2026 Character Creation Challenge Speed Run: NPC Adventuring Party for OSE

Entries for January 7-12.

Sometimes a GM needs a NPC adventuring party handy. They could be rivals, allies, enemies, or just passing through. These are for use in our on-and-off-again Old School Essentials Advanced Fantasy Nostalgia Tour campaign. Note that all alignments are listed as to be determined (TBD) since I won't necessarily know what role they'll be playing until I drop them into the campaign.

Full disclosure - the stats for these characters were produced using the NPC generator on the Necrotic Gnome website. Some were modified afterward to better suit what I had in mind. Others stuck with whatever was determined by the generator, even if it's counter intuitive. That's especially true of some of the weapon selections. I usually prefer to create characters by hand, but I've been wanting to test out the Necrotic Gnome generators. I also used an online name generator, either using names as is or as inspiration. All of the narrative backgrounds are my own creation.

OSE Generators (Necrotic Gnome website)

Fantasy Name Generators

Zath, Half-Orc Barbarian

Level 3 Barbarian (NPC)
Armour Class 4 [15] (chainmail + shield)
Hit Points 17
Attacks 1 × hand axe (1d6)
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement Rate 60' (20')
Saves D10 W13 P12 B15 S16
Alignment TBD
STR 15 INT 9 WIS 12
DEX 9 CON 14 CHA 6
Items None

Zath is not the most charming, graceful, or intellectual sort, but he's robust and has the cunning to know that strength lies in numbers. Unfortunately, this particular party has fallen on hard times. His trusty sword broke awhile back, forcing him to rely on his hand axe. Gethwine's magical greatsword is a tempting replacement, but Zath doesn't like his odds against her. If somebody offered him a deal that looks better than the what he has going on right now, he'd seriously consider it.


Edraele Rosatra, Elf Magic User

Level 3 Magic-User (NPC)
Armour Class 12 [7] (unarmoured)
Hit Points 5
Attacks 1 × dagger (1d4) or 1 × spell
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement Rate 120' (40')
Saves D13 W14 P13 B16 S15
Alignment TBD
STR 11 INT 15 WIS 13
DEX 3 CON 12 CHA 13
Spells light (darkness), magic missile, phantasmal force
Items None

Edraele's arcane talents are limited by her complete lack of the litheness associated with her people. She is able to carry out the movements necessary for spell casting. Her stiff gait is distinctive and her clumsy nature got her kicked out of magic academy. Edraele's family connects could get her a position as an academic, but she is determined to prove herself on her own merits.


Reinhold, Human Cleric

Level 3 Cleric (NPC)
Armour Class 5 [14] (chainmail + shield)
Hit Points 10
Attacks 1 × mace (1d6+1) or 1 × spell
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement Rate 60' (20')
Saves D11 W12 P14 B16 S15
Alignment TBD
STR 10 INT 10 WIS 13
DEX 7 CON 8 CHA 6
Spells light (darkness), remove fear (cause fear)
Items Mace +1

Reinhold had his heart set on becoming a warrior priest. Although he's not the quickest or most hardy, he passed the tests and received training in the arts of fighting. His superiors had one piece of advice for him, though - don't try evangelizing. He doesn't have the personality for it.


Meldris Doriana, Half-Elf Ranger

Level 3 Ranger (NPC)
Armour Class 6 [13] (leather armour)
Hit Points 12
Attacks 1 × long bow (1d6)
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement Rate 90' (30')
Saves D12 W13 P14 B15 S16
Alignment TBD
STR 11 INT 8 WIS 9
DEX 15 CON 9 CHA 10
Items None

Meldris' passion for archery is her defining trait. Drawing and releasing an arrow is a mediative experience for her. However, this party isn't what she was hoping for - most of her share of the loot is going to spent on replacing her arrows. Cutting her losses and looking into alternatives is awfully tempting.


Sir Michael Gerard, Knight

Level 3 Knight (NPC)
Armour Class 2 [17] (plate mail + shield)
Hit Points 17
Attacks 1 × dagger (1d4+2)
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement Rate 60' (20')
Saves D12 W13 P14 B15 S16
Alignment Chaotic
STR 17 INT 9 WIS 9
DEX 9 CON 15 CHA 12
Items Dagger +2 (+3 vs orcs, goblins and kobolds)

Michael's sword fell down a bottomless chasm. That leaves him with nothing but his trusty poniard, much to his irritation. The idea of taking Gethwine's magical greatsword sorely tempts him, but Michael knows such an act would be dishonorable. Being hungry, tired, lost, and looking at a payout of a few coins isn't the glorious campaign he was looking for.


Gethwine of Kinkirk, Fighter

Level 3 Fighter (NPC)
Armour Class 5 [14] (chainmail)
Hit Points 18
Attacks 1 × two-handed sword (1d10+1)
THAC0 19 [0]
Movement Rate 60' (20')
Saves D12 W13 P14 B15 S16
Alignment Neutral
STR 11 INT 13 WIS 12
DEX 10 CON 10 CHA 10
Items Two-handed sword +1 (Flaming)

Hailing from the north, Gethwine is barbaric in appearance and temperament. Striking out to see the lands beyond her home seemed like a good idea at the time. Now she's having doubts. Zath and Michael covet her magical greatsword. And this party's ill fortunes are waring her down. There has to be a better way to make a living.

Six more down, nineteen to go!