Feel free to use this NPC in your campaigns, you can find my other Elf NPCs or my other Innkeepers by following these links. To view a list of D&D 5e NPCs by race check it out here, for a list of NPCs by profession check it out here.
Character Name: Lirea Sunshadow
Race: Elf
Class: Commoner (Innkeeper)
Alignment: Neutral Good
Background: Guild Artisan (Brewer)
Armor Class: 10 (Base)
Hit Points: 10 (Based on Commoner stats)
Profession: Innkeeper
Location: Lirea’s inn, the “Golden Leaf,” is nestled in a bustling village at the edge of a great forest.
Ability Scores
Strength (STR): 10 (+0)
Dexterity (DEX): 12 (+1)
Constitution (CON): 11 (+0)
Intelligence (INT): 14 (+2)
Wisdom (WIS): 16 (+3)
Charisma (CHA): 13 (+1)
Remember, as a non-combatant, Lirea might not have as high stats as a player character or an adventurer NPC. She’s more designed for social interaction and roleplay. Her stats reflect her daily tasks as an innkeeper and her experiences as a former member of the royal guard. However, depending on how her character evolves in the campaign, her stats and skills could improve accordingly.
Skills
Proficiencies: Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +3, Brewer’s Tools
Traits, Bonds, Ideals, and Flaws
Trait: Empathetic and Kind
Bond: Her inn, the Golden Leaf, and its patrons
Ideal: Hospitality and Warmth
Flaw: Wanderlust
Equipment
Lirea has the standard equipment that comes with her background and profession. This includes a set of Brewer’s Tools, an iron pot, a set of fine clothes, a set of common clothes, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp.
Special Abilities
Darkvision: As an elf, Lirea has superior vision in dark and dim conditions.
Keen Senses: Lirea has proficiency in the Perception skill.
Fey Ancestry: She has an advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put her to sleep.
Languages: Common, Elvish
Personality Trait
Lirea’s welcoming nature shines through in every interaction. Her empathy and kindness help her connect with her patrons, offering them comfort and company as they rest from their travels.
Goals and Motivations
Lirea’s main goal is to ensure her inn remains a beacon of hospitality and warmth for all weary travelers. However, she dreams of journeying beyond her village, her heart filled with wanderlust fueled by the stories shared by her patrons. These dreams motivate her to work hard, save money, and one day, perhaps, pass on the inn to a worthy successor and explore the world.
Conflicts and Flaws
Lirea’s deep-rooted sense of duty often conflicts with her personal desires. Her wish to travel and see the world is constantly at odds with her responsibility as the innkeeper. Also, her trusting nature makes her susceptible to deceptions and scams.
Distinctive Appearance
Lirea is a radiant figure, with her brilliant green eyes and silver hair that cascades down in a loose braid. Her skin glows with a soft golden hue, a characteristic of her wood elf lineage. She always wears practical yet comfortable clothes, with her leaf-shaped pendant being a constant presence around her neck.
Mannerisms during Interactions
Lirea carries herself with an innate elegance, moving around her inn with swift efficiency. She has a natural knack for appearing just when she’s needed, providing assistance or a kind word. Her attentive nature is evident when she’s conversing with patrons – she is an excellent listener, often tilting her head slightly to signal her full attention.
Relationships
Lirea is a respected figure in the community. Her closest ally in town is the local blacksmith, a burly dwarf who provides her with all the kitchenware for her inn. Her younger brother, a ranger, often visits her, bringing news and stories from outside the village, fueling her wanderlust even more.
Special Abilities or Skills
As a wood elf, Lirea has heightened senses and a natural proficiency in perception. Her talent lies in her brewing skills. She is renowned for her delectable ales and meads, each brewed with a touch of elven magic.
Evolution and Adaptation
Lirea Sunshadow, with time, might grow wiser and more worldly from her interactions with patrons who share tales of their travels. She might learn new languages, or pick up useful information about far-off places, making her an invaluable source of knowledge for adventurers passing through. Her brewing skills might improve further, leading her to invent new and exotic drinks that attract even more customers.
On the other hand, she may also grow more restless, her wanderlust gradually becoming more unbearable. This could potentially lead her to undertake short trips during off-peak periods, maybe even involving herself in small adventures. These experiences could then be incorporated into the storytelling and atmosphere of the inn, making it an even more unique location.
Her relationships with the community might also evolve. For example, she could develop a deeper friendship with the blacksmith, potentially leading to a business partnership where the blacksmith crafts unique kitchenware that adds to the inn’s charm. Her bond with her brother might be tested if she decides to travel, creating a compelling character arc for her.
Lirea’s conflict with her desire to travel could escalate, potentially leading to her making a decision that drastically changes her life and the future of the inn. She might find a successor and leave on her journey, or perhaps the conflict could be resolved in another unexpected way.
Her secret past might come back to haunt her, possibly in the form of an old acquaintance from her past or a revelation about her family’s history. This could lead to new character development, challenges, and storylines. She might have to face the consequences of this past, which could change her character significantly, depending on how she chooses to deal with it.
This potential for evolution and adaptation adds depth to Lirea’s character and gives the game master plenty of material to work with for future campaigns1.
Secret Backstory
Unbeknownst to the villagers and her patrons, Lirea is not just an ordinary innkeeper. She was once a member of the royal guard in her ancestral homeland, a position of great honor among her people. However, a tragic event forced her to leave her past behind and seek a peaceful life in the village. This experience has shaped her, making her cautious yet fiercely protective of her inn and its patrons. She hasn’t shared this secret with anyone in the village, afraid of the potential dangers it might bring to her peaceful life.
This secret adds an interesting twist to Lirea’s character. It could be used as a plot device, perhaps becoming relevant if a situation arises where her skills as a former guard could be useful. It might also attract unwanted attention, leading to exciting new adventures. This secret also offers an explanation for her skill in perception and her knack for maintaining order within her inn.
