Fav NPC's ?

I've taken a fancy for NPCs lately was curious as to which NPCs you good people of this forum prefer and why. I've tried most of the Homleteers. Elmo is great for many reasons; amusing character, drunk, good stats and starts with some good gear. Furnok has certain skills that many find useful and has an interesting voice. Many people seem to like Meleny as she is sweet and it can be useful to have an extra spellcaster and crafter aboard.
One of my favorites is Ronald. He's got good stats, starts with the spell Enlarge Person, available immediately , decent crafter, can use longbow (fav), has the feats point blank and precise shot (iirc),interesting character, and even if you already have a cleric it is very nice to have another.
Tell me, good sirs and ladies, whom do you prefer? The often cross yet somewhat skilled Fruella? Spugnoir the Sage for an extra spellcaster? The elusive Zaxis? Awsome-o Wonnilon?

 

Perhaps the Zaxis sister thing isn't a bug. What better way to achieve revenge than to "hang along' with like-minded and powerful adventurers?
I haven't yet tried monstrous allies. That could be big fun. I usually do "goody two shoes" adventure parties.

 

I like to let Ronnie sing.

 

I rarely take NPC's with the exception of Meleny. One or both of the sisters in Nulb if I need another Archer type and Fruella is ok for baiting the Hill Giant at the Meadows, He kills her while the party softens him up with ranged attacks

 

You are one of the few that use Spugnoir. I have used him a few times. He's a quick , cheap and easy access to a wizard. He also starts with point blank and precise shot. I'm the same way with Zaxis that you are. I've never taken Pishella as i can't get over the wizard sorcerer combo. I want to use Otis but he is too conditional.
I understand your repulsion to Fruella. I will say that in her defense she is a decent fighter, relatively easy to hire and can be turned into a killing machine. I give her two weapon fighting feats and a masterwork hand axe for her off hand. It uses the same proficiency as cleaver and counts as a "smaller" weapon for TWF purposes IIRC. Also of note is if you have Elmo and Fruella in the same party Elmo will do humorous impersonations of her if you "talk" to him. I nearly did a spit take the first time that i heard it.

 

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I understand most people use her as frog bait. Giant / bear baiting is an excellent and amusing use of her.

 

I like to give Meleny one or two levels of fighter plus the feats point blank and precise shot with a masterwork longbow. Craft Wonderous item will definitely be taken as she is a druid. Gloves of Dexterity.
I've only taken Wonnilon along once but I thoroughly enjoyed his company so he will be recruited again despite his contrary build (power attack, cleave?) Better keep those class levels even.

 

Agreed...for a melee fighter.

 

Well said. I've speculated upon giving him a melee weapon. He's got good strength and constitution. Shortsword, gnome hooked hammer or longsword? Cleaver would be interesting and there are masterwork versions to be found.
He also could use precise shot and weapon specialization in repeating crossbow.

 

Fruella has the fit? Certainly in character. I wonder what would happen if you had Elmo,Fruella and Meleny. Should prove to be interesting...