Or for that matter, is it worth spending the time?

I generated one character so far by the most laborious method possible. Rolling a solo session and doing the winter phase each year. I did this primarily to test run the winter phase rules more so then as a practical means of generating an NPC.

Do you get enough variety by just using the stats of the standard grades of knights? (ordinary, rich, etc) Perhaps with some random rolls for notable traits or passions.

If do you generate NPC knights (or other character types) what method do you use?

Also, is there a number of posts after which I won't have to captcha every post? I promise I won't try to sell you any gold.

It depends on how important the NPC is.

For run of the mill knights or Saxon warriors, I use the standard stats. If the NPC is more important he or she will get a name and a general description. I usually am more interested in what kind of person it is and what motivates them than just the statistics. I only need them when I suspect it will end in combat.

So I have three types of NPCs:
- Standard stats for the average opponent.
- Named characters with only a description of their motives and known traits. These are determined by their part in the story. Example: Brian ap Citoc, a nervous merchant, who is awed by being addressed by knight. He is a bit of a coward.
- Named characters with full background and stats.
Example: Brian ap Citoc, a merchant, born in London and always wanted to be a knight himself. Unfortunately he dislikes violence and usually runs away if attacked. Last week he was beaten by a knight who thought he had been wronged, so every time a knight speaks to him he is both awed and frightened. [And maybe more information then some of his stats as well].

I must admit that the last spins out during play, and depends upon the reactions of the PKs. If they ask nicely they may get his background story and he may even be thankful if they help him.

I wrote a computer program that allows me to 'simulate' an NPC knight's glory accumulation, yearly trainings and checkmarks. Granted, it is not perfect, but it works for me. I have rolled up like 1000 knights in each nation & age combo, and then just roll 1d1000 in the appropriate category to pull up a random NPC knight if needed.

If the knight is not a random NPC, but someone more important to the story, then I sit down and actually assign stats and famous traits by hand, coming up with a piece of backstory as well.

For a 'nameless knave number 3' I will just use the generic stats in the book and not bother rolling.

To all these excellent ideas I will add the upcoming Book of the Warlord as a really great generator in it. It's intended for lords and such, but could be useful for just about any knight, I reckon. It's the best one I've seen to-date!


T.

For NPC's I just make up what I want or need for the story-line. I don't bother with the rules for generation.