The AD&D Toolkit has a built-in NPC Generator. It will help you quickly whip up an NPC for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons that adheres to the rulesets inherently enforced within the web application.
Where Do I Find This Morsel of Goodness?
If you navigate to Players >> My Characters, you will see a large, red button entitled “Create Character“. The direct link is here You will use this button to create both PCs and NPCs. The difference is, once you get on the page, you must click the “Roll Random NPC” link at top-right for an NPC. Then voila! Before your eyes is a systems-adhering NPC.
What Systems Does it Support?
On the Character Creator there is a select menu for Systems options. Choose your System prior to clicking the “Roll Random NPC” link.
How it Works
Class First
It is worth mentioning again, this is an NPC Generator. As such, the first choice it makes is to select a Class based upon population ratios set forth by Mr. Gygax himself. Roughly 44% are Fighter(subtypes), 20% Cleric, 20% Mage, 15% Thief, 1% Monk. Class subtypes are included within those ratios. Eg. roughly 4% of Fighters are Rangers. Multiclass is also an option, commensurate with DMG recommendations on potential for an NPC that multiclasses.
Race
Once the class is selected, Race is determined according to Class strictures and again, population ratios. Meaning for instance that 80% of all NPCs will be Human.
Abilities
Next Abilities are rolled randomly. NPC adjustments for Race are accounted for as noted in the DMG. Primary Abilities for the Class are rolled on a 4d6 basis and others are straight 3d6.
What About a Name?
Name, gender and selected randomly whereas Alignment is randomly chosen within Class requirements. Yes, we built a database of character names that are (subjectively) race-specific.
What if I Want to Change Something?
All field values are editable so change anything you don’t like. You can even violate core manual requirements if you check the Ignore Limitations checkbox. Want a Dwarf Mage? No problem. Gnomish Druid? No problem. Without that box being checked, AD&D Toolkit will validate your NPC according to the System you have selected and kick back status messages letting you know why your character isn’t viable as-is.
System Post-Creation
Though written in several key locations, it is worth noting again that the System (1e, 2e, UA) you select in Character Creation ONLY pertains to Character Creation. Once your character is an actual “living, breathing”, human(oid), it will revert to First Edition(1e) rules unless it joins a Campaign with a different System engaged.
Third Party Character Generators
If you have your own character generator and would like a super simple way to export character data to be used in AD&D Toolkit, read this short article. It explains how all you need to do is pass the appropriate parameter/value pairs via URL to AD&D Toolkit.