Guest Star

 
Variety can be added to a sword-and-sorcery Saga by the occasional introduction of
a colorful npc guest star. This can work particularly well during Sagas with fewer
players, and even better if the guest star is an NPC who has interacted with the
adventurers before in a different context (for instance, an old enemy now so
desperate for help that he must ally with the player characters).
 
The Guest Star Is:
 
1-3
1  A former ally
2  An old friend
3  A friendly rival
4  A famous expert
5  An old enemy
6  A relative
 
4-6
1  An old lover
2  A fan
3  An aging hero
4  A young and promising hero
5  A former mentor
6  Send to Krongar by an old contact, or the Gods themselves.
 
Characteristics
 
A guest star won’t be interesting unless they have an engaging personality. If this
were the Krongar TV series the actors playing these roles would be have lots of
great lines. Their personality should encourage role-playing among the rest of the
adventuring group. Here are a few example characteristics. Roll up to 3 times:
 
1-2
1  Witty
2  Rapacious
3  Cowardly
4  Foolishly brave
5  Constantly in over his or her head
6  A flirt
 
3-4
1  Extremely wise
2  Incredibly competent
3  Desperate to prove himself
4  Naively idealistic
5  Constantly practicing strange, harmless superstitions
6  Impossibly lucky
 
5-6
1  Comically inept
2  A bad luck charm
3  Honorable
4  A compulsive liar
5  Obsessive
6  Full of proverbs
 
 
Guest Star Goal
 
Generally the guest star will already be involved thickly in the Saga, and the Saga
Generator may already have suggested his or her reasons for being part of the plot
(for example, the guest star is to be Transported or Protected).
 
If not, then the guest star can be connected to the Task rolled during the Saga
generation. For example, if Krongar needs to destroy a certain object, only THIS
guest star, a wizard, knows how to do it. If he needs to explore a certain
location, maybe THIS guest star, the only warrior who ever escaped from the Valley
of Skulls, knows the secret way in.
 
Or perhaps Krongar gets involved in the Saga in the first place BECAUSE the guest
star seeks his help.
 
Sometimes, of course, the guest star isn’t being truthful about his or her agenda.
 
The Guest Star:
 
1-2 Is Telling the Truth About What They Want
 
3-4 Has a Hidden Motive (1)
1-2 Unknowingly part of the villain’s plan (has hidden knowledge, owns a ring with
part of a treasure map, etc.)
3   A willing part of villain’s plan
4   Out to best Krongar (to show he or she is stronger, faster, or more capable
during the Saga)
5   Secretly in love with player character
6   Loyal to Krongar despite appearances
 
5-6 Has a Hidden Motive (2)
1-3 Plans to run with the profit/object
4   Is part of a third faction who wants the object/person/information
5   Is leader of a third faction who wants the object/person/information
6   Set upon vengeance no matter if Krongar and his allies go down as well