“Do I Know Someone Who Can Help Us With ____?” (2d6)

2. No; the person you thought could help refuses and adds another complication to the situation. (Example complications: they demand payment for a past debt, they are with someone you wanted to avoid, or they call the authorities regarding your illegal activities.) 3. The person you know who could help has gone missing, you’d have to find them first. 4. Yes, but they demand a steeper price than you would expect. Furthermore, if you refuse they will be offended. 5. Yes, but things are awkward between you. The price they ask will be generous, but only after an uncomfortable conversation. 6. Yes, but the help they can offer is sub-par, or only half of what you need. 7. Yes, but they need you to do a small favor for them right now before they help you. 8. Yes, but you’ll owe them one. Could be a future favor they call on, or a cut of whatever money you’re after, or something else. 9. Yes; they’ll give you a good price but it’s not free. 10. Yes, but they don’t seem too happy about it - you’ll have to look for help somewhere else next time. 11. Yes, there’s someone who owes you one and you can cash in that favor. 12. Yes, and that person also gives you an unrelated piece of helpful information.

Random Faction Builder

How many pies do they have their proverbial fingers in? (1d10)

1-4. They are tightly focused on their singular area of influence. Roll once on the following table. 5-6. Roll twice on the following table. The first result is the field they openly deal in, or what those who know them mostly know them for. The second result is the field they are secretly trying to infiltrate or influence. 7. They serve as a mediary between two spheres, or between certain groups within two spheres. Roll twice on the following table. 8. Roll three times on the following table. The first two results are the fields they openly deal in, or what those who know them mostly know them for. The third result is the field they are secretly trying to infiltrate or influence. 9. They’re jugglers, jacks of all trades. Roll three times on the following table for areas they regularly deal in, plus one time for a field they have their sights on breaking into. 10. They’re everywhere. Roll once on the following table for the one circle they can’t show their faces in anymore.

1d6 Circles of Influence:

1. Government/Politics/Law Enforcement 2. Religion/Faith/Cults 3. Crime/Black Market/Underworld 4. Guilds/Trades/Organized Labor 5. Business/Merchants/Corporations 6. Knowledge/Information/Research

Now, roll 4d6 and assign one die to each of the following attributes, then look at the total on the last table:

Group Size

1. Just a few people devoted to a cause. 2. Enough people that it’s hard to get them all in a meeting together, but not enough people to really split into multiple sub-groups. 3. Enough people to crew a large vessel 4. A pretty big group, church congregation sized. 5. Enough people to populate a neighborhood. 6. If this entire group mobilized it would be a full-scale army.

Financial Power

1. Broke. It’d be a dream just to break even. 2. Surviving. They can get what they need, but can’t afford to expand or to have a large unforeseen expense. 3. Middling. Can use money to further their agenda but must be selective about doing so. 4. Comfortable. This group can afford to make investments. 5. Well-off. Their investments are paying off. 6. Rolling in it. They can solve most problems by throwing money at them.

Age of Faction

1. Brand new. This faction hasn’t existed long enough to have done anything of note. 2. Recent. This faction is probably still made up mostly of founding members, but has had time to make a name for itself. 3. Established. People remember this faction being founded. It may have some original members, but if it does they are old. 4. Pretty Old. This group was established before the oldest currently living generation was born, but in the lifetime of their parents or grandparents. 5. Old. This group was founded hundreds of years ago and has played a roll in many historical events. 6. Ancient. This group may predate the current civilization, and is seen all throughout history books.

Expertise

1. Bumbling. This group is incompetent and lacks basic knowledge. 2. Shoddy. They know just enough to get themselves into trouble. 3. Mediocre. There are no experts in this group but they have meaningful skills. 4. Competent. This group employs some actual experts but still has real gaps in their abilities. 5. Highly skilled. They may not be the absolute best in the business but this group can use skill to address most challenges. 6. Only the Best. This group has a reputation for their expertise.

Total - Overall Faction Influence

4-8  Nobodies. Who even are these losers? 9-12  Small fish in a big pond. This faction has an impact on certain individuals or niches, but are still unimportant enough that none of the big players pay them any mind 13-16  Up and Coming. Enough influence that they need to be careful not to upset the highest tier factions lest they get squashed. 17-20  The big leagues. This faction has a great deal of power but is not infallible. 21-24  Powerhouses. If there is only one faction at this level, they are functionally in charge of the society. If there are multiple factions at this level, their conflicts and machinations can have devastating fallout for ordinary people.

Random Deities

Roll on all or just a few tables to generate a deity’s (or saint's)  portfolio!

1d8 Natural Aspects

1. The sun, light, or the day 2. The moon, stars, or the night 3. The ocean, rivers, or water in general 4. Animals, plants, or all living things 5. Decay, disease, or death 6. Wildfires, volcanoes, or fire in general 7. Rain, thunder, or all storms 8. Mountains, rocks, or the land

1d12 Values and Needs of People

1. Learning, Knowledge, Thought 2. Nurturing, Compassion, Generosity 3. Authority, Leadership, Power 4. The Harvest, Food, Abundance 5. Joy, Revelry, Relaxation 6. Art, Creativity, Performance 7. Craft, Ingenuity, Hard Work 8. Fertility, Birth, Parenthood 9. Love, Romance, Sex 10. Justice, Fairness, Equality 11. Strength, Fortitude, Agility 12. Humility, Deference, Duty

1d20 Additional Physical Domains

1. Bugs 2. Caves 3. Roads 4. Blood 5. Wine 6. Boats 7. Ice 8. Tears 9. Blades 10. Coins 11. Hands 12. Books 13. Children 14. Wings 15. Gold 16. Air 17. Salt 18. Houses 19. Shields 20. Oil

1d20 Additional Conceptual Domains

1. The Subconscious 2. Cleanliness 3. Sight 4. Dreams 5. Travel 6. Questions 7. Mathematics 8. Conversation 9. Trade 10. Healing 11. War 12. Peace 13. Games 14. History 15. Chemistry 16. Puzzles 17. Beauty 18. Planning 19. Memories 20. Change

Bonus: 1d8 Types of Symbols

1. A literal representation of a deity’s natural aspect (a sun, a lightning bolt, a mountain, etc.) 2. An abstracted representation of a deity’s natural aspect (a single squiggle for water, a few lines radiating from a point for light, etc.) 3. An item emblematic of a value, need, or other conceptual domain (grain for harvest, hammer for craft, scales for justice etc.) 4. An abstract symbol invented for this deity. 5. A literal image of a physical domain. 6. A combination of two or more literal items from their domains. 7. A combination of literal and abstracted/metaphorical representations of their domains. 8. An animal chosen based on their values/personality/overall vibe, who may also be portrayed as the deity’s companion

Bonus: 1d12 Character Traits for Your New God

1. Doting 2. Authoritative 3. Forgiving 4. Protective 5. Wrathful 6. Generous 7. Reclusive 8. Youthful 9. Cryptic 10. Strict 11. Mischievous 12. Pacifistic

Random NPC Connections Generator

Pull randomly from a standard deck of 52 playing cards:

A. This character is solitary and reclusive. 2. This character is in trouble with the law or with a vigilante faction. 3. This character is broke, down on their luck or otherwise in need. 4. This character runs an inn, tavern, hotel, bar, or restaurant. 5. This character is adept with technology and/or magic (as appropriate to the setting)—a hacker, wizard, etc. 6. This character is a doctor or healer of some kind. 7. This character works at a library, college, or other place with access to knowledge and information. 8. This character has connections in the criminal underworld or black market. 9. This character is wealthy. 11. This character has influence within a powerful faction. J. This character is an artisan or craftsperson who makes items you may need. Q. This character serves as a caretaker or parental figure for you and for others in the community. K. This character is of a much higher social status than you.

♠️. Your relationship with this character is tense or strained. ♣️. You owe this character something. ♦️. This character owes you something. ♥️. Your relationship with this character is intimate (platonically, romantically or sexually)

1d12 NPC Secrets

1. Is immortal. 2. Used to date the big bad. 3. Is cursed to die at the hands of a member of their own family. 4. Is actually a pair of identical twins who switch off being this person. 5. Has been offered a reward to betray the party, but has not decided whether to take it. 6. Is pretty sure they remember one of the PCs from somewhere but can’t remember where. 7. Is a wanted criminal, introduced themself with a fake name. 8. Is a shapeshifter (and is also one or more other NPCs the party has already met). 9. Is a member of the royalty/nobility/ruling class in disguise. 10. Has been possessed by a demon or other entity and is constantly wrestling it for control. 11. Can’t read. 12. Is having an affair with one of the other NPCs the party has already met.

1d8 Memorable Bartenders for your Tavern

1. A man named Saul who always dresses up in full jester garb and likes to do fun party tricks while he makes drinks. He’s always juggling things and putting on a show behind the bar. 2. Lolly, a plump older woman who has a kind and grandmotherly demeanor and a consistently heavy pour. 3. Herbert the land shark, a humanoid shark with a heart of gold. He’s not the smartest but he’s a good chum. 4. A lady who introduces herself as “Zork” but wears a name tag that reads “Susan”. Any time someone orders a drink from her, there is a 50% chance she tells them they’re all out—or that they’re all out of at least one ingredient, if it’s a mixed drink. 5. Bernard, a well dressed, older man with thick glasses and a perfectly groomed mustache. He appears incredibly out of place in the tavern but does not ever seem to acknowledge it. Bernard responds to any order with “Very good”, and moves with the curt stiffness of a cartoon butler. 6. A very small and very timid person named Porridge, who moves with incredible speed. When not busy with fetching drinks for patrons they seem to constantly be rearranging the bottles on the shelf—close observers may realize that they are placing them in order of how much liquor is left inside. 7. Salty Sabelle, former pirate who decided to settle down into an honest trade on land after surviving a shipwreck. Hard to say if the tales she tells of her former life are true, but they’re entertaining nonetheless. 8. Flim and Flam, a chatty pair of nearly identical, very androgynous siblings. They move with an improbable level of synchronicity, to the point where one can wordlessly pick up a drink that the other was halfway through mixing and finish making it correctly with no verbal communication between them.

1d100 NPC Names

1. Billificent Strong 2. Jay Destiny 3. Grewenys Sawand 4. Nora Bandalie 5. Joray Lovelace 6. Cadwell Gaines 7. Benny Odnett Jr. 8. Aude Mayteer 9. Eric Neptune 10. January Bronzeheart 11. Rutherford Lassinger 12. Dalton Qualtree 13. Jasper Woodcoat 14. Bobby LeMyrtille 15. Osbert O’Quill 16. Eejack Davenn 17. Lyngla Hunzer 18. Hibiscus Daybreak 19. Gesmina Kay 20. Pim Tuler 21. Shell Delacroix 22. Peter Phosphor 23. Nathaniel Harveston-James 24. Vee Morenzovich 25. Barson Jolietti 26. Mil Warmson 27. Dana Pontillius 28. Jefferson Cosmo 29. Blanche Fairday 30. Payne Devesche 31. Dennis Hurviston 32. Aldrich Amberlyle 33. Fluke Eloise 34. Ipheria Illusica 35. Kendall Quionite 36. Molly Newshire 37. Questly Ruwe 38. Coulren Pardize 39. Briar Valentine 40. Sy Teliplopolus 41. Corthaline Xar 42. Terry the Unshakable 43. Zeo Lewis 44. Ulvira Vaniteé 45. Kelpie Jenevere 46. Welson Xen 47. Horus Gall 48. Xandra Youngfaith 49. Priscilla Keeper 50. Dirge Sylph-Lightly 51. Pepper White 52. Fel Dowathalish 53. Yulvendor Zentoph 54. Spring Appleton 55. Zephyr Ells 56. Porter Orviston 57. Krillia Pappescu 58. Ivy Yumar 59. Lion Ingleton 60. Sabelle Quasar 61. Larold Brewer 62. Prior Thistletree III 63. Hyacinth Potter 64. Silvius Silvermire 65. Benson Durgog 66. Davis Burner 67. Day Fourthshire 68. Prime Stimson 69. Xavier Purpurpolus 70. Cynthia Traveller 71. Delevonius Surf 72. Orson Thorn 73. Jeremy Storch 74. Inder Borsola 75. Mack Grayton-Savee 76. Heron Papers 77. Lorelei Feldspar 78. Hen Brightsky 79. Umber Landestrayd 80. Ryllitha Andwail 81. Tam Capricorn 82. Dorothea Pralis 83. Trel Spire-Guinevere 84. Maxin Stitcher 85. Hendrick DuSuois 86. Palm Allivar 87. Luxen Stone 88. Chip Shuttle 89. Thomas Beans 90. Lesh Sylwir 91. Minerva Norsly 92. Harold Spiff 93. Mexly L’orange 94. Ion Sycamore 95. Ursula Omberville 96. Key Alistair 97. Fora Jemsonia 98. Esmerelda Grommet 99. Glag Kem 100. Tayvis Pandora

1d8 Oddball Shopkeeps

1d6 Road Ambushes

1. Guy pretending to be a dead body in a ditch. 2. Pair arguing in the middle of the road, apparently lost. 3. Cart that’s too wide to go around moving slowly down the road. (Will strike if you get out of your vehicle to yell at them, go off the road to get around, or tailgate them) 4.  “Downed tree” secretly sentient and a criminal. 5. Farm stand by the side of the road with delicious looking produce. 6. Elaborate Rube Goldberg style trap that starts with your wagon rolling over a stick and ends with it trapped in a comically large cage.

1d6 Random Wizards

1. Tarthax the Windy, also known as “The Tornado Wizard”. Focuses primarily on weather-based spells. Has a reputation for plaguing the neighboring areas with tornadoes. 2. Symeonius, master abjurer. Best known for having a nearly impenetrable lair on an otherwise deserted island. Notoriously difficult to deliver mail to. 3. Professor Idiviar Ogemazz, last great wizard of the second tradition. This wizard is old old, as in old even for a wizard. Founder of a Idiviar Ogemazz University. 4. Smelda Doirtree Brimms Opheliad, exiled former royal advisor, now lives in an enormous, crumbling, physics-defying tower that just barely clings to a cliff face. Position as royal advisor was lost due to “looking too evil”. 5. The Wet Wizard, also known as the Wizard of the Bog. Specializes in crocodile based curses, hexes, and enchantments, but can do other magic too. 6. Blorithaxius III, Conjurer of Impossible Stones, Master of Mortar, known to some as Delvinia the Dungeonmaker, Holder of the World Record for Tallest Standing Wizard Tower.

1d10 Urban Cryptids

1. Very tall guy whose presence at the bus stop foretells that the bus is going to be exceedingly late. 2. Being that looks like a stray orange cat but definitely isn’t one. 3. Shadowy figure that always seems to be jay-walking late at night, making drivers swerve not to hit it. When they look back it’s never visible in their rear view. 4. UFO that does cryptic skywriting. Somehow the wind has always blown the writing away before anyone can snap a picture. 5. Really big rat. 6. Not-quite-human entity that plays a haunting melody on the trombone in the subway station late at night. 7. Gigantic beast with glowing eyes that runs up and down poorly lit streets. The stories are all about people who have hailed it, mistaking it for a taxi. 8. Pigeon that taps rhythms on hi-rise windows. Some say it’s an omen but most disagree on what it foretells. 9. Vending machine possessed by an opinionated spirit. Many find the machine is jammed or takes their dollar, but certain hungry folks always seem to get two bags of chips when they only paid for one. 10. Thing that replaces the bus driver when you’re the only passenger on the bus.

1d10 Blind Dates

1. “Up and coming” music artist who will absolutely not let you leave without a copy of their mixtape.

2. Guy who’s really into ping pong.

3. Woman who smells like a food you used to like but are now sick of.

4. Guy who looks just like someone you went to high school with. It’s definitely… probably not the same guy.

5. Person who almost hit you with their car earlier.

6. Woman who happens to have a passionate interest in something you have an irrational fear of.

7. Woman who doesn’t need a to-go box for her leftovers because she brought her own tupperware.

8. Guy who got here on one of those tiny clown bicycles.

9. Person who was a few minutes late because they stopped to look at some weird rocks. They show you pictures of the weird rocks.

10. Person you’re pretty sure is famous, but don’t know what for. You’ve just seen their name and face around…