Notable Supporting Character (#RPGaDay2024.22)

Creating a notable supporting character for a roleplaying game is both an art and a bit of a science. You want to design someone who sticks in the minds of your players, someone they’ll talk about long after the campaign is over. But how do you craft a character who isn’t just memorable, but also enhances the game? Let’s break it down.

Start with a Strong Concept

Like any good character, a notable supporting character begins with a solid concept. This doesn’t have to be anything groundbreaking, but it should be distinctive. Think about what role this character will play in your campaign. Are they an ally, an antagonist, or someone who straddles the line between the two? What makes them stand out in your setting? Maybe it’s their backstory, a unique personality trait, or even a particular skill or power. The concept is the foundation upon which everything else is built, so take the time to make it strong and interesting.

Give Them Depth

A notable supporting character needs to be more than just a collection of stats and a job title. To make them truly memorable, give them depth. Think about their motivations, fears, and desires. What drives them to do what they do? What are their personal goals, and how do those goals intersect with the players’ objectives? Characters with depth feel more real, and players are more likely to engage with them on a meaningful level. Remember, depth doesn’t always mean complexity. Sometimes, a simple but well-explored motivation can be just as effective as a complex backstory.

Create a Distinctive Personality

Personality is key to making a supporting character stand out. Think about how this character interacts with the world around them. Are they gruff and no-nonsense, or do they have a penchant for dry humor? Maybe they’re overly enthusiastic about their work, or perhaps they’re secretive and hard to read. The way they speak, their body language, and even their quirks all contribute to their personality. The goal is to make them feel like a real person (or creature, depending on your setting), someone the players can’t help but react to, whether they love them or loathe them.

Make Them Relevant to the Story

A supporting character’s notability often comes from their relevance to the story. They should have a role to play that impacts the players and the narrative. Maybe they hold crucial information, possess a unique item the players need, or serve as a gatekeeper to an important location. Whatever their role, it should be something that ties them directly to the players’ goals. A character who’s deeply woven into the fabric of the story will naturally become more memorable because the players will have to engage with them meaningfully.

Allow for Growth and Change

Just like the players’ characters, a notable supporting character should be capable of growth and change. This doesn’t mean they need a complete character arc, but they should be able to react to events in the story. Maybe they start as a minor annoyance but evolve into a trusted ally, or perhaps they’re a steadfast friend who becomes disillusioned and turns against the party. Allowing the character to grow in response to the story’s events makes them feel more dynamic and real. It also keeps the players on their toes, as they won’t always know how this character will behave as the campaign progresses.

Give Them Quirks and Details

Sometimes, the small details are what make a character truly notable. These can be quirks, habits, or even physical traits that make them stand out. Maybe they always wear a specific color, have a distinctive accent, or are never seen without their pet ferret. Perhaps they have an unusual hobby, like collecting ancient coins or writing bad poetry. These details add flavor to the character and make them more memorable. The key is not to overload the character with quirks but to pick one or two that are unique and play them up.

Build Relationships with the Players

A supporting character becomes truly notable when they have meaningful interactions with the players’ characters. Think about how they view each player character and how those relationships evolve over time. Do they admire a particular character’s bravery, or do they find someone’s impulsiveness irritating? Maybe they have a soft spot for one character while being suspicious of another. These relationships add depth and complexity to the interactions, making the character feel more integrated into the world. Players will remember a character who challenges them, supports them, or even just annoys them in a unique way.

Balance Familiarity with Surprise

A notable character should strike a balance between familiarity and surprise. They should have traits that make them relatable or understandable, but they should also be capable of surprising the players. Maybe the grizzled mercenary has a secret love for painting landscapes, or the cold, calculating merchant turns out to have a hidden agenda that’s far more personal than anyone realized. These surprises keep the character from becoming too predictable and make the players curious to learn more.

Keep Them Relevant Throughout the Campaign

A character’s notability can fade if they’re introduced and then forgotten. To keep a supporting character relevant, find ways to bring them back into the story at key moments. Maybe they reappear with crucial information, or they become involved in a subplot that intersects with the main story. These recurring appearances reinforce the character’s importance and keep them fresh in the players’ minds.

Reflect on Their Impact

Finally, take the time to reflect on how the character has impacted the campaign. What role did they play in the story? How did they influence the players’ decisions? What moments stood out? Reflecting on these questions can help you understand what made the character notable and guide you in creating more memorable supporting characters in the future.

Creating a notable supporting character is about more than just giving them a flashy introduction or a quirky trait. It’s about making them an integral part of the story, giving them depth and personality, and allowing them to grow alongside the players’ characters. By focusing on these elements, you can create a character who not only stands out but also enhances the entire campaign. Now, go create a supporting character your players will never forget.