The player characters are the stars of the show in any Dungeons & Dragons campaign. However, the world would be empty if it were only filled with the protagonists and main characters. As such, campaigns tend to include a vast roster of NPCs for the players to interact with, involve themselves in the affairs of, ally with, and sometimes fight.

RELATED: 10 Coolest Locations In Published D&D Adventures

No NPC should consistently overshadow the PCs, but neither should they be forgettable, boring, or unhelpful. The premade campaigns for Fifth Edition include a number of excellently-made NPCs, both friendly and hostile, who players love and who truly contribute to the story being told.

10 Xanathar Is The Quirkiest Beholder Possible

The Beholder crime boss Xanathar with his goldfish in DnD

In addition to lending his name and narration to the sourcebook Xanathar's Guide to Everything, the iconic beholder Xanathar appears in two interconnected campaigns: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist and Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. As a member of one of D&D's most popular monster races, Xanathar already has plenty of appeal, but his personality takes things one step further.

Rather than simply being a standard beholder who hates anything different from him, Xanathar is different. He still regards the rest of the world with utter contempt, but also displays a curiosity and fascination that's enabled him to become a powerful crime lord. His uniqueness is exemplified by his relationship with Sylgar, a pet goldfish he shows a strange care and affection for.

9 Ezmerelda D'Avenir Is A Very Helpful Ally

Ravenloft Monster Ezmerelda D'Avenir in Curse of Strahd premade DnD campaign

A recurring NPC in the Ravenloft setting, Ezmerelda D'Avenir makes an appearance in Curse of Strahd. She is a capable and renowned monster hunter, with a long history of working alongside the famed Rudolph van Richten, and comes to Barovia to find him after he disappears to fight Strahd alone.

RELATED: 8 Hardest Fights In Published D&D Campaigns

Ezmerelda is well-liked for a number of reasons. She has become a positive depiction of Vistani, the in-game ethnic group who many find exemplify negative stereotypes of Romani people. She's also a highly capable character who happens to need a prosthetic leg. In addition, she will help the PCs even if she isn't their fated ally, potentially appearing in Castle Ravenloft to lend her aid.

8 Angajuk Is Help In Its Least Likely Form

Angajuk the giant whale in Rime of the Frostmaiden premade DnD campaign

Many prominent NPCs in Dungeons & Dragons tend to be human beings, or humanoid in nature. Alternatively, dragons, fiends, or sentient undead often have important roles. Other creatures types having significant roles tend to be rarer, and few are more unexpected than Angajuk from Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, a boat-wearing sperm whale who can speak Common.

This particularly unusual nature is enough to make Angajuk stand out, but there is more to him than just novelty. He's exceptionally helpful, providing the player characters with safe transport towards their fateful encounters towards the campaign's end. He's also friendly and funny, delighting in giving a guided tour of the seas.

7 Arkhan The Cruel Is As Impressive As Ever

Dragonborn Paladin Arkhan the Cruel from Critical Role and Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus premade DnD campaign

Although not an official tie-in, Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus crosses over with Critical Role due to the presence of Arkhan the Cruel, a guest party member from the end of its first campaign. Arkhan appears in Avernus after the events of Critical Role, wielding the Hand of Vecna and serving as one of the foremost champions of Tiamat.

Even for those who aren't fans of the show, Arkhan manages to be impressive. He's absolutely a villain, serving an evil god and wearing one of D&D's most powerful evil artifacts. However, he's nonetheless polite and even potentially helpful. Although it costs a terrible price, he can aid the PCs in petitioning Tiamat for aid against Zariel, helping propel the plot forward.

6 Jimjar Is An Unexpectedly Powerful Gnome

Jimjar the Deep Gnome from Out of the Abyss premade DnD campaign

Out of the Abyss can have the PCs travel alongside a number of NPCs, fellow prisoners who escape from the Drow. The most notable is a Gnome by the name of Jimjar, who seems to be nothing more than a lucky and obsessive gambler with a charming disposition.

RELATED: 15 Strongest Good-Aligned Monsters In Dungeons & Dragons

However, throughout the campaign, Jimjar drops more and more hints that there's more to him than most expect. One potential twist near the end reveals he is actually a disguised avatar of a god. Despite this impressive reveal, Jimjar doesn't steal the party's thunder or overshadow them, instead giving them a blessing that empowers them to save the day.

5 Dragonbait Is Simply Helpful And Respectful

The Saurian Paladin Dragonbait from Tomb of Annihilation premade DnD campaign

As much as villains can become an iconic and integral part of an adventure, sometimes the NPCs players appreciate the most are simply those who are helpful without overwhelming the story, particularly if they're nice while they do it. Dragonbait from Tomb of Annihilation is one such NPC, liked for simply being a bright spot in a dark campaign.

A paladin, Dragonbait exemplifies the best qualities of his class, being compassionate and friendly, while also taking a firm stand against injustice. Although powerful in combat, his personality and his inability to speak Common serve to keep him from taking the spotlight. His relationships with the PCs and with Artus Cimber can also bring levity to a situation.

4 Jarlaxle Retains His Charismatic Moral Ambiguity

Jarlaxle the Drow Swashbuckler from DnD

Of particular focus in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist are its four villains, only one of who takes center stage in any given playthrough. All the options are well-liked by players and DMs alike, but one of the more popular is Jarlaxle, a Drow swashbuckler with a storied presence in Dungeons & Dragons as a whole.

Although a ruthless criminal who's prepared to do almost anything to get ahead, Jarlaxle has his redeeming features. He's a more intelligent and introspective villain than many, and has even acted as a hero a number of times. In addition, his charm, role, and even his visual design simply give off an element of "cool," something many players can appreciate.

3 Ayo Jabe Is A Flexible Opposing Adventurer

Ayo Jabe, leader of the rival party in Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep premade DnD campaign

The central component of Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep is that the player characters aren't the only party following the questline. Instead, they're opposed at numerous points by a rival group of adventurers, pursuing the same goals. The leader of this rival party is Ayo Jabe, a Water Genasi ranger.

RELATED: 10 DnD Monsters That Make Better Friends Than Foes

Although a rival figure, Jabe's relationship with the player characters can take on a number of different dynamics. Throughout the campaign, the interactions the players have with the other party affects how they feel about them. Whether begrudgingly friendly, distantly respectful, or openly hostile, Jabe can create some unique moments during her complex interactions with the PCs.

2 Strahd Von Zarovich Is A Villain Of Impressive Pedigree

Infamous vampire Strahd von Zarovich in Curse of Strahd premade DnD campaign.

One of the more famous villains of Dungeons & Dragons since the original Ravenloft adventure, Strahd von Zarovich takes center stage in Curse of Strahd, a retelling and expansion of his first appearance. As the name suggests, the campaign is structured very tightly around Strahd, positioning him as its most significant character after those controlled by the players.

Cunning and villainous while still having depth and his lighter aspects, Strahd is a complex villain, and players appreciate the many ways he can be played. Strahd can guide an entire campaign simply on the strength of his interactions with the PCs, creating a unique dynamic that few other premade 5e campaigns can match.

1 Zariel Is A Tragic Villain With A Chance Of Redemption

Zariel Archduke of Avernus in DnD

Another villain at the heart of her campaign, Zariel is the fallen angel, Archduke of Avernus. She's also the Archdevil who is the main villain of Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus. A warmonger and zealot, Zariel is deep in villainy by the time of the campaign, but she remains sympathetic character who fell because of her desire to fight the Abyss on every front.

Having noble aspects despite her worst traits, Zariel is a more complex villain than many in premade 5e campaigns, and one who can both respect and earn the respect of players. The campaign's best ending sees her redeemed rather than fought, something that rarely happens to the overarching villain of a module.

NEXT: 15 Weakest Monsters in Dungeons & Dragons, Ranked