The Company of the FLying Squirrel
This is not one NPC, but an adventuring group of similar size and power to the players. They have a habit of going on the same quests as the players, and just hovering behind them, while the PCs get into all the fights.
Quote: "And now gentlemen, I think _we'll_ take that!"
[Alternatives, are the party amushes other adventurers but don't kill them,
e.g. in Indiana Jones where keeps having his treasure stolen]
Carla Du-Whit
A pretty young female orphan, who used to work in an inn that the party used. She loves one of the party members and follows him everywhere, although she is totally inept.
Quote: "I don't care if I get killed. I LOVE you.."
[Alternatives, the boy who thinks the characters are his heroes and wants
to be like them.]
"The Blade"
"The Blade" is a high level thief, who is no longer alive in the truest sense. He has used a magic-jar (via a scroll) and he now resides in the gem in the hilt of his magical dagger. The ultimate assassin. He allows the players to kill him so that one of them (there is always one greedy one) picks up the blade, which because the players have been invited into a private party allows him enterence. During the night he takes control of the body and kills a prominent noble, then transfers himself (and the blade) to someone else. The player must prove himself innocent. They meet him occasionally in later adventures, much to his amusement.
Quote: "If you look into the darkness, it is my face you see."
[Alternatives, others who just use the players and drop them. e.g. a nobles
wife sleeps with a player to make her husband jealous..]
John Papersmith
John is the guard at the main gate. He likes his job. He likes it when things run smoothly and properly. Any trouble and you can spend the night in jail. His marriage is breaking up and he's not in a good mood. Bloody adventurers, always think they can carry weapons openly. Any trouble AT ALL and you spend the night. Have you paid tax on that? He works there all the time.
Quote: "That `familiar' as you call it must go into quarantine!"
[Alternatives, the tax-man comes round a lot and wants to know about the
treasure they have, or else they answer to the Kings Justice]
Sir Daggersdale IV
He sees the players as moving in on his position within the court, trying to gain the affections of the King. Yes, he's even noticed the way the Queen looks at that warrior. Now the king doesn't stop talking about his new friends, he has no time for his old. Well, that's just going to stop, if I have to discredit them myself...
Quote: "Of course, you wouldn't know that with your upbringing."
[Alternatives, a guild member sees the wealth the characters are assuming may give them political power, and the fame they are begining to get is giving them some sway with the populace. MY populace, MY political power..]