NPC Character Roster and Rewards¶
Source:
NPC_CHARACTER_ROSTER_AND_REWARDS.md(Downloads) · ingested 2026-07-05
Status: Draft design architecture
Extends: NPCs World Verbs Rewards and Living World
Defines the first major NPC cast — story function, activity patterns, progression, deterministic rewards, optional drops, and living-world support.
Design intent¶
NPCs are recurring members of the world, not quest dispensers. The child helps through reading, spelling, speaking, and repairing words.
“My words helped someone, and now the world trusts me a little more.”
Principles (summary)¶
| Principle | Note |
|---|---|
| NPCs own problems, not fixed activity types | NPC Jobs and Activities |
| Progression rewards are deterministic | Deterministic Rewards and Optional Drops |
| Optional rewards are memories | House Memory System |
| House is a memory space, not a shop | House Memory System |
Core cast¶
| Character | ID | Location | Role | First reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mara - Harbour Merchant | merchant_mara |
First Island / Harbour Dock | Progression + Practice | Boat access |
| Finn - Boat Builder | boat_builder_finn |
First Island / Workshop | Progression + Ship upgrade | Boat readiness |
| Nori - Lighthouse Keeper | lighthouse_keeper_nori |
Old Lighthouse | Progression + Story | Lighthouse lit; Whale Bay reveal |
| Tomas - Harbour Master | harbour_master_tomas |
Harbour Master Station | Map + Progression organizer | Map system |
| Pippa - Fisherman | fisherman_pippa |
Whale Bay Dock | Whale Bay story + Reading Boss | Whale rescued |
| Luma - Young Whale | whale_luma |
Whale Bay | Emotional story character | Whale safe |
| Isla - Fog Island Explorer | explorer_isla |
Fog Island | Discovery + Fog mechanic | Map fragment |
| Orin - Cartographer | cartographer_orin |
Fog Island / Harbour visits | Map memory system | Named destinations |
| Coral - Navigator Sailmaker | navigator_coral |
Amber Sea | Personalisation + travel | Ship flag / sail |
| Sage - Home Caretaker | caretaker_sage |
Home Island / Captain's House | Home + memory curator | House/cabin unlock |
| Grandpa Elias | grandpa_elias |
Traces / later destination | Emotional core + mystery | Clues, meaning |
→ Secondary NPCs (Miko, Beni, Gully — later expansion)
By chapter¶
Progression chain (early game)¶
World verbs¶
Full table: World Verbs · roster adds Chart (Tomas, Orin — map naming/routes)
Relationship stages¶
→ NPC Lifecycle and Relationship Stages (roster stage 4 = “Friend of the journey”)
MVP cast (build first)¶
| Priority | NPCs |
|---|---|
| Required | Mara, Nori, Pippa, Luma |
| Optional but valuable | Tomas, Finn |
→ MVP - NPC Living World System
Product statement¶
Mara lends the boat. Nori lights the lighthouse. Pippa helps the whale hear the child. Tomas remembers the routes. Finn improves the ship. Sage gives memories a home. Grandpa gives the journey its heart.
Not coins. Not XP. Not loot. Trust, memory, and belonging.