Generic responses to npc [Archive] - Wizards Community

Generic responses to npc [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Netjack
02-19-08, 02:10 AM I have to admit, although I like playing a role in the game, I'm not very good at role playing.
My problem is that I don't know what to ask npc. For example, why do you live in blank. What is wrong with the blank. What can I do for blank. Tell me about your mother. I just want a thieves tool kit to go, so what time do you close?

What are so good generic responses for npc.

For example, if you are looking for someone who is lawful, or well respected. If you are looking for someone who is chaotic, or infamous. If your looking for a farmer or someone else of neutralness.

If you are trying to find a mission to redeem, and or prove yourself to person/organization. If you are try to talk your way out of death. What could you ask to help you try to rob that store you bought the thieves kit from.

If you are trying to get friendly with the locals. If you are trying to threaten the locals. If you just want to walk through the locals unnoticed.

and any else you can think of, apparently I can no longer just roll a diplomacy or a bluff roll, but I lack the years of wisdom I would have had if I grew up a Paladin, or the years of streets smarts as a rogue.
Sinfire Titan
02-19-08, 02:42 AM Chaotic: It comes naturally to me. Read the Liber Chaotica for ideas on what Chaotic alignments can be like. It isn't DnD canon, but it is the best source for this kind of thing. In general, Chaotic people will have a free will and use it. Most have Intelligence scores above 2. Some, unfortunately, have an Int of -451 Kelvin. Most Chaotic beings dislike the law, but may follow it if it suits them.

Lawful: Axiomatic beings tend to have a daily ritual to perform, or a set pattern of clothing they like to wear. Lawful NPCs should pay close attention to detail, and not leave anything out of the report. Lawful characters will have a strong tendency to obey the law the majority of the time, but may break it for certain reasons. Others try to bend the law. Still others have a Lawful Stupid alignment, and will smote anyone that even breathes out of turn. Such people usually end up on the wrong side of the Law themselves.

Neutral (L.v.C): Characters who are neither Lawful or Chaotic will be freelancers most of the time, but will obey orders when they would benefit from it. Such people are common, everyday types. These people have a variety of opinions, and are slightly difficult to RP well if your actual alignment is an extremity or on the CN/LN side of things.

Good: Good-aligned people are often kind-hearted, and will obey orders that don't conflict with their morals entirely. Good beings are often pillars of their community, looked to for inspiration (one way or another). Classical heroes more often than not, these people are willing to help others even if it doesn't suit their personal goals in life, just for the sake of doing so. Sometimes, though very rarely, you get the idiots. These people think that anything that isn't as "holy" as them should be hauled off or slain in the worst cases. Sometimes, these characters are able to Detect Evil at will. In such cases, anything that registers even slightly on the scale would do well to wear lead-lined clothing or carry a lead sheet with them. Some may also want to press charges on the "exalted one".

Evil: This is where the line can dim a little. In someone's eyes, something is Evil. In someone else's, something is not. For the sake of the post itself, we will use the stereotype of evil. Chaotic Evil beings are quite insane, and should be treated as a threat to everything in the general vicinity. Though such beings are capable of setting aside differences, it won't last any longer than they need it to. Such people are blatantly rude, and try to agitate everyone around them, or cause a panic. In case of Law enforcement, they may flee the scene and never return. Outsiders are the exception: CE Outsiders will be chaotic in even their bodily functions from time to time.

NE beings tend to be your standard bandit or mercenary. They have no morals of their own, and live mostly for the thrill of harming others or gaining immense power. NE people will be prone to scheming short-term ideals, and scamming innocent bystanders with the standard tricks in the books. Some may be very creative. Others may just be cold-hearted murderers who care only for their own hides.

LE beings will be much more devious than either of the above. Lawful Evil people will try to twist the words of others around their fingers and shove said words down your throat the second you pause to think about it. Lawful Evil beings will try to manipulate for long-term goals and strive for power. They have a tendency to grovel at the feet of those stronger than they are and suck up a lot of the time, and stab the person in the back the second they determine no further use for that person. Or they may be clever cheaters with a Mafia-esqe feel.

SE characters are the worst of the villains. They literally have no idea what the word "ally" means. To them, everything is a likely target. Not to be confused between the two, CSE and LSE beings can vary greatly from the normal SE. CSE beings will be completely random in everything. They have no idea what they are doing 99.9999^50 millionth power. LSE will simply try to kill everyone without being seen.

Neutral (G.v.E.): People who have a neutrality on the Good/Evil axis will have low moral standards. Very little short of the grotesque will startle them or even provoke them. CN beings will be willing for many different experiences, but will have the common sense to know what could screw them over. LN beings are almost monotonous in their actions, and have a dull persona compared to others.

Sadly, there exists even Stupid people in this area as well. CS and LS characters may have more in common with CSE and LSE than anything else. Such people merely chose these alignments on their sheets for the sake of playing around.
kelvinaw273
02-19-08, 02:47 AM OK, point one, if your DM is any good, you CAN just make a diplomacy or bluff roll. Most DMs will allow that but will give you a bonus for good role-playing.

Otherwise, put yourself in the shoes of your character and think about what you would do or say. If you, personally wanted to strike up a conversation with somebody, what would you say? You might look at them and see they were wearing a T-shirt sporting a team logo, and you could ask them about it "Hey, are you a United fan? Did you see the game last week?"

In the pseudo-medieval world there are less events like this, but still many clues and queues:

A guard or man-at-arms will usually wear a surcoat with an emblem that clearly identifies his allegiance. If he isn't, he'll be a mercenary or adventurer. "You're in Lord Farquar's guard? What's he like as a master?"

A person following a trade will have the look of it. Big man in a burn-spotted leather apron with soot on his face? Blacksmith. Heavily tanned man with calloused hands? Farm worker.

This aside, if you need a shady purchase, think about it like this: if you have to buy something illegal, where do you go? You look for people "in the know" and drop a few hints. The store owner won't sell thieves tools openly, but he may sell individual items that amount to such. If not, you can ask him where you might get "something specialist" or explain you have a problem with a lock you have lost the key to.
Netjack
02-19-08, 07:26 PM Chaotic: Most have Intelligence scores above 2.

...... :( most of my chaotic characters where rogues and bards, and they usually had that thier highest stat, that or dex. Usually chaotic good or sometimes chaotic neutral.

I must disagree, I find neutral evil people far more evil then lawful evil people. Since, at least lawful evil people generally follow the law, even though they twist it. Neutral evil would do the same, but would still break it at a moments notice. Lawful evil would too, but would only do so if they new they won't get caught. My two cents anyway.

In any case though, very informative, could you do any sample dialog lines?

kelvinaw

A dm i had formally played with would not let me even roll, until I gave a rather long winded speech. So all my rolls probably had a -20 before rolling.

Hmm, asking what they look like, sounds simple enough, asking for a piece instead of the whole, what else you got?
Sinfire Titan
02-19-08, 08:03 PM ...... :( most of my chaotic characters where rogues and bards, and they usally had that thier highest stat, that or dex. Usually chaotic good or sometimes chaotic neutral.

I must disagree, I find neutral evil people far more evil then lawful neutral people. Since, atleast lawful evil people generally follow the law, even though they twist it. Neutral evil would do the same, but would still break it at a moments notice. Lawful evil would too, but would only do so if they new they won't get caught. My two cents anyway.

In any case though, very informative, could you do any sample dialog lines?

kelvinaw

A dm i had formally played with would not let me even roll, until I gave a rather long winded speech. So all my rolls probably had a -20 before rolling.

Hmm, asking what they look like, sounds simple enough, asking for a piece instead of the whole, what else you got?

I've never been very good at giving lines off the top of my head, but I can think of a few:

CE: "Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!"
NE: "Say hello to my little friend."
CN: "Oh come on! Can't I just blow one of them up?" (Personal quote from one of my character)
CG: "One of the reasons we are still alive is our tendency to obey orders." I have no idea if I quoted him right or not.
Another CG: "No, you have bullets, and the hope that when you are out of bullets I will not be standing."

Again, I've never been very good at thinking up one-liners for these kinds of things.
kelvinaw273
02-20-08, 02:49 AM Some, unfortunately, have an Int of -451 Kelvin.

The Kelvin scale does not go into negatives, hence why the zero is absolute zero. Trust me, I'd know ... :rolleyes:

Not sure what else I can suggest, Netjack, save that you ask your DM for some slack so you can climb the learning curve. There are times when I can come out with stuff, and times when I freeze up not knowing what to say and just hang on the dice roll. It usually depends on how good a grasp of the scene I have, so asking for clarification is always useful ...
Sinfire Titan
02-20-08, 12:05 PM The Kelvin scale does not go into negatives, hence why the zero is absolute zero. Trust me, I'd know ... :rolleyes:

Not sure what else I can suggest, Netjack, save that you ask your DM for some slack so you can climb the learning curve. There are times when I can come out with stuff, and times when I freeze up not knowing what to say and just hang on the dice roll. It usually depends on how good a grasp of the scene I have, so asking for clarification is always useful ...

Yes, I am aware of how far down the Kelvin scale goes, I took Advanced Chemistry myself. I was making a joke about CS players having an impossibly low IQ.
CryoSilver
02-20-08, 03:02 PM NPCs, and your character, are, don't forget, regular folks. Do you make conversation with people in real life? Talk to the NPCs the same way you'd talk to those people, if you're trying to find someone/something.
Lincoln Hills
02-22-08, 04:49 PM Well, start all character interactions with the words, "I can whup you!" (Or, if the NPCs are in a group, "I can whup ALL of you!")

...no, no, don't actually do that, man. Leave that attitude to those who were born with it. ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Netjack 02-19-08, 02:10 AM	I have to admit, although I like playing a role in the game, I'm not very good at role playing. My problem is that I don't know what to ask npc. For example, why do you live in blank. What is wrong with the blank. What can I do for blank. Tell me about your mother. I just want a thieves tool kit to go, so what time do you close? What are so good generic responses for npc. For example, if you are looking for someone who is lawful, or well respected. If you are looking for someone who is chaotic, or infamous. If your looking for a farmer or someone else of neutralness. If you are trying to find a mission to redeem, and or prove yourself to person/organization. If you are try to talk your way out of death. What could you ask to help you try to rob that store you bought the thieves kit from. If you are trying to get friendly with the locals. If you are trying to threaten the locals. If you just want to walk through the locals unnoticed. and any else you can think of, apparently I can no longer just roll a diplomacy or a bluff roll, but I lack the years of wisdom I would have had if I grew up a Paladin, or the years of streets smarts as a rogue.
Sinfire Titan 02-19-08, 02:42 AM	Chaotic: It comes naturally to me. Read the Liber Chaotica for ideas on what Chaotic alignments can be like. It isn't DnD canon, but it is the best source for this kind of thing. In general, Chaotic people will have a free will and use it. Most have Intelligence scores above 2. Some, unfortunately, have an Int of -451 Kelvin. Most Chaotic beings dislike the law, but may follow it if it suits them. Lawful: Axiomatic beings tend to have a daily ritual to perform, or a set pattern of clothing they like to wear. Lawful NPCs should pay close attention to detail, and not leave anything out of the report. Lawful characters will have a strong tendency to obey the law the majority of the time, but may break it for certain reasons. Others try to bend the law. Still others have a Lawful Stupid alignment, and will smote anyone that even breathes out of turn. Such people usually end up on the wrong side of the Law themselves. Neutral (L.v.C): Characters who are neither Lawful or Chaotic will be freelancers most of the time, but will obey orders when they would benefit from it. Such people are common, everyday types. These people have a variety of opinions, and are slightly difficult to RP well if your actual alignment is an extremity or on the CN/LN side of things. Good: Good-aligned people are often kind-hearted, and will obey orders that don't conflict with their morals entirely. Good beings are often pillars of their community, looked to for inspiration (one way or another). Classical heroes more often than not, these people are willing to help others even if it doesn't suit their personal goals in life, just for the sake of doing so. Sometimes, though very rarely, you get the idiots. These people think that anything that isn't as "holy" as them should be hauled off or slain in the worst cases. Sometimes, these characters are able to Detect Evil at will. In such cases, anything that registers even slightly on the scale would do well to wear lead-lined clothing or carry a lead sheet with them. Some may also want to press charges on the "exalted one". Evil: This is where the line can dim a little. In someone's eyes, something is Evil. In someone else's, something is not. For the sake of the post itself, we will use the stereotype of evil. Chaotic Evil beings are quite insane, and should be treated as a threat to everything in the general vicinity. Though such beings are capable of setting aside differences, it won't last any longer than they need it to. Such people are blatantly rude, and try to agitate everyone around them, or cause a panic. In case of Law enforcement, they may flee the scene and never return. Outsiders are the exception: CE Outsiders will be chaotic in even their bodily functions from time to time. NE beings tend to be your standard bandit or mercenary. They have no morals of their own, and live mostly for the thrill of harming others or gaining immense power. NE people will be prone to scheming short-term ideals, and scamming innocent bystanders with the standard tricks in the books. Some may be very creative. Others may just be cold-hearted murderers who care only for their own hides. LE beings will be much more devious than either of the above. Lawful Evil people will try to twist the words of others around their fingers and shove said words down your throat the second you pause to think about it. Lawful Evil beings will try to manipulate for long-term goals and strive for power. They have a tendency to grovel at the feet of those stronger than they are and suck up a lot of the time, and stab the person in the back the second they determine no further use for that person. Or they may be clever cheaters with a Mafia-esqe feel. SE characters are the worst of the villains. They literally have no idea what the word "ally" means. To them, everything is a likely target. Not to be confused between the two, CSE and LSE beings can vary greatly from the normal SE. CSE beings will be completely random in everything. They have no idea what they are doing 99.9999^50 millionth power. LSE will simply try to kill everyone without being seen. Neutral (G.v.E.): People who have a neutrality on the Good/Evil axis will have low moral standards. Very little short of the grotesque will startle them or even provoke them. CN beings will be willing for many different experiences, but will have the common sense to know what could screw them over. LN beings are almost monotonous in their actions, and have a dull persona compared to others. Sadly, there exists even Stupid people in this area as well. CS and LS characters may have more in common with CSE and LSE than anything else. Such people merely chose these alignments on their sheets for the sake of playing around.
kelvinaw273 02-19-08, 02:47 AM	OK, point one, if your DM is any good, you CAN just make a diplomacy or bluff roll. Most DMs will allow that but will give you a bonus for good role-playing. Otherwise, put yourself in the shoes of your character and think about what you would do or say. If you, personally wanted to strike up a conversation with somebody, what would you say? You might look at them and see they were wearing a T-shirt sporting a team logo, and you could ask them about it "Hey, are you a United fan? Did you see the game last week?" In the pseudo-medieval world there are less events like this, but still many clues and queues: A guard or man-at-arms will usually wear a surcoat with an emblem that clearly identifies his allegiance. If he isn't, he'll be a mercenary or adventurer. "You're in Lord Farquar's guard? What's he like as a master?" A person following a trade will have the look of it. Big man in a burn-spotted leather apron with soot on his face? Blacksmith. Heavily tanned man with calloused hands? Farm worker. This aside, if you need a shady purchase, think about it like this: if you have to buy something illegal, where do you go? You look for people "in the know" and drop a few hints. The store owner won't sell thieves tools openly, but he may sell individual items that amount to such. If not, you can ask him where you might get "something specialist" or explain you have a problem with a lock you have lost the key to.
Netjack 02-19-08, 07:26 PM	Chaotic: Most have Intelligence scores above 2. ...... :( most of my chaotic characters where rogues and bards, and they usually had that thier highest stat, that or dex. Usually chaotic good or sometimes chaotic neutral. I must disagree, I find neutral evil people far more evil then lawful evil people. Since, at least lawful evil people generally follow the law, even though they twist it. Neutral evil would do the same, but would still break it at a moments notice. Lawful evil would too, but would only do so if they new they won't get caught. My two cents anyway. In any case though, very informative, could you do any sample dialog lines? kelvinaw A dm i had formally played with would not let me even roll, until I gave a rather long winded speech. So all my rolls probably had a -20 before rolling. Hmm, asking what they look like, sounds simple enough, asking for a piece instead of the whole, what else you got?
Sinfire Titan 02-19-08, 08:03 PM	...... :( most of my chaotic characters where rogues and bards, and they usally had that thier highest stat, that or dex. Usually chaotic good or sometimes chaotic neutral. I must disagree, I find neutral evil people far more evil then lawful neutral people. Since, atleast lawful evil people generally follow the law, even though they twist it. Neutral evil would do the same, but would still break it at a moments notice. Lawful evil would too, but would only do so if they new they won't get caught. My two cents anyway. In any case though, very informative, could you do any sample dialog lines? kelvinaw A dm i had formally played with would not let me even roll, until I gave a rather long winded speech. So all my rolls probably had a -20 before rolling. Hmm, asking what they look like, sounds simple enough, asking for a piece instead of the whole, what else you got? I've never been very good at giving lines off the top of my head, but I can think of a few: CE: "Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!" NE: "Say hello to my little friend." CN: "Oh come on! Can't I just blow one of them up?" (Personal quote from one of my character) CG: "One of the reasons we are still alive is our tendency to obey orders." I have no idea if I quoted him right or not. Another CG: "No, you have bullets, and the hope that when you are out of bullets I will not be standing." Again, I've never been very good at thinking up one-liners for these kinds of things.
kelvinaw273 02-20-08, 02:49 AM	Some, unfortunately, have an Int of -451 Kelvin. The Kelvin scale does not go into negatives, hence why the zero is absolute zero. Trust me, I'd know ... :rolleyes: Not sure what else I can suggest, Netjack, save that you ask your DM for some slack so you can climb the learning curve. There are times when I can come out with stuff, and times when I freeze up not knowing what to say and just hang on the dice roll. It usually depends on how good a grasp of the scene I have, so asking for clarification is always useful ...
Sinfire Titan 02-20-08, 12:05 PM	The Kelvin scale does not go into negatives, hence why the zero is absolute zero. Trust me, I'd know ... :rolleyes: Not sure what else I can suggest, Netjack, save that you ask your DM for some slack so you can climb the learning curve. There are times when I can come out with stuff, and times when I freeze up not knowing what to say and just hang on the dice roll. It usually depends on how good a grasp of the scene I have, so asking for clarification is always useful ... Yes, I am aware of how far down the Kelvin scale goes, I took Advanced Chemistry myself. I was making a joke about CS players having an impossibly low IQ.
CryoSilver 02-20-08, 03:02 PM	NPCs, and your character, are, don't forget, regular folks. Do you make conversation with people in real life? Talk to the NPCs the same way you'd talk to those people, if you're trying to find someone/something.
Lincoln Hills 02-22-08, 04:49 PM	Well, start all character interactions with the words, "I can whup you!" (Or, if the NPCs are in a group, "I can whup ALL of you!") ...no, no, don't actually do that, man. Leave that attitude to those who were born with it. ;)