This episode is not about villains. Villians can (and should) be hated by the party, but villains are a whole other story that we will tackle in some other time. **3:15 Annoying NPCs should have some power** Because otherwise the PC will simply kill them or avoid them. The PCs should always have a reason to go to the hated NPCs. e.g. they are the counsellor for the throne and present at every meeting, they are a tradesman that have something the PC want, or they are related to someone in power. How to give instant power in two steps: Place an NPC in the way, make them part of a bigger organization. **6:20 Why should we have annoying NPCs?** They are great motivators. You can make entire campaigns based on proving them wrong. They push the players to behave in certain ways. Revealing Rivals article: [Cheliax](https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Cheliax), [Hellknights](https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Hellknight) Some players have “interesting relationships” as their motivation for coming to the game at all. Even if they don’t, an annoying NPC gives a player something to be involved with; see episode 6, [Retaining Player Attention](https://dwarves.podiant.co/e/35c0aa6c1da6ca/). **12:40 Some annoying types** * The stickler - This person is all about etiquettes and minor details. This is the counsellor who stops any discussion because someone used the wrong title or pronounced a name incorrectly. * The unimpressed - They are unimpressed with your achievements. * The diss-er - The diss-er is downright dismissive of your endeavours. * Uncaring - Doesn’t care about you at all; [April from Parks and Recreation](http://parksandrecreation.wikia.com/wiki/April_Ludgate). * The one who takes the credit * The past recanter - Takes anything said as an opportunity to recant his or his family's past glories. * The useless - The useless is not helping you, and is, in fact, a liability. Maybe he is a VIP that you escort, maybe he is your guide through the mountains. He has one useful function and countless useless abilities. [Divinity Original Sin 2](https://divinity.game/) * Forgetful - Can be a great comic relief. [Dungeon Crawl Classics](http://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/) * Earns your trust... then betrays you. But can also hurt your feelings: revealed as fake, as spiteful, as untrustworthy. **27:50 Examples** Uri, as a player - Markus The Gul - Captain of the Purple Orange III. Uri, as a GM - Barry the white, the famous Bard. was supposed to be a comic relief and turn out to be quite a villain. Eran, as GM - Jamma, [Hoard of the Dragon Queen](http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/hoard-dragon-queen), ([watch in Hebrew](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Dm0arcsu4&list=PL9EQGwh05BrrUKJJYqK0T4fKccUf7P9Ue&index=18 "Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Dm0arcsu4&list=PL9EQGwh05BrrUKJJYqK0T4fKccUf7P9Ue&index=18")) Aviv tells of The Chaos Star Dwarf, from Warhammer - counterexample. **40:05 Taking the load off** [First Crystal Ball article, available for all](https://www.patreon.com/posts/16140403). [Rpgcasts](http://rpgcasts.com/), find your next podcast. Venture Forth now available to buy. [Dwarves discount](http://www.drivethrucards.com/browse.php?discount=9639de26bd&affiliate_id=29668 "Link: http://www.drivethrucards.com/browse.php?discount=9639de26bd&affiliate_id=29668")!