Epic NPC Man is a long-running fantasy comedy web series produced by Viva La Dirt League, a New Zealand-based creative group known for blending sketch humour with video game satire. Since its debut in 2016, the series has grown from a modest side project into a cult phenomenon, capturing the quirks of roleplaying games with dry wit, absurdist characters, and a surprising degree of world-building.
At its core, Epic NPC Man takes place in the fictional MMORPG Skycraft, a world modelled on classic fantasy settings in games like Skyrim, World of Warcraft, and Runescape. The series revolves around Greg, a garlic farmer in the town of Honeywood, who functions as a non-player character (NPC). The joke, of course, is that Greg, like many NPCs, is caught in a loop of meaningless dialogue, arbitrary quest triggers, and poor pathfinding. But the writing gives him a level of self-awareness that slowly peels away the conventions of game logic.
The Characters and Setting
The main trio includes:
- Greg – the affable and increasingly bewildered garlic farmer who often serves as the audience’s lens into Skycraft‘s madness.
- Baradün – a powerful but socially inept wizard, whose bombastic energy contrasts sharply with Greg’s resignation.
- Bodger – a rogue or fighter-type character who represents the unpredictable and chaotic tendencies of typical players.
Recurring figures such as Baelin the Fisherman, who simply repeats “It’s a nice day for fishing, ain’t it?”, have become icons in their own right. The phrase alone has sparked merchandise, memes, and even a spin-off short film (Baelin’s Route) exploring the concept of NPC autonomy beyond player interaction.
Honeywood, the central location, is a microcosm of every RPG town. It features quest boards with vague tasks, inaccessible buildings, and villagers who can’t look up or step around a bucket. Despite its simplicity, the town has grown into a fully fleshed-out place with recurring lore, history, and in-jokes that reward long-time viewers.
Themes and Style
The show thrives on its low-budget charm, filmed largely in natural locations around New Zealand with occasional studio scenes. Costuming is consistent with fantasy tropes, cloaks, robes, leather armour, wooden swords, and the lack of heavy CGI reinforces the handmade quality of the world.
More importantly, Epic NPC Man skewers not just the games themselves but the culture around them. Episodes dive into player habits, from loot hoarding to dialogue skipping, and mock the contradictions of in-game economies, morality systems, and character progression. The show also touches, gently but deliberately, on issues like gender representation in games and the detachment between player decisions and consequences.
What separates Epic NPC Man from simpler parody is its commitment to continuity. Characters remember events from past episodes. Storylines occasionally arc over several videos. And even within a sketch format, there is an emerging lore about the gods of Skycraft, hidden regions, and the true nature of the game world. These elements hint at an overarching narrative without demanding that viewers follow every detail.
Legacy and Reception
Epic NPC Man has become a defining part of Viva La Dirt League’s identity, amassing millions of views on YouTube and spawning a loyal international fanbase. It has grown beyond quick sketches to include feature-length content and crossovers with the group’s other series like Bored and PUBG Logic.
Merchandise, convention appearances, and crowdfunding campaigns, such as the production of the Baelin’s Route short film, have allowed the team to professionalise while keeping the tone grounded and authentic. Their consistent upload schedule and fan engagement have contributed to the show’s longevity, proving that a well-crafted joke about turnip farming or broken inventory systems can resonate far beyond niche gamer circles.
Where to Watch
All episodes of Epic NPC Man are available on the Viva La Dirt League YouTube channel, with curated playlists for both standalone sketches and the main story arc. The channel also features behind-the-scenes content, cast interviews, and spin-off shorts that expand the Skycraft universe.
For fans of fantasy games, parody, or well-crafted absurdity, Epic NPC Man remains one of the sharpest and most consistent series on the internet. It knows exactly what it is, and that’s part of why it works.
