As referenced in my post about how I’ll be changing the PDF I sell, the last time I ran this adventure the party decided they should check on and wake up the other passengers. This make sense! Maybe some can help (they didn’t ask for help, but I think I discouraged it). What’s a DM to do about this? How can we make this interesting or fun?
Role Playing DM Gives Them All Names and Stuff
Maybe you’re the kind of DM that loves role playing (and your players do too). If so, I’d 100% recommend that the PCs meet some/many of the NPCs before going to bed for the night. Actually, I’d recommend that no matter what kind of group you have. This last time, the party were strangers, so I had them sat at the same dinner table, and a fortune teller used the Deck of Many Things to tell their fortune. This was fun, and will inform our campaign outline for sure. There are opportunities in the sitting car / cheap sleeping car to meet NPCs. I’d have them meet the kitchen staff/waiter/bartender, the ticket taker, and at least a few NPCs. Here are some NPC ideas:
Member of a House: Assuming they succeed at saving the train, this NPC will owe them a debt. It’s nice to have one of the Houses in Eberron owe you a favor. I’d go with a middle level member, who can grow in power in parallel to the PCs. Have them be thankful after being saved, and offer a “card” that allows them to ask for help someday from the house. As one of my characters is looking for help with wards and protections, choosing the house was easy. If you have a PC or adventure where help from a house would be good, this is a good opportunity to use that house.
Employees of the Train: Definitely have them meet the ticket taker, who I’d also make a server/bartender/cook. They should meet this person and the other cook/server/bartender for sure because they should spend time in the diner car. I doubt they meet anyone from the other parts of the train, but if they do, it is likely one of the people that drives the train just checking in with everyone.
The Construct: Well, maybe the construct should be flying around the train before it takes off, and someone that knows what’s going on should inform the PCs when they notice. I’d not have them meet the construct until later. Also, really, make it insecure. It was fun.
Random People: You know, it’s good to have just normal people around. People that don’t really add to the plot. However, these people can still talk. Like, did you see that pillar? What about the mechanical dragon guarding the train? Have you tried the chicken, it’s a bit dry if I say so myself? I’d suggest that the vast majority of people on the train be just, you know, people. However, it’s Eberron, so I’d make more than a few not human. An orc would be great, as would an elf of some kind. Give them personality and names! The easiest names are just names you know with one less letter or one more letter….
One Odd / Interesting NPC: I’d add one NPC that really catches the PC’s eyes and ears, and player’s minds. Maybe a fortune teller like I added. Maybe a loud or flamboyant or rude NPC (you still have to save this one too!). Someone that will maybe make them suspicious, or just someone that they’ll remember. A good option is a shifter who one of the PCs just barely notices changing shape. Always good to give the players something to worry about for no reason.
One Family from the First Class Car: I had a family hiding in one of the rooms in the first class car. Would have been great had the PCs met that family first. You could have them meet others from there also. I like this idea because it gives them another reason to care about saving the train and people on it.
The NPC They’ll Meet Soon: If I had planned better, I’d have had them meet whomever is going to guide them to their next adventure. Maybe that is Germaine Vilroy if you are running the adventure from Eberron: Rising From the Last War. Maybe it is someone they’ll need to know in an adventure or two out? Or someone that works for that person, or is related to them? Who knows, but I’d say this gives the DM the chance to have a reason the PCs are contacted for a future adventure.
The NPC That Helps: My group was first level, and there is no time for resting…..so they were out of heals pretty fast. I had one of the NPCs give the PCs a charm that allows them to cast Aid once per long rest (something I do early in Lost Mines also).
Mean DM Says One of Them is a Bad Guy
Well, a DM could make one of the formerly sleeping passengers a member of the bad guy team. I wouldn’t recommend this, frankly. I’d like to reward a party that tries to help others. For this reason, I’ll mention it, but not elaborate.
If you want, you could buy my conversion!