| Tier | Nature |
| Profile | Basic biodata |
| Façade | First impressions |
| Ledger | Hard data |
| Colour | Background details |
| Sanctum | The inner NPC; the real person |
| Forge | What’s being worked (conflict) and how (resources, virtue) |
| Crypt | The dark recesses |
Age: Young, youthful, adult, older or old.
Race: Possibilities are dominant—that is, the majority race for the region in question; indigenous—the original occupants of the region, having usually been superseded, usurped and/or subjugated by the dominant race; foreigner and exotic. The latter encompasses hybrid—half-elf, half-orc, half-ogre, half-giant, etc; great—Melnibonean, Numinorean or the like; elder—Atlantean, First Man etc; demi-human—dwarf, elf, halfling; or humanoid—beast-man, deodanth, gnoll, kobold, orc, phraint and so on.
Height: Average (for age and race), taller or shorter.
Build: Proportionate, linear (i.e. thin) or lateral (i.e. broad). Needs to be interpreted in light of the rating for body.
Complexion: Pale, light (i.e. fair), moderate (e.g. Mediterranean/Eastern), dark (e.g. African) or ebon.
Handedness: 88 per cent right, 11 per cent left, 1 per cent either.
Appearance (49): The feature of the character that most immediately stands out, as interpreted by the GM.
Demeanour (23): The NPC’s outward expression. A projection or repression of their authentic self—their character—in a seemingly advantageous way. An extraordinarily open, honest or simple-minded NPC may have the same demeanour and character (Brucato & Wieck 1993, p. 136).
Body, mind & soul: Although the following table gives details for ratings up to 11, the generator only yields ratings of up to 3; NPCs with higher ratings are GM calls. There are two exceptions: Exotic (great) race NPCs can have ratings of up to 4 (Prodigious); Exotic (elder) race NPCs can have mind ratings of up to 6 (Profound). The numbers in the rating column are generic—they don’t necessarily map to any particular rules system.| Rating | Description | Occurrence |
| 0 | NBTA* | 5 in 6 |
| 1 | Notable | 1 in 7 |
| 2 | Remarkable | 1 in 50 |
| 3 | Superlative | 1 in 750 |
| 4 | Prodigious | 1 in 30,000 |
| 5 | Profound | 1 in 3,500,000 |
| 6 | Amazing | 1 in one billion |
| 7 | Incredible | 1 in 750 billion |
| 8 | Awesome | 1 in 1500 trillion |
| 9 | Immense | Beyond the limits of human experience |
| 10 | Celestial | |
| 11+ | Ineffable |
Body: A composite indicator of physique, coordination and metabolism.
Mind: A similar rating of perception, analytical and reasoning ability, memory and speed of thought. Not a rating of knowledge. If the NPC possesses any substantial specialised knowledge other than that associated with their upbringing and occupation this will be indicated under resources.
Soul: Wisdom, self-discipline, mental fortitude and, “odd mystical things that don’t fit anywhere else” (Mistretta 2003).
Occupation: The occupational grouping (or, in some cases, sub-group) that the NPC has been or continues to be associated with, either personally or by way of family background. There are thirteen such groupings, namely 1. Art & entertainment, 2. Carriage & storage, 3. Crafts & industry, 4. Ecclesiastic, 5. Government, 6. Knight, 7. Merchant/commerce, 8. Military, 9. Nautical, 10. Nobility, 11. Rustic, 12. Service & labour, or 13. Underclasses. Selected examples of specific occupations in each grouping are listed hereunder. As a matter of convenience, rather than purist taxonomics, some violence was applied when assigning a few occupations to their respective groupings.
1. Art & entertainment| Sub-group | Examples |
| Clothing/textiles | Belt-maker, Broderer (embroiderer), Buckle-maker, Button-maker, Cloak-maker, Cloth-cutter, Cobbler, Currier, Dyer, Fabric-shearer (trims the nap and makes pleats for customers), Felt-maker, Fuller (cloth worker who shrinks, beats, presses cloth), Furrier, Glover, Hatter, Hood-maker, Lace-maker, Leather-worker, Purse-maker, Rug maker, Seamstress, Slipper-maker, Spinner, Tailor, Tapestry-maker, Thread-maker, Weaver |
| Food | Baker, Baker (sacramental bread), Baker’s assistant, Brewer, Brewer (mead), Butcher, Butter-maker, Cheese-maker, Cook, Cook (honey-cake maker), Malt-maker, Pastry cook |
| Household goods | Bag-maker, Balance-maker, Basket-maker, Box-maker, Cabinet-maker, Candle-maker, Comb-maker, Cooper, Dish-maker, Furniture-maker, Mattress-maker, Potter, Potter (jug), Rope/sack-maker, Spoon-maker (wooden), Spoon-master, Tinker, Turner |
| Sciences | Apothecary, Astrologer, Blood-letter, Doctor, Philosopher, Physician, Tutor |
| Skilled crafts | Accomptant, Bookbinder, Clock-maker, Coppersmith, Ear-ring maker, Gem cutter, Glass-blower, Goldsmith, Harp-maker, Jeweler (pearl), Locksmith, Mirror-maker, Painter (icon), Red-smith (brass), Silversmith, Tinsmith, Trumpet-maker |
| Trades | Bell-founder, Blacksmith, Bellmaker (these are the little bells that go on sleighs and clothing, as opposed to the large civic bells cast by the bellfounder), Boiler-maker, Bronze-founder, Carpenter, Cartwright, Chain-maker, Comb-maker, Confectioner, Founder, Fuller, Gold-beater, Grinder, Handicrafter, Horner (works in horn: spoons, combs, musical instruments), Joiner, Lantern-maker, Lorimer (maker of horse gear), Lute-maker, Mason, Miner, Nailer, Nedeller (maker of needles), Net-maker, Painter, Pin-maker, Plasterer, Quarryman, Reed-maker, Roofer, Saddler, Sail-maker, Saltboiler (makes salt by boiling water), Salt-worker, Sawyer (saws timbers to boards), Shipwright, Sieve-maker, Sledge-maker, Stone carver, Stone-cutter, Surveyor, Tar-boiler, Thonger (maker of leather straps or laces), Wheelwright |
| Weaponry | Armourer, Bowyer, Cutler, Fletcher, Girdler (leather worker who made girdles and belts, chiefly for an army), Sheather, Weaponsmith |
4. Ecclesiastic
| Sub-group | Examples |
| Associate | Choirmaster (monastic), Inspector of ritual butchers, Pardoner, Scribe, Sexton, Theologian, Warden (church) |
| Office-holder | Abbess, Abbot, Archbishop, Archdeacon, Archpriest, Bishop, Cardinal, Curate, Deacon, Inquisitor |
| Practitioner | Chantry priest, Church reader, Congregational reader, Friar, Hermit, Monk, Nun, Priest, Priest (unfrocked) |
| RANK | English | Germanic | Czech | Greek | Arabic | Indian | Japanese |
| 9 | Emperor | Kaiser | Cisari | Autokrator | Al-Malik | Maharajadhiraj | Kotei |
| 8 | King | König | Kral | Basileus | Malik | Rajah/Maharajah* | Kokuo |
| 7 | Prince | Prinze | Knize | Pringkepas | Amir | Rajput | Denka |
| 6 | Duke | Herzog | Vévoda | Doukas | Mushir | Nawab | Koshaku |
| 5 | Marquis | Markgraf | Markiz | Markpsios | Ghazi | Sirdarbahadur | Sensoshaku |
| 4 | Earl/Count | Graf | Hrab | Komes | Qadi | Sirdar | Hakushaku |
| 3 | Viscount | Vicomte | Vikomt | Epikomes | Naquib | Padwar** | Shishaku |
| 2 | Baron | Freiherr | Baron | Baronos | Sheikh | Sahib | Danshaku |
| 1 | Knight | Ritter | Ryti | Stratiotes | Faris | Kshatriya | Samurai |
| Sub-group | Notes • examples |
| Farmer | A rich peasant who owns or rents his own land • Farmer, Farmer (apple), Farmer (chicken), Farmer (pea), Vintner |
| Hunter | Falconer, Fisher, Fowler (one who hunts for wildfowl), Hawker (breeds, trains, hunts with hawks), Hunter (bear), Molecatcher, Oyster raker (worker on an oyster fishing boat), Trapper |
| Menial | A landless peasant who labours for others • Cowherd, Fieldhand, Goatherd, Milkmaid, Shepherd, Swineherd, Thrall (bonded peasant) |
| Smallholder | Your basic peasant or serf, who works a small holding of land, and that of their master |
| Specialist | Beekeeper, Breeder (beavers), Farrier, Forester, Gardener, Ox driver, Plowman, Reaper, Sheepshearer, Tanner, Tillerman, Thresher, Woolcomber, Woolman (sorts wool into differing grades) |
Interests (21): Altruism refers to the principle of living and acting for the interest of others. Horticulture is the art of gardening. Husbandry = farming. Nature/discovery refers to scientific (or “philisophical’, in genre-speak) inquiry.
Faith: A basic indicator of
the NPC’s disposition with regard to milieu deities, and their ilk:
| Type | Meaning |
| Saintly | Eminent virtuosity |
| Martyr/zealot | Passionate ardour |
| Pious | Dutiful conduct |
| Reverent | Respectful awe |
| Average | Worshipful invocation |
| Irreverent | Pragmatic recognition |
| Impious | Begrudging acknowledgement |
| Irreligious | Free agent, independent and godless |
| Iconoclastic | An image-breaker; a worship liberator; usually a marked person |
Family and siblings: Some means two or three; several means four to seven; many is eight or more.
|
Character (93): The real person—the one the NPC is when no one else is looking. A result of natural temperament, modified by childhood training, education, environment and basic attitudes, values, beliefs, principles, habit patterns and motivations (Richard n.d; Keirsey 1998, p. 20; Clark & Watson 1999, p. 400). Bon vivant means someone who enjoys the good things in life. Capricious means a person who tends to act impulsively or on a whim. Droll means amusing in an mildly ironic or unusual manner. Frivolous means disinclined to take things seriously. Loquacious means talkative. Magnanimous means noble and generous. Obsequious means excessively eager to please. Parsimonious means stingy. Wry means humourously sarcastic or mocking.
Goal (60): The NPC’s desired result, purpose or objective.
Motivation (51): Why the NPC wants their goal; what drives them. Motivations influence how the NPC sees the world and relates to others (Richard n.d.).
Resources (23): What the NPC can draw on to help them achieve their goal. Most NPCs can draw only on their own bootstraps (that is, WYSIWYG).
Virtue (23): What you will see in the NPC when they are “in the zone”.
Conflict (25): The obstacle or impediment the NPC must face in obtaining or achieving their goal. The reason why the NPC can’t have what they want. A source of friction, tension, opposition, trouble and danger. Conflict is, “two dogs and one bone” (Dixon 1996, p.60).
Vice (20): What you may see in the NPC when they are under stress. The figure in brackets is a resilience index (RI), on a scale of 2–12. An RI of 10 or more suggests a vice that will rarley be manifested, but when it is, it may be intense. An RI of 4 or less suggests a vice that will be seen more frequently but with a milder intensity. Play it off-the-cuff or if you prefer, roll <= RI on 2d6 whenever the NPC is under stress, to see if they keep (or lose) their cool. An NPC’s vice may also nuance their demeanour and character.
Secret (61): What the NPC hides (and wants to keep hidden), if anything.
Temperament: A combination of inborn genetic traits that subconsciously affect the NPC’s behaviour (Richard n.d; Kose 2003, p. 88). A fall-back indicator of how an NPC is likely to act. There are five kinds of temperament, each associated with: a Pythagorean element; a keyword that captures its essential nature; a temporal focus; an archetypal quality; how other people sometimes perceive that quality; a thing trusted in; and typical (but not exclusive) callings or occupations:| Type | Element | Keyword | Time | Quality | Perception | Trust | Calling/s |
| Artisan | Fire | Action | Present | Courage | Recklessness | Impulse | Composer; crafter (tool- master); performer; promoter |
| Guardian | Earth | Stability | Past | Tenacity | Stubborness | Authority | Inspector; protector; provider; supervisor |
| Idealist | Water | Growth | Future | Love | Sentimentality | Intuition | Champion; counselor; healer; teacher |
| Rational | Air | Understanding | Intervals | Boldness | Arrogance | Reason | Architect; field-marshal; inventor; mastermind |
| Survivor | Aether | Imperturbability | Now | Resilience | Cold-heartedness | Senses | Coordinator; engineer; pilot; scout |
o Bradley N 1992, British survey of left-handedness, last updated 20 June 2003, Graphology Information Centre, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.wmin.ac.uk/marketingresearch/graphology/lefthand.htm>.
o Brucato P & Wieck S 1997, Personality archetypes, Mage: The ascension, 2nd ed, White Wolf Game Studio, California, pp. 115–120.
o Carver, CS & Scheier, MF 2003, Perspectives on personality, 5th ed., Pearson Education, Boston.
o Clark, LA & Watson, D 1999, ‘Temperament: A new paradigm in trait psychology’, in LA Pervin & OP John (eds), Handbook of personality: Theory and research, 2nd ed., Guilford Press, New York, pp. 399–423.
o Connors, MM, Harrison, AA & Akins, FR 1985, Living aloft, Scientific and Technical Information Branch, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington DC, also available as html file, viewed 21 Jan 2005, <http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-483/ch5-2.htm>.
o Cooperstein, MA 1998, The conjoint evolution of creativity and consciousness: A developmental perspective, viewed 26 January 2005, <http://www.wynja.com/personality/candc.html>
o Csikszentmihalyi, M 1996, ‘The creative personality’, Psychology Today, 29( 4), pp. 36–40, viewed 15 January 2005, retrieved from Factiva database.
o Dixon D 1996, GMC: Goal, motivation & conflict, Gryphon Books, Memphis, Tennessee.
o Fischer MD 1995, Human morphological variation, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://web.archive.org/web/20031125193227/http://lucy.ukc.ac.uk/Courses/SE302/humanmorpohvar.html>.
o Fletcher, J & Olwyler, K 1998, ‘What makes Gates, Walton, and Clinton tick?’, The Journal for Quality & Participation, 21(2), p. 20–23, viewed 22 January 2005, retrieved from ProQuest database.
o Four J 2002, NPC essentials, RPGObjects, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.gmmastery.com/index.php?page=pro&product_id=9>.
o Frey RJ 2002, ‘Self-mutilation’, The Gale encyclopedia of medicine, 2nd ed., Gale Group, Detroit.
o Gordon BR n.d., Glossary of titles, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.hostkingdom.net/glossary.html>.
o Gygax EG 1979, Personae of non-player characters, Dungeon masters guide, TSR Games, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. p. 101.
o Howard, PJH 2000, The owner’s manual for the brain, 2nd ed., Bard Press, Austin, Texas.
o Institute of Phonetic Sciences n.d., The normal distribution, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.fon.hum.uva.nl/Service/Statistics/Normal-Z_distribution.html>.
o Jablonski NG & Chaplin G 2000, ‘The evolution of human skin coloration’, Journal of Human Evolution, 39(1), pp. 57–106.
o Jorgensen RS, Abdul-Karim K, Kahan TA, Frankowski JJ 1995, ‘Defensiveness, cynical hostility and cardiovascular reactivity: a moderator analysis’, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 64(3–4), pp. 156-61.
o Kaufman, D 2003, ‘My mind’s not right’, Sydney Morning Herald, June 7, Spectrum section, p. 10.
o Keirsey D & Bates M 1984, Please understand me: Character & temperament types, Gnosology Books, Del Mar, California.
o Keirsey, D 1998, Please understand me II: Temperament, character, intelligence, Prometheus Nemesis Books, Del Mar, California.
o ——, Temperament: different drums, different drummers, last updated 14 February 2004, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://keirsey.com/>.
o Kose, S 2003, ‘A psychobiological model of temperament and character: TCI’, Yeni Symposium, 41(2), pp. 86–97, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.yenisymposium.net/FULLTEXT/2003(2)/ys2003_41_2_6.pdf>.
o Lapenta, S 2004, ‘Disruptive behavior and the law’, Physician Executive, 30(5), pp. 24–26, viewed 22 January 2005, retrieved from ProQuest database.
o Matthews LR 1998, Table of feudal titles, version 4, 8 October 1998, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.guildcompanion.com/scrolls/1998/dec/feudal_titles_intro.html>.
o Mistretta W 2003, Review of tri-stat Dx, RPGNet, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9750.phtml>.
o Miyaguchi D 1997, Generic IQ chart, last updated 18 May 1997, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.eskimo.com/~miyaguch/combnorm.html>.
o Nettle, D 2001, Strong imagination: madness, creativity and human nature, Oxford University, Oxford.
o Norlinger U 2004, Standard deviation: percentile conversion calculator, Estimated IQs of some of the greatest geniuses, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://hem.bredband.net/b153434/Index.htm>.
o Odegard M 1996, A glossary of European, princely, royal and imperial titles, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.heraldica.org/topics/odegard/titlefaq.htm>.
o Richard D n.d., Values in leadership, callcentres.net, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.callcentres.net/CALLCENTRES/LIVE/me.get?site.sectionshow&CALL678>.
o Seddon JM, Sahagian CR, Glynn RJ, Sperduto RD, Gragoudas ES 1990, ‘Evaluation of an iris color classification system’, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 31(8), pp. 1592–1598.
o Simonton, DK 1999, ‘Creativity and genius’, in Handbook of personality: Theory and research, LA Pervin & OP John (eds), 2nd ed., The Guilford Press, New York, pp. 629–652.
o Spillane, R & Martin, J 2005, Personality and performance: Foundations for managerial psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
o Standish J 1995, Thoughts on a medieval monetary system, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.hut.fi/~vesanto/link.economy/monetary.txt>.
o Tucker-Ladd, CE 2000, Psychological self-help, Mental Health Net, viewed 26 January 2005, <http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap6/chap6b.htm>
o Vajdic CM, Kricker A, Giblin M, McKenzie J, Aitken J, Giles GG & Armstrong BK 2001, ‘Eye color and cutaneous nevi predict risk of ocular melanoma in Australia’, International Journal of Cancer, 92(6), pp. 906–912.
o Vincent SP 2000, What did people do in a medieval city?, generated 25 March 2000, Magic Jar project, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.svincent.com/MagicJar/Economics/MedievalOccupations.html>.
o Wallace L A 1997, Peerage basics, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles02.html>.
o Wen, P 2004, ‘Accused teen fits no single profile: School violence defies stereotype’, The Boston Globe, 10 October, also available as html file, viewed 15 January 2005, <http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2004/10/10/accused_teen_fits_no_single_profile/>
o Wickenden P 2001, Occupational bynames in medieval Russia, viewed 14 December 2004, <http://www.goldschp.net/archive/jobnames.html>.