How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM cover image

How to Be a Better DM: Dungeon Master Tips for the DM Newbie, the Hobbyist and the Forever DM

How to Make Life-Like NPC's with Robert from Dungeons, Dragons & Psychology

Jun 23, 2022
Robert from Dungeons, Dragons & Psychology discusses the necessity of lifelike NPC's and what makes a good villain and ally. They also delve into the challenges of writing a murder mystery adventure and share tips for creating memorable NPCs in tabletop role-playing games.
35:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Creating memorable NPCs involves giving them quirks, backstories, and distinct speech patterns, making them interesting and engaging for players.
  • When creating villains, adding complexity and internal struggle by portraying their belief in their cause, even if misguided, makes them more interesting and compelling.

Deep dives

Creating Memorable NPCs

One key aspect of creating memorable NPCs is to make them dynamic. NPCs should have quirks, personality traits, and backstories to make them interesting and engaging. Giving them distinct speech patterns or catchphrases can also help in making them stand out. Additionally, it's important to consider the role an NPC plays in the story - whether they are a quest giver, a source of information, or a comedic relief. Not every NPC needs to feel lifelike, but the important ones should have depth and uniqueness.

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