An Exercise in Active NPC Design

In the last post, I shared a fresh strategy on crafting engaging and memorable non-player characters (NPCs). I put thought it might be a good idea to make a sample NPC with the technique. Meet Cormac Askisson, a simple Sartarite farmer from Apple Lane, the PCs' home village. Cormac Askisson is not a central figure in our grand narrative but offers meaningful side interactions that help enrich our gaming world.

• NPC Activation - Goals: Cormac's primary concerns lie close to home. His main objective is to protect his livelihood. Recent capricious weather has wreaked havoc on his crops, and he wants to find ways to safeguard his farm against future climatic disruptions. He may specifically approach the PCs for a magical blessing or ritual to tame the weather or to seek their thoughts and discussion on the weather patterns (This could be a good idea for a random encounter at the local inn for a casual conversation). Cormac is also concerned about his daughter's impending marriage. He wants to ensure she marries into a good family and could use the PCs' broader connections to reach out to suitable households.
• Quirks: Cormac is somewhat superstitious, often looking to nature for signs and omens. He also has a hobby of whittling small wooden figurines, a skill passed down through generations in his family.
• Activation Methods - Strategy: To protect his farm, Cormac might seek the PCs' magical aid or their insights on weather patterns. Regarding his daughter's marriage, he may request their help in reaching out to potential suitors' families.
• Resources: Cormac's extensive knowledge about local history and his connections within the community can be of value to the PCs. He also has a hidden stash of premium apple cider that he could share in gratitude for their help.
• Backstory: Cormac, a lifelong resident of Apple Lane, has inherited his farm from his father. He's a widower with a single daughter, who is his world. 

By ensuring that Cormac has specific, concrete goals in his interactions with the PCs, he should have a sense of agency and make these interactions more meaningful and memorable. I hope this allows me to paint Cormac not just as an NPC but as a living, breathing part of the world we're building together.