A Manurewa teacher was pulled on stage at the pop star’s concert to perform a dance she had never seen until just before the show.

Alt: Monkey lying down and looking at a phone

Alt: Eugene Levy's Proud Nod in Schitt's Creek

YouTube video by Umbrella Entertainment

Well. What a month it has been. 31 days and 31 new D&D NPCs for the urban setting I created during RPGaDay 2025. And thanks to Hero Forge, 31 new pieces of NPC art to help bring them to life.

Ability & Edge - Naxus Morrinn, Neutral Good Dragonborn Armed combat is generally frowned upon by the Watch and the more law-abiding citizens of the City. They believe there’s no need for that sort of behaviour on public streets, which is why the City turned it into a sport. It’s not as raw and rough as the pit fights, but it’s still entertaining when the right people take part.

Emotion & Pride - Lovra, Neutral Good Satyr It’s not just bards who attract fans in the City, sports matches rely on them. Similarly clad crowds of excited spectators turning up to each game can be annoying to locals, but they’re a boon to food sellers, many of whom have branched out into selling small items emblazoned with team symbols. Lovra is one such spectator.

Emotion & Labour - Ghauga, Lawful Neutral Orc The thing with being the public face of a large organisation is you are the one people come to requests, and complaints, and demands. If you’re very lucky you might get a compliment. All this can weigh on a person, but Ghauga has learned to shoulder that burden by detaching herself from the minutia of each request.

Emotion & Devotion - Luxidor, Neutral Good Elf There is no shortage of churches and temples in the City. If you worship a god, odds are good there’s somewhere for you to go. This is enough for most residents, but not for Luxidor. Instead of having the faithful come to him, he insists on going out and meeting them. Striding the streets with staff of office in his hand, Luxidor preaches the tenets of his faith to all within earshot.

Emotion & Hunter - Shaela, Neutral Halfling Halflings are known for having large appetites, but Shaela takes the stereotype and makes it her whole deal. She’s usually found at taverns and eateries across the City, sampling the local fare and talking up her gustatory skills. She doesn’t only do this because she loves to eat, she’s training. The City’s annual eating contest isn’t widely-known.

Emotion & Regret - Mesha, Neutral Human The City has various gaols and prisons where criminals can be kept while serving out a sentence or awaiting trial. Some are fortified complexes, designed to hold the worst of the worst offenders. Others are more like reinforced hostels for those like Mesha convicted of lesser offences. Arrested for stealing food, Mesha immediately recognised the error of her ways and pledged to commit herself to a better path if given the chance.

Emotion & Familiarity - Addan, Neutral Dwarf Fifteen years. A long time for most people, but it’s like a lifetime for someone who’s grown up in the City only to be stolen away. The one time Addan dared to leave the City his ship was boarded by pirates and all aboard taken captive. His time with them was tough, but he kept his spirits up with the thought of one day returning home.

Emotion & Distance - Elifine, Neutral Elf All spouses miss their loved ones while they’re away at sea, but understand they will eventually return. Unfortunately, Elifine has none of this patience and understanding. She prowls the docks and any part of the City with a clear view of the ocean, eyeglass in hand, desperate for a view of her beloved’s ship.

Instinct & Fortune - Kennyth, Neutral Good Human Games of chance are popular in the City. Some wager on sporting events, some on the roll of the dice, and some hope for a good hand of cards. It’s the latter that is Kennyth’s favourite. He’s at his happiest sitting at a gaming table, his eyes flitting from the cards in his hands to the faces of his opponents, looking for any tells.

Instinct & Grit - Loma "The Treekiller," Neutral Goliath Pit fighting is seen uncouth and uncivilised by the City, but that does nothing to affect its popularity. There are always those willing to jump into the pit and test their mettle against an array of opponents. For most this is a passing dalliance, but there are some like Loma who love the opportunity to regularly test themselves.

Instinct & Charity - Karreus, Neutral Tiefling One delightful feature of the City is the fog. When the weather conditions are right, it comes rolling in from the sea and settles the city for hours at a time. The fog can get so thick it’s dangerous for people to be out on the streets, and this is where volunteers like Karreus step in.

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Instinct & Promise - Orvyn, Neutral Gnome Some people run for fitness, some for fun, some because they want to be the fastest. Orvyn’s opinion is “why choose.” He’s always been a restless sort, never staying still for long. This caused some friction with his regular duties and caused him trouble, but then he discovered the sport of competitive running. It was like a Light spell was cast above his head and he never looked back.

Instinct & Desire - Brysara, Neutral Good Dragonborn Growing up, Brysara knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up - reach out, grasp people by the heart and lift them into the heavens. At least that’s how she would describe it until a friend said “playing music that fills hearts and lifts souls” might sound less violent.

Instinct & Directness - Belser, Neutral Halfling Many people in the City are happy to share their thoughts and feelings, but few come close to the vociferousness of a stall holder named Belser. Spending his days selling goods to his neighbours keeps him in touch with their concerns, which he then presents to city officials at public meetings. Despite his stature, Belser easily holds his own in a debate.

Instinct & Intensity - Cadme Autumnclaw, Neutral Leonin Hailing from distant lands, Cadme has made a new life for herself on the streets of the City. While initially concerned her appearance might cause concern, she was treated just like any other new arrival. There aren’t many others of her kind in the City, but that doesn’t deter her. Cadme has put her innate skills to work as a tracker, boasting that no man has ever escaped her pursuit.

Associates & Composure - Ascetic Monks Setting up a monastery in the middle of the City might seem like an odd choice for monks devoted to a life free from temptation and desire, but it was exactly what the Order of the Braid wanted. Anyone can remain pure living atop a mountain or miles from any sort of society, but it takes true skill when surrounded by civilisation.

Associates & Regard - Fan Clubs The modern concept of a fan club doesn’t easily translate into a fantasy setting where people are more spread out and communication is limited. But in the City, most of these restrictions are removed. It’s common for screaming crowds to gather for popular performers or those who have performed heroic acts. Generally speaking, this is not a bad thing.

Associates & Strain - Fractured Relationships Not all disharmony in the City comes from crime, violence, and random acts of monster. There are times where the watch is called in to deal with affairs of the heart. These usually require a more delicate touch, especially when those involved are on the younger side. How these situations occur varies from couple to couple.

Alt: Donald Glover as Troy Barnes: Wow Shocker

Associate & Loss - Support Group Families moving to or between urban centres is a common enough occurrence, but it’s rare for them to move to one as large as the City. It can be quite the shock for some, especially those from more rural regions. Losing their previous sense of community is a hardship. This is where support groups come in, welcoming new arrivals with open arms.

Alt: No Friendly Fire Countdown going from 06 to 00 Days

Associates & Tact - Careful Advisors The City’s councilors might be in charge of the city, but they’re far from capable of running everything on their own. This is where their advisors come in. They are the foundation upon which the city functions. Because of the importance of their role, they are known for being extremely cautious. Advisors will spend days, or even weeks, deliberating on important decisions, all the while managing the relationships with their respective councilors.

Associates & Secret - Spy Network This week will be a little different from previous entries. Instead of looking at a single NPC each day I’m leaning into the Associates theme with groups. However, due to the limitations of Hero Forge I’ll only be presenting an image of a single member. Anyway, on with the first group. Information is power, and in a place as big as the City there is a lot to go around.

Intellect & Privilege - Lothan, Neutral Human Education is seen as a big advantage in the City, but only the most basic is affordable to all. Those seeking more advanced or specialised classes can expect to pay for the privilege. Because of this students take their studies seriously, working hard to make the most of their tuition fees. But not Lothan.

Intellect & Resolve - Winona Mintcheeks, Neutral Good Gnome In a world where most people resolve conflicts at the end of a sword or the tip of an arrow, new approaches are needed within the City. While some struggle to use their words, it comes naturally to Winona. She combines a quick wit, friendly demeanor, and others preconceptions about Gnomes to talk circles around them.