Describing NPC's and Monsters - First Encounter

[pjrake]

I've been thinking of adding a "physical description" under my custom-made NPC stat cards instead of the Tactics. Something I can read or para-phrase to the players when they first encounter them. One of my main flaws is describing characters on the fly, so thought this might be helpful.

So my question is twofold:

1. Do you think it's a good idea to have a quick writeup, like a text block, of the NPC (even an image would not help, in my case at least).

2. Is there a site that has a list of description where I can draw ideas and inspiration from?

Thanks.

-PJ

 

[lotuseater]

i think it's an excellent idea to have some prepared text to describe your encounters. especially, if as you say, you are not good at doing so on the fly.

i don't know of any sites that has example descriptions per se, but the first idea i thought of was to peruse fantasy novels and any published adventures you have lying around to get some inspiration. you can just tweak them to fit your own encounters. do this a few times, and it will probably stoke your own creative juices.

 

[weem]

Yep, good idea.

In my games, the table faces my computer. When the PC's talk to an NPC, I have their image up on my screen (I have it up in photoshop). After the first time they meet them (and get an impression of who they are) I add some keywords below the image. Next time they meet them and I bring that image (layer) up, it has the pic AND some keywords about their personality or other images related to them etc...

...but my games have a lot of NPC's and I think the visual element is key in helping them keep up with who is who.

 

[Storminator]

I think it's a great idea.

I used the quick blurbs in the Sharn book to describe neighborhoods when my PCs went into them. I think it added a lot of flavor.

PS

 

[Stoat]

It's a very good idea.

Try to focus on one or two defining characteristics, the sort of things that the PC's would notice immediately. Too much detail, and you'll overwhelm your players.

Seventh Sanctum Is a treasure trove of useful random generators, with links to others. Its physical descriptions tend to be too long and too purple for my taste, but they can make a good starting point.

 

[pjrake]

thanks for the tips.

here is a sample of one of my NPC's that the players will encounter very soon (they are hunting him down). he's the son of the king and has turned into a werewolf. his stat card is below (using Savage Worlds rules):

using the suggestion by Stoat, i bolded two defining characteristics.

what do you guys think? any suggestions would be helpful.

-PJ

PS: i like the idea of using images, but i've since gotten rid of my laptop and actually enjoying not having one at the table (don't even have a DM screen!).

 

[pjrake]

or how about keeping it simpler than what i wrote. something like this:

Large, wolf-like humanoid, wearing royalty-torn clothes. the two distinct characteristics are "wolf-like humanoid" and "royalty-torn clothes."

-PJ

 

[weem]

or how about keeping it simpler than what i wrote. something like this:

Large, wolf-like humanoid, wearing royalty-torn clothes. the two distinct characteristics are "wolf-like humanoid" and "royalty-torn clothes."

-PJ

Sounds good.

When I do mine, they are simply keywords... One entry might say "Dull, Irritable, Ugly" etc, and sometimes I put a quote... something they (NPC) might have once said, even if not the PC's that might demonstrate their typical mood... something like "Do with it as you wish, I couldn't care less!".

 

[JoeGKushner]

Apperance can be broken down into different areas that are going to stand out to players.

1. Weapons.

2. Scars.

3. Unusual armor.

4. Unusual race.

5. Overall physical description.

In determining how the players react to the individual, think of the long term goals for some of these entities. If the players are initially suspecious of any 'high level' NPCs, having their first patron be a run down soldier missing a hand and eye with a star shaped scar around the missing eye and dirty stained armor may go a lot further than the elder wizard whose capes billow about him briefly enough to reveal the star shaped tattoos around his pure black eyes whose staff moans with the wind in a slightly different tone.

 

[The Shaman]

I like having a quick introductory description of a character or critter in my notes as well.

My primary concern is not the first meeting, however, but rather what follows: I want to make sure that the non-player character's personality remains distinctive and consistent throughout the game.

To help with this for my Flashing Blades campaign, I've added a word, name, or short phrase to remind me of a key characteristic of that character. For example, the marquis d'Haroué, a well-respected soldier, diplomat, and courtier, is "The Most Interesting Man in the World (tm)" - his depth of experience and sharp wit need to come through when I roleplay him. Cardinal Richelieu is "Jafar," unfailingly obsequious toward the king, the queens, and the princes and grandees even as he ruthlessly consolidates his power over all of them.

While first impressions are important, capturing a personality and roleplaying it consistently are for me a greater challenge.