In Praise of: Snows of an Early Winter

Snows of an Early Winter is Call of Cthulhu Modern adventure written by Louis Agresta and published by Super Genius Games (Available in print and PDF). It covers the quest for local power by a Librarian in possession of an unnatural book.

The adventure its self is well written with no investigative dead ends or stumbling blocks. Additionally the adventure is well paced with a good mixture of investigation and combat. The combat is scales to larger and larger fights as the adventure nears it's climax.

Louis Agresta created two Adventure layout innovations that I feel compelled to share:

1. A NPC template that assists the referee in the characterization and dissemination of NPC knowledge.
2. Trigger Tracker - A tool for tracking the attitude and response of interested NPC's and Groups.

NPC Template

Name, Age, Profession/Role

Stat Block

Volunteered:

In character Statements, facts, warnings and threats given freely during the encounter.

Friendly

If the PC's act in a friendly manner they may receive the answers to:

Question 1: Response

Question 2: Response

...

Confrontation:

Skill checks (psychology, Fast Talk, or idea rolls) that must be passed to coerce the individual into answer:

Question 1: Response

Question 2: Response

...

Physical:

Skill checks or amount of damage that must be done before the individual is compliant enough to answer:

Question 1: Response

Question 2: Response

...

Consequences

A discription of how the actions of the pc's change the values in the trigger tracker table. Examples would include

If the PCs made contact add a mark to group 1

If the PCs were mean to remove a mark from group 2

Trigger Tracker

Personality	Marks	Threshold	Event or Action
Npc/Group 1		2 4 6	Name of Event 1 Name of Event 2 Name of Event 3
Npc/Group 2		4	Name of Event 4 Special: The event only applies on after other events or at a specific time.
...

These two innovations would be very useful to mystery/investigation games; and would have utility in non-linear open plot (Sandbox) style campaigns.

BaseNPC00023

Core Concept:	Street harden criminal.
Appearance:	Sharply dress but with a horrible complexion and very little hair.
Personality:	Very Friendly, if a bit shallow.
Family:	Troubled, the spouse doesn't appreciate time that the person spends away.
Friends:	The person's friends are numerous and dangerous.
Enemies:	The person considers their patron, a person of great wealth and power to be "in their way" and wishes to eliminate them.
Formative Exp:	An early encounter with a law enforcer has lead to their current violent life.
Party Ties:	The person is connected to the heroes though a third party who is in partnership with the person and the heroes.
Fears/Dreams:	The person is torn between home life and their chosen life, the loss of ether is not tolerable.
Hobbies/Interests:	As a nervous habit the person will fold and refold paper sculptures until they fall apart into so much confetti.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person has a vision of the future, and is working toward that vision as they believe is best. They cannot see repercussions that stem from their actions that do not lead to the vision.
History:	The person was betrayed by a friend but was discovered and the friend was punished by the person. This still haunts the person.
Home:	The activities of the person have placed a strain upon their relationship.
Relationships:	To the person there are only two types of people: those that have power and those who follow power. They are respectful to those with power and disdainful to people that follow them.
Agendas:	The person wants to be in charge.
Motivation:	They do not like to have people with power over them.
Plot Hook 1:	The organizations leader introduces the Heroes to the person in hopes that the heroes will bring the person back into line.
Plot Hook 2:	The heroes encounter the young child of the person, who gives them a gift. The item is very important to the person.
Plot Hook 3:	The person requests the heroes' assistance in a plot to diminish the organization's leader.
Plot Hook 4:	The person has decided to assist the Heroes in their current venture. They will exercise all the care and delicacy of a bull in a china shop.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00022

Core Concept:	Recovering Law Enforcer
Appearance:	In a casual setting their presentation will be clean and well kept; in a professional setting they will be in attire appropriate to their profession. They tend to keep their hair a bit longer than is normally acceptable.
Personality:	Reserved but friendly. They consider themselves law abiding yet ever so slightly above the law.
Family:	They have an ailing sibling that they are caring for.
Friends:	They have a wide circle of friends that are supportive and generally caring.
Enemies:	Their own fame and success have brought with them scrutiny and may expose their past deeds.
Formative Exp:	In their youth, in a moment of haste and anger they did a something that is socially unacceptable, possibly criminal. The deed its self is not generally known but the person fears exposure.
Party Ties:	The person has been following the public (and a few private) exploits of the heroes and has become somewhat enamored with one of them.
Fears/Dreams:	They dream of success and fear the return of their father.
Hobbies/Interests:	They engage in a common sport that demands much skill, but less stamina or strength.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	They believe that one particular subset of society or culture is ether above the law or responsible for all wrong doings.
History:	In addition to the aforementioned trouble, there is an semi-active investigation into the event that they participated in.
Home:	The ailing sibling is verbally abusive and mentally domineering.
Relationships:	The person is genuinely friendly, but very reserved about personal details.
Agendas:	To cure the sibling; catch the criminals; and ensure that details of their involvement in the event never come to light.
Motivation:	They have a drive to undo the wrongs that they feel that both they and their father have done.
Plot Hook 1:	The father seeks the heroes' assistance in contacting this person.
Plot Hook 2:	The heroes witness the mistreatment of the person at the hands of the ill sibling in a semi public setting.
Plot Hook 3:	The person believes that the heroes are responsible or connected to some criminal activity; based upon information they were given by a third party.
Plot Hook 4:	New information has come to light in the event that the person participated in, and the person is taking measures to insure that it goes back into the darkness.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00021

Core Concept:	Artist
Appearance:	Average in appearance, and composure. Their attire is commonplace and unremarkable.
Personality:	Passionate and hyperbolic; they will move from joy to despair rapidly.
Family:	The person has a spouse that is genuinely supportive and compassionate.
Friends:	The person has a circle of parasites around them, attempting to leach off their talent and success.
Enemies:	The person that represents in business dealings is dishonest and is causing them harm.
Formative Exp:	In the past the person received very bad news, which, though it initially broke the person, inspired them.
Party Ties:	Through some strange coincidence the subject matter of the person's art seems to represent the Heroes: the art either depicts their actions and achievements OR it shows their likeness.
Fears/Dreams:	The person has tortured dreams, relating to the bad news.
Hobbies/Interests:	Escape, the person attempts to escape the internal force that drives their artistic expression.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person is unaware of their moods, their own emotional state, and thus is unable to control them.
History:	The person's agent and parasite friends have long been using the person to further their own success, to the harm of the person's finances and reputation.
Home:	The person's rollercoaster of emotion has not helped their home life with their spouse, however the agent has cause more friction.
Relationships:	The person is quick to dismiss new people, though with time can form strong bonds.
Agendas:	To express the artistic vision as a way of diminishing the effect that the "bad news" has upon them.
Motivation:	The person is driven to distraction in their attempt to purge the pain that the news caused them.
Plot Hook 1:	The Heroes are asked to assist the agent in the delivery of one of the person's works of art.
Plot Hook 2:	The persons spouse wishes the heroes help in removing the influence of the Agent or the person's parasitic friends.
Plot Hook 3:	The heroes are witness to the foul actions of the Agent.
Plot Hook 4:	The person wishes to become acquainted with the heroes and to use them as the subject or medium of their next commission.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00020

Core Concept:	Foolish Leader
Appearance:	This person is older, and has let their selves fall into a state of disrepair. They often are missing or wearing mismatch articles of clothing. Their coiffure is disheveled and unkempt.
Personality:	This person is intelligent but very distracted and forgetful.
Family:	This persons family, though very happy, is at a distance and unable to support this person through their current troubles.
Friends:	A trusted advisor, who genuinely supports the person.
Enemies:	Fate it's self seems to be against this person, as everything they undertakes seems to fail.
Formative Exp:	Initially the person was very successful, but as of recent many of the parties that supported the person have become very critical of the persons actions.
Party Ties:	One of the heroes has connections to a party that is under the leadership of the person.
Fears/Dreams:	The leader has taken a fancy to a prospective romantic partner, and dreams of advancing the relationship.
Hobbies/Interests:	The person enjoys writing poetry and is quite adept at it. The topics chosen are often very light and joyous in nature.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person is a kind, compassionate leader, who is unable to make decisions that cause harm to any party. This is, in turn, is causing harm.
History:	The person is making well informed, bad decisions. It is not that the decisions them selves' are bad, just inappropriate for the situation or poorly timed.
Home:	The home life of the person is rather isolated and lonely.
Relationships:	The person is honest, and faithful.
Agendas:	The person wishes to lead their organization out of their current situations and restore status and success to the organization.
Motivation:	The person wishes to succeed.
Plot Hook 1:	The heroes' assistance is requested by the Advisor to assistant in a mission to improve the financial status of the organization.
Plot Hook 2:	A member of the organization requests the heroes' assistance in preventing the person's current plan from being successful. The agent fears that the plan will harm their standing in the organization.
Plot Hook 3:	The heroes are witness to the failure of the person's latest plan to restore status to the organization. The heroes may be called upon to help pick up the pieces or rescue victims.
Plot Hook 4:	The person has a plan, a grand plan, to restore status to the organization and it involves the heroes.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00019

Core Concept:	Displaced Traveler
Appearance:	This person displays a well kept appearance and is well dressed.
Personality:	Suspicious and narrow minded.
Family:	This person's family is trouble and in a state of decay.
Friends:	In this place no one knows this person well enough to be considered a friend.
Enemies:	A legal authority from this persons homeland is pursuing this person.
Formative Exp:	A recent flash of insight inspired this person to come to this place.
Party Ties:	A possession of this person may end up in the heroes' hands.
Fears/Dreams:	In the future the person hopes to restore their family.
Hobbies/Interests:	The person excels at learning new languages, and loves to sprinkle a foreign phrase or two into a conversation.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	Though they understand the local culture they are missing some vital bit of social behavior that will set them apart and isolate them.
History:	The person unintentionally caused harm to a powerful party in their homeland. They are traveling to both hide from the authorities and to find a way to make amends.
Home:	The person is currently a transient and doesn't have a home, if they did it would be well organized on the surface but horribly disorganized in the non-public spaces.
Relationships:	This person will go out of their way to help a friend, which is what got them in their current situation.
Agendas:	This person only hopes to avoid pursuit, but need to replenish their resources.
Motivation:	The person wants to make right the events in their homeland, so that they may return home.
Plot Hook 1:	The person, in a fit of loneliness, attempts to talk to one of the Heroes.
Plot Hook 2:	The person requests assistance from the heroes in facilitating their return to their homeland. Would it be possible for the heroes to deliver a message? Take a package? Open negotiations.
Plot Hook 3:	The person knows of someone else, in yet a third land, who might be able to assist the person and the heroes in furthering their goals.
Plot Hook 4:	The Enemy has arrived, and is in active pursuit of the person. To this event, the heroes may be simply a witness to, or may assist either party.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00018

Core Concept:	Flawed Scholar
Appearance:	Disheveled and unkempt. Their dress, though once fashionable has become shabby.
Personality:	Domineering, judgmental and stubborn.
Family:	Shattered: the person's family has fallen apart due to their actions.
Friends:	This person has only acquaintances of necessity. They are subservient to those with power above them, and hostile to those below them.
Enemies:	This person perceives those with power above them as enemies to be destroyed. Actually this person has harmed enough people with their actions that there are many people who would wish them great harm.
Formative Exp:	The person had one great and stunning success in the distant past. After years of frustration trying to surpass this achievement, they have become bitter and opportunistic.
Party Ties:	This person may be the mentor of someone that they consulted with in the past.
Fears/Dreams:	They know that they could be great (again), if it were not for the sabotage by superiors and the incompetence of their inferiors.
Hobbies/Interests:	Snooping on the works and researches of other scholar, usually with an eye toward theft or derailment.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person cannot see that they are the cause of their own failings. The person doesn't want to see anyone else, especially one of their inferiors, succeed.
History:	The person has destroyed sever peers carriers through theft and covert harm.
Home:	Their home life, though once opulent, has decayed and is empty.
Relationships:	Currently there are none, but for those willing to deal with the corrosive personality, they will find a desperately lonely individual.
Agendas:	To recreate the success of the past.
Motivation:	The person is greedy for the feeling that the past success generated.
Plot Hook 1:	The person wants to hire the heroes to steal from a peer.
Plot Hook 2:	The person is near an actual breakthrough though the real success is coming from someone under the person. The heroes are witness to the results of the person eliminating the underling.
Plot Hook 3:	The heroes become witness to the actions of the person when they liberate some research from a peer.
Plot Hook 4:	A peer of the person wishes to collaborate with the person but needs protection from their nefarious ways.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00017

Core Concept:	Closet Rebel
Appearance:	Rough and Tumble, Clothing is from the counter culture or a aggressive subculture. Their hair and accessories are selected for their shock value.
Personality:	The person is comfortable with being outside of social norms. They tend to reflect attitudes of those interacting with them back at them.
Family:	Is part of the social norm, but are very accepting of the person's life style.
Friends:	Few to none, for their life style is sufficiently socially unacceptable that no one wants to be associated with the person.
Enemies:	A moral entity has taken them upon themselves to campaign against what the person represents. The enemy is using the person as a representation of all that is wrong with the world.
Formative Exp:	In early life adult life the person made several poor decisions that lead to their financial and social harm in a distant place. Rescue came from the subculture, which they adopted.
Party Ties:	The first interaction between the heroes and the person should be filled with tension and/or conflict.
Fears/Dreams:	The person dreams of greater financial success, but is unwilling to abandon their lifestyle to do so. They fear harm from the enemy or their agents.
Hobbies/Interests:	The person is a subscriber to a foreign religion that promotes peace and happiness through culturally unacceptable practices.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person cannot see the true threat that he enemy poses to them and their lively hood.
History:	Recently, financial hard times, along with physical threats against the person have forced them to take choices that they would not have otherwise.
Home:	The person is in care of a youth who is adopting the mannerisms of the person, and it is costing them dearly.
Relationships:	For those who treat the person well, a good friend the person will be. Those that don't will be ignored or subject to harm.
Agendas:	To make their way of life socially acceptable.
Motivation:	To be themselves, and live without fear of harm.
Plot Hook 1:	The youth in the persons care has been taken by the enemy for "deprogramming" and the person need the Heroes help rescuing them.
Plot Hook 2:	The person has had a dramatic effect on the local youth, much to the chagrin of the establishment. The Moral authority request the heroes help removing the problem.
Plot Hook 3:	The person's lifestyle is causing harm to the youth, and authorities have refused to help. The person will ask for the heroes assistance.
Plot Hook 4:	The authorities have driven the person out of their home and request the heroes' assistance in relocating, or returning to their home.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00016

Core Concept:	Angry Youth
Appearance:	Their attire is a mix of low quality item mixed with extravagant and gaudy. Their grooming is poor, as is their complexion.
Personality:	Aggressive and obstinate, they feel that the world "owes them".
Family:	The parents of this person have achieved some degree of success through effort and frugality.
Friends:	Peers, many of whom look up to the person as a leader.
Enemies:	Peers and the establishment: this person's sense of self entitlement has alienated many of the person's peers. The person believes that "the establishment" is their enemy and struggles against it constantly (though not effectively).
Formative Exp:	Though very creative, the medium through which their creativity was express was considered socially unacceptable or wasteful. The parents of the person did not have the time to foster or channel the creativity into more socially acceptable mediums.
Party Ties:	The person's parents may have a relationship with the Heroes.
Fears/Dreams:	The person dreams of happiness and the overturning of the establishment. The person fears diminishment that comes with being "normal".
Hobbies/Interests:	Creative expression in socially unacceptable forms.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person cannot see the harm that they are doing to others. The person cannot stand symbols that they perceive as representations of normalcy.
History:	The person has made several bad decisions in the past and is starting to spiral out of control. They perceive any attempt to change them or their actions as hostile.
Home:	The actions of the person are causing harm to the parent's reputations and success. This is leading to further friction between the person and their parents.
Relationships:	The person is reasonably accepting of their peer group, persons that do not fit into that social circle are treated hostilely.
Agendas:	To "overthrow the establishment" through any means necessary.
Motivation:	Success and acceptance. They want to be seen as creative and unique.
Plot Hook 1:	The parents, authorities, or some other agency wish the heroes' assistance in moderating the person's behavior.
Plot Hook 2:	The heroes are witness to actions by the person that the authorities would object to.
Plot Hook 3:	A distant, wealthy individual has become interested in the persons creativity and wishes the heroes assistance in acquiring more examples.
Plot Hook 4:	An authority has decided to correct the behavior of the person and their circle of friends. The heroes may assist them, hinder them or just be a witness to the event.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00015

Core Concept:	Lazy Aristocrat
Appearance:	Well attired and groomed. Clothing is expensive, and they rarely every ware the same outfit twice.
Personality:	Curious, friendly, outgoing.
Family:	Very wealthy, but their activities have almost certainly caused harm to others.
Friends:	Sycophants, hanger-on's, and yes-men.
Enemies:	Family business rival. The rival wishes the general social and financial harm to the family, more as a matter of principal than any particular cause. Also there are several individuals who have suffered loss due to the policies of the Family.
Formative Exp:	The person was previously detected to running the family industry. However once they discovered the harm that it was causing, and failed to persuade the family to "make it right", they rebelled.
Party Ties:	Page of Wands: Superficial, theatrical, unstable, a broken heart, bad news to come
Fears/Dreams:	Dreams of the day that they will have the power to change how the family business is run. To make amends for the harm that has been caused.
Hobbies/Interests:	The person has several causes that they are genuinely invested in.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person cannot see a life at a lower station than they currently hold. Threats to their social station are not tolerated.
History:	A victim of the families' policies confronted the person making them aware of the harm caused. The resulting conflict with the family leaders was epic.
Home:	The family leader is domineering, and ruthless in their pursuit of financial success. The person is currently involved in a causal romantic relationship.
Relationships:	The person is honest and genuine in their speech and actions.
Agendas:	To remedy and make right the harm that has been done in the world.
Motivation:	This person wants to "right the wrongs" that the family industry has caused, but feels that they lack the resources/power to do so.
Plot Hook 1:	An enemy will attempt to involve the heroes in a plot to cause harm to the person as a way of harming the Family.
Plot Hook 2:	The family leader is dying, and the person needs assistance ensuring that the business passes to them.
Plot Hook 3:	An organization wishes to benefit from the persons charity work and request the assistance of the heroes to make contact.
Plot Hook 4:	The person is now in charge of the families' industry, and the harms of the past have been partially corrected. However, the changes have caused a new harm that the person is unaware of. The heroes may be victims or representatives of the new victims.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00014

Core Concept:	Frantic Healer
Appearance:	Harried and fatigued. Attire is stained and well worn.
Personality:	Impatience, anxious. They will wring their hands when not otherwise preoccupied.
Family:	The spouse of this person is acclaimed and very successful.
Friends:	This person attracts backstabbers, and insincere persons.
Enemies:	Ex Spouse, who wishes failure and harm to the person.
Formative Exp:	In the past, this person caused an event that brought harm to others and their self. One of the victims was an innocent. Now the person does what they do in penance for the event. The person's part in causing the event is generally unknown.
Party Ties:	The Heroes may come directly to the person for assistance OR be involved with the more successful spouse.
Fears/Dreams:	They fear that they will cause harm through action or inaction. They fear being alone.
Hobbies/Interests:	The new spouse and their profession occupy all of their time. When idle, they are filling their time with fretting and worry.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	This person will not see the good they have done; they ignore their success in favor of dwelling upon failure.
History:	Though very competent in their profession, their anxious nature and caution has held them back, professionally and socially.
Home:	The more successful new spouse is jealous of the time the person spends at their profession, but, for the time being, accepting.
Relationships:	This person rarely associates with people that do not need their professional assistance. In the few casual relationships that the person does have, they will tend to take statements out of context and overreact to them.
Agendas:	To make amends for the Event and the harm they cause. They want to, somehow, find peace.
Motivation:	Crisis is what brings the person out of indecision and makes them take action.
Plot Hook 1:	One or more of the Heroes needs treatment.
Plot Hook 2:	The heroes are witness to the person assisting at an event in which people were harmed.
Plot Hook 3:	The heroes encounter the person just prior to a crisis.
Plot Hook 4:	The person is deadlocked and helpless in the face of a crisis that falls outside of their abilities.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00013

Core Concept:	Nervous Spouse
Appearance:	Normal, though there is always one aspect of their appearance that is accidently "a bit off".
Personality:	This person has recently engaged in a romantic affair, and is deeply afraid of being caught by their spouse.
Family:	The spouse of this person is moderately successful, caring and compassionate. The person does not know/believe this fact.
Friends:	This person friend's are good, but not close, and they have been distanced a bit by the person's new behavior.
Enemies:	The Lover desires to destroy the person's relationship with their spouse. Possibly for no reason other than "that they can".
Formative Exp:	The person became captivated by the inherent charisma of the lover.
Party Ties:	The spouse of the person has a connection to the Heroes.
Fears/Dreams:	The person fears being caught, day dreams of running away with the lover, Dreams of making the other relationship "have never happened".
Hobbies/Interests:	Though money is tight, the person loves to eat fine food whenever possible.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person is so terrified of the spouse's reaction to the affair that they cannot function.
History:	A chance encounter involving the Heroes, lead to the current situation.
Home:	The persons new behavior has determinately affected the home life, and will quickly bring the situation to a head.
Relationships:	Distracted, shallow, and filled with a growing sense of paranoia.
Agendas:	To stop being afraid, either through confession and atonement or by escape.
Motivation:	Excitement, and thrill moved the person into the affair, fear and paranoia are destroying what enjoyment are there.
Plot Hook 1:	The heroes become witness to the activates of the person and their lover. The person may then attempt to persuade the heroes to not involve the spouse.
Plot Hook 2:	The spouse knows, and wishes the return of normality, preferably by the departure of the lover, and requests the heroes' assistance in making it happen.
Plot Hook 3:	The person needs the heroes' advice in resolving the current situation.
Plot Hook 4:	A third party, the lover's companion is out to cause harm to the couple. The heroes will observe and may assist, or hinder the third person.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00012

Core Concept:	Negotiator
Appearance:	Attractive, well spoken, and dressed professionally.
Personality:	Calm, collected but uncreative.
Family:	This person has no family, either through loss or such great distance that they are irrelevant to the person.
Friends:	Leaders respect and consider this person to be their friend.
Enemies:	Agents for a third party, who wishes failure in the negotiations, has infiltrated the upper echelons of one or both of the parties.
Formative Exp:	The successful, brokering of a sudden deal between two three parties gave the person a sense of grate fulfillment, not to mention many accolades.
Party Ties:	The heroes may be the parties, or agents of an interested party involved in negotiations.
Fears/Dreams:	The person is always concerned that the current deal may not come to fruition, that all the effort will be wasted.
Hobbies/Interests:	The person collects small thumb sized figurines of children.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person cannot perceive interested parties who are not actively involved in negotiations. While this hasn't been a problem so far…
History:	This person has been very successful in their dealing up to this point, though currently they may be in over their head.
Home:	Their current dwelling is nicely appointed, but there is a small hidden shrine to the figurines.
Relationships:	The person's relationships have failed due to their faulty belief that all subjects are open to negotiation.
Agendas:	Successfully resolve the current situation and move on to the next assignment.
Motivation:	The person honestly wants to make the situation right in the minds of all parties.
Plot Hook 1:	The negotiations have nearly completed, however not all third parties are happy at the outcome, and thus wish harm to the person so that the negotiations will be hampered.
Plot Hook 2:	A third party wishes to have the heroes to impart some bias upon the person, weather through bribes, harm, or extortion.
Plot Hook 3:	A member of the person's distant family has come to distract the person, and the heroes are asked to assist.
Plot Hook 4:	A fourth party sees the potential for great gain and is trying to involve it's self both privately and publicly in the current negotiations.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00011

Core Concept:	Conflicted Believer
Appearance:	Their clothing is threadbare and poor. They are not to be bothered with worldly tasks like grooming or personal hygiene.
Personality:	The drive of their faith is overwhelming; however they try to be reserved as they can be. They are vocal and forthcoming to those who would listen, persistent with those who won't.
Family:	The person's family has been harmed for the persons.
Friends:	None, the person has alienated all former friends.
Enemies:	Themselves, the person is in constant conflict with themselves in that they wish to not have this calling, but feel almost helpless in the face of it. The Authorities and society in general also wish this person failure in their cause.
Formative Exp:	A sudden traumatic event left the person with the Calling, to which they are almost helpless to resist.
Party Ties:	A former friend or relative of one or more of the heroes.
Fears/Dreams:	The person fears that they will never be rid of the Calling, but also fears its departure.
Hobbies/Interests:	The person enjoys being alone, surrounded by plants, as the calling is not as strong.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	The person will not see the cost that their actions are causing. The person cannot compromise in any way with regard to their calling.
History:	The person was once acclaimed, famed or otherwise powerful until the Event caused the calling.
Home:	The person is largely homeless. Though they do have a few places to shelter.
Relationships:	The person fails in most relationships, the calling is uncompromising. The callings tenets are acceptable to only a few.
Agendas:	The calling demands converts, the person wishes to reduce the calling so that they might return to some semblance of normalcy.
Motivation:	The calling wants everyone to believe with the same conviction as the person. The person wishes respite from the calling.
Plot Hook 1:	The person disrupts a social event that the Heroes are participating in.
Plot Hook 2:	The person wishes to understand the true nature of the calling with the assistance of the Heroes.
Plot Hook 3:	An interested authority wishes harm upon the person.
Plot Hook 4:	The people, along with a large number of well armed or intentioned fellow believers, are approaching. The heroes' intervention could prevent a bad situation from escalating.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00010

Core Concept:	Corrupted, spendthrift Authority
Appearance:	Fashionable clothes that are a bit dated, well kept appearance gone just a bit "Shaggy". They are attractive but "haggard/tired" looking.
Personality:	False genuinely, quickly shifts to slyness and conniving.
Family:	Broken, discordant, and failing on all fronts.
Friends:	None, actions of the person has alienated all former friends.
Enemies:	Professional rivals wish harm to this person.
Formative Exp:	The person was mostly honest until a recent extortion pushed their financial and home state into ruin.
Party Ties:	This person has some authority over the Heroes.
Fears/Dreams:	Ruin is their greatest fear, followed closely by exposure. This person has vague dreams of a return to their prior state and status.
Hobbies/Interests:	Watching Idol, decadent, vacuous entertainment.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	This person cannot see beyond the immediate situation/crisis. They cannot tolerate dishonesty in others.
History:	There was a time when this person was more successful, more honest, but the extortion and ruin has left very deep scars personally and professionally.
Home:	A new, possibly romantic relationship has started for the person.
Relationships:	Cautious, controlled, and planned.
Agendas:	To restore status, by most any means possible.
Motivation:	Greed and the fear of further loss drive this person.
Plot Hook 1:	The person wishes to change, come clean, and needs the Hero's assistance in minimizing the damage.
Plot Hook 2:	This person sees the Heroes as a tool to improve their status and will recruit their assistance by almost any means.
Plot Hook 3:	The person needs the Heroes assistance removing evidence of wrong doing that a third party has. The payoff for the heroes may be hollow and unsatisfying.
Plot Hook 4:	The persons' new romantic interest has doubts about the person and illicit the help of the heroes in confirming their suspicions. The romantic interest may then need the Heroes protection from the wrath of the person.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00009

Core Concept:	Impulsive student.
Appearance:	Fresh faced, trendy clothes, stylish hair, piercing eyes.
Personality:	Greedy for knowledge, impatient with the "System", looking for a short cut to wisdom.
Family:	This person has fallen out of favor with their family.
Friends:	Other students. This person spends much time in discussion with their peers in the open areas of this place of learning.
Enemies:	A fellow older student, who has seen what they consider to be their favor swing to this person.
Formative Exp:	This person was a bit of a uninspired dullard, board with the world until a mysterious encounter ignited their mind and imagination.
Party Ties:	The heroes may be or have been the subjects of this person's researches.
Fears/Dreams:	Dreams of learning the truth, depth and totality of a subject. They fear a return to their previous state.
Hobbies/Interests:	Competes in games involving trivia about trivial subjects.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	This person cannot see the negative gossip that surrounds them. This person cannot stand to see their achievement go unrecognized.
History:	Prior to the mysterious encounter, this person never had ambition, or a creative thought.
Home:	This person's home is filled with books, diagrams, thoughts and friends.
Relationships:	This person has unreserved openness and energy with everyone they meet.
Agendas:	The person feels blocked in their advancement by small and petty system.
Motivation:	Feelings of worthlessness chase this person, forcing them to strive to prove them not true.
Plot Hook 1:	This person desires the assistance of the Heroes in overcoming obstacles, both real and perceived.
Plot Hook 2:	This person's enemies wish professional, possibly physical harm to the person, to which the Heroes may be asked to assist or prevent (or at least witness too).
Plot Hook 3:	The Heroes are witness to a rather heated conflict between the person and superior.
Plot Hook 4:	The person has got it wrong, but requests the heroes help to try and make it otherwise.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00008

Core Concept:	Maimed Fighter
Appearance:	Noticeably disabled, dressed in ill-fitting second hand clothes, well kept as possible.
Personality:	Optimistic and outgoing. They try to be a friend to everyone.
Family:	The spouse is happy to have the person alive, but is dissatisfied with the current economic situation.
Friends:	Eight of Swords: Relaxation, new beginnings possible, freedom
Enemies:	Anyone who enables combat and the vanquishing enemies.
Formative Exp:	A third person recued and assisted greatly in this person's recovery.
Party Ties:	This person may be the former henchman of an opponent to the Heroes.
Fears/Dreams:	Fears Betrayal, Desires to be left alone by their former combat companions.
Hobbies/Interests:	Learning and teaching, through those, come peace.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	Cannot stand warmongers and hawks, is now denies the fact that there are times when armed struggle is required.
History:	The persons own inaction in combat resulted in their current condition and the alienation of former cohorts.
Home:	The spouse wishes to better the situation, but the person is unwilling to return to their former career even though it would be much more profitable than what they are currently doing.
Relationships:	Generous, and helpful, but abhors those that are violent or promote violence.
Agendas:	To stop the coming war, and end the current one.
Motivation:	The disability has caused hardship, and wants to prevent others from suffering the same fate (or worse).
Plot Hook 1:	The Heroes encounter this person lambasting some hawks in a public forum.
Plot Hook 2:	This person is without wealth and seeks the Heroes' assistance in alleviating the problem.
Plot Hook 3:	The person is active in a situation in which their disability is unusually pronounced, the heroes may be asked to assist (or hinder) by a third person.
Plot Hook 4:	In desperation the person has partially rejoined their former career, but will not react with violence, which may cause problems.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00007

Core Concept:	Merchant
Appearance:	Older clothes, disheveled appearance, unattractive manner.
Personality:	Cautious, hesitating, and overly inoffensive.
Family:	Large and fractured.
Friends:	Fellow merchants, and clients of long standing.
Enemies:	A competitor who believes that the person is out to destroy them.
Formative Exp:	A distant attempt at success failed spectacularly and has left the person afraid of ruin.
Party Ties:	The heroes could commission a work. Alternatively they be hired by the person to assist in a task.
Fears/Dreams:	Fears ruin. They dream of success.
Hobbies/Interests:	Tries to learn about customers to anticipate their needs. They love small animals.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	Cannot see that the Enemy is trying to cause them harm, Will abandon a plan if failure looks likely.
History:	A kind benefactor helped the person in the past. Over caution has led to their current situation.
Home:	The spouse is unhappy with the current situation and the persons' over cautious nature.
Relationships:	Treats every new customer as a friend, and will go out of their way to help them.
Agendas:	To become successful in business.
Motivation:	Fear of failure
Plot Hook 1:	A third person is intending to cause harm to the person.
Plot Hook 2:	The spouse of the person is forcing them to take a risk that they do not want to.
Plot Hook 3:	The Enemy is agitating against the person.
Plot Hook 4:	The heroes have an item that a client of the person desires.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00006

Core Concept:	A Busy Body
Appearance:	New clothing, middle aged, and somewhat out of place.
Personality:	Tries to make everyone's life better even though they have failed to do so for themselves.
Family:	A moment of indecision resulted in the ruin of their family.
Friends:	Powerful and wealthy.
Enemies:	A former target of this persons "Assistance", which resulted in loss for the target, is seeking to cause harm to the person.
Formative Exp:	A spectacular success of the persons' actions in the distant past has given the person an unfounded confidence that everyone is in need of their "Assistance" in all matters.
Party Ties:	One or more heroes are victims of this person's assistance.
Fears/Dreams:	Dreams of finding a soul mate. They hopes to help everyone achieve happiness.
Hobbies/Interests:	Collects Gossip, and dispenses the same with little regard to the recipient.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	Cannot stand to see someone unhappy, and will assist them with poor advice and badly chosen words.
History:	The person has lost much in the way of material wealth and possessions. The feelings of Happiness and contentment that were once common place now elude the person.
Home:	The person is in a new romantic relationship, but the "assistance" rendered to others is causing problems that the person is unable to fix.
Relationships:	Five of Wands: Harmony, new opportunities, generosity
Agendas:	To help everyone.
Motivation:	To make the world a better place despite all the failures.
Plot Hook 1:	The heroes encounter the Person in the company of a con-artist who has made the person a target.
Plot Hook 2:	The heroes attend a "match making" event sponsored by the person, where the person attempts to match them up with exactly the wrong person.
Plot Hook 3:	The person approaches the Heroes, asking for assistance with their current relationship which is failing. Horrid suggestions as to a remedy with be given by the Person.
Plot Hook 4:	The romantic partner of the person wants the Person to change their ways and needs the Heroes help to do so.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.

BaseNPC00005

Core Concept:	Tourist.
Appearance:	Foreign attire, poor understating of local language/customs. Alien/shocking in appearance.
Personality:	Confused, out of sorts, distracted.
Family:	Artists or crafters whose reputation has suffered due to a decline in quality.
Friends:	None, the person has alienated most people due to suspicion on their part.
Enemies:	A former romantic interest who the person feels wronged them.
Formative Exp:	This ineptitude of this person has caused the decline in the family's reputation.
Party Ties:	The Heroes come upon the person in a state of helplessness, where the person is unable to function in the current situation.
Fears/Dreams:	Dreams of success, Fears failure, which is frequent due to the person's desire to "short cut" the system.
Hobbies/Interests:	Enjoys new experiences and novelty. They collect trinkets of no value other than sentimental.
Blind spots/Breaking Points:	Cannot see their own incompetence, that their shortsightedness is causing problems to themselves.
History:	A hidden, yet spectacular failure in the recent past cause conflict with the Enemy and is the cause of the journey to this foreign land.
Home:	The person is unwelcome in their homeland, and the current obsession with the enemy is making them unwelcome in this one.
Relationships:	Lack of understanding and communication is causing much friction to those around the person. A personal sense of entitlement is also not helping them.
Agendas:	To vanquish the enemy and return home with the reputation re-instated.
Motivation:	Though obsessed with the enemy, the person is indecisive about the method to archive their goals.
Plot Hook 1:	The person gloms on to one of the Heroes who understand their language/customs as a translator/assistant.
Plot Hook 2:	Without usable currency, the heroes encounter the person in a situation where they are unable to render restitution for goods/servers that were given.
Plot Hook 3:	An agent of the enemy attempts to misinform the Heroes about the Person.
Plot Hook 4:	The Heroes become involved in the person's sightseeing expedition/recon on the Enemy.

Generated using a custom tarot dealing script based upon the suggestion spreads Errant Dreams as a creativity tool.