SPECIAL NOTICE
Malicious code was found on the site, which has been removed, but would have been able to access files and the database, revealing email addresses, posts, and encoded passwords (which would need to be decoded). However, there is no direct evidence that any such activity occurred. REGARDLESS, BE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS. And as is good practice, remember to never use the same password on more than one site. While performing housekeeping, we also decided to upgrade the forums.
This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Tips on being a better NPC

Started by Sirfuzz, July 22, 2020, 11:29:50 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages 1 2
User actions

S'mon

#15
July 23, 2020, 12:45:20 PM
Quote from: Steven Mitchell;1141408If you can do voices well, that helps.  If you can't, there's still an out:  

Vary the cadence of your speech for some NPCs--at least every 3rd to 5th one, depending on how frequently the players are encountering them.  It need not be elaborate, either.  Have one NPC that talks in short, clipped sentences.  Have one that rambles.  Have one goes into lecture mode, but gets flustered when the players ask a question.  Have one that speaks notably slower than normal.  Or if you can manage it, notably faster.  Have one that will never answer a direct question.  Think about how people around you talk, and then use that.

Great advice - use of cadence is an almost-subconscious way to make NPCs stand out. I usually avoid 'funny voices' (and absolutely NO falsetto for female NPCs), but I often use cadence and/or a very slightly raised or lowered tone.

Steven Mitchell

#16
July 23, 2020, 02:09:16 PM
Quote from: S'mon;1141429Great advice - use of cadence is an almost-subconscious way to make NPCs stand out. I usually avoid 'funny voices' (and absolutely NO falsetto for female NPCs), but I often use cadence and/or a very slightly raised or lowered tone.

I use falsetto for the occasional doddering old-maid type, usually with a forceful manner:  "Stop looking at me that way, Sonny!"  Then when the campaign is well-established and I haven't used it for some time, I'll use it for a female wizard that appears doddering and mild at first but can still pack a mean spell and has the attitude of an action-thriller hero when the chips are down.  "You can't go there. "  (Blam!  Whoosh!)  "Anyone else want some?"

Opaopajr

#17
July 23, 2020, 10:56:51 PM Last Edit: July 23, 2020, 11:17:59 PM by Opaopajr
Quickly and without much effort? For me, using a personality chart of adjectives and selecting or rolling off two or three. Then I "inhabit" that headspace and try to discover it in improv.

If I need more I flesh them out with an index card and pertinent functions... I have a fleshed out example and .pdf on this forum, IIRC 'Random drawn MtG to build a campaign'.

edit: the file is searchable on this forum with "NPC Carlotta Duriel pdf.pdf" It is an example with a blank copy further down. Hope it helps.
Just make your fuckin\' guy and roll the dice, you pricks. Focus on what\'s interesting, not what gives you the biggest randomly generated virtual penis.  -- J Arcane
 
You know, people keep comparing non-TSR D&D to deck-building in Magic: the Gathering. But maybe it\'s more like Katamari Damacy. You keep sticking shit on your characters until they are big enough to be a star.
-- talysman

LiferGamer

#18
July 23, 2020, 11:03:35 PM
Inevitably you'll have to make some up on the Fly, have index cards or something where you can write down their name personality and what they do and where they're at...
Your Forgotten Realms was my first The Last Jedi.

If the party is gonna die, they want to be riding and blasting/hacking away at a separate one of Tiamat's heads as she plummets towards earth with broken wings while Solars and Planars sing.

Spinachcat

#19
July 23, 2020, 11:12:13 PM
3D stands for "three dimensions". My screenwriting teachers argued you didn't even need 3D for an interesting minor character, but if the character is going to be integral to the story (or in the setting in our case), then go for all 3Ds.

The article jhkim posted covers most of the territory that professional authors use for character creation. It's worth reading.

Quote from: jhkim;1141254A friend of mine just posted some advice on the subject.
https://penspaperpolyhedrals.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/120/

Look at Greedo from Star Wars. Here's his 3Ds
1) Weird Alien
2) Overconfident
3) Treacherous

Sirfuzz

#20
July 24, 2020, 10:20:21 AM
Quote from: LiferGamer;1141348You want a genuinely memorable NPC?  Look at the tropes and go against them - not all the time, but shake it up.

Have them like the party, or at least a member of the party.  "Hey, you're from Elmshire?  I'm from Elmshire!  Come in, have a drink."  

They'll remember the generous shopkeeper.
They'll remember the cheerful watchman - base him on Andy Griffith.
They'll remember the 'regular guy, not mysterious at all' sage or old wizard.
They'll remember the Good sport, friendly rival party.


I can see that working very well. It would certainly help to make them feel memorable.
Print
Go Up Pages 1 2
User actions