The title is self-explanatory. This one is on the request of @lori-dragons. So here is some advice I’ve got about how to make your NPCs likable.
Number 1: Have them give free stuff.
Ever played Dragon Age? I used to joke about how it’s dumb that you can get NPCs to fall in love with your character just by getting them gifts. “How unrealistic” I thought. Then I played D&D and found out that if my NPC gifts FUCKIN’ ANYTHING to a PC, they will fall so desperately in love with them.
Everyone loves getting stuff for free. So if you have an NPC gift your PCs something, a health potion, +1 sword, armor of fire resistance, ANYTHING, they will instantly be liked by your PCs. The more stuff the NPC gifts, the more he will be liked.
Example from experience: A reoccurring character I have is “the Doctor.” Basically a weird Plague Doctor that seems to be running EVERY alchemy shop, although no NPC seems to notice this. Suspicious right? Creepy dude, everywhere at once. Must be bad news. Except he keeps gifting the Party potions for free. So they just ignore all the red flags that he’s probably not trustworthy.
Number 2: Make NPCs pets or children.
Guaranteed success. A cute animal, even if said animal is an owlbear, if you present it as cute and nice, the Party will LOVE that thing. This is FULL PROOF with 99% of parties. Children, not so much. As a player, I always tend to distrust children and try to kill them cause kids are fuckin’ creepy and weird. But that’s just me. Your Party might actually be DESCENT HUMAN BEINGS. Who knows? Haven’t played with any of those before.
Number 3: Other traits a likable NPC can have.
The following traits I can’t describe in thorough detail, so you’re getting it in list form.
An NPC that is kind and supports the Party but is very naive about the darker parts of the world. Example: bright eyed squire to the Party fighter who just idolizes heroes.
A very sexually promiscuous shopkeeper. Not someone who hits on the Party. That is how you get PCs to DISLIKE an NPC. Rather, an NPC who makes it clear he/she is open to be hit upon.
An NPC that loves to fight. Parties love this. Someone who is NUTS about fighting and dying in an honorable way, while flaying your enemies with their own spines.
Insane wizards/alchemists that are absolutely batshit. I had a sorceress that invented drugs and lost all control of her power while getting high. Or a wizard that is batshit insane about people breathing more than 1 breath per 5 seconds. Just crazy wizards. Parties love crazy wizards.
Keep in mind, there’s more to making an interesting NPC. The above just talks about making LIKABLE NPCs. There’s a LOT more on how to make good villains, or just generally interesting NPCs. And if you folks want, I will post thoroughly about that. But I will leave that up to you. Hope my advice was useful to you all.
Hipsterpotomu5 dnd 