#RPGaDAY2018 - Day 4: Most memorable NPC?

I'll answer this in three ways: From an actual play stream, when playing in someone else's game, and one from my own games. This is for NPCs that only appeared once in a campaign, since my favorite recurring NPCs in both categories will be revealed in tomorrow's question.


Most memorable NPC from an actual play stream

Asmodeus, as presented by Jerry Holkins and Chris Perkins in the Waffles, Inc finale:

Skip to 2:30:00 for the encounter

I'm not a big fan of demon lords and archdevils in RPGs. But I am a fan of how Asmodeus was portrayed by two DMs at the same time. The way he would talk to himself when considering things, and how the DMs portrayed how one of the most ancient evil beings would carry himself, made this encounter be an excellent resolution to an epic multiple-session weekend storyline, without a fight being involved.

Most memorable NPC in someone else's game that I've played

Aleena, as presented by my dad in the D&D Red Box Starter Set 1 adventure module:

Before everyone had their first RPG death with Final Fantasy VII's Aerith, mine was with Aleena.

I mentioned this back in the first day's post, but I do still occasionally think back to the first NPC that I saw die. Aleena guided me and my siblings for a little bit while we explored our first dungeon, and she was mostly quiet otherwise. After she died at the hands of Bargle, however, it struck a note to me how characters can die for good in this game, and so my choices have consequences.

Most memorable NPC in my games

This one was tough since I usually make sure that memorable NPCs become recurring. Technically, this one only appeared in 2 back-to-back sessions, so I think it counts. Let me talk to you about the monster we called SIN. (The name is based off of FFX's namesake giant monster)

My campaign was nearing it's end, and I had long hinted at a legendary monster that lurked in the outside areas of the world, trapped and hidden away. My way of planting a Chekhov's gun idea that they would face this being at the end of the campaign.

For what was originally supposed to be the last session, I decided to bring in a monster that would challenge them. They were all, however, epic level (~30) adventurers (3.5 edition), and there were 9-12 players. Nothing in the monster manual could challenge them, so after a friend's suggestion, I decided to take the Tarrasque and amp it up.

SIN uses the Tarrasque as a base monster, and gives it about 6 templates including half-dragon and half-fiend, as well as some character classes. It was a truly dreadful creature, capable of ending encounters on the first round if not taken seriously.

In my head, SIN looked like the Cloverfield monster, but with wings

What makes SIN memorable is that the players were so afraid of interacting with it, that they decided to attempt to turn it against other villain NPCs. They succeeded, and SIN went on his way, but not before destroying the brave PC that dared talk to it. 

While I'm not particularly proud of SIN in hindsight, I like to think that it left a big impact on myself and some of my players.