When creating characters for the heroes to interact with, consider what sort of the character it is. Some characters are of two types, such as a lovable, goofball thief.

Hero

This is an admirable and likeable character who helps the characters and whom the characters want to help in return and perhaps emulate.

• Sheriff who offers bounties on monsters and outlaws
• Apothecary who buys monster parts and exotic plants
• Lord who acts as a patron
• Bishop who cures your curses

Herald

This is a character who acts as a warning and/or signpost. This is very common for random characters the heroes meet. They answer basic questions but don’t go out of their way to be helpful.

• Town crier who describes happenings
• Taverner who passes on a warning
• Bard who tells intriguing tales
• Wizard who reports a new menace

Mentor

This is a character who helps the heroes but who rarely needs help themselves.

• Innkeeper who explains local goings on
• Sage who helps identify items and find lore
• Cleric who offers guidance and curse removal
• Lord who points you toward trouble that should be rewarding

Guardian

This is a character who guards a threshold the heroes want to cross and who must be appeased.

• Bailiff who needs to be bribed
• Wizard who heads the sorcery guild
• Judge who can issue a writs
• Lord who possesses the land with an unexplored ruin

Clown

This is a character who is interesting in and of themselves and often become beloved by the heroes.

• Eccentric wizard who’s annoying to deal with
• Goofball shopkeeper who’s fun to talk to
• Dimwit guard who’s endearingly dense
• Troubadour who composes music and is considering doing one about you

Rogue

This is a character who is helpful and perhaps likeable but not trustworthy.

• Shady merchant willing to fence stolen goods
• Witch who might have what you need
• Thief who knows a lot
• A guardian who repeatedly implies that he can be bribed

Villain

This is a character who causes trouble for the heroes or gets in their way.

• Official who stands in the way
• Rival who snaps up opportunities you decline
• Enemy who deliberately impedes the heroes
• Cult leader who tries to get revenge for killing her minions by sending more minions