I run into choice dissonance in cities , especially as a GM . They ' re too big and immersive , yet you still have to maintain that believability . Section off your map into smaller d i s t r ictshomesteadsterritories , not necessarily of equal size or shape or scope . Give each section a familiar or logical nickname . Try to give an unknownimplied history in the name and remember that the townsfolk named it , not you . Create a Social Ecology . What I mean is keep random generation lists on hand for shops and NPCs people in cities crave privacy and structure and don ' t want to get wrapped up in your PCs shenanigans . But take the time to create 2 or 3 NPCs of significance per district . Keep a list of the hours they could be found there specifically , why they spend all of their time there , what they ' re motivation is and the depths they ' ll go to achieve them . These are your walking encounters waiting to spark a sidequest Remember that these NPCs of Significance aren ' t automatically the wealthy elite of your town but they ' re the Elite class to you , and therefore each other . They know each other , whether friend , enemy , or slow playing the game while playing the fool .