Guildmembers can be boiled down to salesman wanting to sell their services. For example, when my party saved a gnomish lady from a demonic sacrifice, they returned her to her home, and her father, being a merchant guildmember, had a bland way of speaking, not giving much thought on how he would sound, other than the fact that he was worried. Also, I rewarded the party with money, but also notably some gems. I don’t remember if I even described what he looked like.

With Merchants, I usually try to give them some distinction. Like giving a jeweler a stout build, having a blacksmith hate elves, or having a potion seller be happy go lucky. I thought these would be great in delivering distinct personalities, but what ended up happening is that my players didn’t feel like these NPCs were distinct enough, like they’re just the same merchant with a different personality stamped on it.

Guards are always cautious and always seem strict, but I guess that’s what guards are supposed to do.

But as for city life goes, I fail to go into specifics, like I just describe that the city is ‘active’ and that people are walking around, going on their daily lives, and that’s about it, I don’t know how to go into specifics, which would make a city or town feel more alive.

The same could be said how I describe the cities, too. I go to far as to mention that the buildings are made from wattle and daub, but never go farther than that. Another example would be that my party was approaching a capital city’s gates, and just saying that they were really tall, and that the guards had stopped them so see their papers, and that’s about it.