NPC Level By Age

In the Dungeons & Dragons game there often comes the question of what level Commoner is the old man in the tavern, or how skilled in diplomacy is the young aristocrat at the palace. Below is a general, very basic, guideline for determining an NPCs level based on it's age.

The concept is simplified in that it assumes that, in any given year, an NPC will have done enough to gain 500 Experience points. Year in, year out, the commoner toils his fields, the weaponsmith forges her swords, the aristocrat tends to her court, the warrior guards the gates and the adept gives guidance to his tribe.

For more dangerous campaigns one should feel free to adjust the Experience points of the average NPCs as the DM sees fit. On the fringes of civilizations farmers could encounter more dangers than in well governed, and well patrolled, lands. I do not suggest increasing a NPCs yearly experience by more than 1,000 points.

Now that a standard procedure has been created for NPCs and their average level progression, work can be done to determine the average amount of Experience points that an NPC spellcaster has at her disposal in creating magical items.

Due to the nature of those who work to create magical items it should be taken into account that either through research, adventuring, dealing with various customers (hostile or otherwise), these individuals will gain more experience than an average NPC.

A average spellcaster NPC who engages in the creation of magical items, as a profession, should be considered to gain addition Experience points equal to 1/10 the yearly average (500/10 = 50) multiplied by their level.

* Note that for many races they will increase in level within a decade. Adjustment should be made should the DM feel appropriate.