This thread is for research purposes. I would like to make it clear that this is not a thread for argument. This is a thread for presenting data, checking and verifying data, and interpreting the data. It is OK to interpret the data in a different manner than others have, so that there can be several different views in which the community can observe the data from. If there is an interpretation that you disagree with please do not start an argument, this is not a thread for argument, but instead please offer a different way in which the data can be seen. If you feel that something must be argued about then please argue it on another thread, start one if you feel it is necessary, and post a link to it.
From what I have heard, the FR setting has been quite even with its male to female ratio. Hopefully it holds true for adventures within the campaign setting.
I’m listing all NPCs that are alive or undead within the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Those that are mentioned but are long since dead are not mentioned. Some NPCs did not have their gender specified and others were referred to as “it”. I’m still listing them because there gender may be specified in later FR materials. They however will not be included as part of the final count of gender specified NPCs until their gender is determined. FaerunShow
Aglarond
Seriadne (female, malaugrym, Simbarch) Ertrel (male, Simbarch) Ambal (male, human, leads the Stone Bears)
Akanul
Arathane (female, genasi, queen) Tradrem Kethtrod (?, genasi, steward of earth) Magnol (male, genasi, steward of fire) Myxafin (?, genasi, steward of the sea) Lehaya (female, genasi, steward of the sky)
Baldur’s Gate
Portyr (male, Grand Duke) Nine-Fingers Keen (female, head of the thieves guild) Faenor (male, high priest of Oghma) Mandorcai (male, tiefling, missing and owns a mysterious manner)
Beastlands, The
Saed of Old Vaelan (male, Vampire lord) Tirumala (?, rakshasa, Rajah) Everlasting Wyrm (male, dracolich, beast lord) Voolad (male, human ghost, beast lord)
Calimshan
The WeavePasha (male, rules Almraiven)
Chassenta
Jaxanaedegor (?, vampiric green dragon) Tchazzar (male, red dragon, dragon lord) Shala Karanok (female, ruler of Luthcheq) Luthen (male, sevent of Jaxanaedegor) Anhor (male, elf, wants to renew the cult of entropy)
Cormyr
Foril (male, king of Cormyr) Irvel (male, crown prince of Cormyr) Erzoured Obarskyr (male, King’s nephew) Belendithas (male, assassin) Aurgloroasa (female, dracolich)
Dalelands, The
Zhent Headless Horseman (male, lich) Lady Addee Ulphor (female, ruler of Shadowdale) Grand Mairshar Erich Inshiland (?, leader of the failed resistance against Sembia) Elminster Aumar (male, human, wizard/sage)
Damara
Yarin Frostmantle (male, King of Damara)
Dragon Coast
Jaundamicar Bleth (male, First Lord of Westgate) Dodkong (male, undead stone giant, rules Cairnheim in the Giant Run Mts.) Sashara Keenspear (female, genasi, kraken hunter who wields a 30 ft spear)
Durpar
Jargaat (male, hobgoblin, King of the Iron Eyes and is a beast lord)
East Rift
Sadrach (male, human, plague changed wizard)
Elfharrow
Seaspark (female, elf, young chieftain of the Abn’dak) Red Wolf (male, elf, strongest and fiercest warrior of the tribes)
Elturgard
Lone elf (female, elf, plot hook for reaching woods area)
Erlkazar
Saestra Karanok (female, vampire, Leader of the night barony of Ahlakem) Tolarran (?, baron of Impresk)
Estagund
Jasraj Seltrarir (male, Rajah of Estagund) Lyxedda (?, beholder) Vizier Devang (?, rakshasa lord, in sevice to the Rajah of Tirumala) Pratigya (female, captain of the Rajah’s personal Maquar)
Evereska
Duirsar (male, eladrin, high lord and commander of Evereska)
Evermeet
Selsharra Durothi (female, Royal council member) Ammisyll Veldann (female, Royal council member) Breithel Olithir (female, Grand Mage, Royal council member) Keryth Blackhelm (female, Lord Marshal, Royal council member)
Great Dale, The
Lady Chinilvur (female, Lord of Kront) Eschar (?, demon, lord of Dun-Tharos) The Queen Abiding (female, demon, Lord in Dun-Tharos)
High Imaskar
Ususi Manaallin (female, empress of High Imaskar) Qhapaq (male, Lord Artificer and proficient arcanist) Yanay (female, Lord Planner and Skyclave’s “mayor” Qhechua (male, Lord Apprehender and commander) Nezram (male, powerful wizard, secretly subverted Yanay) Danzer Rose (male, tiefling, has gone missing recently) Son of the Eighth (male, devil worshipper, wants to over throw the empress)
Hordelands, The
Taimurel (female, runs Uzbeg)
Impiltur
Behroun Marhana (?, member of the Grand Council, head of house Marhana)
Luruar
Methrammar Aerasume (male, heads the mutual defense league in area) Gaerradh (female, possible future successor of head of the defense league)
Many-Arrows
Obould XVII (male, orc, King of Many-Arrows) Drizzt (male, drow, his fight with king Obould I let Obould I to create the kingdom of Many-Arrows, wandering the Sword Coast)
Moonsea
Torin Nomerthal (male, human, First lord of Hillsfar)
Moonshae Isles
Derid Kendrick (male, King of Alaron) High Lady Ordalf (female, eladrin, Queen of Gwynneth) Lady Erliza Daressin (female, vampire, Viceroy of Westphal)
Murghom
Ananta (female, dragonborn, guardian of Dracowyr) Skalnaedyr (male, blue dragon, dragon prince) Merwena (?, Skalnaedyr’s Vizier) Anabraxis the Black (?, Cult of the Dragon’s Ultimate authority)
Myth Drannor
Coronal Ilsevele Miritar (female, ruler of Myth Drannor) Fflar Starbrow Melruth (male, Ilsevele’s consort, High Captain of Myth Drannor, Leader of its armies)
Najara
Jarant (male, dark naga, King of Snakes)
Narfell
Tur (male, human, Chief of the Creel) Sylanth (female, tiefling, Creel tribe’s witch) Branimern Rythi (female, human turned to cambion, red wizard)
Nelanther Isles
Captain Ornappur the Rock (male, pirate)
Netheril
Qambara El Ruhul (?, resistance fighter)
Okoth
Ziss’this (male, Sarrukh, the current Khuzdar)
Rashemen
Mangan Uruk (male, Iron Lord) Dar-Guran (?, fell troll, legendary monster in the Ashenwood) Storm wind (male, treant, ally of the Wychlaran) Lady Rameena (female, The most dangerous witch in Rashemen) Kissethkashaan (male, elder white dragon, leads the Brood of Kashaan)
Raurin
Alzubra (female, tiefling, protector of Ragheb)
Sea of Fallen Stars
Karkusal (male, sahuagin, baron) Ebonsoul (?, lich, trapped in a silver coffin)
Sembia
Haelia Johannes (female, Lord Governer of Saerloon) Thamalon Uskevren II (male, Lord High Governor of Selgaunt and Chief Administrator of Sembia) Gillad (?, shadovar, Master Caravanner)
Tethyr
Anais (female, Queen of Tethyr) Ysabel Linden (female, the Queens niece and heir to the throne) Garlokantha (female, ancient gold dragon, friend to Tethyr) Balagos of the Flying Flame (male, elder red dragon, actively seeks more wealth and power)
Thay
Szass Tam (male, lich, ruler of Thay) Sylora Salm (female, Tharchion of Eltabbar)
Thesk
Vunmal Murn (female, orc, current Suzerain of Thesk) Filauxerimos (male, ancient copper dragon, lives in the Dragonjaw Mountains)
Thurmish
Cindermoon (female, eladrin, a mad druid)
Tymanther
Tarhun (?, dragonborn, Vanquisher (general/monarch) of Tymanther)
Vaasa
Zaol (?, angel, outcast angel living in an abandoned ice castle) Vindicator Mansard Kanaoth (male, Warlock Knight)
Var the Drowned
The Sublime Potentate Anwir Dupretiskava (male, elder blue dragon, rules sunken Pyratar)
Velen
Calchais (male, duke of Velen) Unshol (female, enormous spider, killed an adult copper dragon and now lives in its layer)
Vilhon Wilds
Finara (female, owns an inn called Finara’s)
Waterdeep
Mother Jamandra Anuvien (female, guiding force of Goldenfields) Kylynne Solmerhelve (?, tiefling, a new member of the Black Robes) Dagult “Dagger” Neverember (male, current Open Lord of Waterdeep) Vajra Safhar (female, Archmage of Waterdeep and current Mistress of Blackstaff Tower)
Total NPCs in Faerun: 114 total, 54 male, 41 female, 19 undetermined
The main population of Returned Abeir is dragonborn so if race is not mentioned than it would be safe to assume that the NPC is a dragonborn. I know that race has nothing to do with gender but I feel like adding it in, so deal with it.
Dusk Ports, The
Orlarrakh (female, green dragon, Duchess of the dusk port cities) Nandrel Gostur (?, heads the Shadowkiss (with Zasheena), a drug and poison vending gang) Zasheena Drethyl (female, heads the Shadowkiss and has a love for adventurers) Dauna Larastur (female, High Lord of Marrauk) Trusk Rantyne (?, jeweler and Gate Lord of Mreyelundar) Narnorn (?, mysterious and legendary sneak-thief who truly rules Mreyelundar)
Eskorn
Nuth Harandel (male, human, a poisoner, merchant and heads the Storm Rune) Belaskur Hallowdryn (?, human, racist and superb actor, helps Nuth, member of the Storm Rune) Mordrar Hammesk (?, human, murderous horse trader, member of the Storm Rune) Ostral Bardwick (?, human, cruel wagonmaker, member of the Storm Rune) Ornan Roaryl (male, human, current king of Eskorn) Mreskan Haundle (?, human, Lord Herald) Imrar Roaryl (male, human, Crown Prince) Flandarr Roaryl (male, human, prince who schemes to become king) Dlorna Roaryl (female, human, the princess is backed by most of the nobles) Amaunthur Sardron (male, human, wants his son to be king) Arangur (male, human, Amaunthur’s son) Dlarryn Calath (male, human, doesn’t care who is king as long as he is the true ruler) Dramar Lornen (female, human, obsessed with the Dawn Titan’s Spire) Umel Shorntooth (male, human, seeking a group to guide him into the wilderness ruin) Lhargloroth (male, elder black dragon, lives at Oroth doing crazed experiments)
Fimbrul
Iskh “Longfingers” Lammarask (female, runs Iskh’s Rest a bathing and sleeping den) Bleys “the Blade” Orltusk (male, dwarf, proprietor of the Crossed Blades outfitting shop) The Cloaked (?, ?, only resident wizard of Blackhold)
Melabrauth
Melauthaur “the Undying One” (?, gigantic black dragon “dracolich”, the ageless dragon rules Melabrauth) Roroaros (male, elder black dragon, an overdragon that rules over the coastal territory) Naeryndroth (?, adult black dragon, an overdragon that is a masterful actor) Sarakror (?, adult greed dragon, an overdragon that keeps underlings in conflict)
Relmaur
Harangor Urlingscar (?, the current High Crown of Relmaur)
Skelkor
Gauwervyndhal (female, dragon, Empress of Skelkor) Hael Darandar (male, leader of diplomatic slave envoys for the Empress) Cormanda (?, demon lord, fused to a volcano and tries anything to gain freedom from the volcano)
Sword Land
Hansibran Maerl (?, human, a flamboyant fop who is lord of Fanedown)
Tarmalune
Hamminas Dorn (male, is the ruler of Tarmalune and established a governing council) Rathgar Malynd (male, a battlemaster who runs his own mercenary company) Halagothra the Healer (female, can heal by laying on hands which none can emulate or understand) Mokaer Morntarn (?, an herbalist and proprietor of Morntarn’s Miracles, member of the Seekers of Scales) Anratha Harrowstorm (?, dwarf, owner of Harrowstrom Fine Gowns and member of the Seekers of Scales) Belror Tethel (?, dragonborn, Lord Merchant of Harglast) Othmeera Talask (female, ruler of Imdolphyn and famous trader in textiles and scents)
Total NPCs in Returned Abeir: 40 total, 14 male, 9 female, 17 undetermined
Anabraxis the Black Talon (female, runescribed dracolich, acknowledged leader of the Cult of the Dragon) Hledh (female, fire titan, rules supreme in Maerimydra) Keeper of Thaal (male, demilich, original creator of the thaaluds)
Earthroot
Yannu Hywillan (male, High Lord Planner of Deep Imaskar) Synnis Naramixna (female, Lady Apprehender, is an intelligence officer and manager of the city’s protection wards in Deep Imaskar) Vardyn Xalzussi (male, Lord Enactor and is charge of law enforcement and military matters in Deep Imaskar) Haznyn Tellen’hez (male, drow, leader of the Blackened Fist (an order of monks), most powerful drow in Undrek’Thoz) Matron Huirann Tellen’hez (female, drow, Haznyn’s wife and is intent on keeping him the strongest drow in Undrek’Thoz) Matron Harthel Vrasl (female, drow lich, oversees the temple complex in Undrek’Thoz) Matron Vyrald Zek (female, drow, rules house Zek) Nurymm Zek (male, drow, Archmage of Undrek’Thoz) Zonaggati (male, efreet, controls the original foundation of skyclave that was left in Deep Raurin) Espera (female, genasi necromancer > larva mage, is amassing an undead army)
Menzoberranzan
Quenthel Baenre (female, drow, Mistress Mother of Arach-Tinilith and most powerful matron mother in Menzoberranzan. Hondel Belek’tyr (?, drow) Juron Shadalun (?, drow) Rhauvais del’Ygana (female, drow, merchant that deals in exotic weapons) Hrong Freedman (male, drow, slave trader) Sh’aun Darnruel (female, drow, sells exquisite gowns made from the finest spidersilk) Gromph Baenre (male, drow, Archmage of Menzoberranzan) Mez’Barris Armgo (female, drow, matron mother of house Barrison Del’Armgo [2nd house of Menzoberranzan]) Zeerith Q’Zorlarrin (female, drow, matron mother of house Xorlarrin [3rd house of Menzoberranzan]) Ghenni’tiroth Tlabbar (female, drow, matron mother of house Tlabbar [4th house of Menzoberranzan]) Miz’ri Mizzrym (female, drow, matron mother of house Mizzrym [5th house of Menzoberranzan]) Byrtyn Fey (female, drow, matron mother of house Fey-Branche [6th house of Menzoberranzan]) Zhindia Melarn (female, drow, matron mother of house Melarn [7th house of Menzoberranzan]) Fiirnel’ther Vandree (female, drow, matron mother of house Vandree [8th house of Menzoberranzan]) Jarlaxle Baenre (male, drow, leader and founder of Bregan D’Aerthe mercenary company) Kimmuriel Oblodra (male, drow, Jarlaxle’s trusted lieutenant, master of psionics, and acting leader of Bregan D’Aerthe)
Northdark
Ghiirvox (?, ranarukk, High warchief of Ammarindar) Araumycos (?, a massive fungal colony, refers to itself as king Araumycos) Kargien Dissengulp (?, deep gnome, Most Honored Burrow Warden who is leading his/her people back to Blingdenstone) Gvurzz (male, kobold, chief of the Grizzlefang Tribe) Klaah (female, kobold, Gvurzz’s mate and co-leader of the Grizzlefang Tribe) Horgar Steelshadow V (male, duergar, King of Gracklstugh)
Old Shanatar
Fizzri Khaven-Ghell (female, drow, Mistress Mother of Guallidurth) Mith Barak (male, silver dragon, King of the dwarven city Iltkazar) Emissary (?, creature of shadow that whispers alien wisdom to cloaker lords) Ni-Gool-Veen Viboolkugoorg (male, kuo-toan, Priest-King of Sloopdilmonpolop) Charvekannathor the Scarlet (male, red dragon, lairs in the ruins of Rrinnoroth)
Total NPCs in the Underdark: 40 total, 15 male, 19 female, 6 undetermined
This section is devoted to statting out different NPCs and monsters that one is likely to fight within the FR setting, so more than likely every NPC mentioned within this section will be statted. Because of this I will also make mention of level and combat role if they are present. A few of those that are mentioned here are also mentioned elsewhere in the book. Those that are I will put an * next to their name. I will also not count them in this section but will list them for a few are also statted out.
Church of Bane
Fzoul Chembryl (male, Exarch of bane, lvl 28 elite controller)
The Court of Rorn
Blazing Rorn The Fury (male, sleeping primordial [on the verge of waking up], lvl 33 solo primordial)
Cult of the Dragon
Arsekaslyx (female, adult red dragon, a sentinel at the Well of Dragons) Amnemis (female, adult black dragon, a sentinel at the Well of Dragons) Enixtryx (male, adult black dragon, a sentinel at the Well of Dragons) Naergoth Bladelord (male, human death knight, Lord of the Well of Dragons) Vargo the Faceless (male, human lich, Ceremonial Master of the Well of Dragons)
Drow
Jarlaxle Baenre* (male, drow, leader of Bregan D’Aerthe mercenary company, lvl 21 elite skirmisher) Kimmuriel Oblodra* (male, drow, Jarlaxle’s trusted lieutenant and master of psionics)
Eminence of Araunt
Lod (male, bone naga, founder of the Eminence of Araunt) Meremoth (?, undead lamia, another member of the Eminence of Araunt)
The Five Companies
Mariss Bez (?, captain of Storm of Vengeance) Jorrz Errowd (?, captain of Shield of Savras) Ianjo Shton (male, captain of the Lamassu) Kurkar Randred (?, dwarf, captain of Thunder Hammer) Shil Yargo (female, halfling, captain of the Buccaneer’s Tear, lvl 11 elite skirmisher)
Malaugrym
These creatures are shape changers. In this section of the book each malaugrym is referred to as an it. I would like to point out that earlier in the book, in Aglarond, a malaugrym NPC was referred to as a she and not an it. I believe this to be because the book was referring to an alias of the malaugrym and not the malaugrym its self.
Arathluth (it [male is preferred gender], malaugrym, haunts the Sword Coast under a variety of aliases, lvl 16 elite skirmisher) Luthvaerynn (it [female is preferred gender], malaugrym, has a position on Telflamm’s Merchants’ Council, lvl 15 elite artillery)
Netheril
Arcanists called the Twelve Princes of Shade rule Netheril. This leads me to believe, by deduction, that the ruling council of Netheril is lead by twelve male shades. Also one shade is referred to as the father of the other eleven and the other eleven are referred to as sons of the father. The book states that each prince is an epic elite shade controller. None of the princes are stated out but this gives an idea of their personal power levels. The Twelve Princes are sometimes described as being like a council and other times like that of a monarchy. I believe that it is something sort of in between the two.
Telamont Tanthul (male, shade, Most High of the Princes of Shade, father of the other princes and ruler of Netheril) Rivalen Tanthul (male, shade, High priest of Shar who’s power is comparable to exarches of other gods, is a prince of Shade) Claribunus Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade and general of the armies of Netheril) Yder Tanthule (male, shade, Prince of Shade, general of the armies of Netheril and chief templar of the Dome of Night) Aglarel Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade, leader of his father’s private legions and Telamont’s personal bodyguard) Brennus Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade) Faould Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade) Lamorak Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade) Melegaunt Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade) Mattick Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade and Vattick’s identical twin) Vattick Tanthul (male, shade, Prince of Shade and Mattick’s identical twin) Dethud Tanthul (male, shade, head of Netheril’s intelligence forces and advises all the Princes of Shade) Naramus (male, shade, a Knight of Shade whose primary duty is the defense of the city of Shade)
Order of Blue Fire
Masters of Absolute Accord (?, little is known about this entity that controls the Order of Blue Fire and resides somewhere near Deep Imaskar)
Reptile Kingdoms
Terpenzi (it, undead naga, former king of Najara and now subservient protector of Najara, lvl 30 solo controller) Jarant* (male, dark naga, king of snakes) Sath’Fiss’Ith the Skybinder (it, sarrukh, one of the sarrukh of Okoth, lvl 25 elite controller)
Thay
Szass Tam* (male, human lich, Ruler of Thay, whom owes Bane greatly and is trying to become a god, lvl 30 elite artillery)
Warlock Knights of Vaasa
Telos (?, unconscious/sleeping and bound Primodial) The Voice of Telos (male, human, a Warlock Knight of the Ironfell Council who is thought to be the discoverer of Telos’ fallen form)
Zhentarim
Manshoon a.k.a. “Orbakh the Night King” (male, vampire, leader of the Zhentarim, lvl 28 elite controller)
Total NPCs in the Threats section: 34 total, 21 male, 3 female, 10 undetermined
Result for the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide: 228 total; 104 male, 72 female, 52 undetermined Percentages 46% male, 32% female, 22% undetermined
Results for the Gender NPC Count of the FRCG: 176 total; 104 male, 72 female Percentages 59% male, 41% female Ratio: 13/9 (male/female) or 1.4 males to 1 female
Garwan (male, dwarf, owns Garwan’s Curiosities) Deanna “Starra” Starr (female, owns Starra’s Knives) Marsh Laval (male, halfling, Green Tankard Tavern) Calla Maran (female, owns Loudwater General) Raumandar (male, helps out Calla) Darden (male, dwarf, brother to Dred and Drer, son of Garwan, owns the stables with brothers) Dred (male, dwarf, brother to Darden and Drer, son of Garwan, owns the stables with brothers) Drer (male, dwarf, brother to Darden and Dred, son of Garwan, owns the stables with brothers) Megana Nistral (female, dwarf, owns Loudwater Smithy) Brosha Manx (male, half-elf, owns Loudwater Apothecary) Captain Harrowleaf (male, elf, ranger, Patrol Headquarters) Brother Griffon (male, human, runs temple and is devoted to Silvanus) Rivermaster Sarl (male, works at the docks) Karzon Kul (male, dwarf, crony of the Lady of Shadows) Kyos (male, human) Lady Moonfire (female, half-elf, lives at the Manor House, lord of Loudwater) Curuvar the Brazen (male, wizard) Sunsteen Urbeth (male, spellscar, has important information) Zark (male, dwarf, crony of the Lady of Shadows)
Loudwater Adventures
Barrow of the Ogre King
High Shaman Sancossug (male, goblin) Random Goblins: he and his is used a couple of times in the Tactics part to describe what the mooks are suppose to do. I am not counting these.
Lair of Shadows
Narrows (male, crony of the Lady of Shadows) Lady of Shadow (female)
Result for Loudwater: 22 gender specified NPCs; 17 male to 5 female; 23% female Ratio: 17/5; male/female ~ 3.4 males to 1 female
Lady Saharel (female, ghost, infallible prophet) Kuryon (male, original master of the monastery of the precipice)
Character Hooks
Monastery resident (female, monk at monastery)
The Monastery of the Precipice
Allendi (male, current master of of the monastery) Thurr Gargengrim (male, dwarf?) Sister Cherra (female, human, monk) Brother Trunagall (male, monk) Yannik Johastra (male, human, monk) Rallio deVore (male, tiefling hellock) Millek the Thrush (female, halfling)
Ruins of Spellgard
Kal Clewsoro (male, human, Clewsoro's Camp) Vannak's Camp (male, dragonborn, Vannak's Camp) Hanna Blenn (female, elf, captive of Vannak, claims to have met Lady Saharel)
Rival Adventurers
Devlin (male, warlord, leader of the Free Company of the Crescent) The Dark-Eyed One (male, eladrin, mage, follows Devlin) Farrak (male, Harrak's twin, follows Devlin) Harrak (male, Farrak's twin, follows Devlin) Allan Redhand (male, half-elf, follows Devlin)
Result for Book 1: 18 gender specified NPC; 13 male and 5 female
Excellent work df. It seems we could be developing a pattern.
Of course, to fully determine this we might have to buy all the modules. Of course, if we bump their sales just by running our experiment, we might help to perpetuate it.
On the other hand, if buying a few modules to conduct this experiment bumps the sales, I don't think anything will be perpetuated for very long.
All kidding aside, the work is appreciated on my side. I'm sure others do also (possibly KGM), but I do not wish to speak for them.
I plan to buy most, if not all, of the 4e adventures as they are released. I so far have Keep On The Shadowfell, Thunderspire Labyrinth, Pyramid Of Shadows, and Scepter Tower of Spellgard. I would have already read through all of them, and the 4e books, if it wasn't for the fact that most of my time is consumed by college and work. If I had more time I probably would already have the numbers up from the other adventures. Not everyone needs to buy the books but instead the few of us who want to waist our time looking through them for inconsistencies need to.
I read through book 2 first and was surprised by the amazing lack of a female. Lets hope that this trend does not continue.
Resident Grouch and Corrupting Influence
[linky] to where I got the necromancer avatar that I was using.
This is a pretty depressing pattern On the bright side, the background and characters hooks include more females (not that there's enough to make a statistic), which suggests that they might have thought about the subject earlier, and deliberately included females among the first and/or most important NPCs – it was only when they started to design the 'standard' characters that they reverted to male per default. So it's likely a question about habit more than intention. Also, thanks for doing the work.
Btw, I've seen it mentioned frequently that Forgotten Realms have a large % of female characters with a lot of influence, but I haven't seen any number, and I don't have the books. Any chance someone will make a rough count at some point?
Btw, I've seen it mentioned frequently that Forgotten Realms have a large % of female characters with a lot of influence, but I haven't seen any number, and I don't have the books. Any chance someone will make a rough count at some point?
I have the FR handbook and the FR campaign guide. I have read about half way through each of them. Without counting numbers it seems like with pictures and with gender specifications that women are mentioned about 40% to 50% of the time. Don't hold me to this because I have not actually counted. If I have time I will see about doing it. I may add those counts to this thread and just rename this thread to be the NPC Review: FR. If anybody else wishes to do the FR counts then please post them on this thread, or PM me the count, and I will add the count to my original post.
In this adventure, all of the bad guys are male. The few females within the adventure don't even play much of a role. The Lady Saharel does not even need to ever be used, even though she is the plot device for ever character in the adventure being at the ruins, and would only show up at the end of the adventure to give a prophecy like ritual (if the DM wants to). The other three that are named are not really that important and can be written out without changing the story at all. The nameless female monk that is used as a plot hook is apparently not important to need a name, also she can easily not be used if you decide to use one of the many plot hooks. If one wishes to look at important females then it could easily be narrowed down to 1. If you take out the males that would contribute nothing to the story you may be able to take out about 6 from the first book. So, IMHO, the important absolutely important characters to the adventure would be a ratio of 18 to 1; male to female.
Resident Grouch and Corrupting Influence
[linky] to where I got the necromancer avatar that I was using.
Thank you, dirtyfrank. I have been wanting to gather other things to look at, but it's not high on my "to-do" list. I think it's an interesting discussion to have, and does help my categorical nature.
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Thank you, dirtyfrank. I have been wanting to gather other things to look at, but it's not high on my "to-do" list. I think it's an interesting discussion to have, and does help my categorical nature.
Your welcome. During the thanksgiving break, if I have time, I will look through the Loudwater adventure in the FR campaign guide and try and count the people mentioned in all of the different areas of the 4e FR campaign setting. I will work on this stuff for the next month if I don't finish it this next weekend.
Resident Grouch and Corrupting Influence
[linky] to where I got the necromancer avatar that I was using.
I was able to glance through Loudwater quickly and I have those results up already. Don't expect to have the NPCs from the entire FR campaign guide for at least a week or two. I have also added in the percentage of female NPCs.
Resident Grouch and Corrupting Influence
[linky] to where I got the necromancer avatar that I was using.
I think it'd be pretty hard to argue that there's not a problem after the numbers that have turned up here and in the Thunderspire thread. When the best ratio you can get is 2:1, someone's dropping the ball.
It makes me feel kind of special, "enlightened" even, to have a one to one deity ratio (7 - 7) in my homebrew campaign world, and that's kind of annoying. I am not, dammit
On the bright side, the background and characters hooks include more females (not that there's enough to make a statistic), which suggests that they might have thought about the subject earlier, and deliberately included females among the first and/or most important NPCs – it was only when they started to design the 'standard' characters that they reverted to male per default. So it's likely a question about habit more than intention. Also, thanks for doing the work.
