RPGaDay 2025: Day 1. Patron.

RPGaDay 2025: Day 1. Patron

A lot of Dungeons & Dragons players hear the word patron and immediately think of Warlocks. Totally fair. 5E put that concept front and center.

But my own take on patrons goes back further, long before magical pacts or eldritch boons were baked into the rules. In my games, a patron was simply a wealthy or knowledgeable benefactor. Someone who could support an adventuring party, mercenary company, or even an individual character with wisdom, resources, or opportunity.

Back during the 4th Edition era, I had started drafting a supplement for mercenary companies that leaned into this idea, and I might still port it over into Dragonbane or Shadowdark.

In Dragonbane, especially, this concept really shines. Bards, Knights, Scholars, Merchants, and Mages can all benefit from having a mentor, teacher, or backer. It doesn’t have to be about gold, either. Sometimes it’s a family member, village elder, or retired veteran who steps in to pass along an item, offer advice, or nudge the characters in the right direction at a critical moment.

Of course, how well this works depends entirely on the group’s roleplaying style. Not every table will warm up to a kindly NPC who occasionally shows up with a hint or a hot meal. Some players will bristle at anything that feels like a “GM insert.” Others will exploit the poor patron for every ounce of advantage they can squeeze out. And that’s okay.

Just make sure your patron feels like a character, not a vending machine.

A good patron is like a seasoning blend. Sprinkle them in now and then to bring out the flavor of the world, but don’t dump the whole jar into the stew.

The Financier

“This isn’t charity. It’s an investment.”

The Financier is all about resources, logistics, and calculated risk. They fund expeditions, supply gear, and expect returns whether that’s a share of the treasure, exclusive magical items, or simply the prestige of sponsoring a famous group of adventurers. Think of Renaissance merchant lords, eccentric nobles, or disillusioned ex-adventurers turned venture capitalists. They’ll send the party into dangerous territory not out of malice, but because they’d rather not go themselves, or can’t, due to injury, age, or trauma. Worse, maybe they do want to join the group, but probably shouldn’t for safety reasons.

This patron archetype aligns naturally with Artisans, Merchants, Mariners, and Scholars. Bards and Mages benefit tremendously from this relationship too, being the perpetual starving artists of the adventuring world. A Knight might know this type as the baron next door. A Thief might have once tried to rob them, only to be caught and unexpectedly recruited. Scrooge McDuck is a solid example. 

Use the Financier when you want to ground the party in economic reality. They’re ideal for city-based campaigns, treasure-hunting sagas, or any setting where reputation and wealth are just as important as swords and spells.

The Doting Grandmother

“You look thin, dear. Sit down and eat before you run off again.”

Not all patrons are rich nobles or guild masters. Sometimes, your party’s most dependable ally is an old woman with a warm hearth and a heart of gold. She might run a small inn, keep a cottage near the edge of town, or serve meals at a rural temple. She’s nurturing, reliable, and often underestimated. She may even be related to one of the characters.

The Doting Grandmother is a relationship-driven patron. She’s not rich, but she provides shelter, home-cooked meals, and steady emotional support. She fits seamlessly into parties that include **Fighters, Thieves, and Hunters, **characters who often live rough lives and rarely experience kindness without strings attached. The party might stumble upon her while helping a village, or she may be someone they rescue along the way. In Kin-based campaigns, she might appear as a wise village elder, reclusive hermit, or beloved shaman.

She’s your go-to patron when the group needs to decompress between deadly dungeons and dark omens. She provides low-stakes side quests, downtime opportunities, and that rarest of adventuring luxuries: peace and quiet.

The Eccentric Uncle or Aunt

“Don’t touch that vial! Or… do. I’m curious what happens.”

Every campaign deserves at least one NPC who is just barely holding it together. Enter the Eccentric Uncle or Aunt. They’re brilliant, unfiltered, and a total liability in polite society. But in their chaotic workshop or dusty tower, they’re in their element, surrounded by half-finished potions, ticking constructs, and self-aware furniture.

This patron archetype works beautifully with Artisans, Mages, and Scholars, but really anyone with a curious streak might seek them out. They’re especially amusing when played by Humans, Halflings, or Mallards, adding that comic flair reminiscent of anime or manga tropes.

Call on the Eccentric Uncle or Aunt when your players need a change of pace. They’re a perfect source of weird magical items, side quests, and experimental gear. They might also be the only one who knows how to decipher that ancient runestone or the person responsible for summoning the interplanar chicken swarm the party just had to fight.

Twists and Turns

Not all patrons are what they seem.

The Financier might be blackmailed or secretly laundering money for a dark cult. The Grandmother may be a demonologist, or worse, the retired archlich next door. That lovable uncle might be sitting on a vault full of cursed relics and forbidden magic. Some of his creations aren’t evil, just terribly misunderstood.

Adding depth, secrets, and even a hint of danger to your patrons turns them into living, breathing parts of the world. They can be turned against the players. They can make mistakes. They can be hurt, corrupted, or manipulated. These vulnerabilities make them feel real.

Final Thoughts

Patrons are a powerful tool for giving your world texture and giving your players something to care about. Done well, they offer connections that go beyond gold and glory. They give players someone to laugh with, worry about, visit, or even save.

Just remember, patrons should support the story, not hijack it. Keep them grounded, give them personality, and let them evolve alongside your party.

Your world will be richer for it.

Have a favorite patron archetype you’ve used in your games? Want to hear more from my old campaign vaults? Let me know. I’ve got plenty more where these came from.

#RPGaDay2025 #Dragonbane #TTRPGAdvice

Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.