Happy New Year
A very happy new year to everyone! I know I'm late with the greeting, but I really hope that 2025 is full of health and good times for everyone! I hope we can continue enjoying this great time for TTRPGs!
Now to the point, welcome to another entry in this series, where I provide ready-to-use NPCs for your tabletop role-playing campaigns! Each character is designed to be easily inserted into your game—whether it’s a group campaign or a solo journey—and to add depth, personality, and unique story hooks to your world.
For this installment, I’m excited to introduce Krum, an eccentric and excitable collector of all things strange and unusual, inspired by the boundless energy and curiosity of Chrome from Dr. Stone.
Krum, the Eccentric Collector
Physical Description
Krum is a scrappy human in his late 20s, with wild, spiky hair that sticks out in every direction, as if it has never seen a comb. His clothes are a mishmash of tattered robes and scavenged bits of armor, covered in strange trinkets he’s tied to himself: vials of glowing liquids, small bones, feathers, and glittering rocks. His hands are perpetually stained from handling chemicals and mud, and his face lights up with childlike glee whenever he discovers something new.
Krum is constantly moving, fiddling with his collection or waving around his “tools” (often random sticks or crude inventions). Despite his disheveled appearance, there’s a sharp intelligence in his eyes and a confidence in his movements that speaks of a keen, if unorthodox, mind.
Personality
Krum is a bundle of energy, curiosity, and chaotic enthusiasm. He speaks fast, often bouncing from one idea to the next without pause, and has a knack for unintentionally getting himself (and those around him) into trouble. He’s endlessly fascinated by the world, believing that every rock, plant, and odd creature is an opportunity to learn something new—or blow something up.
Despite his chaotic demeanor, Krum is fiercely loyal and genuinely wants to help others, even if his methods are unconventional. His positivity is infectious, though his reckless tendencies can be frustrating for those who prefer caution.
Character Details
Wants:
To collect every fascinating thing he comes across, whether it’s magical, mundane, or downright useless.
To prove to others (and himself) that he’s a brilliant inventor and scholar.
Secrets:
Krum fears that others see him as a fool and longs for validation, though he hides this behind his over-the-top confidence.
Many of Krum’s “discoveries” are completely made up, though sometimes he stumbles onto genuine brilliance by accident.
He’s distantly related to a famous scholar but keeps this quiet, wanting to earn his own reputation.
Iconic Phrases:
“You’re telling me this isn’t fascinating?!”
“I’ll be honest, I have no idea what this does… let’s find out!”
“This is totally safe! Probably.”
“It’s not just a rock—it’s a special rock.”
Skills and Knowledge
Krum’s expertise in scavenging and experimentation makes him a surprisingly useful companion in unexpected ways. While his knowledge is often haphazard, his unorthodox methods can lead to unique solutions for the party.
Key Areas of Expertise:
Scavenging and Improvisation: Krum can identify and repurpose seemingly useless items to create makeshift tools, weapons, or gadgets.
Wild Theories: While many of his ideas are absurd, every now and then, Krum’s intuition leads to astonishing discoveries.
Natural Knowledge: Krum has a knack for identifying strange plants, minerals, or substances, though his interpretations are often... creative.
Distraction and Chaos: Krum’s erratic energy can unintentionally (or intentionally) create distractions in tense situations, drawing attention away from the party.
Carrying Gear:
A collection of strange rocks and glowing minerals.
Vials of untested potions that may have unpredictable effects.
A crude slingshot (his “greatest invention”) and a bag of odd ammunition (bones, shiny pebbles, etc.).
A journal filled with rambling notes, bizarre sketches, and wild ideas.
Integrating Krum Into Your Campaign
Krum is designed to be a fun and quirky addition to any TTRPG campaign. His chaotic energy and unrelenting curiosity can serve as comic relief, a source of unexpected solutions, or even a driving force for side quests. Below are a few suggestions for incorporating him into your game:
1. Random Encounter Option
Krum can be added to your random encounter tables as a wandering scavenger:
Example Encounter: The party stumbles upon Krum in the middle of the wilderness, gleefully tinkering with what appears to be a magical device—or a dangerous trap. He begs the party to help him “test” his latest creation, which could have wildly unpredictable results.
2. Dungeon Ally
Place Krum in a dungeon, scavenging for strange items and artifacts. He may be lost, searching for a specific treasure, or simply poking around out of curiosity:
Krum might reveal the location of a hidden passage he accidentally stumbled upon.
He could warn the party about a dangerous trap or monster—though his description might be exaggerated or slightly wrong.
Krum may offer the party one of his “inventions” as a reward, which might be incredibly useful... or completely useless.
3. Quest-Giver
Krum’s curiosity can make him a great quest-giver, leading the party into bizarre adventures:
He hires the party to retrieve a rare and strange item from a dangerous location, promising that it’s “for science!”
Krum’s experiments have gone awry, and the party must help him clean up the resulting chaos (escaped monsters, strange magical phenomena, etc.).
Why Add Krum to Your Game?
Krum is a delightful blend of humor, utility, and chaos, making him a memorable NPC that can liven up any campaign. His quirks and boundless curiosity add a layer of unpredictability, while his scavenging and knowledge can genuinely assist the party in unique ways. Whether your players embrace him as a lovable ally or find his antics exasperating, Krum is sure to create unforgettable moments in your game.
What do you think of Krum? Have you had any chaotic encounters with quirky NPCs like him? Let me know how he fits into your adventures, and stay tuned for the next installment in this NPC series—I’ve got plenty more characters to share!
Until next time, and remember, keep your blades sharp and your shields up!
-Mirokus (Codex Gigas)
This is fantastic! I love Krum! I can relate about talking fast and jumping from idea to idea, subject to subject. I’ve become more chaotic good in my older age. I’ll be restacking this to share!