15 Nov Book Review of The Game Master's Book of Non-Player Characters: 500+ u…
Discovering The Game Master’s Book of Non-Player Characters: A Mixed Bag
While leafing through the shelves at Barnes & Noble, I stumbled upon The Game Master’s Book of Non-Player Characters: 500+ Unique NPCs by Jeff Ashworth. As a tabletop RPG enthusiast always on the lookout for tools to enrich our gaming sessions, the concept of a comprehensive guide filled with NPCs piqued my interest. The hardcover format and a reasonable price were just cherries on top. With anticipation bubbling beneath the surface, I dove into the pages, only to emerge with a myriad of mixed feelings.
One-Shot Adventures and Railroading
First, let’s talk about the three one-shot adventures included in this tome. Frankly, they felt more like guided tours led by untrustworthy NPCs than actual adventures. Each scenario revolves around an NPC who controls the pace of the story, effectively railroad tracks for your players. The initial two NPCs are skilled deceivers, orchestrating the chaos rather than navigating it. The third adventure, featuring a prison warden, offers a hint of flexibility, allowing players some agency. Still, when the module hinges on high Insight checks, it’s akin to threading a needle under pressure—one slip could derail everything. Players deserve room to maneuver: a modicum of agency is crucial in a tabletop RPG, which is inherently different from the strict linearity of video games.
Character Depth: Promise Meets Pain Points
The majority of the book boasts an impressive array of character pages, categorized into roles like Rulers, Commoners, Lawbreakers, and Outcasts. While it truly does live up to its claim of housing over 500 unique characters, calling them "fully realized" feels like a stretch. Sure, a handful sparkle with well-crafted backstories, defined motives, and intriguing twists, making them a joy to read. Yet, many characters overwhelm with vague goals or convoluted histories that require significant adjustment to fit into your campaign seamlessly.
Take, for instance, an NPC pregnant with a “child of prophecy.” The lack of context left me with a head full of questions rather than clarity. Or consider another NPC intending to flood their hometown—a drastic step with no apparent logic. It’s frustrating when the promise of depth turns into a puzzle with so many missing pieces.
A few characters are delightfully crafted with gorgeous artwork, making for visually captivating additions, but I couldn’t help but wish for less ambiguity and more coherent storytelling throughout. It’s clear that some of these characters are intended to be interpreted freely, but this approach can lead to misunderstanding their motivations and actions rather than enriching them.
A Useful Companion, With Caveats
Overall, there is something undeniably handy about this guide. It serves as a wellspring of inspiration for gamemasters seeking character ideas or side quests. However, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Expecting to plug and play is a likely path to disappointment. For smoother session management, you might find that a character generator app fits better during play.
In conclusion, I’d rate The Game Master’s Book of Non-Player Characters a solid C+. It’s a tome that can be immensely useful for gamemasters if approached with tempered expectations. If you’re looking for inspiration or character foundations to spark your creativity, this book can definitely fill some gaps. However, if you seek straightforward solutions for your next session, it might be worth exploring alternatives. As with any tool, the magic lies not just in the book itself, but in how you wield it at your tabletop.
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