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Why was she smiling like that? It was astounding to witness her face in a permanent state of glee. Still, he had to admit, she was trying her best to be happy. Her's was a disturbing story.

Without hesitation, the stout Dwarf exclaimed, "Bahhh!", and turned his attention to the bar, where a drinking contest was about to launch!

"Saved," he thought, as a chorus of cheers exploded in the huge common room of the Silver Inn.

Suddenly thirsty, he licked his lips, shooting a side-glance at his friend; a fourteen year old Human girl in company with Shree, a woman that could change into a person. Shifting into a dog? Oden could deal that, but he felt Serrith was much too young to be out in the wilds. She had saved him, and - actually, to be honest - he was quite fond of her, apart from the incessant grinning. It was like living in a dream where you can't get away, especially if you hide.

Besides, he owed her one for picking the locks to the clasps holding him bound within a filthy dungeon chamber. The worst part about his imprisonment, short as it lasted, was his barrel of Kohakk sitting on the cold stone floor before him, just close enough to touch but not grab. It was madness! Still, she and the big shifter dog saved him from ending up a skeleton in chains.

"Well?" she asked again, holding to her question. Oden waved a hand her way and eagerly broke away from the table in pursuit of joining the drinking contest. She was a highly difficult encounter! His one desire was to first teach her not to chronically smile like that at him. He had been in company with her and the mutt for six moons. She was quite capable of handling herself, but she lacked one thing . . . being Kithrin Dwarf!

"Figures," Oden grumped. Approaching the bar, he jumped up on the last seat available, and looked down the length of its polished surface; a capable spot to have a fine bit of amusement. Rubbing his hands together, the question Serrith had asked slipped from his mind, replaced by the first drinking contest he'd had in over six months!

Oden sat at attention, watching everyone push their wager to the center of the bar, all mixed coins. After the bartender counted each participants wager, he put them into a large wooden mug and set it down in front of Oden.

"You in or just observing?" the barkeep asked.

"What's the wager?" the Dwarf returned, slipping into a natural, pre-drunken state of intimidation. This was no different than sizing up an opponent before a duel. Of course, in this mostly peaceful setting, he used intimidation prowess to unbalance his opponents, not kill them. He could see they were sizing him up as well.

"Invigorating!" he thought as the barkeep raised a finger upward.

"Five silver pieces worth of coin. Winner keeps 50%, I keep the rest," he answered the the thick Human man, donned in a clean fresh apron.

"I'm in!" Oden suddenly half-bellowed. Such evenings as this always end well!" Oden called out, provoking a resounding cheer from a few dozen patrons gathering about.

High energy began to fill the common room as Oden reached for his side pouch and froze. Looking down, he realized it was gone!

Quickly searching the area, he looked for the Thief who took it, his eyes locking with his Druid companion, who dangled his pouch in front of her, grinning ear to ear.

"Just one moment," Oden said to the bartender as Serrith got up and jogged over to him.

"You lost this," she said, playfully narrowing her dark-eyes at him.

Oden didn't know what to say. With his worry put to rest, he patted her on the arm.

"There's a good girl. Thanks for that," he said, giving her a quick knowing look. He knew he hadn't lost it. She stole it! Serrith always did stuff like that. Her excuse was, "I need the practice."

"Well?" she asked.

"Well nothing!" One of the men said impatiently. "We all put our money in the mug. What about you, Dwarf?" Oden looked at the man.

"If you forgive the interruption, and ya' shut yer' trap, I'll buy you a drink," the Dwarf stated in a friendly tone, giving the man respect. Oden wanted to start too, but had to keep his word to Serrith - that he would be her shield. "Things like this happened," he thought, and he was no stranger to the working class needin' a break after a long, hard day's work.

The man frowned at Serrith and briskly motioned her away. "Go play with your dolls. Just get out of this area! This is no place for the likes of you, kid." Laughter broke out here and there, as if he'd scored a point.

Serrith smiled, casually walked back to her table and sat down, giving Oden an apologetic look. Oden strapped on his side pouch in silence as the man continued his attention on Serrith. Shree, their guide, the dog now in Human form, pulled the Druid into a tight side hug.

Serrith through Oden a sheepish grin, mouthing the word, "Sorry", a dark twinkle of amusement etched into her eyes. Oden put in check the smile he almost gave her, and simply nodded, feeling quite fond of her. The Great Dwarf Thrumdar knows she needed no social encouragement.

"Hey buddy, stop looking at your girlfriend. Can we start now?" He practically yelled.

Immediately, Serrith got up and began to leave the common room, Shree, their guide, following her. Instantly, Oden held up a hand and bellowed, "Stop!" He could see his sudden outburst startled Serrith, and most of the patrons, but it couldn't be helped. Oden turned to the Bartender, then the man.

"Respect her," Oden said in a calm tone. The bartender began casually taking anything made of glass off the top of the bar.

"I agree, Dwarf," The barkeep stated, nodding enthusiastically his way. Instantly, the man making all the negative comments gave an exclamation of frustration, for some reason talking offense to his words.

"Both of you, really? I don't deserve this!" Taking his five silver pieces out of the wooden mug, he removed himself form the bar and stalked toward the darker side of the common room, scowling as he passed Serrith and Shree.

"Little girl, you ruined our evening. Why don't you leave? Go play with the dogs, where you belong. Their out in plenty tonight. Better yet, why don't you adopt one of the mangy dogs wandering the town and go take a long hike with it. Then just keep walking."

Serrith listened to the man, recalling just how prideful and arrogant the people of Kempton were. She looked to Shree.

"We shouldn't do this," she said in the tongue of the Wolden Lycanthrope.

For the entirety of her quest, she had immersed herself willingly in Wolden culture, especially the language, her thirst for knowledge never satisfied. She had gotten pretty good at conversations, thanks for her guide who patiently mentored her. Shree was highly pleased with her solid dedication to learning the tongue of the Wolden, a breed of True-Race Lycanthrope.

"A wise decision, Serrith. I have an idea. Let's go up to our room and enjoy a peaceful evening. We could get some snacks and tell stories. What do you think?" Serrith's face suddenly exploded with excitement.

"I wrote down some questions during our travel back to Kempton. Can we look at them? I kept them short and to the point, so you won't get bored. Shree laughed, suddenly delighted.

"I would not have it otherwise. But don't hog all the subjects to yourself. I have some question about your own escape from your captors. Eight years is a long time to be among the wicked." Serrith turned on her, paling slightly.

"I won't. I promise." Serrith whispered, her voice abruptly subdued.

"Shut your mouth witch, and go to your room, the agitated man threw over his right shoulder. "Just leave!" The bartender frowned, and increased the speed of clearing out all the breakables, just in case this turned out badly. The other men got their money back, putting half of them in motion to find another form of entertainment for the evening. The other half shot dark glances at Oden and his companions.

Oden finished securing his side pouch, then slid down off his stool. Walking to Serrith and Shree, he faced the girls. They looked uncomfortable, which instantly shredded at his nerves like the talons of a Griffon catching him in a blood-frenzy. Still, he held it together.

"Let's go up to the room, shall we? After you two get settled in, I'll come down and get a plate of snacks for our storytelling time. Oden looked to Serrith, as if suddenly eager to please her.

Throwing him that ever-disturbing smile, he noticed something deep within her dark eyes --- anxiety. He knew what she had been forced through. Being a slave to murderous renegades, under penalty of severe punishment, was rooted into her being. He knew that. He could see it. Serrith was a tough kid, and no mistake, and she was trying to focus on a free life, and healing. With Shree's help, Oden knew she would be okay. He looked at the two of them.

"Thick as Thieves," he mumbled, to which Serrith grinned even the more.

"Bahh," Oden grumped, pretending to have had enough. He recalled Serrith wielding a dagger. It was like nothing he'd ever seen. She could vanish from his sight if he took his eyes off her for only a moment. Oh, he knew what she was, and held her in high respect. Deep beneath all her child-like yearning, and her incessant smiling, was a killer.

Serrith suddenly hugged him, bringing Oden out of an intense memory of watching her fight. Still, her smiling was what he saw when he closed his eyes at night. It wasn't bad, but it was too much.

"Okay," Serrith said, "but you have to fill me in on all the details of Kohakk. I need to know everything about when the recipe was made, how and where it's brewed. Most of all, Oden, I need to know your culture and history in relation to Kohakk. My bones almost got broken by Uther for insulting the signature brew of your people." She looked at him and grinned. "That was an eye opener, for sure. I thought I was a gonner'. Do we have a deal?" Oden grumped, pleased, his cheeks flushing an auburn color as Shree smiled down at him in a way that caused him to look down.

"Of course. Let's get the room set up for tonight. Then I'll come down and ... have the cook make us something."

The girls agreed, and off they ascended a beautifully carved long staircase. On the third floor, they began looking for Room 17. After finding, Shree slid the key into the lock and turned it. Soon they were inside the room. Oden secretly watched Serrith slowly relax. For the first time in months, they enjoyed the hospitality of a well structured inn. It was confining, but welcomed by the three.

"You two get ready for some food. I'll be back." Serrith grinned at him like a child.

"Thank you Oden. I'm sorry to have wasted your time. I won't do that again when we are so close to brews and food. Forgive me?" she persued. Oden nodded, turned and left the room.

In about an hour, Oden returned, bearing a box of snacks, compliments of the house. Only Shree noticed a tear in his cape and a patched upon cut on his neck. Shree gave him a concerned look, but said nothing.

The next morning, after packing up their supplies, they walked down the stairs, returned the key, and began to leave. Before exiting the common room, that same man met them in the lobby of the inn. Upon seeing Serrith, his shoulders slumped. Nearing the three, he lifted his hands in a gesture of pease. As he stopped before Serrith, he bowed and grimaced in pain.

"I'm glad I caught you before you left. I'm sorry for disrespecting you." As he continued with the now smiling Serrith, Oden pretended to look at a few trinkets on a nearby shelf. He was nodding happily as the man asked Serrith to forgive him for being rude. "I'm so sorry about last night. I'll never do it again. Please forgive me?" Serrith instantly nodded.

"What happened to you, sir. You look like you were tumbled in a big wind storm." the man shook his head.

"I got what was coming to me. That's all I can say."

"Well," Serrith cheerfully whispered. "I forgive you. Next time we meet, I'll buy you a few drinks." The man brightened up, and actually smiled with another grimace.

"Thank you m'lady. He turned to Shree. "I hope you forgive my foolish actions." Shree gifted him with a look that instantly melted the once mean man's heart.

"Of course," she said, throwing Oden a secret look as he pretended to be interested in a certain trinket.

As they walked out into a beautiful late summer morning, Serrith placed a hand on Oden's shoulder and whispered, "Thank you," she said in a respectful tone. "I knew you would clear it up. I didn't want to." Oden grumped and walked faster, breaking contact with the now smilling Serrith.

He really needed to teach her not to smile so much!

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Author's Note:

I know these three NPCs.

They appeared in a campaign, during which time I took notes to create a story (if the adventure proved worthy of a tale - it did).

Below is the machanical answer to what an NPC is:

NPC: Non-Player Character.

- NPcs are Characters controlled by the Game Master.

- There are a few preparations to help you with a solid adventure, and creating NPCs is critical, and is as important as pre-rolling treasure BEFORE the game begins.

- Creating NPCs will enable you to AVOID STALLING THE GAME in the moment.

- Don't do that.

- It's stressful on you, and a waste of time.

- No NPCs = an adventure with NO FLOW/FLUENCY.

- NPCs are easy to create.

- Takes maybe an hour a week build 1-2 of them.

Have you ever thought:

"Am I a good enough GM?"

"Did they like the adventure?"

"Do they want to play again?"

- These are legit questions/concerns, hopefully ones you can answer that with a confident "Yes."

- If you cannot, focus on what made the adventure difficult, and work on fixint it.

- Let the players know you were having stalling issues, and what those issues are.

- Players get it.

- Players play it.

- Player like it.

- Players crave it.

- Players willingly give great feedback. They love adventure, or they wouldn't play.

As you find a group to play with, create a few NPCs.

Remember: When hosting an adventure, you are the voice of Utaemia.

It's not just a game. It's about having a good time with friends, and inviting others to join you. That's solid.

When you host a gaming session, it needs to be smooth.

Make NPCs before the adventure begins.

Each NPC you created is permanent.

You can use it over and over, even for different scenarios.

It is then, you will see you haven't been wasting, but saving time.

Author's Comments:

It is not my intention to assume all Game Masters know nothing concering NPCs.

I know many of you could school me on gaming.

I'm not all wise and knowledgeable... yet. Haha!

The greatest thorn driving my anxiety is communicating with you.

My #1 goal is to help you see my point of view in this magical world.

I was 5 years old when I discovered ants.

And the journey from that summer hence inspired me.

Read my biography (The Cougar). That's just one of many real-life adventures I've had.

I take those experiences and use them to mould my universe.

Here's an idea to create a quickly create NPCs:

Modification-points:

- Each encountered (excluding peasant types) will have 20 Modification-Points (+3 per level advanced). Example: A level 10 Shallant would have 20 (+3x his level) = 50

(20 + (3x10) = 50)

The 50 Modification-Points are used to learn:

ABILITIES

DIVINE FAVORS

SPELLS

TRADE-SKILLS

and more...

Author's Note: Simplified, this is a great way to build an NPC.

It works well for a close-to-true encounters.

The best way is to set aside a block of free

time and roll up a few full character NPCs.

Place each NPC in a sheet protector and build

up your library over time. you don't have to

create them all at once.

Players Characters that fall in battle can be

added to your growing NPC collection.

NPCs defeated can be used for other NPC

moments, so they become a permanent

resource.

Creating NPCs makes game-play smooth.

If you rolled up 1-2 NPCs a week, you would

have 104 characters a year without trying.

Don't think about what you need, but the fun

you can have building your campaign world.

Have fun.