Using NPCs

[WizO_Trelian]

Last evening there was a player whose char was having a lovely conversation with a merchant. Only the char's side was being posted. Another player indicated that their char now considered the first char to be insane with a private explanation to me that it was because only one side of the conversation was heard.

Now I'm strongly in favor of using NPCs to add additional opportunities for role-playing on site. But I know their use runs through an entire spectrum with these being some of the color points along the way:

1. If it doesn't have a screenname it doesn't exist. I've been guilty of this myself (out-of-uniform) by saying how empty a place is when it's lacking player chars.

2. NPCs appear only when someone evil needs a conveniently non-protesting victim and because no player char ever reacts to NPC abuse.

3. NPCs are around and my char interacts with them but only from my point of view. This is where Trelian usually fits.

4. NPCs are around and both sides are played. For example,

mychar says "I'd like to buy a dagger. A special sort of dagger."
mychar listens while the merchant grumbles, "No one's ever satisfied with a nice masterwork dagger. Nooo.... it's gotta have maaagic. Well, it'll cost you and I don' t have a big selection right now."

So how do you use NPCs and how do you play them, and what are your thoughts on the matter?

 

[Fenmarel]

When I would go to the Emporium I didn't "use" the merchants much. When I did it would be something simple without me add libbing for the merchant. Basically I would have my character look over the wares offered, select one and hand the merchant his due.

I've seen some funny stuff over time with the merchants. One character was convinced a fruit vendor was out to get them because he always sold her fruit with worms in it. I had a character that was convinced the golems were adding something to the water to make females all touchy feely when they had a sip or two(thought it would be funny to actually have a reason for all the fondling that would go on in the CRT or Emporium).

I think if someone wants to rp out what the vendor does they should go for it. It is FFRP as I've been reminded many times recently and that is one aspect of it.

I've known some players that would do things of this nature because they simply weren't getting any interaction with pc's. Sometimes it is an attention getter or just something for the player to do to relieve themself of boredom.

 

[747]

Hehe. Yes, I guess this could be an issue. Personally, I like to think the Emporium contstantly bustling with NPCs, and not just a few amount of unique PCs there. I mean, it is supposed to be a bustling marketplace, and without NPCs, where would that hustle and bustle come from?

Generally, when it comes to the Emporium, I think of it as there are multiple NPCs there, but PCs don't noticeably interact with them often. But with the CRT, I usually only imagine the patrons seated. It's odd now that I think of it, but it might be because those at the marketplace are usually there for simple reasons, to shop or to sell or only peruse. But in an inn, they could be from anywhere, and such a complicated character is best played by a PC and not simply as a prop for another PC.

I've known some players that would do things of this nature because they simply weren't getting any interaction with pc's. Sometimes it is an attention getter or just something for the player to do to relieve themself of boredom.

I agree, but it can also done even when there are PCs to talk to for multiple, to enhance their character's personality, leave a hint about something going on in a current plot while talking to an NPC, or simply because their character feels like shopping .