Tabletop NPC wheel
Thirty-two NPC hooks for the moment players walk up to someone you never planned. Each is a role plus one twist, enough to start talking in character within seconds.
SpacespinCtrl+Enterspin while typingFfull screen
One entry per line. Add *3 after a name to give it three times the chance.
Winners show up here, newest first.
Colors
Ready-made list. Edit it to make it yours: changes stay on this device, and Reset brings the original back.Open in the main spinner →
From spin to character in 30 seconds
- Spin. The slice gives you a role and a twist.
- Decide what this person wants right now. The nervous innkeeper wants the players gone before someone else arrives.
- Give them one habit you can act: tapping the counter, squinting, a slow way of speaking.
- Decide one thing they know that the players might need. That turns a throwaway NPC into a plot hook.
Using it at the table
- Keep it open behind your screen on a tablet or a second monitor. Turn sound off in Options and spins stay silent.
- Remove the winner after each spin so the same NPC does not turn up twice in one session.
- Record who you made: the Results tab lists every NPC you spun, with the time. Copy them into your notes afterward so the players can meet them again.
- Let players spin: in a lighthearted one-shot, a player spins when the party enters a new shop or tavern. They are invested in whoever appears.
Make it fit your setting
The hooks lean toward classic medieval fantasy. For a sci-fi game, swap “retired pirate” for “retired smuggler pilot” and “shy blacksmith” for “shy ship mechanic”. For a city campaign, add guild officials, street performers and night watch officers.
Pair this wheel with the RPG class wheel when you need a rival adventuring party in a hurry.
Questions and answers
What makes an NPC memorable?
A clear want and a contradiction. A ferryman who hates water or a cheerful gravedigger sticks in the mind because of the mismatch, and players start asking questions, which is exactly what you want.
How many NPCs should I prepare for a session?
Two or three you plan properly, plus this wheel for everyone else. Players always talk to someone you did not expect, usually the one you named on the spot.
Is it suitable for a family game?
Yes. The hooks work for younger players from about age 8; the ghost needs help rather than giving scares. Remove any that do not fit your table.