Rival Adventurers¶

Below are tables for making quick, simplified NPC adventurers. Each combat, a rival adventurer may use their class abilities (from their level or lower) a number of times as indicated in the relevant column (choose one ability to use each time). Attack bonus is equal to HD, like any monster. Naturally the GM is free to tweak details or create NPC adventurers more consistent with the PC creation rules (note: NPC Luck usually relates to HD; see p.184 for guidance).

Special Abilities¶

At the GM's option, an NPC adventurer might exhibit one or more of the following special abilities (GM's choice or roll 1d20):

1. Scrapper: Suffers half damage while Staggered.

2. Bloodletter: Rolls double the normal number of melee damage dice (eg 2d8 for longsword).

3. 1. Warlord: Advantage on Cha and Will related checks, including Luck saves. Allies within 60 ft gain advantage on morale checks.
4. 1. Eldritch Blood: Advantage on all tests to resist magic, and/or the character's spells impose disadvantage on targets' saves.
5. 1. Ruinous Corruption: Roll on the Dark & Dangerous Magic table, entry 99 or 100 (even chance).
6. 1. True Prodigy: Contrary to the usual rules, this NPC may attempt one Major Exploit per combat. A targeted PC may make an appropriate Luck save to resist.
7. 1. Triple Threat: May use any weapon or armour. Also annoyingly good looking.
8. 1. Shield Master: May use a shield, and can negate up to two attacks before the shield requires repair.
9. 1. Void Conduit: May cast one spell per combat (as Scroll, but only 1 spell).
10. 1. Warden: Contrary to the usual rules, this NPC may attempt one Rescue per combat.

11. Infamous: Beheads or otherwise ensures defeated foes are definitely dead. If a PC is reduced to zero hp, the body must be recovered in one round or the adventurer dies.

12. Mercurial: Never grants enemies a free attack due to movement, and may turn an opponent's hit into a miss once per combat.

13. Auspicious: Once per combat, after the character attempts an action, may reroll any single die (eg attack or damage roll, save, Str check to grapple, etc).

14. Back in Black: If reduced to zero hp, unless the party ensures the NPC is definitely dead (eg beheading), she miraculously survives to fight another day.

15. Treacherous Dog: Advantage when attempting sneaky tactics or Minor Exploits such as tripping, throwing sand in eyes, using poison, etc.

16. Lightning Reflexes: The GM chooses when the NPC takes their turn (instead of the usual initiative rules).

17. Monstrous Ally: The NPC has a loyal dire wolf, giant eagle, giant serpent or other monstrous ally that serves and protects them.

18. Arcana Equipped: The NPC has a random magical item (60% one shot, 40% permanent).

19. Call for Backup: When Staggered, 2d6 allies break from nearby cover to assist the NPC (Mercenaries p.204).

20. Doom Pact: When reduced to zero hp, a horrifying monstrosity bursts forth from the corpse! (Entry 11 on the Dark & Dangerous Magic table).