Greetings!
Well, in my campaigns, it doesn't always happen, but every now and then, a seemingly unremarkable hireling guard or mercenary character somehow emerges as something like a great hero. *Laughing*
Some individual spearman gets a series of huge criticals during the group's fight against orcs or whatever, and proves to be as worthy if not more so than the Player Characters. Similar unsuspecting characters making all of their saving throws, and otherwise being unstoppable killing machines. Or really clutch-perfoming healers, or an unexpected rogue that is dazzling in their luck and skill. My players have never failed to take notice of such NPC's, and often richly reward them with constant upgrades in excellent gear, magic items, and training. Such characters, despite their humble beginnings, rapidly develop into Henchman type characters, and become very important members of the Player Group. Such performances are typically derived from entirely spontaneous dice rolling, occasionally supported by a character's unusual set of attributes. Such NPC heroes are then of course made all the more potent and effective by the training they receive from the Player Characters, and also by the extensive and constant upgrades in armour, weapons, equipment, healing, and magic items.
Have you had NPC heroes develop unexpectedly in such a manner in your campaigns? How have your players responded to such characters?
I have on occasion heard of some gamers moaning and gnashing their teeth about uber-NPC's, or "Mary Sues"--or whatever the immediate bitch-fest is about, but my players are always deeply appreciative of at least *some* NPC's being excellent and capable, and not always being helpless sheep. My players also often have a kind of expectation that at least some NPC's demonstrate some actual balls and genuine skill and ruthless efficiency. I have found that Players often can become resentful and incredulous that only *THEY* are capable fucking heroes. The Players expect many NPC's--or at least some of them--to have their shit together and to be able to contribute to the defense of the realm in the same manner that the Player Characters do, day in and day out. It has certainly been entertaining, and enhanced the verisimilitude of my campaigns!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK