Tropes
From sitcoms to cop dramas, Shakespeare to Salinger, there are always Those Guys. Often portrayed by character actors who specialize in the type, they have become welcome, expected, and almost mandatory in modern fiction.
We're departing from our usual format slightly this month. Here's a list of some recurring Archetypical NPCs that might find a place in your campaigns. We'll find them in a place where everybody knows your name.
The Al
Despite being plain, or even outright visually unappealing, The Al is utterly irresistible to those interested in their gender. While they can be charismatic, often they are merely inoffensive. The disparity between the inherently off-putting or unremarkable looks of the Al and their disproportionate and inexplicable attractiveness is often used in comedic media. Unlike the Carla, below, the Al sometimes feels their gift is really a curse, and laments their fate. They are, however, unrelentingly nice folks.
Recommended Use::
The Al makes for an excellent distraction for other NPCs, or a rival to the PCs romantic escapades (although be sure to never have them meet until the denouement... the shock of how plain the Al is should be one of the climactic moments in the subplot, then become a running joke).
Poster Child::
Eddie (John Fiedler) in Golden Girls Episode 90 (Season 4, Episode 14), “Love Me Tender”.
The Carla
A variant of the Al, above, this character is utterly lacking in charisma, completely without a moral compass, and somehow manages to routinely bed a never-ending array of inexplicably attractive people. Unlike the Al, the Carla is often actively on the make, actively scheming to pursue their next conquest, and reviled by those who know them well (while tolerated as part of the social circle).
Recommended Use::
The Carla is best used as either a DNPC of the group, or a recurring NPC interfacing with or against them. In either case, the endless escapades of the Carla are background to their other uses as a recurring NPC of any kind.
Poster Child::
Russell Dunbar (David Spade) on Rules of Engagement.
The Sam
On the same spectrum as the Al and the Carla, the Sam is attractive, charismatic, and significantly oversexed to the point of addiction. The Sam is often covering for a personal flaw or failure, and has a deep, initially hidden core of pathos. However, they have a goofy, panicky side, and get themselves into more trouble than their charm and wit can get them out of.
Recommended Use::
The Sam should be brought in as a nice guy who is an absolute threat to a PC relationship, or even worse, who takes an interest in one of the PCs. Someone turning down The Sam only makes them want the forbidden fruit even more.
Poster Child::
Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) from Two And A Half Men.
The Diane
Epicurian, avant-garde, bon vivant and sophisticate, these are all words The Diane would use to semi-accurately describe themselves. Overly concerned with the high society trappings of academic and artistic culture, The Diane is often overcompensating for an eccentric blue collar background. They never fail to interject themselves into situations, conversations, and events where a more grounded perspective would keep them out of trouble.
Recommended Use::
The Diane is employed best in a fashion to annoy, correct, and in general irritate the PCs, but must maintain a likeable side to prevent the players from simply avoiding them.
Poster Child::
Ted Mosby (Josh Randor) from How I Met Your Mother.
The Norm
Everyman, the loveable loser with a heart of gold and an empty wallet. Often oversized, unusually connected with friends in medium to low places, and a font of sarcastic cynical wisdom despite a very squishy sentimental side. The Norm knows better, and often gets swept up in the madness anyway.
Recommended Use::
The Norm is a confidant, a commentator, a Greek Chorus, and an instigator for the PCs. Everyone loves The Norm. Even when they accidentally burn down the PC's HQ, or come up with a sure fire investment that pays off.. almost.
Poster Child::
Kamekona (Taylor Wily) from Hawaii Five-0.
The Clavin
Deeply insecure, disturbingly eccentric, and prone to holding forth on subjects which they either know nothing about, or know everything about in subjects no one has any interest in to cover for deep seated social anxiety. If The Norm is the social lubricant of the situation, The Clavin is the social irritant. However, like a yippy lap dog, The Clavin is also a loveable mutt, loyal to a fault. A good friend to have, if you can stand the water torture of their endless trivia.
Recommended Use::
Occasionally, The Clavin does know something completely obscure that is useful to the PCs. Additionally, the social anxiety of The Clavin is a plot and situation generator all its own.
Poster Child::
Dr. Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) from The Big Bang Theory.
Sources:
That wraps up the final installment of Tropes. Meanwhile, here's a list of some past and present published game supplements that provide examples of Archetypical NPCs. Look them up in RPGNet's Game Index.
Fast Fantasy: NPCs Series (Wild Hunt Games), Friends, Foes & Followers (Lythia.Com), GM Mastery: NPC Essentials (RPG Objects), GM's Gallery: Useful and Interesting NPCs (Necromancers Of The Northwest), GURPS Supporting Cast (Steve Jackson Games), Masks: 1,000 Memorable NPCs for Any Roleplaying Game (Engine Publishing), NPC Compendium, Volumes I and II (Adamant Entertainment), NPC Files Series (Expeditious Retreat Press), Twilight: 2013 – NPCs (Game Designers' Workshop), Ultimate NPCs (Mongoose),
