Thanks toDungeons & Dragons,Wizards of the Coast’s hit TTRPG, players can create worlds out of their imagination with just pen, paper, and dice. Moreover, thanks to official books and content, players and DMs can explore the vast realm ofD&D. These materials show that Wizards' hit IP has its own fair share of lore with engaging stories, interesting narratives, and open-ended tales aching for DMs to adapt their setting.
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However, creativeDungeons and Dragons 5e(D&D 5e)DMs can add a unique spin to their campaigns thanks to campaign settings, modules, and adventures that give custom settings to game tables. These official materials introduce interesting individuals that may transform ordinary stories into epic adventures. For DMs looking for inspiration, just which NPCs seem to be a perfect fit for any adventure?
Updated on June 04, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:While it’s completely fun to create one’s own NPCs for a campaign with friends, there’s a particular allure when D&D staples grace a campaign table with their unique personalities and, heaven forbid, schemes. Players who want to add a bit of thrill to their campaigns might consider adding NPCs already popular in other D&D settings, including deities that inhabit the Nine Hells, a Prince of Destruction, and, oddly enough, a cheerful Kender who loves “borrowing” things accidentally. Just how would these NPCs affect a player’s adventure with friends?
15Tiamat
Named after the Mesopotamian primordial sea goddess,TiamatinDungeons & Dragonsis known for being one of its most notoriousdraconic goddesses. Perhaps the evil analog to the everlasting good Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, the five-headed Tiamat is always described as the Dragon Queen - the embodiment of evil, the progenitor of hells, and even the creator of colored dragons.
Across the editions, Tiamat has consistently been a five-headed dragon goddess who wants nothing but to rule the known universe or achieve some incomprehensible goal. Inserting Tiamat into a campaign will instantly transform any conflict on a divine level, especially when any involvement by Tiamat will almost instantly mean a scheme is afoot. As an NPC, Tiamat is likely destructive and quick to anger - arrogant and boastful, with no hesitation to bring down her wrath to anyone who incurs it.
14Asmodeus
Popular in literature as the Devil himself, it makes sense forAsmodeusto become the ruler ofthe Nine Hells. Classified as Lawful Evil in terms of alignment, Asmodeus is neither callous nor wrathful. Instead, Asmodeus has his unlife wrapped around confidence and layer after layer of strategies against his opponents. Whereas Vecna is the keeper of secrets, Asmodeus prides in his schemes and prefers the endgame.
Across the editions, Asmodeus has always ruled a setting’s version of hell and would work his way towards ruling it for the rest of eternity. And considering his ambitious nature, it wouldn’t be uncommon for Asmodeus to have smaller schemes to assert control over some dominions of the known world. Dropping Asmodeus into a campaign will transform its scale into divine proportions, and settings rampart with demonic cults and dark magic will have a perfect endgame in the form of Asmodeus and a scheme to assert dominance.
13Orcus
Perhaps the most popular villain in the earliest editions of the game,Orcusis popularly associated as the Demon Prince of Undeath,commonly associated with wanton destructionand decay around him. And while he is usually presented as a typical giant grunt of pure smite-able evil, Orcus is no slouch to deal with. Dungeon Masters who plan on bringing Orcus into a campaign can count on his temper and arrogance to make things just as comedic and interesting.
Not to mention, the existence of Orcus as both a “big bad” and a “small-fry” in the larger scale of divinity can make larger-scope campaigns more interesting. Players luring Orcus to be on their side against larger threats like Asmodeus and Tiamat can be a compelling turn of events, especially in a campaign storyline where gods have begun a war of their own.
12Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Kender have earned a rather infamous perception as “not-Halflings” intheDragonlanceseries, andTasslehoff Burrfootis perhaps one of the root causes of this comedic annoyance. Known as the major provider of comic relief in theDragonlanceseries, Tasslehoff is known to have been at the center of major events - sometimes even saving the world by accident.
Tasslehoff is especially known for inserting comedy in the most inappropriate of situations, and the Kender signature of “borrowing” stuff from people who don’t need them. Players about to embark on a comedic adventure will benefit from the hijinks that Tasslehoff might bring them into, and extremely serious campaigns can work with a little humor from the little Kender and his shenanigans.
11The Lady of Pain
In the more obscurePlanescapecampaign setting,The Lady of Painis known as the protector of Sigil, or the city at the nexus of all realities. Revered as a deity by Sigil’s citizens, The Lady of Pain is primarily characterized as a robed woman with a mantle of blades around her, with no other objective than to preserve peace in the Sigil. Her primary mode of “punishing” those who defy her is throwing them in her magical mazes - and even then, she only does these interventions when Sigil is at a threat.
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Given her allegiances to the stability of the multiverse, the Lady of Pain is quite an enigmatic NPC to bring into any game. Any campaign about to embark on an extraplanar journey might want to insert the Lady of Pain as an NPC that could serve as both a threat or an ally, with players possibly making unsavory deals with her for the safety of their realm.
10Lord Soth
Lord Soth or the Knight of the Black Rose serves as one of the secondary villains of theDragonlancecampaign setting. Once a proud Knight of Solamnia, the Knights exiled Lord Soth after he killed his wife and newborn son. Unfortunately, he cut short his only quest for redemption when he failed to stop the Cataclysm that befellDragonlance’s world of Krynn. As his mistress lay dying in the apocalypse, she cursed Lord Soth to live asan undead knight.
As an NPC, Lord Soth can prove to be a formidable opponent against an adventuring party. Lord Soth not only has a skeletal army serving him, but he can also simply point at a living thing and kill them by uttering “Die.”
9Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen, the author ofMordenkainen’s Tome of Foes, serves as one of the most powerful spellcasters in theForgotten Realms. As such, he’s seen as a threat by many powers in the land. In Barovia, Mordenkainen suffered from madness that made him paranoid, but in most cases, Mordenkainen holds a permanent scowl.
As an NPC, players might search for Mordenkainen for his expertise in the magical arts. After all, Mordenkainen heads the Circle of Eight, a group of Wizards andprolific spell inventors. Campaigns planning on adaptingCurse of Strahdmay also include Mordenkainen as an NPC they need to save– or face, depending on the circumstances.
8Strahd Von Zarovich
Count Strahd von Zarovich, not to be confused with Count Dracula, serves as the central antagonist of theCurse of Strahdmodule forD&D 5e. A mighty conqueror, Strahd forged a pact with the Shadowfell’s Dark Powers to gain immortality. Unfortunately, the process not only made Strahd into a vampire but also made him kill his brother and cause the death of his love. Moreover, the Dark Powers sealed Strahd in Barovia, turning the nation into his prison.
DMs planning on introducingCurse of Strahdor modifying it into their campaign may reveal Count Strahdas a villainous NPC. He may even be incorporated as a Warlock Patron, with the Warlock’s story arc eclipsing their arrival in Barovia. An alluring and attractive villain, Count Strahd can easily become a favorite villain with his cunning, unpredictable, and chilling nature.
7Iggwilv
Iggwilv, or Natasha the Dark, becomes the person to call for anyone with the slightest interest in demonology. HerDemonomicon of Iggwilv(also a column in theDragonmagazine) highlighted her research into the many demons and terrifying magic that can be tapped from the Nine Hells. Iggwilv stands alongside Mordenkainen as one of the most powerful spellcasters not just inForgotten Realmsbut the entire multiverse.
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Players who want to venture into the Nine Hells might find Iggwilv a valuable source of knowledge. She resides in one of her many mansions throughout Hades, the Abyss, and the material plane. As such, adventurers lucky enough to find her should seek her counsel on matters concerning demons.
6Minsc And Boo
Minsc remains popular among the people of Baldur’s Gate as a hulking but friendly Rashemaar warrior. He’s most commonly seen with Boo, who he believes is a “miniature giant space hamster.” People will recognize Minsc for his large stature and the purple tattoo on his face. Quick to fight what he believes is evil, Minsc maintains a kind and honorable heart.
For adventurers to encounter such a hero might lead to a fun but refreshing campaign. Minsc and Boo’s arrival may herald the start of more serious affairs in the world. For sucha prominent figureto interact with the party, the party has garnered enough attention to attract more powerful allies… and enemies.
