Getting your players into it! DMing

[The_Gneech]

What does your elves sound like. I think I usually use a proper, dignified english sort (grant me some room, I'm a hillbilly from rural Ind, so my proper english probably still sounds redneckish).

It depends on the "branch" of elf, although they all sound English; high elves: a "light" Beebish accent (think Legolas from the LotR movies); gray elves: a rather snooty "Do you have any Gray Poupon?" sort of accent; wood elves: a rustic sort of "ar, beggin' yer pardon melord but I thought you was a marauder" type of accent.

Actually, the drow don't sound English, they sound vaguely Slavic ... think a less-out-there version of the stereotypical "Dracula" voice.

-The Gneech

 

[Aaron L]

Funny accents rip me right out of character and into giggle land. Especially assigning earthly accents to different races. Eeeeewwwww.

 

[Stalker0]

For npcs, I find giving them one particular quirk makes them worth remembering. An accent, a compulsive drinker, he spits a lot. Make it one thing and make it important, the pcs will remember them better. Again though I stress, one thing. Don't give him a boatload of traits you don't need to and it makes the guy harder to play. One thing is really all you need.

2, I find that my players having computers is horribly distracting, I really don't recommend them using computers during the game.

3, As for the left vs right debate, use the diablo II rule... "EAST.....always EAST!!"

 

[Aaron L]

There was a saying in my group: "left is lucky"

It was our default choice when there was no good reason for a specific direction.

 

[DragonGames]

I try to use music and sound effects that fit the current game situation. In addition, instead of just jotting down how much money a PC has, I took some nice, thick poker chips and painted them (and applied a sealant to prevent the paint from rubbing off). This gets the players more immersed into the game and lets my players see just how much money they have (of course, with D&D you would have to adjust prices or add in special coins, or you could be sent to the poor house with rich PCs). Also, when I am playing an NPC, not only do I change my voice if I can, but I sometimes also stand up and try to act like the NPC. If he is a sailor, for example, he might limp, slouch, swear and like leering at the busty ladies among the party. Whereas a priest might sneer at the Courtesan in our group, disapproving of her profession.

 

[Balgus]

I always try to give the NPCs quirls like a limp or lisp or acent.

Also, the easiest way is to make the story about them. The PC will be more than happy to supply with a back story and you can incorporate into the game. This gets them excited and flushes out their char more than if they just sit down and write out a story.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Nice!

Once I had a player break into the house of his estranged sorcerer father, to find a golem of himself as a child and the animated corpse of his mother. They are still talking about that one.

This is the coolest RPG plot twist I have ever read. Well done.

-Samir

 

[The Thayan Menace]

¿Are You RPG Experienced?

I was wondering if people have techniques they like to use which really help them keep the players interested and make the game more fun.

I burn incense, play trippy music, and use mood lighting.

-Samir