20 DnD NPC Ideas & Characters Backstories List

Here is a list of 20 unique and interesting DND NPC characters and backstory ideas to help you in your fantasy tabletop RPG campaign.

20 DnD NPC Ideas for Characters

Here’s a quick rundown of 20 table-ready NPC characters you can use for your fantasy tabletop campaign. Feel free to use these and adjust as you see fit. They should work with Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, or even 13th Age. The images were created with DALLE2 AI from OpenAI. Thanks for reading, and I hope you find these useful and interesting!

1) Toora – Female Half-Elf Rogue (Chaotic Good)

Toora has an average build and fair hair that is tied back into a ponytail and blue eyes. She wears common clothes and has a backpack with her.

Toora is a good natured rogue with a rebellious streak. While she does believe in doing the right thing, she does not always agree with what she sees as injustice and has no qualms about acting on her own if she feels she is doing the right thing.

She is a bit reckless, often jumping into situations without a full plan, but she does make up for it with her resourcefulness. She is generally nice and cheerful and loves talking to others and meeting new people. She is also fairly friendly, but can come across as being a bit flirty and cheeky, especially towards men.

When first encountered, Toora will be in the city to help quell a disturbance in a lower district where residents are out rioting.

2) Fynn Koyd – Male Human Barbarian (Lawful Good)

Fynn has a stocky build and has brown hair and green eyes. He wears animal furs with a bit of leather strapped to it in places. His eyes are wild and brutish.

Fynn has a rage within him, one that he has been able to control for most of his life. He was born with a temper and a lot of aggression, but he learned to channel his inner rage and not let it control him. He is still strong willed and overly dominant, but with the help of his friends he has been able to keep his temper in check.

Fynn is also a very loyal friend, and will go out of his way to help a friend or even do them a favour. He has little patience for those who are weak or let their own problems take control of their lives, but he does not look down upon them. Fynn also believes in second chances and forgiveness. He does however have a hard time trusting someone again if he feels that they have betrayed him.

When first encountered, Fynn will be in the Misty Lion tavern causing a ruckus. If players manage to calm him down, he may provide some valuable information.

3) Kio – Male Wood Elf Ranger (Chaotic Good)

Kio has an athletic build and long dark hair that runs down to his shoulders and green eyes. He wears leather armour and has leather bracers on both arms.

Kio is a friend to all nature and is extremely friendly. He is also very gentle, going out of his way to help animals and sentient plants and trying to be nice to all people he meets.

He has a hard time saying no to those in need, and if someone he knows needs help, he will go out of his way to help them.

Kio is also a very cheerful person who loves to meet new people and explore the world. He is not afraid of getting himself into a fight to defend the people he cares about.

When first encountered, Kio will be in the woods just outside the city.

4) Nikolas – Male Human Bard (Chaotic Good)

Nikolas has an average build, with brown hair and brown eyes. He is always smiling and happy.

Nikolas is a friendly and outgoing person who likes to meet new people and enjoy himself. He loves music, and is a talented musician. He is also very adventurous and loves to travel and see new places.

He is not afraid of taking risks and believes that sometimes you have to take a risk to be rewarded. He is also very optimistic and rarely lets anyone get him down. While he does not like to harm others, he is not against fighting if it comes to it.

When first encountered, Nikolas will be in the city, wandering around and humming to himself.

5) Nonal – Female Human Ranger (Lawful Neutral)

Nonal has a lean build and brown hair that is tied back in two braids. She wears leather armor and has a longsword and a longbow at her side.

Nonal is a stoic and reserved person with a strong sense of justice. She believes that everyone should do the right thing, and that law and order are the best way to maintain peace. She is very noble and will not let anyone get in the way of her and what she believes in.

She is also very loyal and often puts herself in danger to help someone else. While she is fairly friendly, she is not very open and finds it hard to trust people.

When first encountered, Nonal will be near the city gates, looking for someone. She appears nervous and will not want to talk first. If players persist, she will tell her story. She is looking for a fugitive from another kingdom and could use some help.

6) Nausia – Female Tiefling Wizard (Lawful Evil)

Nausia has an average build and has dark purple skin with black hair. She wears clothing that is common in her homeland, and has a staff in her hand.

Nausia is a cruel and evil person who enjoys the suffering of others. She loves to torment people and cause them pain. She finds it hard to trust people and prefers to be alone. She is also very cunning and manipulative, often tricking people into doing what she wants. She will happily betray someone if it helps her in the long run.

When encountered, Nausia will be in the city because she is looking for a spellbook that one of the members of the party has. She not only wants to retrieve the book, she also wants to cause the person who has it pain and suffering. She is worried that if they manage to hide the book, that it will be used to eventually kill her.

7) Xolotl – Male Human Wizard (Neutral Evil)

Xolotl has a medium build and has a bald head. He has a white beard but no moustache because of a curse.

Xolotl is extremely sadistic and loves to cause pain and suffering to others. He does not believe in any form of law or order; he only cares for himself. He is not very trusting of people, and will usually try to manipulate them into doing what he wants.

However, if someone shows him that they are worthy, he will be much more kind to them. The best way to gain his trust is to be useful to him.

When encountered, Xolotl will be in the city because he has business to take care of. He is a murder and will most likely be found in the slums or somewhere even lower. He may have a woman with him or he may be alone.

8) Karras – Male Human Fighter (Lawful Good)

Karras has a medium build and has short brown hair. He wears leather armor and wields a spear.

Karras is a strong and brave man. He is a soldier who follows the law of the land, and his devotion to his duty knows no bounds. He can usually be trusted with anything and will never break his word or have any ulterior motive.

When encountered, Karras will most likely be fighting in a battle. He can be found leading a group of soldiers or on patrol. He is on the front line of every battle and will do whatever it takes to win.

Overall, he should give off the feel of a good, noble hero. A bit of an outsider to the party, maybe not the leader, but someone who will definitely offer his aid to the party in a good fight. He’s usually in a good mood, but occasionally, he’ll be upset.

9) Eisenhardt – Male Human Fighter (Lawful Good)

Eisenhardt looks like a tall, well-muscled man with a brown beard and long hair. He wears chain mail and wields a spiked chain.

Eisenhardt is a strong and brave man. He is a soldier who follows the law of the land, and his devotion to his duty knows no bounds. He can usually be trusted with anything and will never break his word or have any ulterior motive.

Over the years, he has learned how to pick his battles, and will not do anything that he thinks won’t work. He follows the law, and never breaks his word.

When encountered, Eisenhardt will most likely be fighting in a battle. He can be found leading a group of soldiers or on patrol.

He is on the front line of every battle and will do whatever it takes to win.

10) Rhys – Male Human Rogue (Chaotic Good)

Rhys has a medium build and has short blonde hair. He wears leather armour and wields a dagger.

Rhys is energetic and will do just about anything for his friends and allies. He is not very trusting of people, but he can usually tell if someone is being honest with him. He can usually be found in the city stealing things or picking pockets.

When encountered, Rhys will most likely be in the city drinking. He can be found in a tavern drinking and boasting to bounty hunters. He is always looking to make some extra gold.

11) Sigrid – Female Human Cleric (Lawful Good)

Sigrid has a medium build and has long blond hair. She wears plate armour and wields a mace.

Sigrid is a dutiful woman and is always willing to lend a hand to those in need. She is a strong believer in law and order and will do anything to uphold it. She often goes on long walks in the woods in search for a sign from the gods.

When encountered, Sigrid will most likely be at a temple. She can be found talking to other worshippers or giving sermons. She is always willing to share her knowledge.

12) The Bandit King – Male Human Fighter (Neutral Evil)

The Bandit King has a muscular build and has short black hair. He wears leather armour and wields a sword.

The Bandit King is well known for his cruelty and ruthlessness. He is known to torture and maim his victims instead of simply killing them. He is wanted in several cities and towns for his crimes. If a group of adventurers ever encounters him, they must be careful not to cross him.

When encountered, the Bandit King is usually with his men. He will often be found planning. He is very relaxed around his men, but will be very intimidating to others. He will not hesitate to kill anybody who gets in his way.

13) Alois – Male Human Rogue (Neutral)

Alois has a slender build and has black hair. He wears leather armour and wields a dagger.

Alois is a very unhappy man. He is seen as weak by those around him and is often the butt of jokes. He is always looking for opportunities to prove himself. This makes him a dangerous man to cross. He gets along with most people, but doesn’t associate himself with others. Alois is rarely seen alone.

When encountered, Alois is most likely with a group of friends. He is a very social person, but is always looking for opportunities to take advantage of those around him. He will most likely be found in a tavern.

14) Hugo, The Mad Cleric – Male Human Cleric (neutral)

Hugo looks like he is in his 50’s. He is balding and has a thick black beard that covers most of his face. He has a rough build and a very large torso and arms. He is dressed in the traditional style of his God and is carrying a large mace and shield.

Hugo has always been a very serious person. He has never, till this day, had any friends. He joined the church because that was the only place where he didn’t feel that he would be rebuffed. His self-loathing and constant desire to help others has made him a very good cleric. He can heal, he can buff and he can even resurrect. But he is afraid that once he has saved the world or the city, or even the town, he will still be alone.

When encountered, Hugo is most likely in prayer. He does not have time for frivolities, or even minor threats. He is a very serious person. He is only seen outside if he is requested by those who need his service.

15) Yago – Female Human Rogue (Chaotic)

Yago is a very pretty woman with a thin build. She has light brown hair, blue eyes and is wearing leather armour and carries a dagger.

Yago is easily bored and loves to have fun. She is always looking for someone to have a good time with. She is very social, with a large group of friends and is always surrounded by people at the tavern. This does not mean she doesn’t know how to defend herself, she is a very good fighter.

When encountered, Yago is most likely in the tavern, celebrating the end of a job or looking for her next victim. She is very friendly and fun to be around. She is a notorious flirt, but doesn’t let everything get too serious.

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16) Rita – Female Human Cleric (Lawful)

Rita is a very good-looking woman with a very fit body. She has long blonde hair and wears leather armour and carries a dagger.

Rita is a very religious person. She dedicates much of her day to prayer. She feels that it is her moral obligation to help anyone in need regardless of who they are or their moral standing. She enjoys helping the sick and the poor and is always haunted by the thought that she may not have enough time.

When encountered, Rita is most likely doing her job. She has a very busy schedule and is always going from one place to another, healing the wounded and spending time with the needy. She is known to frequent taverns and drink a couple of drinks in her free time.

17) Vincent – Male Elf Ranger (Chaotic)

Vincent is a young man with a fit body and has long blonde hair. He wears leather armour and carries a longsword.

Vincent is a very wild young man. He is non-judgmental and doesn’t hold a moral compass. He believes in doing whatever you must to survive. He has a small group of friends and spends most of his time on the road. He is very interested in the world around him and likes to learn everything he can.

When encountered, Vincent is most likely in the woods. He has perfected the art of blending in and is hard to spot even in the thick of the forest. He is probably hunting or surveying the surroundings.

18) Tristan – Male Human Monk (Lawful)

Tristan is a very tall and fit man with brown hair and blue eyes. He is wearing leather armour and carries a dagger.

Tristan is a very peaceful man. He prays several hours every day and cares for the sick. He is very stubborn and will not leave someone in need if he is able to help them. He has a very calm demeanor and speaks very little. He is very serious and is always focused on his duty.

When encountered, Tristan is most likely patrolling the streets or the alleys. He is not very social and is often seen alone.

19) Joanna the Diplomat – Female Human Barbarian (Chaotic)

Joanna is a very pretty woman with a fit body. She has long brunette hair and a very soft demeanor. She is wearing leather armour and carries a dagger.

Joanna is a very passionate person. She feels that diplomacy is the best way to solve conflicts with others. She is very social and is always trying to make friends with everyone. She has a very nice, easy-going tone of voice and rarely gets upset.

When encountered, Joanna is most likely at the palace, trying to get everyone to come to a mutual understanding. She is very approachable and does not shy away from speaking her mind.

20) Wigbert – Male Half-Orc Fighter (Chaotic)

Wigbert is a very handsome man with a muscular build and long, dark hair. He is wearing leather armour and carries two swords.

Wigbert is a very barbaric man. He has little to no desire to better himself and is only interested in his next battle. He is very independent and doesn’t care about others. He has a very short temper and is always looking for a fight.

When encountered, Wigbert is most likely in an alley, looking for trouble and for a challenge. He is very good at starting a fight and can most likely be found in the tavern.

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