There are times when we dream of adventure, traveling through time and space, finding ourselves in grand stories where we shape the fate of worlds. But what if, instead of becoming a hero, you end up as an unlucky NPC (Non-Player Character)? A background figure, doomed to live a life dictated by someone else’s choices? A life where fate laughs at you rather than favors you.
Stats for the Unlucky NPC Journey
| Attribute | Hero’s Life | NPC’s Life | Unlucky NPC |
| Free Will | High | Low | Near Zero |
| Adventure | Unlimited | Limited | Forced & Unwanted |
| Wealth | Potentially High | Low | Lower Than Low |
| Danger Level | High | Moderate | Extreme but Unrewarding |
| Plot Relevance | Essential | Background | Comic Relief or Tragic |
This table sets the tone for what is to come, and the realization starts creeping in—you are not the chosen one. Your fate is different, and perhaps, worse.
The First Step Into the Wrong Story
Nobody wakes up expecting to be a background character in their own story, yet here you are. Maybe you fell through a portal, maybe you touched an ancient artifact thinking you’d become powerful. Instead, the universe assigned you a role, one where your greatest achievement is giving directions to the hero or becoming the example of what ‘not’ to do.
Imagine waking up in a medieval village, wearing rags while others wear shining armor. You see a hero riding past, destined to fight a dark overlord. You? You’re probably going to get trampled by his horse. This is how it begins, and you already suspect things will not improve.
No Plot Armor, Only Plot Misery
NPCs do not get plot armor. That’s a privilege of protagonists. They survive explosions, dodge arrows at the last second, and miraculously recover from fatal wounds. What do NPCs get? Random disasters.
| Character Type | Protection Level |
| Main Hero | Immortal until the final battle |
| Supporting Cast | High chance of survival |
| Regular NPC | Exists until inconvenient |
| Unlucky NPC | Dies for dramatic effect or humor |
You are on the lowest rung. Your chances of making it through the story intact are nonexistent. If the town is attacked, you’re the first casualty. If there’s a chase scene, you’re collateral damage. You don’t even get a proper funeral—just a brief mention before the real story moves on.
Your Job? Make the Hero Look Good
Even when you are alive, your role is painfully clear. You exist to show how powerful, clever, or kind the hero is. Your suffering is their motivation. If you are a guard, you will be effortlessly defeated to prove the villain’s strength. If you are a shopkeeper, you will be robbed, and the hero will restore justice. If you are a friend, well, your days are numbered.
You might even get a line or two:
- “Oh no! The bandits took everything!” (Immediately rescued by the hero)
- “I wish I was brave like you.” (You will never be brave, only unlucky)
- “Something bad is coming…” (You will not survive to see it)
Attempts to Change Fate? Futile.
Maybe you think you can break the cycle. You try to train, learn magic, or find a way out. But fate seems to enjoy keeping you in your place. Your sword breaks before the fight even begins. Your magic fizzles out when you need it most. The moment you think you’ve escaped, you end up in a worse situation.
Even if you try to leave the village before disaster strikes, the road is blocked. The only ships available are always ‘leaving tomorrow.’ If you hide, someone will find you and drag you back. It’s as if the world itself is keeping you stuck in this miserable existence.
The Fate Worse Than Death: Becoming a Recurring NPC
The only thing worse than dying as an unlucky NPC is surviving—just to suffer more. Some NPCs exist to be constant sources of misfortune. Every time the hero visits, your life is worse than before. First, you lost your farm. Then, you lost your house. Next time, you’ve lost a limb. No matter what happens, your suffering grows, and the hero just gives you a pat on the back before continuing their journey.
| Recurring NPC Misfortunes | Hero’s Reaction |
| Farm burned down | “I’ll avenge you!” (Never does) |
| Family missing | “That’s terrible…” (Leaves immediately) |
| Cursed by an artifact | “I’m kinda busy” (Walks away) |
| Turned into a frog | “That’s rough, buddy” (Forgets about you) |
The Moment You Accept It
At some point, you stop fighting it. You realize that no matter what you do, you will never be the hero. You are doomed to be forgotten, to live a life where your only role is to suffer, and maybe, just maybe, get a single moment where someone remembers you existed. But even then, it won’t last long. You will be left behind, a footnote in a grand adventure that was never yours to begin with.
The Only Escape? Change the Rules
There is only one way to break free—stop playing by their rules. If the world wants you to be unlucky, embrace it. Lean into the madness. If disaster follows you, make it work in your favor. If fate keeps trying to kill you, become so unlucky that even death gets tired of trying.
Or, if all else fails, find the hero and trip them at the worst possible moment. If you’re going to be an unlucky NPC, at least go out causing chaos.
One way or another, you will be remembered.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.