Thanks to Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards of the Coast's hit TTRPG, players can create worlds out of their imagination with just pen, paper, and dice. Moreover, thanks to official books and content, players and DMs can explore the vast realm of D&D. These materials show that Wizards' hit IP has its own fair share of lore with engaging stories, interesting narratives, and open-ended tales aching for DMs to adapt their setting.
However, creative Dungeons and Dragons 5e (D&D 5e) DMs can add a unique spin to their campaigns thanks to campaign settings, modules, and adventures that give custom settings to game tables. These official materials introduce interesting individuals that may transform ordinary stories into epic adventures. For DMs looking for inspiration, just which NPCs seem to be a perfect fit for any adventure?
Updated on May 25, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam: While it’s completely fun to create one’s own NPCs for a campaign with friends, there’s a particular allure when D&D staples grace a campaign table with their unique personalities and, heaven forbid, schemes. Players who want to add a bit of thrill to their campaigns might consider adding NPCs already popular in other D&D settings, including deities that inhabit the Nine Hells, a Prince of Destruction, and, oddly enough, a cheerful Kender who loves “borrowing” things accidentally. Just how would these NPCs affect a player’s adventure with friends?
15 Tiamat
Named after the Mesopotamian primordial sea goddess, Tiamat in Dungeons & Dragons is known for being one of its most notorious draconic goddesses. Perhaps the evil analog to the everlasting good Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, the five-headed Tiamat is always described as the Dragon Queen - the embodiment of evil, the progenitor of hells, and even the creator of colored dragons.
Across the editions, Tiamat has consistently been a five-headed dragon goddess who wants nothing but to rule the known universe or achieve some incomprehensible goal. Inserting Tiamat into a campaign will instantly transform any conflict on a divine level, especially when any involvement by Tiamat will almost instantly mean a scheme is afoot. As an NPC, Tiamat is likely destructive and quick to anger - arrogant and boastful, with no hesitation to bring down her wrath to anyone who incurs it.
14 Asmodeus
Popular in literature as the Devil himself, it makes sense for Asmodeus to become the ruler of the Nine Hells. Classified as Lawful Evil in terms of alignment, Asmodeus is neither callous nor wrathful. Instead, Asmodeus has his unlife wrapped around confidence and layer after layer of strategies against his opponents. Whereas Vecna is the keeper of secrets, Asmodeus prides in his schemes and prefers the endgame.
Across the editions, Asmodeus has always ruled a setting’s version of hell and would work his way towards ruling it for the rest of eternity. And considering his ambitious nature, it wouldn’t be uncommon for Asmodeus to have smaller schemes to assert control over some dominions of the known world. Dropping Asmodeus into a campaign will transform its scale into divine proportions, and settings rampart with demonic cults and dark magic will have a perfect endgame in the form of Asmodeus and a scheme to assert dominance.
13 Orcus
Perhaps the most popular villain in the earliest editions of the game, Orcus is popularly associated as the Demon Prince of Undeath, commonly associated with wanton destruction and decay around him. And while he is usually presented as a typical giant grunt of pure smite-able evil, Orcus is no slouch to deal with. Dungeon Masters who plan on bringing Orcus into a campaign can count on his temper and arrogance to make things just as comedic and interesting.
Not to mention, the existence of Orcus as both a “big bad” and a “small-fry” in the larger scale of divinity can make larger-scope campaigns more interesting. Players luring Orcus to be on their side against larger threats like Asmodeus and Tiamat can be a compelling turn of events, especially in a campaign storyline where gods have begun a war of their own.
12 Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Kender have earned a rather infamous perception as “not-Halflings” in the Dragonlance series, and Tasslehoff Burrfoot is perhaps one of the root causes of this comedic annoyance. Known as the major provider of comic relief in the Dragonlance series, Tasslehoff is known to have been at the center of major events - sometimes even saving the world by accident.
Tasslehoff is especially known for inserting comedy in the most inappropriate of situations, and the Kender signature of “borrowing” stuff from people who don’t need them. Players about to embark on a comedic adventure will benefit from the hijinks that Tasslehoff might bring them into, and extremely serious campaigns can work with a little humor from the little Kender and his shenanigans.
11 The Lady of Pain
In the more obscure Planescape campaign setting, The Lady of Pain is known as the protector of Sigil, or the city at the nexus of all realities. Revered as a deity by Sigil’s citizens, The Lady of Pain is primarily characterized as a robed woman with a mantle of blades around her, with no other objective than to preserve peace in the Sigil. Her primary mode of “punishing” those who defy her is throwing them in her magical mazes - and even then, she only does these interventions when Sigil is at a threat.
Given her allegiances to the stability of the multiverse, the Lady of Pain is quite an enigmatic NPC to bring into any game. Any campaign about to embark on an extraplanar journey might want to insert the Lady of Pain as an NPC that could serve as both a threat or an ally, with players possibly making unsavory deals with her for the safety of their realm.
10 Lord Soth
Lord Soth or the Knight of the Black Rose serves as one of the secondary villains of the Dragonlance campaign setting. Once a proud Knight of Solamnia, the Knights exiled Lord Soth after he killed his wife and newborn son. Unfortunately, he cut short his only quest for redemption when he failed to stop the Cataclysm that befell Dragonlance's world of Krynn. As his mistress lay dying in the apocalypse, she cursed Lord Soth to live as an undead knight.
As an NPC, Lord Soth can prove to be a formidable opponent against an adventuring party. Lord Soth not only has a skeletal army serving him, but he can also simply point at a living thing and kill them by uttering "Die."
9 Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen, the author of Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, serves as one of the most powerful spellcasters in the Forgotten Realms. As such, he's seen as a threat by many powers in the land. In Barovia, Mordenkainen suffered from madness that made him paranoid, but in most cases, Mordenkainen holds a permanent scowl.
As an NPC, players might search for Mordenkainen for his expertise in the magical arts. After all, Mordenkainen heads the Circle of Eight, a group of Wizards and prolific spell inventors. Campaigns planning on adapting Curse of Strahd may also include Mordenkainen as an NPC they need to save– or face, depending on the circumstances.
8 Strahd Von Zarovich
Count Strahd von Zarovich, not to be confused with Count Dracula, serves as the central antagonist of the Curse of Strahd module for D&D 5e. A mighty conqueror, Strahd forged a pact with the Shadowfell's Dark Powers to gain immortality. Unfortunately, the process not only made Strahd into a vampire but also made him kill his brother and cause the death of his love. Moreover, the Dark Powers sealed Strahd in Barovia, turning the nation into his prison.
DMs planning on introducing Curse of Strahd or modifying it into their campaign may reveal Count Strahd as a villainous NPC. He may even be incorporated as a Warlock Patron, with the Warlock's story arc eclipsing their arrival in Barovia. An alluring and attractive villain, Count Strahd can easily become a favorite villain with his cunning, unpredictable, and chilling nature.
7 Iggwilv
Iggwilv, or Natasha the Dark, becomes the person to call for anyone with the slightest interest in demonology. Her Demonomicon of Iggwilv (also a column in the Dragon magazine) highlighted her research into the many demons and terrifying magic that can be tapped from the Nine Hells. Iggwilv stands alongside Mordenkainen as one of the most powerful spellcasters not just in Forgotten Realms but the entire multiverse.
Players who want to venture into the Nine Hells might find Iggwilv a valuable source of knowledge. She resides in one of her many mansions throughout Hades, the Abyss, and the material plane. As such, adventurers lucky enough to find her should seek her counsel on matters concerning demons.
6 Minsc And Boo
Minsc remains popular among the people of Baldur's Gate as a hulking but friendly Rashemaar warrior. He's most commonly seen with Boo, who he believes is a "miniature giant space hamster." People will recognize Minsc for his large stature and the purple tattoo on his face. Quick to fight what he believes is evil, Minsc maintains a kind and honorable heart.
For adventurers to encounter such a hero might lead to a fun but refreshing campaign. Minsc and Boo's arrival may herald the start of more serious affairs in the world. For such a prominent figure to interact with the party, the party has garnered enough attention to attract more powerful allies... and enemies.
5 Jarlaxle
Jarlaxle, born Jarlaxle Baenre and sometimes known as Jarlaxle D'aerthe, is the Drow that leads the mercenaries of the Bregan D'aerthe. Despite his nobility, Jarlaxle chose a life of adventure with his mercenary troupe. Opportunistic and charismatic, Jarlaxle learned early on in his life that he has to take advantage of every opportunity he has. Despite his skill with the sword, Jarlaxle relies more on his words to turn things to his favor, often turning to subterfuge and deceit to get his way.
Adventurers who want to explore the Underdark and the confusing web of international politics may seek Jarlaxle's aid. Of course, Jarlaxle might just have the party end up embroidered in businesses they shouldn't have been touching in the first place.
4 Vecna
Vecna, popular across the multiverse as the Chained God, serves as one of the most powerful entities in all of Dungeons & Dragons. Unfortunately, historians and sages know little of Vecna's true past. However, many spellcasters do know of Vecna's successful attempt at achieving godhood despite his powers as a lich. Players might find themselves familiar with Vecna's only "physical" remnants, his Hand and Eye, both extremely rare magical items.
Aside from being a deity himself, Vecna can take on the role of an Undying Patron for Warlocks. Campaigns with a focus on gods, the divine, and the infernal may benefit from having Vecna. Vecna's cunning means he'll likely have a scheme to achieve domination over whatever pantheon he becomes a part of.
3 Drizzt Do'Urden
Drizzt Do'Urden remains one of the most popular characters in the Forgotten Realms franchise. Unlike other Drow, Drizzt rejected the perceived evil notions of Drow society and forged his own path. As such, he eventually becomes the hero of the North and made significant changes to his Drow home in the Underdark.
A skilled ranger in his own right, Drizzt remains equally adept in conversation. He's always wary of danger, strives for perfection, and held himself to the highest standard. Meeting one of the most iconic figures in D&D could help make players feel important in their campaign.
2 Raistlin Majere
Raistlin Majere once had companions alongside the Heroes of the Lance. In the Dragonlance series, it's Raistlin's efforts that brought down the Queen of Darkness. He didn't make his efforts for the good of Krynn, however. Rather, he used the Queen of Darkness to catapult his own desires– to become a god himself, for a price.
Many regard Raistlin as the most powerful mage who has ever lived. Adventurers who meet Raistlin may encounter him as a full-fledged Wizard. In this form, he possesses golden skin and hourglass eyes that pierce through the veil of time– and with it, whatever vision of the past or the future awaits the campaign.
1 Xanathar
The Behold Xanathar, popular for his Xanathar's Guide to Everything, remains one of the most iconic characters in D&D lore. Present mostly in the Forgotten Realms setting, Xanathar leads Skullport's Xanathar Thieves' Guild. Moreover, he holds a considerable presence in Waterdeep and holds significant sway over criminal matters in the city.
As an NPC, the elder Xanathar mostly keeps to himself and operates with intermediaries. He's cunning, powerful, and oftentimes unintentionally leads the Thieves' Guild into clashing with other evil organizations. Any D&D campaign might enjoy Xanathar's presence, especially for DMs who want to establish their settings' criminal underworld. Xanathar's witty and sarcastic persona makes him memorable for any table.