How do you give your NPCs distinction?

Thread starter Huw
Start date Dec 29, 2007

How do you distinguish your NPCs?

Distinct clothing or other appearance (i.e. "He wears a purple cap")
Votes: 22 61.1%
Distinct accent or vocal tic (i.e. "Yeth thir?")
Votes: 23 63.9%
Distinct catchphrase (i.e. "Well met this fine day!")
Votes: 16 44.4%
Distinct action (acted out or described)
Votes: 23 63.9%
Introduced in a distinct way (i.e. "One of the patrons is singing a loud, rude song")
Votes: 21 58.3%
Introduced by another NPC (i.e. "That man there is the best swordsman in the kingdom")
Votes: 15 41.7%
Nothing distinct (i.e. "The barkeeper ask what you want")
Votes: 6 16.7%
Other
Votes: 15 41.7%

Giltonio_Santos

Hero

Dec 31, 2007

I'm all for visual style. Clothing, haircut, tattoos... I've only rarely used different voices or mannerisms; on my experience, I grow tired of describing them after some time, and my players also become tired of hearing more from the same. Visual clues seem to connect in an easier way, and I don't have to use them each time they meet that specific NPC, as they simply take note of the name and the visual comes to mind each time I say it.

Cheers,