NPC

NPCs (Non-Player Character) are characters existing in the world of Amaranthine but are not active player characters. NPCs often serve roles as side characters, opponents, minor acquaintances and family members. NPCs may be personal, shared, group-owned or staff-exclusive.

We recommend creating an NPC sheet if the NPC is a recurring character, or shared. This is not mandatory, however. Having NPCs feature in your storylines without ever creating them a sheet is perfectly acceptable.

**Personal NPC:** Personal NPCs may be created freely by any player. They should not be used by others without explicit permission. They are often connected to one or more of the player's characters.

**Shared NPC:** Shared NPCs may be created freely by any player. They are often connected to a player made business, group, family or institution, and are usable by the members of that faction.

**Group NPC:** Group NPCs may only be created by staff outside special circumstances. They may be interacted with by any member, but limitations apply.

**Staff NPC:** Staff NPCs may only be created and used by staff. If you wish to interact with one, you must ask for permission first. Staff NPCs are typically side characters important to the storyline, and not every NPC made by staff is an official Staff NPC.

## Player-Made NPCs

Player-Made NPCs cover both personal and shared NPCs - both are created in the same way.

If an NPC is only casually mentioned or occasionally used, there is often no need to go through with creating a sheet. If,  however, the NPC is a major player in your character’s story, or other people also need to be able to interact with them, creating an official NPC sheet is often a good idea.

There is no limit to how many NPCs you can create.

You can find the NPC sheet base *here.*

At minimum, an NPC should have the following information:

* **Name:**
* **Birthday/Age:**
* **Gender:**
* **Rank:**
* **Region:**
* **Breed:**
* **Height:**
* **(If Shared: list of associated characters)**

Personality and history are not required, and have no minimum length. They are recommended, especially for shared NPCs, and will be reviewed similarly to player characters if present.

### Limitations of NPCs

* NPCs can not be drawn/written on their own to earn xp. They must always be accompanied by a player character. Their reference sheet is the only exception to this
* NPCs can not participate in events, do their own development images, level or collect their own xp.
* NPCs can not hold limited ranks unless specifically agreed otherwise by an admin.

## Group NPCs

Group NPCs are shared property, and may be used by any player. They generally have ranks or positions that make them natural points of interaction, and are well-suited to give names to background roles in stories, artwork or roleplay.

These NPCs are generally made by staff, but it is possible for personal NPCs to be “promoted” into Group NPCs should the circumstances make it a good option. Note that this will never be done without player permission, and once bumped to group NPC, they are considered group property.

Group NPCs always have information sheets, and they can be found *here.*

### Usage Limitations

* Group NPCs are never exclusive to your character, story or situation. Anyone can use them.
* You may not have your character marry or be adopted by one of these NPCs. In general group NPCs are not intended for close personal relationships.
* You may not injure, imprison, kill or otherwise hinder or damage a group NPC. Treat them gently.

## Staff NPC

Staff NPCs are made and used exclusively by staff. They are generated to fill very important, often high ranks, or plot functions. They are frequently used in events, or may dispense quests or information.

Staff NPCs always have information sheets, and they can be found *here.*

### Usage Limitations

* Staff NPCs can not be freely interacted with. They typically have specific roles that allow you to come in contact with them.
* If you would really like to use a Staff NPC for something beyond their current given story role, please let us know on discord and a founder will discuss it with you.