I just had a random NPC become a major NPC. Players asked if there was a tavern or restaurant they usually dine at. Off the cuff I made up a mother figure, Auntie May, a very short, very plump woman who's taking a shining to the group and sends them on their way with extra bagels and stew in a takeout bowl. Literally a throw away line. Nope, now my players have decided she's their best friend, they all love her (which is incredible seeing as they seem to hate everything including each other) and now I have to create an actual story for this character. Sometimes, you gotta be prepared for your players to latch onto what you think are simply one line story blips.
@@jeohranalfhir8366 lol nope! She ended up a major figure in the rebellion the players insighted and ended up marrying the Barbarian and starting an international mercenary company with him. They had nine children. 🤣
My players (specifically one) went and ADOPTED AN ORPHAN with 0 warning and the guy who did it didn't remember much about his past, but found out that he used to have a very respected background in the city. So sure enough there were no problems with him being seen as a suitable father. This young girl (around 9) quickly became a beloved member of their party, eventually becoming a level 1 bard! The player who adopted her did so simply to give his character a responsibility so that he would be a better person (since he was recovering from being a druggie and a charleton) and it led to a beloved character that helped unite the party and ultimately bring the game to life
I just created a sentient miniature bronze head. His persona is like a butler and the only way he can interact with the world, besides talking, is through cantrips. He uses mage hand to pull a chair out for you. Prestidigitation makes your cup of water taste like tea, etc.
This very well may be my favorite episode. I noticed that if i over prepare NPC's, it can save a otherwise bland session. I absolutely loved the stories and characters you guys have made! 🤣😂
I've taken to dropping some of the players former characters into my champaign as NPC Easter eggs. I'm careful not to place them in a position where they can interact, that could get messy. But seeing a hulking mass of Dragonborn Barbarian with a VERY distinct face tattoo getting hulled off in a paddy wagon really made that players day. Or when the rouge had to hide behind a gravestone and noticed the name of his former goblin archer character carved into the rock. Turns out, that player never quite got over the demise of poor Arthur.
I'd throw it out there that this was a dodge so the goblin cooks retire in peace. Faked his own death. Sees the goblin at a later point with one clear tell, but it's attempted to be covered.
The amount of times I had to carefully and patiently repeat "Blagothkus" to my players, even after having written it out for them, definitely proves their point about the pre-written modules having some ridiculously named NPCs. Their favourite, and also one of my favourites, is a Goblin thief named Spoons.
With playing online now or even in person with a virtual tabletop its a lot easier to type out the name now once is one good way to avoid this. Another is I often forget about this but we all probably have a group chat or text with our dnd group already so open it up and take a few seconds to text or message it.
@@NegatveSpace If you read my comment, you'll see that I mention having written it out for them and they still struggled with it. And I don't blame them. Dumb name is dumb.
@@django3422 Ah, OK good point. I like to try to pronounce difficult words and names and am usually pretty good at it. I've been at a lot of jobs where unusual names usually get nick names and I'm the only one who pronounces people's names properly. Unfortunately not everyone likes to try to pronounce unusual names or are good at it. :(
"Biggs" and "Wedge" have appeared in so many of my campaigns. They're always 'voiced' by whoever did the voices for Jesse and James from Team Rocket. Favorite NPCs by far :P
The best part about these two is that you can insert them anywhere! I find that they're best used as the, "Comically inept npc's the player's can't avoid dealing with". Extra points if they have some sort of pet that's always being obnoxious and/or just generally getting in the way (Meowth). In my current Tomb of Annihilation game, I'm hoping to replace the stock "Incompetent wilderness guides," Faroul, Gondolo, and their pet Stegosaurus, Zongo with "Biggs Gondolo", "Wedge Faroul", and "Zongowth, the Stegosaurus". The pre-written adventure already has them pegged as "incompetent," so the groundwork has already been laid! I find that having them pop in to ruin everyone's day every couple of sessions is best. You'll want your players saying, "Oh my god! Not these two again!" to which the proper response is always, "Don't forget about Meowth!" as their pet foists himself upon the players. :)
OMG, Channeling Tim Currey for an NPC is such a fantastic visual in my head! ANY of his roles, from Rocky Horror to Clue, to Legend, etc..... The other "Flamboyant" must do is Bowie from Labyrinth.
I know I'm late to the party (just getting back into D&D after a long break) but I find that listening to audiobooks is an excellent way to find new voices, accents, and intetesting characterizations.
I love the thought of having a villain or antagonist like Gaston or Ace Rimmer from Red Dwarf. It'd be fun to get hit by the villain, act with outrage towards the NPC, and then act like a total band groupie to the rest of the party: "I can't believe he hit me!" The rest of the group joins in the squealing and fawning, except for maybe one who's getting a little jealous.
Pretty on point guys, good video. NPCs are the heart and soul of a good session. I would offer as well that the dice are as important to playing your NPC as much as your predetermined choices. Reaction rolls and charisma modifiers and make or break an encounter - a friendly helpful NPC can suddenly become obstinate and uncooperative in the face of a boorish Barbarian who's overstepped some social boundaries... all because some unwise player made Charisma his dump stat. That can create some hilarious situations for the players. :D
One of my group's favorite NPCs is an elven paladin named Sir Ohtoha, Knight of the Order of the Seldarine Guard. He insists on people using his full title, and he often dryly remarks on how dull the PCs' choice of attire is.
One of the best guide for all DMs for creating the "real" experience ! Iam DM for almost 20 years and I use lot of this tips for couple of years. It changed way how my players interact with NPC, and what they remember after finishing the sesions.
Hobbes Smittens. That is the name of my rakshasa villain. Once I had that name. The character just came to me. Very humorous, wants to be know as a Rakshasa but also stay hidden, a guy to just wants to have fun (albeit in a fucking everyone up kind of way). A name can truly make the villain.
Funnily enough, yes, I do have Scottish/Irish Dwarves in my homebrew. What I don't understand is how Bostonian Halflings became a thing... I do it once for one Halfling, then do it another time for another NPC who's race I didn't mention, and all my players seem think it's a Halfling. Okay so now, every NPC that sounds Bostonian is now a Halfling. One NPC that I just made randomly and suddenly became a thing with my players is Yellowhat Bob. I introduced him ONCE as random NPC (a guard that takes bribes) when running an AL game for Stopped at the Gate, and now those players who signed up for my homebrew keep looking for him, asking things like "does he have a yellow hat?".
A great little trick I use for those smaller NPCs, faceless guardsman #18 orthat tavern wench at the inn down the road or whatnot, is keeping a list of NPC names and a list of random personality traits. If the NPCs want to know the guards name: BOOM he has a name. It just make the world feel more populated, more real.
Totally. Another handy trick is beside this list, keep a small list of 5 - 10 facial descriptions (just 2-3 words) and a personality trait. The tables in the DMG are really great for this - it only takes a name and a few adjectives to create a memorable NPC!
Expectation: Another video explaining the same recycled content regarding NOCs. Received: Excellent notes on differences in argument angles, great insight into quick NOC depth with momentary desires colored by personality, tips for making my NOCs memorable in a moment without needing to build a whole stat block. Excellent and above par as always, thank you, gentlemen! (I know I'm way late to this party, just subbed and trying to catch up)
I love your take on NPC arguments, I will definitely use this going forward. I love using "Liam Neeson's" voice from that Taken speech, it is very cool practicing it. Thanks Dudes :)
Peace unto you all. I plan on using a few props to role play NPCs, for example, I wear regular glasses, but when they walk into the alchemy shop, and are greeting by a man wearing dark oval shaped sun-glasses, the effect with voice seems to be strong. Perhaps some rubber elf-ears, or even wigs lol Great videos guys, well done :)
Props can be a very cool and fun way to distinguish different NPCs. I would probably only do this in small ways for very important NPCs myself -- I don't think I'd wear rubber elf ears personally hahaha! Cheers!
I've found this video really helpful, I've just started my first D&D 5e campaign, used to play Pathfinder. The sentient weapon idea is pretty cool, I may use that one soon! Consider me subscribed :D
DM: "You walk into a bar and see a well dressed man sitting alone. He turns to greet you and you can tell by his glowing amulet that this was the Cleric you were told to meet." NPC: "Hello there fellow adventurers, my na--" *dies* Rouge: "Sorry everyone, I wanted his amulet."
One of my most memorable NPCs that I use is Habib the shopkeeper. Very stereotypical Indian/ southern Asian type. Very Apu (from the simpsons) style. Always welcomes players with "welcome to my store" and when they leave "thank you, come again!" It was on a whim that I decided to use that accent and everyone laughed, so it stuck. Even better that when they go to another town they are greeted in a similar way and are confused. Turns out Habib has a large family and they are all shopkeepers. It always gets a chuckle.
This is really helpful, especially since the game I DM is entirely online w/o webcams -- really leaning into voices and giving distinctive traits/names is a really good idea for someone in my position. Definitely going to apply that as I move forward : )
Great advice! My favorite NPC is Nevil Orvilbacher, an elderly halfling wizard who runs a tourist trap "adventuring academy" in the middle of nowhere. He's also a conspiracy nut (good for dropping an adventure hook)
When I rp a lich, I channel Jack Nicholson's character in 'As good as it gets', he is a snide powerful know-it-all. I recently introduced a toady who sniffs as punctuation. Another who bobs his head, a shopkeeper who wrings his hands, a guide or guard who constantly spits.
My best friend and I are gonna co-DM and we're watching all of your tutorials here and love them. I'm combat/puzzles/dungeons and they're story/plot/NPC's. On top of my bestie falling in love with a Jacket Kelly wore, we're actually planning to watch the Cornetto trilogy starting with Shaun Of The Dead tomorrow so this has been a weird night admiring some of the clothes too 😹 Keep up the great work dudes!
I have a recurring foe that possesses anyone who wears these corrupted masks, but his voice I always channel the darker sides of Majora’s mask in my mind, with the manicle laughter of a child.
This was a great video with lots of great ideas. Roleplaying NPCs is pretty much the thing I am worst at as a DM. My players would love to roleplay more, but its tough when the DM can't really hold it together and always just goes back to describing the scene instead of acting it out. I dunno why, I just kind of freeze up and just resort back to what is natural for me. I just need to stick to one NPC at a time, and just try to do better each session. I will also watch this video a couple more times and make sure some of these tips really stick because they made a lot of sense. Thanks!
I love to give my best NPCs stats in character levels so that they exist the way players do. Then, based on who they are and what they do their personalities manifest. Ex: A Jack Bellon, my half-elf bard of whispers tends to speak softly and answer the heroes questions with poems or rhymes. Very bubbly tho. My human rouge scout, Aaron Boydd, is a fast talking, cut off what you're saying, leave before the story is finished kind of guy. He always is doing at least 2 or 3 things at a time and sounds a little like Woody Woodpecker. Where as Sister Rosa Blackthorn, a tiefling life cleric serving the divine guidance of Ilmater, she speaks kindly and calmly as tho waiting for her turn or chance to aid the conversation, remaining silent thru out otherwise. Always speaking as tho the audiance is royalty regardless of actual class.
Thank you for bringing up harmful stereotypes! This is the only D&D channel that seems to care at all about social issues. Really appreciate the concert and normalizing thoughtfulness instead of obsessing about free speech 🙏🏻
I like to turn people I know in the real world, usually work colleagues, and turn them into NPCs. Especially the ones who display distinct mannerisms. That way you get those whole package. Looks, speech patterns, personality, the lot...
My 3.5 sorc speaks draconic and taught meepo how to pick up chicks and is trying to convince him not to go into the murder tower by dry lake. That place killed the whole group except my sorc and meepo
I'm currently running a HotDQ (Hoard of the Dragon Queen) game, and to solve the landerosa cyanwrath name problem, I changed his name to landrosa cynawrath. He currently has the ire of one of my PC's and the respect of another!
I actually had a (supposed to be) minor bad guy become a major party ally. PC's were fighting a bunch of kobolds, slaughtered like 11 or 12 within seconds and had one alive to question it. One of the PC's persuaded him to talk and then convinced him to join them. I used a combo of like Deekin from Neverwinter Nights and Smeagol as a voice. They purposefully kept him alive as an ally so that I had to continue to use that voice.
Had to come up on the fly for the name of the captain of the guard. Really thought they wouldn't ask about him since he was a very minor character so I called him Harold Dresden which made me think of this channel since I know the Dudes like the Dresden Files as well.
I have a Major NPC that is a Sea Elf wizard around 400 years old who creates homunculus and gives them his memories. "Think Similar to Orichimaru from Naruto. except he isnt as evil" the duplicates are stationed around the world as eyes and ears for his emperor. My Players recognize him in the campaigns and like him. He is normally who gives them information so they can complete whatever quests they are on
I had a NPC that was a half orc paladin and he spoke with a lisp I got the idea from the boondocks episode booty warrior So him and the party stumble across a large band of orc that they definitely couldn’t beat in a fight it was like 30 to 4 so the player asked if he could talk them off... So I role played the orc conversation and came back to the party they asked what was said since no one knew orc I told the party that the orc wanted my booty but not my butt booty but in the sense they wanted my treasure and in orc culture I would own the other members and since they were my treasure they wanted their booty and not treasure they wanted their butts long story short I ranted with a lisp about booty for like 5 minutes and we all called the game cause no one could stop laughing it was a great night
I once got blitzed by my players interviewing a pub full of NPCs about a missing pocket watch. I immediately decided the first guys name was "Alron" and the next was "Barton". Going alphabetically can be a great help in a pinch, especially when a player asks "Who was that first guy we spoke to?".
jack The Trader: A bard Who is A jack of All trades Paul the Sword Master: A fighter who use swords And is a battel master Slap the snap : A monk who like to slap faces and snap bones Nina the tough : An extra thicc barbarian Asarath the Dragon God : a Dragon God " this is an NPC in my campaigns that is used for plot and stopping total party kills" Crog Frog the swamp stench: a lizardfolk druid who stinks to high hell Lean Rosary : just a farmer trying to save his daughter from a cult " a fighter with a scythe" and my list go on
Jupiter Jones and the RatPrince = Great Memorable "Hate-lovable" NPC lol, loud annoying eccentric characters! Another great video guys! Can't wait for the next drakkenheim!
I'm writing/creating a campaign/world and I've premade quite a few major NPCs who will be recurring throughout the adventure. One of them will for sure have a Christopher Walken accent. Also, I think we've all played campaigns with the captain of the guard who sounded a lot like Walter Cronkite 😅
NPC (though key NPC) from my first adventure made it all trough a campaing. PCs had to save a low-lvl paladin initiate and now he´s a trustfull ally with a high rank in his paladin order. My PCs just loved saving him.
I created a major NPC that joined the party as a player for a little while. His name was Rathis. He was a black dragonborn Cleric that at fourth level abandoned his god and made a pact with the undying and crossed into warlock in pursuit of power. He was an alcoholic and just barged wherever he went. This caused the first main enemy to cast the party to another world separating him from the party. I'm not finished with my campaign but he will make his return as the main enemy to complete our story.
All the tavern girls in my campaign are named Meg and all the Inns are the (inserts adjective) Ass Inn such as ugly Ass, Drunk Ass, Etc. It gives the group a sense of what the Inn’s atmosphere is gonna be like. And also I use Megs from pop culture such as Megara from Disney’s Hercules, Meg from family guy, Karen Walker (played by MEGan Mullay)
In my Deadlands campaign, I had a recurring NPC, Constance Merritt, who was a Wichita Witch - basically a black magic practitioner who worked for Mina Devlin, a ruthless rail baron. Constance herself was honorable and friendly, if a bit ruthless, and through their encounters there was a mutual respect, even sympathy. But she worked for one of the most evil people in the setting. At the end of the campaign, I had her show up and offer tons of money to buy the Ghost Rock bomb the players had captured. Surprisingly, because the players liked Constance and didn't want to fight her, they said yes. The players were a bit nonplussed when I told them in th epilogue that Mina Devlin used the bomb to essentially nuke Baton Rouge. Oops.
My favorite NPC I've ever created by far would be this young, mute halfling I have in my current campaign. After the party met her, they just fell instantly in love with her and enjoyed every interaction with them. She is such a well loved character that I am considering bringing her back in the next campaign when we have someone else DM.
I only have 2 good accents, and maybe 3 or 4 different voices that I can do. Feels like I am playing Elder Scrolls Oblivion because every character sounds the same...
how I handle unpronounceable names: NPC: I am Gryxzurbtort PC: Grix-herb-tort? NPC: No, Gryxtort PC: … NPC: [sigh] Just call me Herb. [muttering: that’s all my mother could manage, too]
"Black Hand Bailey" - Why is black almost always a negative color? This isn't just a rhetorical question, but an earnest one, for Monty Martin or anyone here. Especially in our fantasy hobby, but also in our world, too often, Black=Bad and White=Good. Why? Do we want to hold onto this reflexive association? Im not sure I do.
One night, after a long day of lounging around and watching the denizens of other planes on his Orb of Scrying, a certain Beholder had a dream inspired by what he had scryed. The next morning he awoke to find that he had lost the ability to fly and instead had grown two legs and two arms. His flesh had become smooth and green. His name is Mike Watchoutski. He is currently conducting arcane experiments to fashion himself a lady love by combining a Lamia and a Medusa, and practicing his comedy routine to make children laugh.
Since I'm from the Netherlands, giving my dwarves a Scottish accent isn't gonna work... But the Netherlands has mines in the south - and that's where you find most dwarves, right? - so my Dwarven NPC's have a Limburg accent. Instead of the pretty stark Scottish speech, Limburg is way softer, more tonal and flowing. Creates a wild contrast to the stereotype!
That’s pretty cool! Man, it’s hard to do a Limburg accent and not have your improv conversations end up being long expositions about vlaai tho. For dwarfs I always fall back on an over the top Amsterdam accent myself (and most of my other cocky characters). But for the softer accents I really love doing an Achterhoek accent, especially for bad guys. Imagine a huge, scary barbarian with blood thirsty eyes and two giant cleavers in both hands, that sounds like Herman Finkers when he speaks.
Wow I looked up The Extrordinary Book Of Names and found one for $330. It doesn't seem like this is something that's been put up as an online version to purchase like some other old books unless someone else has seen it somewhere.
I have a friendly Kuo-Toa dressed in a suit that gasps frequently when speaking. He travels the world selling and identifying unique magical items. He has a silent Goliath named Grom. His named is Dr. Elias Fishburn. He licks the items to identify them.
I'm starting my first campaign as a DM in a few weeks, and I am very nervous of playing female NPCs. It's so easy to be insulting these days. I'm thinking of just using my regular voice and not trying to sound female. (Men can't really do that anyway. Human beings are very attuned to subtle differences between the sexes.) Since I have never done voices before, I'm thinking of just having three voices: a low one, my normal voice, and a high one. And maybe I'll chicken out and not do any voices. :)
Don't stress about roleplaying women. We're not fundamentally different. The differences we tend to express in this world are culturally constructed, not biologically determined. So in a fantasy world, it's not necessary to use gender stereotypes. I like playing in worlds where everyone is just an individual and we don't put so much emphasis on genitals.
Your logical, ethical, emotional argument method is awesome! Consider it stolen =)
Logos
Ethos
Pathos
I just had a random NPC become a major NPC. Players asked if there was a tavern or restaurant they usually dine at. Off the cuff I made up a mother figure, Auntie May, a very short, very plump woman who's taking a shining to the group and sends them on their way with extra bagels and stew in a takeout bowl.
Literally a throw away line. Nope, now my players have decided she's their best friend, they all love her (which is incredible seeing as they seem to hate everything including each other) and now I have to create an actual story for this character. Sometimes, you gotta be prepared for your players to latch onto what you think are simply one line story blips.
I just love how throwaway lines can become some of the most important parts of the story.
Did the party discover friendship? And what kind of bagels?
DID YOU HAVE AUNTIE MAY CAPTURED BY THE BBEG???
@@jeohranalfhir8366 lol nope! She ended up a major figure in the rebellion the players insighted and ended up marrying the Barbarian and starting an international mercenary company with him. They had nine children. 🤣
My players (specifically one) went and ADOPTED AN ORPHAN with 0 warning and the guy who did it didn't remember much about his past, but found out that he used to have a very respected background in the city. So sure enough there were no problems with him being seen as a suitable father. This young girl (around 9) quickly became a beloved member of their party, eventually becoming a level 1 bard! The player who adopted her did so simply to give his character a responsibility so that he would be a better person (since he was recovering from being a druggie and a charleton) and it led to a beloved character that helped unite the party and ultimately bring the game to life
My bois bringing up Ethos, Pathos, and Logos!!!!!
I just created a sentient miniature bronze head. His persona is like a butler and the only way he can interact with the world, besides talking, is through cantrips. He uses mage hand to pull a chair out for you. Prestidigitation makes your cup of water taste like tea, etc.
In my campaign I'm using Black Razor, he's being voiced by Johnny Bravo.
"Whoa momma, I'm hungry for some souls!"
I have black razor and cant believe i didnt think of this, stolen!
@@Castheknotted feel free, have fun!
This very well may be my favorite episode. I noticed that if i over prepare NPC's, it can save a otherwise bland session. I absolutely loved the stories and characters you guys have made! 🤣😂
Thanks for the high praise! We had a lot of fun getting into character for this one. - Monty
yeah this is amazing. creating this link between players and the NPCs. i'm guilty of the bland NPCs with unpronounceable names, never again!
Instant like for cornetto trilogy t-shirt
Lol "An old wizard with a pet bunny named Tim the Enchanter" Thats friggin great!
I've taken to dropping some of the players former characters into my champaign as NPC Easter eggs. I'm careful not to place them in a position where they can interact, that could get messy. But seeing a hulking mass of Dragonborn Barbarian with a VERY distinct face tattoo getting hulled off in a paddy wagon really made that players day. Or when the rouge had to hide behind a gravestone and noticed the name of his former goblin archer character carved into the rock. Turns out, that player never quite got over the demise of poor Arthur.
I'd throw it out there that this was a dodge so the goblin cooks retire in peace. Faked his own death. Sees the goblin at a later point with one clear tell, but it's attempted to be covered.
The amount of times I had to carefully and patiently repeat "Blagothkus" to my players, even after having written it out for them, definitely proves their point about the pre-written modules having some ridiculously named NPCs.
Their favourite, and also one of my favourites, is a Goblin thief named Spoons.
With playing online now or even in person with a virtual tabletop its a lot easier to type out the name now once is one good way to avoid this. Another is I often forget about this but we all probably have a group chat or text with our dnd group already so open it up and take a few seconds to text or message it.
@@NegatveSpace If you read my comment, you'll see that I mention having written it out for them and they still struggled with it. And I don't blame them.
Dumb name is dumb.
@@django3422 Ah, OK good point. I like to try to pronounce difficult words and names and am usually pretty good at it. I've been at a lot of jobs where unusual names usually get nick names and I'm the only one who pronounces people's names properly. Unfortunately not everyone likes to try to pronounce unusual names or are good at it. :(
"Biggs" and "Wedge" have appeared in so many of my campaigns. They're always 'voiced' by whoever did the voices for Jesse and James from Team Rocket. Favorite NPCs by far :P
This is a cool pastiche of pop-culture references! Do you use them as allies or enemies?
The best part about these two is that you can insert them anywhere! I find that they're best used as the, "Comically inept npc's the player's can't avoid dealing with". Extra points if they have some sort of pet that's always being obnoxious and/or just generally getting in the way (Meowth). In my current Tomb of Annihilation game, I'm hoping to replace the stock "Incompetent wilderness guides," Faroul, Gondolo, and their pet Stegosaurus, Zongo with "Biggs Gondolo", "Wedge Faroul", and "Zongowth, the Stegosaurus". The pre-written adventure already has them pegged as "incompetent," so the groundwork has already been laid!
I find that having them pop in to ruin everyone's day every couple of sessions is best. You'll want your players saying, "Oh my god! Not these two again!" to which the proper response is always, "Don't forget about Meowth!" as their pet foists himself upon the players. :)
I did the team rocket thing for 2 wizard twins my party sought out
You guys deserve way more views. Great video!
Thank you!
I completely agree!
Always insert a crazy flamboyant magical item shop keep, like me, Garfield the DEALs warlock!
🎶Fantasy cost-co where all your dreams come true
(Got a deal for you) 🎶
OMG, Channeling Tim Currey for an NPC is such a fantastic visual in my head! ANY of his roles, from Rocky Horror to Clue, to Legend, etc.....
The other "Flamboyant" must do is Bowie from Labyrinth.
I know I'm late to the party (just getting back into D&D after a long break) but I find that listening to audiobooks is an excellent way to find new voices, accents, and intetesting characterizations.
I love the thought of having a villain or antagonist like Gaston or Ace Rimmer from Red Dwarf. It'd be fun to get hit by the villain, act with outrage towards the NPC, and then act like a total band groupie to the rest of the party: "I can't believe he hit me!" The rest of the group joins in the squealing and fawning, except for maybe one who's getting a little jealous.
Ooh those would be great ideas for rival npcs also. Red Dwarf is one of my most favorite series!
Pretty on point guys, good video. NPCs are the heart and soul of a good session. I would offer as well that the dice are as important to playing your NPC as much as your predetermined choices. Reaction rolls and charisma modifiers and make or break an encounter - a friendly helpful NPC can suddenly become obstinate and uncooperative in the face of a boorish Barbarian who's overstepped some social boundaries... all because some unwise player made Charisma his dump stat. That can create some hilarious situations for the players. :D
One of my group's favorite NPCs is an elven paladin named Sir Ohtoha, Knight of the Order of the Seldarine Guard. He insists on people using his full title, and he often dryly remarks on how dull the PCs' choice of attire is.
One of the best guide for all DMs for creating the "real" experience ! Iam DM for almost 20 years and I use lot of this tips for couple of years. It changed way how my players interact with NPC, and what they remember after finishing the sesions.
Meepo! Yes! We picked him up in our 3.5 sunless citadel campaign!
Thank you! New DM and working on my npcs and interactions with them. This really helped
Hobbes Smittens. That is the name of my rakshasa villain. Once I had that name. The character just came to me. Very humorous, wants to be know as a Rakshasa but also stay hidden, a guy to just wants to have fun (albeit in a fucking everyone up kind of way).
A name can truly make the villain.
Funnily enough, yes, I do have Scottish/Irish Dwarves in my homebrew. What I don't understand is how Bostonian Halflings became a thing... I do it once for one Halfling, then do it another time for another NPC who's race I didn't mention, and all my players seem think it's a Halfling. Okay so now, every NPC that sounds Bostonian is now a Halfling. One NPC that I just made randomly and suddenly became a thing with my players is Yellowhat Bob. I introduced him ONCE as random NPC (a guard that takes bribes) when running an AL game for Stopped at the Gate, and now those players who signed up for my homebrew keep looking for him, asking things like "does he have a yellow hat?".
A great little trick I use for those smaller NPCs, faceless guardsman #18 orthat tavern wench at the inn down the road or whatnot, is keeping a list of NPC names and a list of random personality traits. If the NPCs want to know the guards name: BOOM he has a name. It just make the world feel more populated, more real.
Totally.
Another handy trick is beside this list, keep a small list of 5 - 10 facial descriptions (just 2-3 words) and a personality trait. The tables in the DMG are really great for this - it only takes a name and a few adjectives to create a memorable NPC!
Aldor the Immense. What a memorable character. Especially with Monty's Sidney Greenstreet impression.
Adding a title to the NPC is going to be a great help to me, Scott the Forgetful
Expectation: Another video explaining the same recycled content regarding NOCs.
Received: Excellent notes on differences in argument angles, great insight into quick NOC depth with momentary desires colored by personality, tips for making my NOCs memorable in a moment without needing to build a whole stat block.
Excellent and above par as always, thank you, gentlemen! (I know I'm way late to this party, just subbed and trying to catch up)
"The Rat Prince is an Icon for any Evil/Thieving Beastial Lord."
Of course I will not touch his catchphrase. It's way too 👍"Yes,Yes,Yes?"
I love your take on NPC arguments, I will definitely use this going forward. I love using "Liam Neeson's" voice from that Taken speech, it is very cool practicing it. Thanks Dudes :)
Peace unto you all. I plan on using a few props to role play NPCs, for example, I wear regular glasses, but when they walk into the alchemy shop, and are greeting by a man wearing dark oval shaped sun-glasses, the effect with voice seems to be strong. Perhaps some rubber elf-ears, or even wigs lol Great videos guys, well done :)
Props can be a very cool and fun way to distinguish different NPCs. I would probably only do this in small ways for very important NPCs myself -- I don't think I'd wear rubber elf ears personally hahaha! Cheers!
Always keep an eyepatch and a cigar😂
I've found this video really helpful, I've just started my first D&D 5e campaign, used to play Pathfinder. The sentient weapon idea is pretty cool, I may use that one soon! Consider me subscribed :D
DM: "You walk into a bar and see a well dressed man sitting alone. He turns to greet you and you can tell by his glowing amulet that this was the Cleric you were told to meet."
NPC: "Hello there fellow adventurers, my na--" *dies*
Rouge: "Sorry everyone, I wanted his amulet."
One of my most memorable NPCs that I use is Habib the shopkeeper. Very stereotypical Indian/ southern Asian type. Very Apu (from the simpsons) style. Always welcomes players with "welcome to my store" and when they leave "thank you, come again!" It was on a whim that I decided to use that accent and everyone laughed, so it stuck. Even better that when they go to another town they are greeted in a similar way and are confused. Turns out Habib has a large family and they are all shopkeepers. It always gets a chuckle.
It is fun to see these tips being used in Drakkenheim!
This is really helpful, especially since the game I DM is entirely online w/o webcams -- really leaning into voices and giving distinctive traits/names is a really good idea for someone in my position. Definitely going to apply that as I move forward : )
Great advice! My favorite NPC is Nevil Orvilbacher, an elderly halfling wizard who runs a tourist trap "adventuring academy" in the middle of nowhere. He's also a conspiracy nut (good for dropping an adventure hook)
😆
Thank you for making these guides, Dudes, they are fun, informative and well made :D
When I rp a lich, I channel Jack Nicholson's character in 'As good as it gets', he is a snide powerful know-it-all. I recently introduced a toady who sniffs as punctuation. Another who bobs his head, a shopkeeper who wrings his hands, a guide or guard who constantly spits.
One of the most rewarding things to happen as a game master is for your players to bond with your NPCs.
Great video! Was a little unscripted, but funny and informative, and definitely worth watching.
My best friend and I are gonna co-DM and we're watching all of your tutorials here and love them.
I'm combat/puzzles/dungeons and they're story/plot/NPC's.
On top of my bestie falling in love with a Jacket Kelly wore, we're actually planning to watch the Cornetto trilogy starting with Shaun Of The Dead tomorrow so this has been a weird night admiring some of the clothes too 😹
Keep up the great work dudes!
I have a recurring foe that possesses anyone who wears these corrupted masks, but his voice I always channel the darker sides of Majora’s mask in my mind, with the manicle laughter of a child.
This was a great video with lots of great ideas. Roleplaying NPCs is pretty much the thing I am worst at as a DM. My players would love to roleplay more, but its tough when the DM can't really hold it together and always just goes back to describing the scene instead of acting it out. I dunno why, I just kind of freeze up and just resort back to what is natural for me. I just need to stick to one NPC at a time, and just try to do better each session. I will also watch this video a couple more times and make sure some of these tips really stick because they made a lot of sense. Thanks!
I love to give my best NPCs stats in character levels so that they exist the way players do. Then, based on who they are and what they do their personalities manifest. Ex: A Jack Bellon, my half-elf bard of whispers tends to speak softly and answer the heroes questions with poems or rhymes. Very bubbly tho.
My human rouge scout, Aaron Boydd, is a fast talking, cut off what you're saying, leave before the story is finished kind of guy. He always is doing at least 2 or 3 things at a time and sounds a little like Woody Woodpecker.
Where as Sister Rosa Blackthorn, a tiefling life cleric serving the divine guidance of Ilmater, she speaks kindly and calmly as tho waiting for her turn or chance to aid the conversation, remaining silent thru out otherwise. Always speaking as tho the audiance is royalty regardless of actual class.
Thank you for bringing up harmful stereotypes! This is the only D&D channel that seems to care at all about social issues. Really appreciate the concert and normalizing thoughtfulness instead of obsessing about free speech 🙏🏻
I second this.
REALLY wished I watched this at the start of my campaign.
For the notes the channel ursula is really helpful
I like to turn people I know in the real world, usually work colleagues, and turn them into NPCs. Especially the ones who display distinct mannerisms. That way you get those whole package. Looks, speech patterns, personality, the lot...
I find that regardless of the NPC, facial expression does more to illustrate a character than a voice, set piece or body posture could do alone.
NPCs are walking experience points. Keeping the players from killing them is the hard part.
Love that cornetto shirt!
My 3.5 sorc speaks draconic and taught meepo how to pick up chicks and is trying to convince him not to go into the murder tower by dry lake. That place killed the whole group except my sorc and meepo
I love doing Dwarven voices with a Russian accent, and the players really like it too.
I'm currently running a HotDQ (Hoard of the Dragon Queen) game, and to solve the landerosa cyanwrath name problem, I changed his name to landrosa cynawrath. He currently has the ire of one of my PC's and the respect of another!
Love the cornetto trilogy tee-shirt. Didn't think they had the same impact stateside as here in the UK.
I actually had a (supposed to be) minor bad guy become a major party ally. PC's were fighting a bunch of kobolds, slaughtered like 11 or 12 within seconds and had one alive to question it. One of the PC's persuaded him to talk and then convinced him to join them. I used a combo of like Deekin from Neverwinter Nights and Smeagol as a voice. They purposefully kept him alive as an ally so that I had to continue to use that voice.
Absolutely classic. I think every group needs a legendary kobold mascot.
Had to come up on the fly for the name of the captain of the guard. Really thought they wouldn't ask about him since he was a very minor character so I called him Harold Dresden which made me think of this channel since I know the Dudes like the Dresden Files as well.
I have a Major NPC that is a Sea Elf wizard around 400 years old who creates homunculus and gives them his memories. "Think Similar to Orichimaru from Naruto. except he isnt as evil" the duplicates are stationed around the world as eyes and ears for his emperor. My Players recognize him in the campaigns and like him. He is normally who gives them information so they can complete whatever quests they are on
I had a NPC that was a half orc paladin and he spoke with a lisp I got the idea from the boondocks episode booty warrior
So him and the party stumble across a large band of orc that they definitely couldn’t beat in a fight it was like 30 to 4 so the player asked if he could talk them off...
So I role played the orc conversation and came back to the party they asked what was said since no one knew orc
I told the party that the orc wanted my booty but not my butt booty but in the sense they wanted my treasure and in orc culture I would own the other members and since they were my treasure they wanted their booty and not treasure they wanted their butts long story short I ranted with a lisp about booty for like 5 minutes and we all called the game cause no one could stop laughing it was a great night
I once got blitzed by my players interviewing a pub full of NPCs about a missing pocket watch. I immediately decided the first guys name was "Alron" and the next was "Barton". Going alphabetically can be a great help in a pinch, especially when a player asks "Who was that first guy we spoke to?".
Watched a few vids from you guys & I have to say thanks guys, adding your advice to that of a few others has upped my game
I used the carpet from the book for my Aladdin fans, and the armour suit for my fullmetal fans. Voiceless yet priceless
Kalin has the looks of a villain.
jack The Trader: A bard Who is A jack of All trades
Paul the Sword Master: A fighter who use swords And is a battel master
Slap the snap : A monk who like to slap faces and snap bones
Nina the tough : An extra thicc barbarian
Asarath the Dragon God : a Dragon God " this is an NPC in my campaigns that is used for plot and stopping total party kills"
Crog Frog the swamp stench: a lizardfolk druid who stinks to high hell
Lean Rosary : just a farmer trying to save his daughter from a cult " a fighter with a scythe"
and my list go on
I had a scout warn them of the dragon for Dragon of Icespire and my players named him Paul Reviere
Jupiter Jones and the RatPrince = Great Memorable "Hate-lovable" NPC lol, loud annoying eccentric characters! Another great video guys! Can't wait for the next drakkenheim!
I'm writing/creating a campaign/world and I've premade quite a few major NPCs who will be recurring throughout the adventure. One of them will for sure have a Christopher Walken accent. Also, I think we've all played campaigns with the captain of the guard who sounded a lot like Walter Cronkite 😅
Thank you for your videos.
Gah I love you guys. Always really great advice and a wealth of knowledge! Can I buy you a beer sometime? 🤓
One time as a player I adopted a skunk and a cleric named Father Chuck
NPC (though key NPC) from my first adventure made it all trough a campaing. PCs had to save a low-lvl paladin initiate and now he´s a trustfull ally with a high rank in his paladin order. My PCs just loved saving him.
I really thought Kelly was going to say "your mum" at 19:40, because that's the kind of lazy jab I'd make.
Best tavernkeeper name: Bartholomew Ender
I created a major NPC that joined the party as a player for a little while. His name was Rathis. He was a black dragonborn Cleric that at fourth level abandoned his god and made a pact with the undying and crossed into warlock in pursuit of power. He was an alcoholic and just barged wherever he went. This caused the first main enemy to cast the party to another world separating him from the party. I'm not finished with my campaign but he will make his return as the main enemy to complete our story.
All the tavern girls in my campaign are named Meg and all the Inns are the (inserts adjective) Ass Inn such as ugly Ass, Drunk Ass, Etc. It gives the group a sense of what the Inn’s atmosphere is gonna be like. And also I use Megs from pop culture such as Megara from Disney’s Hercules, Meg from family guy, Karen Walker (played by MEGan Mullay)
"Or... talking... a little... slower..." You got it, Adam West.
In my Deadlands campaign, I had a recurring NPC, Constance Merritt, who was a Wichita Witch - basically a black magic practitioner who worked for Mina Devlin, a ruthless rail baron.
Constance herself was honorable and friendly, if a bit ruthless, and through their encounters there was a mutual respect, even sympathy. But she worked for one of the most evil people in the setting.
At the end of the campaign, I had her show up and offer tons of money to buy the Ghost Rock bomb the players had captured. Surprisingly, because the players liked Constance and didn't want to fight her, they said yes. The players were a bit nonplussed when I told them in th epilogue that Mina Devlin used the bomb to essentially nuke Baton Rouge. Oops.
Great video dudes :) a good NPC can make a game special and a bad NPC will add nothing to the game.
Thank you! -- Monty
I had a magic item merchant I played like a crack head. yo man I got what you need man I got wands... you like wands?
I do this with a potion seller / bar keep
Loving that Simon Pegg shirt
I just search pictures online until I find something that is really close to how I imagined my NPC and just present the picture to the players. :P
I have a sentient item that mixes a taste of wild magic in when combat starts. Rolling a D8 he will help or hurt you
My favorite NPC I've ever created by far would be this young, mute halfling I have in my current campaign. After the party met her, they just fell instantly in love with her and enjoyed every interaction with them. She is such a well loved character that I am considering bringing her back in the next campaign when we have someone else DM.
Another puppet of the corpse on the throne
I only have 2 good accents, and maybe 3 or 4 different voices that I can do. Feels like I am playing Elder Scrolls Oblivion because every character sounds the same...
how I handle unpronounceable names:
NPC: I am Gryxzurbtort
PC: Grix-herb-tort?
NPC: No, Gryxtort
PC: …
NPC: [sigh] Just call me Herb. [muttering: that’s all my mother could manage, too]
19:15 good ol Canadians being good ol Canadians
"Black Hand Bailey" - Why is black almost always a negative color? This isn't just a rhetorical question, but an earnest one, for Monty Martin or anyone here. Especially in our fantasy hobby, but also in our world, too often, Black=Bad and White=Good. Why? Do we want to hold onto this reflexive association? Im not sure I do.
One night, after a long day of lounging around and watching the denizens of other planes on his Orb of Scrying, a certain Beholder had a dream inspired by what he had scryed. The next morning he awoke to find that he had lost the ability to fly and instead had grown two legs and two arms. His flesh had become smooth and green. His name is Mike Watchoutski. He is currently conducting arcane experiments to fashion himself a lady love by combining a Lamia and a Medusa, and practicing his comedy routine to make children laugh.
Since I'm from the Netherlands, giving my dwarves a Scottish accent isn't gonna work... But the Netherlands has mines in the south - and that's where you find most dwarves, right? - so my Dwarven NPC's have a Limburg accent. Instead of the pretty stark Scottish speech, Limburg is way softer, more tonal and flowing. Creates a wild contrast to the stereotype!
That’s pretty cool! Man, it’s hard to do a Limburg accent and not have your improv conversations end up being long expositions about vlaai tho. For dwarfs I always fall back on an over the top Amsterdam accent myself (and most of my other cocky characters). But for the softer accents I really love doing an Achterhoek accent, especially for bad guys. Imagine a huge, scary barbarian with blood thirsty eyes and two giant cleavers in both hands, that sounds like Herman Finkers when he speaks.
Wow I looked up The Extrordinary Book Of Names and found one for $330. It doesn't seem like this is something that's been put up as an online version to purchase like some other old books unless someone else has seen it somewhere.
I have a friendly Kuo-Toa dressed in a suit that gasps frequently when speaking. He travels the world selling and identifying unique magical items. He has a silent Goliath named Grom.
His named is Dr. Elias Fishburn. He licks the items to identify them.
I gave my GF the The Sorting Hat from Harry Potter. Brought some pretty cool moment at the table. The party called him Pierre
Let me tell you a tale about this. A tale about Steve the Bandit.
I'm starting my first campaign as a DM in a few weeks, and I am very nervous of playing female NPCs. It's so easy to be insulting these days. I'm thinking of just using my regular voice and not trying to sound female. (Men can't really do that anyway. Human beings are very attuned to subtle differences between the sexes.)
Since I have never done voices before, I'm thinking of just having three voices: a low one, my normal voice, and a high one. And maybe I'll chicken out and not do any voices. :)
Don't stress about roleplaying women. We're not fundamentally different. The differences we tend to express in this world are culturally constructed, not biologically determined. So in a fantasy world, it's not necessary to use gender stereotypes. I like playing in worlds where everyone is just an individual and we don't put so much emphasis on genitals.
I'm ok at NPC's but I suck at describing the environment
Also subbed
Two thumbs up