Very well said, Liarbal.

And that's a great test for the designers to use: "If this person/creature came up to you in a bar would you feel threatened or not?"

If you would (not) feel threatened that's a (non) combatant.

cut/pasted from maxminis...

4th one from left to right would be a good basic start.

Is a common dog a freakin utitility character? How about a war dog? Blink dog? ANY MEDIUM DOG?

Username said:
I perused the Minis Gallery for possible noncombatants (no weapons drawn, non-threatening pose, not counting monks), and I found these:

Sage
Lantern Bearer
Cleric of Sune
Delver Sergeant
Prisoner
Dwarf Brawler (maybe)
Farmer
Snaketongue Cultist

How about the animated statue, sure it might need some color but it fills a lot of the roles you are looking for. Then again if you want it straight form the box count the animated statue out -but its a possibility with a little paint.

Could be your Noble, King, Scholar, maybe a shop keeper or Alchemist if a table of sorts was in front of him -he probaly would find more uses if his arms werent so open. Still not a bad proxy with a little paint.

As far as the look/art of the mini, here are my ideas:

1. Shopkeeper:

• Bald or wearing a coif
  

• Portly/Barrel Chested
  

• Full beard
  

• Clothes - shoes, breeches, shirt, vest, and apron
  

• Accessories - apron w/many pockets, ledger, smoking pipe, a belt with a sheated knife/dagger, money purse/pouch, keys, rag
  

• Pose - standing, slight smile, sleeves rolled up, one hand (in a fist) on hip with the other slightly extended like he is inviting you into his shop or carrying on a conversation with a friend.

2. Traveler:

• Long hair in a pony tail
  

• Runner's build (he walks a lot!)
  

• Scarggily facial hair
  

• Clothes - Mocassin boots, loose trousers, shirt, and jerkin OR Mocassin boots, loose trousers and a poncho
  

• Accessories - Gnarled walking stick (sword length) neckerchief/scarf around neck, belt with sheathed knife/dagger (antler handle) tucked behind back, large pouch, backpack with rope, a drinking gourd, and a sleeping mat/blanket rolled up and attached to the bottom
  

• Pose - Mid-stride or standing with walking stick in hand and and other hand with thumb hooked into back pack strap or walking stick in hand with other arm in a natural pose

3. Noble:

• Well kept hair with circlet or fancy hat (like the turban from Durer's Bagpiper woodcut)
  

• Medium to slightly plump build
  

• Well trimmed facial hair
  

• Clothes - luxurious outer rob with vivid (but tasteful) colors and fur trim, white/silver inner robe with tassles, wide belt over sash/commerbund, and silk slippers
  

• Accessories - none! He's got lackeys to carry all of his junk (except for his jewelry - thick gold necklace, thin long necklaces, rings, etc)
  

• Pose - Regal/placid demeanor, standing with arms slightyly infront but to the sides

4. Maiden:

• Long, thick hair held back with a scarf or wide brimmed 'garden' hat
  

• Svelte to medium build
  

• No facial hair (had to keep the format!)
  

• Clothes - layered skirts with bodice, fluffly shirt and slippers
  

• Accessories - belt with small sheathed knife/dagger, purse, fan and basket
  

• Pose - Standing with one hip slightly poking out like she is putting all of her weight on one leg while holding the basket in the crook of her arm

Anyone else - please feel free to add to/edit my list.

Bump!

Uses for the above minis:

1. Traveler:

• Traveler
  

• Peasant
  

• Pilgrim
  

• Traveling Merchant
  

• Wanderer
  

• Refugee
  

• Disguised Noble/Adventurer
  

• Penitent
  

• Adventurer
  

• Explorer

2. Noble:

• Noble
  

• Wealthy Merchant
  

• Diplomat
  

• Ambassador
  

• Wealthy Magic User
  

• Disguised Vampire Lord
  

• Disguised Lich
  

• Dragonmarked House Leader
  

• Guild Leader
  

• Civil Leader (Senator, Mayor, Politician, etc)
  

• Ship Captain (Airship Captain)
  

• Celebrity (seem to have a lot of those in Sharn)

3. Maiden:

• Maiden
  

• Disguised Monster (like the spider chick in RHoD)
  

• Spy
  

• Damsel in Distress
  

• Villager
  

• Kidnapped Maiden
  

• Gypsy
  

• Bar Maid
  

• Disguised Witch/Hag

4. Shopkeeper:

• Bartender
  

• Blacksmith
  

• Weapon/Armor smith (yes they are different form a blacksmith)
  

• Cooper
  

• Cobbler
  

• Baker
  

• Artisan
  

• Farmer
  

• Villager
  

• Artificer
  

• Village Elder
  

• House Cannith Tinkerer

Rise........

If we get a beautiful maiden, she could double for a Siren.

Or a wench...

... holy threadromancy batman.

I would be VERY happy with the 4 minis Username has detailed. In fact, that's pretty much exactly what I want at this point.

The shopkeeper & traveller looks/poses are spot-on. Exactly what I would want.

For the noble, I'd love it if his hands were on his hips, or one hand was on a hip. Body language suggests confidence, power.

Peter - any word for us about noncombatants in DDM?

True results of this discussion won't see light of day until fall 2009 -- I'm only now working on the art order for set 20. The only pieces that make it before then were already in development; for example, one noncombatant was cut from Desert of Desolation for the Mercenary Captain and I was able to put it in next march's set -- set 18 (name not announced yet.)

Peter Lee said:
True results of this discussion won't see light of day until fall 2009 -- I'm only now working on the art order for set 20. The only pieces that make it before then were already in development; for example, one noncombatant was cut from Desert of Desolation for the Mercenary Captain and I was able to put it in next march's set -- set 18 (name not announced yet.)

Nice! Now all we do is sit back...and wait....and post to this thread every once in awhile....

Peter Lee said:for example, one noncombatant was cut from Desert of Desolation for the Mercenary Captain

Well, the Mercenary General sort of fits the niche anyway. He looks like a noble or a high ranking officer. I use him for that stuff.

I was totally spoiled on Desert of Desolation, what with the Merchant Guard, the Snaketongue Cultist, and the Farmer. All very useful.

Thought of a few more for other races:

1. Dwarves:

• Noble
  

• Miner
  

• Weapon/armorsmith
  

• Brewmaster
  

• Dummer/Piper
  

• Clergy
  

• Trader/Merchant

2. Elves:

• Noble
  

• Wealthy Merchant
  

• Diplomat
  

• Ambassador
  

• Artisan
  

• Poet/Bard
  

• Clergy

Hey Peter, just wanted to say, that is excellent news.

Username said:
Thought of a few more for other races:

I think I'm a bigot. I don't really care about having noncombatants from the other races.

Drammattex said:
I think I'm a bigot. I don't really care about having noncombatants from the other races.

*Tumble weed skitters by...*

greyhaze said:*Tumble weed skitters by...*

Okay, but I get to be Clint Eastwood...

About maidens... this is pretty much the idea I'm hoping for, for some sort of noble lady.

That'd be pretty sweet.

Well, at least SWM is there to help us out. The Knight of the Old Republic set will have Chancellor Palpatine (noble) and Czerka Scientist (peasant woman) as suitable minis for the noncombatant role.

Czerka: