auto success for the entire check, and Natural 1s cause 2 saving throw failures.) On a success for the save, the Rivals fail the quest but loses no members. On a failure, the Rivals lose 1d4 members and still fails the quest. If the Rivals fail the initial Quest DC check by 5 or more, their entire party is wiped out. Any spoils from previous quests will be on their dead (or undead) bodies or even spread out in the area of their failed quest. Their failed quest will be replaced back onto the notice board, with a message that the previous group hasn't claimed completion for the quest yet.

My sage is Laurentino ("call me Larry") Mung, a wizard/sorcerer of noble birth. He's been convicted of illegal magic use three times and has been physically maimed by the Kingdom (branded, eyes gouged out, hands and feet crushed and left to heal poorly). His footmen is Dumb Dumb, is based upon Lenny from Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men."

Love this idea. Professor Dungeon Master is full of great advice!

Great advice. Best RPG channel out there!

Awesome video! I've got a little market area in a little village that is kind of like a D&D suburb outside of the capital city. This is what my players use to reset themselves, get info, rest up, get supplies, trade rumors, etc. I've got a collection of folks there that are my world's mainstay NPCs. Many times when players take the time to interact, they find out there is more to these folks. I've gone through a few villans now as the party is just at the cusp of 7th level now and we've been playing for about a year now. What I have not done yet is to get them linked in with an NPC who has stabbed them in the back or will. Have to think about that one. Super job as always!

The witch looks exactly like raven from teen titans! XD

Fantastic video. One of your best!

your terrain collection is yuuuge! Still so much stuff to show us :)

Bizarro World is Superman. Seinfield famously has a Superman reference in every episode though, so clever lol

Love all your stuff!!!! Every time it gives me newer and cooler ideas for the world and makes me think of any that already apply. Keep up the awesome work! Wish there was a discord for this channel 😂

Excellent video. Taking notes

My goodness your channel is good! I cannot stop watching your videos and your experiences and ideas blow my mind 🤯 You have the perfect Game Masters voice and look too lol Not sure if you gave up on your channel but if you have not, run your campaign online or just relate the adventure like an audiobook. You sir have seriously made me want to run that old Keep on the borderline campaign with my own group of players. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 😉👍

How have I never seen this video of yours professor? I been watching your videos for years, especially campaign videos.

definitely love the idea of pulling in the villains for a few lighter, social skirmishes before the full-fledged battle. Thx Professor!

''Shine these boots!'' - to that, one would probably say ''Well fellow companions, looks like my adventure ends here.'' lol

Before I watch I'm going to guess 1. antagonist. - npcs to fight the heroes. 2. Informative. those they get the quests from, those they get clues from, etc. 3. support. - store keeps, npc allies that help in various fashion. torch holders,

The Sage, the Contact and the Villain. Now that you mention it, I can relate every of those Hommlet NPC's for each group. Very nice tips, I think I need to reinforce more of some NPCs participation in my games!

Right on time. I was in need of this. Thanks

Professor! Your stuff is simply fabulous! Super entertaining and very inspiring for me and my game! Thanks for such great information and such colorful ideas! I continue to love your channel. Hope you are having/had a great time at Gencon.

A good NPC as well is a friendly and competent warrior, like Solaire from Dark Souls. A goodwilled, funny and likable character that can help the players in tough situations. It works specially well in smaller groups where no one want to be the cleric :)

Great advice again!!! Thank you professor!

Oh wow, totally using tha tSage idea. Excellent! Mine was an 85 year old woman (divination wizard) that knows she needs to go on one last adventure (at the extreme frustration of her husband who is a young looking elf ranger who leaves the room to cry every time she brings the future up).

My sage is the Professor Dungeon Master! ;) Great video, sir - very insightful!

Great video. Thanks, Professor.

You ought to make an adventure out of this. Really digging your remastered Caves of Chaos!

Good information I like using NPCs to get the party to let down their guard, sounds like you do too. Nice video

Great information. Thank you.

Fantastic! Always inspiring. Ty.

Great advice,,,, I've only used a couple of these characters before, but will look to use more or all together in future. :)

Greetings Prof Dungeon Master. I used to play D&D as a young lad. Played and DMed for many many hours and years of fun with my pals. That was 40 years ago. A few weeks back , my nephew asked me to DM an online Campaign for him and a few friends. Since my playing days , I have given away all my D&D stuff years since to younger potential enjoyers - various rulebooks ( including an Original First Edition D&D , Greyhawk , Blackmoor and one other the name of which I forget) Chivalry and Sorcery , and In the Labyrith , all my homemade maps , dungeons , hand-drawn characters and NPC portraits( Art College) and dice. Rather than re-aquire all the stuff , I have started a new unique map of the "New Kingdoms of the Midworld" , and some small submaps , but I am looking for a very simple streamlined set of rules. Bottom line , I am making my own. Currently I am trying to come up with a Classless System where the characters are about their abilities , NOT their stats ( I have chosen human only for Characters). I know from watching several of your vids that you share some of these sentiments , and I was wondering whether you might disclose how you came to this philosophy , and what mechanism(s) you use to distribute player character skills and skillsets. NOTE I will have magic in my world , but its effects will be (at least at the start ) subtle and of low drama - bending the players minds to want (to search for ) more. Any thoughts appreciated. Kopf in Nova Scotia.

Excellent. This is just excellent.

Very nice info.

Saying bizzaro world is from Seinfeld is like saying Jesus is from South Park. :)

Love the idea of a group of "bizarro" npcs that are similar to the heroes but are their rivals. I just may try that!

You know I just had a solid Idea for a sage. A Grizzled old warrior who has spent his life fighting monsters and is now to frail and old to keep it up, he can still wreck face with the best of them but only in short bursts before his body starts getting in the way. He's got lots of helpful advice for fighting all kinds of monsters, and can be found conveniently in almost every tavern the party goes to and always seems to have a quest for them if their interested. Maybe he's keeping an eye on these plucky whippersnappers and is grooming them for some big quest. Might even help them out of a spot of trouble from time to time, but not too often, he's not their nanna. I just need a name, something that hit's both the Crotchety Old Man, & Mighty Barbarian note. I'd go with Alfred if not for the whole Batman association... Maybe Gunther?

Going to DM in 6 days. This video is so helpful. Thanks! 🙏

Just wanna say thanks Dr Oublietteboss, you're my favourite.

After this video I am confident that Professor Dungeon Master has hired the local enchanter to upgrade his magical Tweed Jacket of Insight to +2!

A suggestion for people to use for a sage especially in a West Marches style game. The Sage could be the power source for the magical defenses in the city they need to stay within their keep or in the city limits to maintain the magic. Thus explaining why there's no adventure in the city as is suggested for a West Marches style of play.

Saw you at Gencon, didn't want to interrupt. Hope you had a good one!

You sound like a news anchor and I love it

Kingdom Death miniature

Excellent ideas!

You always need a NPC like the shoe-shine guy in Police Squad? "Hey Johnny, what's the word on the street?" Your tavern keeper is him. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mJ6Yh6SjnLTbZH0.html

I fell in love with the Executioners "anti-group", but I am afraid so would my players...if I was to adopt the "opposite" criteria with my dudes (and dudette) the Executioners should be open minded, tolerant and gentle, generally helpful, with no bias towards non-humans and inclined towards good. Hard to pull this one out :(

With theese great npcs I turned my Session into a single player adventure I really enjoy it.

Some great ideas here, thanks!

This way of making NPC's remind me a little of how "NPC's" in cartoons are usually made. I will definitely be using these tips in my next game which is coming up very soon. I feel like if I get in there with a good rounded cast of NPC's with these qualities, I will be off to a great start.

I love running paralel npc adventuring groups in my campaigns. They can be used as competitors, rivals, allies or when a pc dies they provide a nifty source of replacement pc's.

I involve my player into this by have a rule I call the 3x3 rule. After they know what kind of world it is we play in, in Session 0, they get the task to write some short paragraph about a person who is enemy with them, a person who is good friends with them, and a person who they know but is more some kind of neutral towards them but connected in some way. I also write an enemy, an friend and a neutral NPC for them to know. A third set is open to fill in later, when the game is already running. So at the end at some point you have 3 enemies, 3 friends and 3 other/neutral NPC's connected to them in some way. They create NPC's in the world they play in, which makes them more involved. Also, you could usetheir NPC's then to have an important rule in their quest - or if you need to get them more emotionally involved, maybe a good friend is kidnapped, or the villain of one of them is also the BBEG, who maybe killed his family so he is especially invested in find this guy (could be the one from the player that tends to be a bit in the background while playing, to get him more into the frontlight) and so on. TL;DR: Let your players create NPC's they are friends or foes with or are otherwise connected to them. Use their NPC's in your campaign.

I wanted to get some advice for a campaign idea I've been working on, the setting and premise for this world is that all the races in the players handbook have been wiped out, the drow and dwarves got conquered by mindflayers ; the humans were destroyed after first a tarasque nomed their capitol, then they were unable to organize an adequate defense against a group I'm calling the horde for now(until I think of a better name) which is basically an organized faction of monstrous races (orcs, Minotaurs, and other mosterous races), the elfs halflings and gnomes died off in similar ways, the tieflings half elfs and half orcs died off due to their simply not being enough of them to continue the species (since they were all the results of humans mating with another species). at this point the world has five main factions, a draconic empire mainly inhabited by lizardfolk and kobolds and ruled over by dragons, these guys are the ones who wiped out the dragonborn after they refused to serve the dragons; a giant kingdom ruled by the storm giants and with goliaths, ogres, and trolls as part of their lower class, these guys are the primary enemies of the dragon kingdom. a previously mentioned group which is a massive band of monstrous races united together, these guys are bassicallly just raiders who attack whatever they can get away with and sometimes work as mercenaries. a yuan-ti empire which has currently not been well fleshed out as I need to research them more. and a united goblinoid empire (this was to hilarious of an idea for me to not do it) this faction is made up of all forms of goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears, and is the primary reason the mind flayers haven't made it out of the underdark yet. so do you guys have any thoughts or recommendations for this setting?

Fantastic!!!

You are the man!

All these NPC types are strong archetypal figures. I believe that is another important aspect of story-telling because it provides a sense of deeper meaning and significance. Some of the most satisfying fiction contains these types of timeless characterizations. Just look at Game of Thrones, or Conan the Barbarian.

My favorite sage: Fizban the human (?) wizard of Krynn!

Me and that witch have some things in common. Especially the hallucinogenic herbs and probing the cosmos part lol

Sages are so regular in our games we have a name for them. We call them Vogs... its short for Venerable Old Geezer! 😆

Love the intro

My friends and I have just started playing Dungeons and Dragons and it’s just the three of us at the moment. I’m playing DM but to add some party composition I’m playing an elven Cleric too. Kinda like a story support role

Hi Professor, Inspiring NPCs with lot of colors and personalities, strength and flaws! It make the world so much more alive! I am wondering where you get those "normal people" minis? All I see in stores are more adventurer types!

the munchburger bros... I freakin' love that name... thats a great name! if I didn't already subcribe that woulda got me lol!

Really great advice.. I'm excited to have you as a resource. Have to admit knowing you wrote for Dungeon for awhile and learning from you is really a special thing. Thanks for all you're doing.. in your vid you flash the caves terrain.. did you make that too? Have a vid on that somewhere?

Wow. I appreciate your videos. Your delivery and production is clear, engaging and concise. Does this sound familiar? Out of nostalgia and after forty years wanting to go back and do it better I have been working on a campaign based upon the original B modules. With T1 tossed in. Of course they are all integrated into a loosely outlined bigger world that keeps progressing. The magic is more mythic making it more powerful and dangerous to everyone. Starts off on a small local scale and then sand box style allows players to go where they dare.... Most of it is design as you go... Will resist the urge to borrow your ideas, except where I really like them in which case I shall steal them boldly. Have a great time at Gen Con. Thanks

Great vid Professor, much appreciated. I have a question about your Initiative video relating to spellcasters. In your Magic video you state you have spellcasters make a spellcheck every time to see if they succeed at casting, then they roll a second time to see how successful (or not) they were. That's 2 rolls alteady, and if it's a "to hit" spell then they need to roll to hit. In your initiative system where everyone rolls once, does this not impede upon that, effectively dragging things out?

Good stuff.

The sage in my game is Orcus. one of my players sold his soul to him, and now he is undead. He can contact him through any reflective surface since my player lost his reflection when he lost his soul. He has loved it and is slowly turning into a villain.

"Max Manheim" *Music changes * *Headbanging intensifies *

Good video

Love it!

To be fair, Gandalf was forbidden by Eru to interfere in mortals' issues, hence why he very rarely used magic at all.

Professor Dungeon Master, what was the music you used for the Witch? It was atmospheric and a perfect choice!

I am planning on a 10+ people campaign and this will help! (So that not all of them are named Salvano, son of Rekahn)