Tips on playing NPCs?

[Kroax]

Body language can be an important and powerful tool if used correctly, just like voice acting.

Body language includes facial expressions, wich is a huge part of the acting. If all the NPCs had the same facial expresions then the players think they often have the same attitudes againts everything.

Try practicing different facial expressions in front of the mirror. Try look happy, excited, scared, sad, smug, stupid, intelligent or something else (or even a combination). You might feel a bit silly in the start, but you'll probably gest used to it.

Unless your winding it, practice the NPC, preferably in the front of the mirror. Maybe you can use a camera if you've got one. That way you can see (and hear, if you have a camera) how you look like and what kind of impression you give of the NPC. If there'ssomething you don't like, change it and try again.

Thats my two cps.

 

[Shallown]

I think HyperSmurf hit on my favorite idea but let me expand on it a little. Use people you personally know that maybe your player doesn't. Someone from your child hood and old neighbor or a person you just met atthe grocery store. Modeling NPC's after media people, as well as, real people will give you all the choices you would ever need in most games. I tend to do this myself, thinking ahead to who my players may run into and practicing while I drive or when I'm killing time waiting in line or taking a shower. It only takes a little practice to master the Npc's that matter.

Also just to bring the Npc's alive a little more think about the fact the have good days and bad just like us and deal with it differently. When the player goes back to the same Armor smith they have been to 5 times have him throw a fit. Then he could explain he's under a lot of pressure to finish this or that and he's sorry. The Npc doesn't have to be a clone of himself they should be a little different once in a while just to let the Pc's know they are real. Really throws a player when their Thieves guild contact is missinga few days then shows up with a cold he's been fighting and has been sick in bed. Players usually start assuming the worse.

This is also a useful method to pass along or reinforce information to the players. Yeah the Armor smith is busy as heck making chain suits for the border patrol due to the increase in humanoid attacks. This is a way to let the players know the world is alive and kicking even when they are gone 2-3 weeks ina dungeon somewhere. It helps the PC to feel slightly disconnected sometimes becuase of the life they lead.

Later

 

[Hand of Evil]

Important NPC should have something notable about then, this is quickly done with appearance. In your description of the NPC have some 'flare' (Office Space) to set them apart and catch phases.

The Commander was tall and crisp, at his hip a pearl handled long sword, the grip in the shape of an hawk which you could also see the commander glaze for when he looked at something he was apprising. His vioce was clear, sharp, carrying...

Catch Phases:

When I was in charge...
Eye-eye...
Make it so...​

Also take a picture (from any where) and assign it to the character.

 

[Zandy]

Props, props and more props.

You don't need voices if you have some sort of easily identifiable physical trait, and props are just the thing.

For example; for my grizzled sarge of the guard, a cheezy horned helm and a beat-up plastic cigar. For the wandering crazy fortune teller, a really long blond, ratty wig. For the secretive thief informant, a simple hooded sweatjacket pulled up over my head. For the bossy brother of a PC, a shiny plastic breastplate and fake sword.

Now, I'm fortunate to have a lot of these props around since I own a theatre company, and I'm pretty much an "anything for the fun of the game guy", so I don't worry about embarrasing myself, but the truth is the props are pretty inexpensive. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on one-time NPCs, but for a regular, I'll go out and plop down $5 or so for something unique. It makes all the difference in role-playing.

Find a local costume shop or "over the hill" birthday shop near you. Even party shops can work. They'll have a lot of what you can use.

The key, IMHO, is to remember that you are all entertaining each other. You getting off the wall crazy and goofy only make the experience more enjoyable for all; DON"T BE SHY!

 

[SpringPlum]

I always read in posts about NPC's that you should use accents or different voices. What ideas do poeple have that don't invole those things. I'm very bad at both and would just sound like an idiot doing them !

I'm sure you don't sound nearly as idiotic as you think you do. Our DM is fantastic at differentiating NPCs by voice and body language. He's great! But he told me a month or so ago that he feels ridiculous. Also, there's no way to become any good at those things unless you practice.

Also, our games involve a lot on NPCs and using props just made our gaming area seem even more cluttered than it already was. So minis are it for our props.