NPC Gallery #2: The Apprentice

Let’s face it.  Due to mankind’s inherent lifespan, nobody lives forever, and there’s been countless stories of people who have managed to achieve immortality and have, er… lived to regret it.  So, given that we’ve only got one life to live, it’s understandable that people would want to leave something behind.  A legacy of greatness that will continue even past their death and affect future generations.

For some people, it’s having and raising children.  For others it’s in teaching the next generation in the form of the Apprentice.

The Apprentice, or the Protégé is a younger NPC, and one whom is obligated to serve or obey the character as a part of his learning.  This arrangement could be a socially imposed one, as in the case of a craftsman and his apprentices, or one born out of an informal arrangement as in the case of the plucky young sidekick that ends up joining a certain superhero.

The relationship between the Apprentice NPC and the Player Character is as equally interesting as the Mentor.  In this case, the situation is reversed, as the PC is now put into the situation of having more responsibility than the NPC.  Admittedly this situation makes for a lot of plot hooks worth exploring as the Apprentice takes on multiple roles:

• Mischief-Maker – Apprentices are young and foolhardy, and occasionally prefer to have fun rather than do work.  The extent of the mischief that will manifest is entirely up to the GM though it’s recommended that GMs do have a heart and make sure that for the most part Apprentices only stir up the occasional nuisance, rather than the full blown catastrophe (though that might prove to be interesting now and then.)
• Voice of Optimism - If anything, the Apprentice is the character who hasn’t had the chance to grow jaded and tired of life.  As such, it makes for a perfect foil for more grizzled characters, who learn to rediscover the sense of wonder in their adventures, and perhaps also to highlight such things as mercy towards enemies, or the value of giving someone a second chance.  Optimistic Apprentices are often killed off, but that’s just a waste of a good source of plot hooks.  Unless the setting is truly and irredeemably dark, I’d advise against this.
• Student – At it’s heart, the Apprentice is meant to be a student.  And while everyone’s had experience being a student, not everyone’s had the opportunity to be a teacher.  As such, the PC should be given ample opportunities to actually take time and teach his Apprentice.  Whether it’s a scene involving training the Apprentice to use a sword, or passing down a few tips on communing with spirits, this is still a spotlight moment for the PC.

Apprentices are great for Players who have high initiative, and take their responsibilities as a means to make the most of their screen time.  By engaging this NPC in their duties, they get more play time to flesh out their character.  With GM consent, the Apprentice might even serve to be the player’s next character, if he wants to try a generational game.

Plot twists involving Apprentices are also bordering on cliche, but again, execution is key.  Common plot twists involving the apprentice include:

• Misspent Youth – Drugs, Alcohol, etc… everyone ends up experimental at one point or another in their youth.  As such, PCs might find themselves with an Apprentice lured to various dangerous practices.  Whether it be the latest designer drug, a dangerous new Spellcasting procedure, or unauthorized biomods, Apprentices have a knack of getting into this kind of trouble.  The good thing about it is that this twist can serve to further strengthen the bond between the PC and the NPC.  When dealt with poorly, there’s still an option of having a falling out, and the Apprentice becoming an angry opponent.
• A Death in the Family – This one time twist is very familiar to Batman fans, and unless this is a very important and very significant moment, I’d advise against using it.  Still killing a person’s much loved Apprentice is a sure fire way to get terribly motivated PCs.  Use with extreme caution and care.  This is one of those things that can make or break a campaign based on how well it’s been used.

Apprentices are more than just annoying tag-alongs to your characters.  As NPCs, they’re there to display your kinder, human side (Batman and Robin, Wolverine and Jubilee are great examples.)  It’s also a means for your character to build on a legacy, much like how Bucky took over as Captain America when Steve Rogers died.  They’re an investment.  Sure they get into trouble, but  you get more spotlight time because of them.