Making Memorable NPCs - Running RPGs

[@shakethatcake2667]

Ok so looking back on your older vids the names are. Long hair: todd Mustache: mike Goatee: Dweebles

[@jamesgarlick4573]

I always just referred to them as Stoner Tough guy Lisp goatee

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

Poor dweebles

[@DaveButtons]

😂😂😂

[@ADiceySituation]

Don't forget Kevin.

[@oz_jones]

@@ADiceySituation And Seth, the GM. Who is different from actual Seth.

[@TheHypno15]

I feel like this has transended the 4th wall, and we are now breaking the 5th wall Fantastic video as always

[@giladpellaeon1691]

Maybe that's the ceiling or the floor? Aren't they just walls from a different point of view?

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

Buckaroo Banzai and the Fifth Wall

[@azraelle6232]

Extra-dimensional walls? I think I just lost a point of Sanity.

[@knightofberenike9633]

Breaking the first, the second, the third Fourth wall, fifth wall, no floor, you fall Earworm humming in a dream “baby baby baby” Yeah, just plastic

[@1Ring42]

I kinda feel sorry for Dweebles' existential crisis.

[@admpandora91]

it speaks to me..

[@s0r03]

What’s a name anyways better to make it for yourself than be given one that has nothing to do with you

[@archonfett]

@@s0r03 but it was given to him, by a commenter even not by Seth

[@stitchthealchemist1520]

You are so mean to Dweebles. Keep up the good work.

[@theDMLair]

Dweebles is awesome! 😃

[@DustinMWeber]

Hey, if nothing else, perhaps "Dweebles" can rebel against Seth and just come up with his own name. For some reason, the name "Scotty" seems pretty fitting of the guy. Either that or, say, "Rudy."

[@jamesgarlick4573]

I always called him "Jeff"

[@TheodoreMinick]

I legit thought Dweebles *was* his name.

[@The_Gallowglass]

Dicks!

[@FuriousJorge]

Uhg. That voice brought back memories, terrible memories, and now I'm angry again!

[@handlebarfox2366]

hehe.... my closest brush with death involved being in an out of control van skidding across an 8 lane highway and crashing against the curb on the opposite side of the road. The owner of the upper scale car dealership came out to make sure to put up the traffic cones that had been knocked out of the way so nobody would take advantage of getting onto the off ramp road/land he'd just bought... he also came over afterwards to see if he couldn't get the second van (our co-workers who came to see if we were all right) out of his lot so it wouldn't ah... ruin the looks of the place? Mmm.... right. Whatever. (And no, there was no other interaction with us.)

[@kalosamasan]

Ok, honesty time, I honestly thought that those were real people you played with. Only a couple times did I think maybe, just maybe, they were you.

[@SSkorkowsky]

The real test will be if I can get you to forget they're all me, even though I've confessed the truth.

[@mightythunderfoot]

Am I the only one who started saying "those aren't NPCs those are player cha-- oh." It's funny how we attach ourselves to the skit characters.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

Same here.

[@000Krim]

I take me more time than I would like to admit to realize that the other players were the same person. Truly a master of disguise.

[@jamesgarlick4573]

@@000Krim definitely a level 12

[@ADiceySituation]

@@000Krim Seth would be an amazing chameleon voice actor whose presence you have to check the credits to confirm, like Jennifer Hale or Laura Bailey

[@CynTheGM]

In our second adventure, I ran Sunless Citadel for our party. In it, the party comes across a Kobold named Meepo, as I'm sure you know. His whole thing is that he guides them for a few rooms, helps them find a white dragon wyrmling, then dies. But no. The party became so attached to this little guy. They used a healers kit to stabilize him when he was downed by the dragon, lied to him saying the goblins from the lower level killed the dragon, and took him with them down the next two levels of the dungeon, basically using him like a back line archer with his sling. He developed some quirks, a taste for goblin flesh, and became friends with this small group of adventurers. Eventually, they killed the young black dragon and brought Meepo back to the Kobold tribe as a hero rather than the worthless sack of meat the tribe thought he was. He had more self-confidence, felt more assured in both his social and combat skills, and advanced within the tribe. When they see him next, he will be leading the band of kobolds, expanding their influence to control the whole of the sunless citadel, having evicted the goblins. I didn't mean for any of this to happen.

[@marveltard]

I love this

[@FuriousJorge]

I ran my kids and a friend of theirs through Sunless Citadel just last month, and my daughter (17) actually cried when Meepo was frozen. They then spent quite a bit of their resources to revive him.

[@TobiSamaEatinCookies]

I'm in a campaign for LMoP and we have taken the goblin that was being held in a cavern and give adopted him. His name is drop and has magical armor and a bag of holding full of apples and cinnamon

[@mordred2460]

My 8th level party is still carrying his bones until they can get a true revive

[@ArtyJerjerrod]

Jorge Soto I support Drop.... tell him I love him

[@chadmunson6538]

In support of #2, motivation, to quote Vonnegut: "Every character should want something. Even if it's a glass of water."

[@willieearles3151]

Insert clip of the guy from The Notebook saying "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

[@elgatochurro]

Im ngl I'm sick of characters being too shallow... their goal, their motivation for adventuring is just "wealth" or "glory" or "adventure" Reason its shallow? They do nothing with it... rich? Well still adventuring... gain fame? Well still adventuring... ad venturing? Well still adventuring... It never evolves because they spend as little time as possible with npcs before looking for tbe next dungeon... sometimes only interesting with npcs to tru and find specific magic items... I give rumours and such specifically for them to interact more with npcs not less

[@wolfyblackknight8321]

@@elgatochurro respectfully I think the old quote "It's Not the Destination, but the Journey That Matters" also I could see a character who keeps adventuring after having money and fame as ether enjoying the friends they go on adventures with or "wanting to see what's next" that or wanting to see the wonders of the world sure they could retire but adventuring is more fun and at times way more profitable tho i could see a few retire if they had some harrowing or just horrible adventures like the start of flatlined from traveler.

[@elgatochurro]

@@wolfyblackknight8321 not everyone will adventure for life

[@wolfyblackknight8321]

@@elgatochurro I would imagine not well some might in the sense they died on the adventure but I do think more then a few might have a "well I have money fame now but retiring sounds boring" moment and decide to see how long they last and how far they can go. ether that or if they could find steady work but I imagine its hard to find a safe job when 90% of your skillset is combat focused.

[@davegreenlaw5654]

I'll be totally honest, it took me watching a few of your videos before I realized "Hey wait-a-sec, that's the same guy."

[@omegamark9178]

Ikr,he IS a pretty good actor actually!

[@marcar9marcar972]

Yeah he’s actually really good

[@marekginett6287]

Buying an expensive clock to prove oneself to NPC... this is an example of someone really immersed into a character and a game. Brilliant.

[@jemmerx]

Not to mention needing to take a 5 minute break because he was so worked up. That is an epic NPC interaction. Bravo Seth!

[@kevinsullivan3448]

During my first Call of Cthulhu game in the 80s, our group had a Werewolf chauffeur and during a campaign we met a Scottish Laird who had a daughter who was also a Werewolf. My character, Claphan Reid, though it would be a good idea to hook them up, since our WW was a nice guy and all. Unfortunately, one of the other PCs said something he should not have and everything went south and while our WW was safely restrained during the full moon, the other one was not and Claphan ended up having to kill her with silver slugs from his shotgun. I was rather upset for the next couple of sessions, since the 'Professor' turned out to be an idiot who couldn't keep his mouth shut. We barely escaped Great Britain due to the actions of the 'more experienced' characters.

[@skyblazeeterno]

probably they had too much time on their hands :)

[@magma1lord]

During our pathfinder session, our cleric mentioned he wanted to learn the profession Alchemy and ask if he could. I told him that he needed to find a teacher. So next session we had a relaxed session, I gave them the chance to discover Sandpoint a little. On the market, there was a traveling merchant selling the all-curing cure. It turned out to be a master alchemist, willing to take our cleric as his apprentice. (his accent changed to Russian for a reason I cannot explain because it was not intended I'm terrible with accents) He introduced himself as The GREAT Alphonse The GREAT Alchemist. (this is how he calls himself every time. when he talks about himself he says, "I, The GREAT Alphonse The GREAT Alchemist") My players loved him instantly. I really like this NPC, He was made from the top of my head and turned out to be amazing. I think im going to make him a character sheet.

[@robertnett9793]

Reminds me on 'Maleficio el Magnificient'. Traveling merchant of wonders and the extraordinaire. Come in and see with your very eyes, the marvels of forgotten times, magic beyond imagination and unbelieveble tresaures. Maleficio itself was a third-rate quarter-mage (basically a class of mundane people with some little magic power - mostly illusions), with a bright red wagon and the fastest horses in the realm. The items he sold were mostly forgeries, replicas, useless junk and the occasional cursed ring... Hm. Should dust off this NPC sometime and use him again. Fun times :D

[@randonimity84]

Does he have a brother named Edward? XD

[@barlotardy]

This closest thing my Campaign has to a master alchemist is Al, of Al's Chemicals. He's a hyper, twitchy fella with no eyebrows. I'm not gonna say he's running a meth lab out of the home village, but.....he's running a meth lab out of the home village.

[@sk8rdman]

@@robertnett9793 In Pathfinder the magic item creation rules include rules for attempting to craft something more quickly or cheaply, with a chance that you wind up with a cursed magic item on a bad roll. I always wanted to make a crazed wizard who crafted magic items, but often cut corners which resulted in some of is items being cursed. That's the risk you run buying discount magic items from him!

[@snate56]

@@barlotardy Where does he get Benadryl?

[@MarmadukeRupe]

"Quiet Dweebles" says Mike, the at the table NPC who Seth name dropped instead this episode.

[@Jlk2000x]

MarmadukeRupe I think he said Mike.

[@B.-T.]

Yeah mustache NPC is Mike, his name premiered in the Five Awesome Player Traits video.

[@MarmadukeRupe]

B. T. Thanks for the clarification. I must've forgot that happened, I love that video.

[@timpind.8237]

B. T. No, he’s Dweebles. Were you even paying attention?

[@willgillies5670]

Mike's the one with the Tache and the Beany hat, Todd's the metal stoner with the baseball cap Dweebles, which is probably a nickname, Dweebles...he looks like Brian to me....Jacks the woah woah woah guy. Then theres Narrator Seth and his NPC doppleganger , Seth the DM.

[@ZombieKissingBooth]

#justice4dweebles!

[@wm2429]

I had a NPC in an Aquatic campaign named Fenz Thelphant who did the whole hand-rubbing thing as he talked. After the boat captain died, he tried to position himself as the new captain. Eventually the PCs caught him trying to steal gold out of the cargo hold and he got so embarrassed that he gave up trying to become the captain and got off the boat the next time they docked.

[@sk8rdman]

That moment when you realize that you're really just an npc in somebody else's game.

[@azraelle6232]

"All the world's a tabletop, and the people merely NPCs."

[@zachmccambridge8748]

*Sobs* "He's a Monster!" (I legit lol'd at work)

[@dodebro]

The skits in this video were especially on point.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

I love it when the players at the table get in on the dialogue.

[@PoldaranOfDalaran]

You missed an excellent opportunity to make a Candle Jack joke. You really can't let these pass you by when you get the -

[@markabrian1925]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4SQl4WEn9Bops0 joke is at 3:36

[@jadenasher6290]

My players just left from a late night game. So this video is well timed for my post-game unwinding time.

[@curtiscarver5104]

Lol didn't notice your eyes moving and reading til you mentioned it. Great videos

[@TheDreadedBeauty]

I'm here to feed the algorithm. But more than that, this is the third time I've watched this video. It's both fun and helpful. Thanks for making these!

[@revelationmd]

With regards to your last point Seth - regarding the very ooc emotional response you received to an in-character npc interaction.... this proves the RP was done really well to my mind. That's a testament to both you and your players btw and in my opinion at least, this is what the game is really about. I do most of my RP both in my own game, and in games I play in, via text (PS if you want memorable npcs, mannerisms and catchphrases become an absolute must when its just text). Probably the most memorable RP moment of the last decade that I can remember was when I made one of my players cry. Should add, this wasn't bullying lol... it was just a very emotional scene. Funny thing is, I ended up in tears myself and I'm a 40+ very blokey bloke! Anyway - great video yet again!

[@lordsanityfree]

In my Shadowrun 3 game... Boris the perpetually drunk Russian arms dealer. He constantly says "No refunds!" He may actually have tourette's. I haven't decided yet. He wrote a cookbook called "Cooking with Flamethrower" and was trying hard to sell it to our street sam, who only wanted some non lethal ammo. In the end, Boris marked up the ammo by 3¥ a box, then casually mentioned to the PC that there's a coupon in the cookbook for 3¥ off boxes of ammo. It ended up saving him a buck or so, so he bought it. Now every time he comes into the gun shop Boris asks him if he tried this recipe or that.

[@handlebarfox2366]

Interesting thing about Tourette's... it's actually a disorder where the brain's fear/pain circuits are overloading for no logical reason, and the response is a stream of curses from the mental distress... it's literally a base level distress response.

[@oz_jones]

@@handlebarfox2366 Not just curses, ticks in general.

[@draxthemsklonst]

Waiting for Dweebles to go John Wick mode.

[@marveltard]

Every table character is just a different Keanu Reevs role?

[@draxthemsklonst]

+birbfanchannel tighto Dweebles, specifically, is loosely influenced by Bill & Ted style Keanu. Not Seth's other characters.

[@draxthemsklonst]

I was confused, and mistaken between characters, oops.

[@aranockcooke98]

Great video as per usual

[@zendikarisparkmage2938]

Hold up. Mike gets a real name, but "Dweebles" doesn't?

[@SSkorkowsky]

It isn't very fair, is it?

[@dubuyajay9964]

Above, a comment proposed David Roberts Williams, but I don't know if that will be canonized or not.

[@skyblazeeterno]

Dweebles is a name

[@waaurufu]

I was the DM for the finale of Storm Kings Thunder, and the PCs talked to the Elvish Lord so well that they convinced him to give them a fairy to help them, so I had to make a character on the fly to accompany them. His name was Chip and he spoke in third person and thought the players were just the absolute coolest, which actually ran contrary to the fact that the fairies were supposed to be cannon fodder to keep the players from taking too many direct hits in the final battle, so there was an added layer of both killing Bad Fruul AND making sure their favorite little fairy Chip didn't die in the battle, something that wasn't in the original module. But boy was it great because of it, the most memorable NPC I ever had the pleasure of making.

[@specterwolf4711]

Great video! I think this is an awesome bit of advice and information for DMs/GMs no matter if they are new or veterans. I think GMs tend to be intimidated creating NPCs and RPGing them. I like how honest you are about how you do things. RPGing NPCs is something you have to learn to do just like you have to learn to GM. When I realized that it is part of the GM's privilege to roleplay NPCs I embraced it. It is so much fun to throw quirky NPCs at my players and see their reactions. It is interesting that most of my NPCs that were really fun are those that I didn't really plan but that just happened during a campaign. Plus, I absolutely love the shirt!!! I need a shirt like that! Keep up the great work with all of your videos!!!!

[@StatsScott]

For the recurring NPCs I use, I have to say their catchphrase to remember how they sound/talk. Once I do that, it all comes back again but I can’t seem to remember without that.

[@nomnomgoblin8901]

Great vid and I've got the same tee shirt :D Edit: For those of you curious- ESSENTIAL NPC ! The success of the main quest depends on my continued survival Do NOT maim, rob, or kill NPC is not worth significant xp and does not carry excess amounts of cash, unique clothing, or named weapons. After that, at least on mine, is just copyright stuff.

[@middleclassciswhitemale642]

I was joking with my dad the other day about making an NPC based on a very scary monster usually found in dungeons in D&D, but actually making them friendly, and a lovable dork and goofball, as well as a powerful ally if the players choose to trust him. I don't want to say any more since one of my tabletop players watches your videos and might read comments, but I know I'm very excited for a certain NPC come my first time DMing D&D.

[@oz_jones]

Its a beholder, isnt it?

[@rikusauske]

Dweebles, Ramone, and horatio. That's my headcannon

[@scimerio1117]

This video was brilliant. One of your best (that I've seen) so far!

[@DeathBy_Chair]

I wanted my players to do most of their magical shopping in one place so I made a teleporting wooden shack that on the inside is the size of a major library filled with magic items. Then I made the shopkeep a little old lady named Matilda but after my barbarian tried to intimidate for better prices I put my foot down. Suddenly she snapped her neck to the right and her voice became deep and scraggly, her face shifting slightly to be more square jawed and called himself Stan. Then he snapped his neck to the left started talking like quagmire and called himself Greg. Finally the barbarian pissed him off, he snapped his neck downwards his eyes became red his skin became smoother and purple his jacket opened up to reveal hundreds of red eyes staring back as he cursed out the dumb barbarian in infernal. Thus the shopkeep of the Emporium Comporium Spletorium was born Matilda, Stan, Greg, and Markus. Later on they hired a naive ancient silver dragon to collect magic items for them, an axiomite artificer to make magic items for them, and a psychotic gnome who makes alchemical concoctions in the corner salad bar.

[@blazetheplaneswalker]

great video Seth I'll take these tips and use them in my own campaign also jack you drop any shotguns lately?

[@SSkorkowsky]

* Shakes fist * Vanderbilt!!!!!!!!!

[@NodDisciple1]

Seth, if I may, I'd like to suggest the 3'rd Edition D&D "Hero Builder's Guidebook" for making both PC's and NPC's. It's worth digging around the internet for due to how useful it is for character datamining for such a short read.. In the back of this book is a series of tables for making a character's background. It is mainly fantasy focused, but with some tinkering can be used in any setting. All right, using your guide (which I'm going to use on my own NPC's btw), I'm going to make a variant of "Dweebles" for my Time of War/Mechwarrior Campaign. Plus, I genuinely like him and feel bad for him. It'd be a good example to folks to see this guide of yours in action (at least I hope it will be!). Step 1: Mr. David Roberts Williams (which has been combined together to make the somewhat unflattering, but affectionate, nickname "Dweebles") Is not a combatant, but an accountant. A civilian. He was hired by the Quartermaster Corps of the PC's mercenary Outfit to aid them in balancing the books and to make sure they don't go too deep into debt trying to take care of the expenses that comes with being an independent mercenary outfit. He's also NOT the sort you'd want to back you up in a fight (the issue isn't loyalty, but a lack of bravery, toughness, and combat skills), but he helps to keep the war machine running by helping to figure out how to make the most of what C-Bills they have. Step 2: His motivation is relatively simple. Trying to avoid the frontlines and being shot or blown up as much as possible. He knows he's not the sort for combat. He never even spent one day of his life in Boot Camp or Basic Training. He really took this job because he needed the money. He's recently graduated accountant school and thus lacks the experience needed for the more cushy jobs. Plus, he has a LOT of Collegiate Debt he needs to pay off. So, since the Quartermaster Corps. Officer and NCO Cadre are more experienced in these things than he is, he is being further apprenticed and given finishing training by them. Now, he just has to survive it in one piece. Step 3: The PC's seem either insanely brave or batshit crazy to him. Like said earlier, he is a civilian and has no taste for the military life. He very much feels like a fish out of water when he's around the PC's, as he's from one of the worlds that exist much deeper in the Inner Sphere and thus rarely see Warfare. Step 4: Good natured, but easily spooked and unnerved. Also a very smart fellow. Seems a genuinely nice guy that is stuck in a bad situation. If played right, he can be very sympathetic (as he's on constant pins and needles and gets scared shitless when forced to get anywhere near the front). If played "wrong" (which can sometimes be done on purpose) he can be annoying. Step 5: A slight lisp and studders. Tends to avoid eye contact when intimidated (which happens often). Step 6: Upper Middle Class, College Trained (Accountant and limited computer and legal training). Step 7: You already developed the voice. Step 8: Slightly improvised (Not Catchlines per se, but sample lines of things he might say in a situation to get a feel for him and to help you get a better feel for his mindset. Also useful for voice practice. As you said, Catchlines often evolve during a game. I would use "Excelsior" but it feels too on the nose for the setting.) "You want us to buy WHAT!? C-C-C-Bills do NOT grow on threes (trees), Sir!" "S-Sir, you do realize I'm not a soldier, right? I don't even know how to handle a pistol or rifle!" "I know th-th others are going to like thisth (this), but if we can shave off a few cents here..." "I'm here to save us C-Bills Sir, not fight." "Yes, I'm doing the besth (best) I can Sir, but we must not cut too many corners. I realize thisth (this) Sir. For want of a nail and things of that sort." Stats: Yeah, not doing that atm. Sorry. PS: May I have permission to use Dweebles if I want to?

[@SSkorkowsky]

Love it. Knock yourself out and use and tweak him to your heart's content. Also, he has terrible fashion sense.

[@NodDisciple1]

Thanks for the info. I will make it to where his suit and tie are (unintentionally) tacky whenever he's not wearing regular jeans and shirt (since the military life is rough on clothes, so it'd be his civilian equivalent of a formal "Class A" uniform). I'll also use that info to make him occasionally complain when his clothes get messed up. Of course then the other NPC's (and probably PC'S) would tell him to suck it up and that the military life is rough and messy. Then he'd remind them that he's a civilian contractor, the group chews him out more, and hilarity ensues.

[@NodDisciple1]

One minor change, I think I'm going to change his first name to Dwight since it better fits "Dweebles."

[@Bags1917]

I was playing DnD and my players went into a shop. So, the players walk up to the counter and ask the shopkeep what type of store this is. With the shopkeeps british accent he replied in song: "Well we have potions, we have shields, we have swords that you can wield. We have spears, we have axes but please remember to pay your taxes. We have armor that is very hip." And then he whispers loudly: "Please remember to give me a tip." It became a meme in our group that we reference all the time

[@KimKhan]

One thing I do whenever I make an NPC is to give them an exaggerated trait. Makes them memorable, and I'll naturally gravitate towards one kind of mannerism that fits that character, and thus its memorable and easy to stay consistent with it.

[@johneastman5681]

You sir, are hilarious. Thank you for your content. Informative and enjoyable!

[@imreadydoctor]

wait a minute....your players are NPCs? So NPCs making PCs? I don't...I don't get it.

[@tamepenguin]

I usually make a point of giving neither Supporting cast nor Extras a name (though the first ones get stats). This way, I'm forced to spontaneously create (and note) names for both and my player can't distinguish them bases on whether I knew their names or not :)

[@Morlock9000]

The worst NPC is one a GM absolutely insists you interact with, when all you want to do hurry up and investigate some ruins. 30 mins roleplaying haggling over the price of provisions is... Somewhat dull

[@grymhild]

Darren Merson have you ever watched Critical Role? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6CcY4uhnbWtfa8

[@Daredhnu]

i have and their shopping episodes are the worst, atleast now that Laura no longer plays Vex they don't haggle quite as much anymore but it's still rather boring, if Matt didn't occasionally put in an amazing NPC for the to interact with it would be completely unwatchable, other than that it's a pretty amazing D&D show.

[@theDMLair]

Darren Merson Yeah, I almost never role play shopping sessions. I just tell the players the prices and they buys stuff. Can you make negotiating with shopkeepers interesting? Really interesting? Maybe, if you're an amazing DM. But it really worth it? Aren't there more interesting things to do in the game? Would I rather be exploring a dungeon or taking names and kicking butt? Yes, yes, I would.

[@theDMLair]

Daredhnu I agree. I don't care how good the actors are, haggling over a bag of rations is still just haggling over a bag of rations. There's so much more interesting stuff to do in the game.

[@The_Custos]

Must not revert to murder hobo!

[@TenthingsIhateabout_Josh]

Right on Seth. I can't tell you how many spur of the moment NPCs my players decided to "keep". This is ok though because if I really need to get them motivated I kill/maim/kidnap one of them

[@giladpellaeon1691]

Another great video, I always get a kick out of the "Jack"s. I always like using NPC's and I often find them useful in campaigns to add some little RP breaks to a combat heavy campaign just to spice things up sometimes even add little mini quests.

[@Geographus666]

Our DM once had a NPC in a long-running campaign that was our contact to some elite underground syndicate bosses we were in debt to, so we had no choice but to talk to this guy if we wanted to keep those bosses on good terms with us by doing jobs for them. That guy had a personality ... like whatever we did, that guy was never pleased, even if we followed our orders to the letter and everything worked as planed. He was not snobby or elitist, but the way he talked and phrased certain things always made us feel that we did something wrong. It felt like you could save that guys life and he expected you to apologize for it. We all hated that guy especially since we had to keep talking to him. We stil game with that DM and ocasionally he throws us a curveball by having a random NPC speaking in the tone of that guy because he still get's a reaction from us after all those years and he enjoys that 5 seconds of cringe everyone who was part of that campagin gets when he hears that voice. Awesome NPC but boy do I hope I will never encounter such a guy in the real world.

[@robertnett9793]

That's genious. Thanks for this insight Seth. I search all the time for tips & tricks to do NPCs better. I heard the idea of modeling your NPC after some actor/character before, but you gave it some uniqe spin with developing mannerisms and speech patterns as reaction to your players. And funny thing: From the three 'players' NPCs actually Dweebles feels the most distinct from you. I mean Mike and the other dude feel like independent characters but if someone told me Dweebles was actually played by someone else, who just happens to have a resemblance to you - I wouldn't doubt it. By the way - my next Cthulhu session includes a shopkeep. I call it your fault, that this NPC will be less than helpful to my Investigators :D

[@PadraicSmith]

As I recall my party remembers specifical one NPCs that was improvised; a surly barkeep who had no patience for them, but in fairness they did; knock his tavern door down in the middle of the night and filled the lower floor with snow, set a horse loose in it, bought 1kg of herring from him and fed it to the accidentally polymorphed wild magic sorcerer, who then proceeded to turn invisible (he rolled the "surge for a minute" roll). It was a hell of a game for that barkeep and there's now a sign outside that says "No Adventurers No Horses No Sheep No Herring No Magic No Fox People Oh yeah and the sorcerer aged 3 years. Not a biggie right? Is if you're an aarakocra (30 year lifespan). He's still within instakill range of that surge.

[@SabreXT]

The quest for Dweebles real name begins. ...I assume after many episodes, we learn that his real name is somehow even worse...

[@nicolasdiaz1542]

It's Leslie

[@johnjustjohn5866]

@@nicolasdiaz1542 even worse, it could be John.

[@MrKarma-dp8ud]

@@johnjustjohn5866 or Nick

[@Thurgosh_OG]

could it be 'Dwayne Dibbley'?

[@skyblazeeterno]

D.W. Eebles

[@tazmokhan7614]

LOVE IT!!!!!...DWEEBLES!!!!...Now give us the rest of the guys names...we want we we want.....lolol

[@chrishutchinson1874]

what Seth is Jack?! MIND BLOWN

[@thebolas000]

I'm still partial to Jan Silvo, the halfling shopkeep/assassination target with a bad Armenian accent I made for a D&D campaign. I played him super friendly so that PCs would actually want to keep him alive for a reason other than it being their job.

[@anytimeanywhere7859]

Wonderful.

[@darbizzlebacon]

I've only just started watching your videos, but I think they're great. One method I use for giving a character voices, is by impersonating different Star Trek characters, and writing the ST character name under the NPCs name.

[@peershaunm]

more videos, i'm burning through your content.

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Good video I try to use different voices for NPCs but sometimes it’s tough. Wow that’s expensive clock

[@howdoilogin]

Just do what my DMs did - adopt no voice, give everyone the exact same give-a-shit demeanor even when the players can and have stopped world-ending terrors that directly threatened them, then blame the players for not roleplaying enough.

[@stevenschnepp576]

God, you sound just as whiny as my players. Next you're going to complain about the super-awesome badass NPC paladin your DM sent with you to babysit you.

[@mikegould6590]

You covered every point I could possibly add. Nice job!

[@zoromax10]

strong 4th wall breaking here, I loved it

[@asaskald]

"He might as well be a racist too". I lol'd. I love it. I started voicing all of my NPCs in Mouse Guard and it was actually fun. I think my players like the apothecary the most. I gave him a dark, scheming kind of voice. But he can't help how he talks. He's actually a really nice mouse with no evil plots.

[@GunnarWahl]

My best npc's came from my own old characters i made for other games. My most notable is Jimmy John, of Jimmy John's used Wands. He was a used wand salesman who had dozens of wands from 3.5 when they had charges, but each of them had fewer than max charges, mostly all half used up. He spoke like danny devito sort of and he was a goblin from the plane of air. He was made of magic and he sold ya wands (which he said like w-ands, no "on" sound but an "And" sound, so Jimmy J-ands used w-ands) he became an instant favorite that a friends mom compliment the voice and was like, who's doing that?

[@Seth9809]

I use the Twilight 2000 system of cards and a random card generator, when I need a quick NPC motivation. It works quite well.

[@MarkLewis...]

Dweebles real name I am curious about, but I'd really like to know who plays all of the NPC's in Seth's videos?! Who's Jack and the 3 players Todd, Mike, and yes, Dweebles around the table?!

[@jwilson1687]

Yea, I have a few red shirts that became huge deals and integral parts of the campaign because the player loved them, and it forced me to develope them more. Its always fun.

[@000Krim]

How you don't have like a million subscribers?

[@skyblazeeterno]

In a way the players create the memorability of the NPC

[@gyrudoownil6651]

I'm not sure why but I think dweebles name is Jerry or Carl

[@lrrrofomicron2508]

How do you not have hundreds of thousands of subscribers?! I love all of your videos. Like share subscribe guys.

[@techno_tuna]

There I was Seth, about to sleep. And then, in the dead of night, my phone starts blinking.

[@Kazen169]

"an NPC has no name"

[@plaguedoctor415]

Dweebles is the best of the group, just because he's the one that is hardest to see Seth when you look at him. Not the best character but the best acting.

[@MrDarthDread]

To be completely honest the first time i watched one of your videos I thought "todd" was a different person

[@fireknight4151]

Its not everyday you have a charecter so unlikeable you can just say "Might as well make him a racist." That shopkeep has to make a future cameo.

[@wesh3338]

Awesome, thanks for making this!

[@dubuyajay9964]

Awww, Dweebles is an adorable name! X3. Aww, don't be sad Mr. NPC! TTnTT. I think you're a GREAT NPC! D':

[@toffotin]

Oh man, I was convinced the guy in the cap was an impression of Wayne in Wayne's World. Although it's been a long time since I saw the movie, so I'm not even that sure what the character was like C: Dweebles is awesome btw.

[@ADiceySituation]

Watching this again, it occurs to me that Seth totally Clark Kented me. Because as it turns out, slapping a 50 cent goatee on and changing his voice did make me think for at least a month that his NPCs were real, different people. So either Seth is Superman or I'm a little slow.

[@SSkorkowsky]

Never underestimate the power of a black & white filter.

[@rafaelferes4362]

Dweblees is crying, man! Why are you so mean to him?

[@nickmanzo8459]

During my very first Call of Cthulhu game I ever ran on my birthday earlier this year, my players made me recall the information on this video and I thanked God for every word of it. Let me explain. Were in southern Vermont, and the players are supposed to be going into the woods after a group of thieves who had kidnapped a young girl. The PCs during the town hall meeting when the Sheriff was laying down the facts of the botched ransom handover, and the subsequent gun fight, was asked where the leader of the gang was known to hang out so they could ask for more clues. Being that it wasn’t in the scenario itself, and that it was a rural town, on the fly, I made up that he had a local hangout at a seed barn that doubled as a bootlegging Shop, and basement speakeasy. Assuming that the players wouldn’t care too much about it, I left it at that. Instead, they were told to take an hour to buy supplies and gather clues before being driven to the woods to try to search for the missing girl and her kidnappers. Did they want to do that? Of course not, they wanted to question the bootleggers. I had to make up an NPC on the fly, and came up with this creepy ginger young guy in overalls with long red hair, freckles, and nearly white skin, who’s mouth was slightly open in an eternally half smiling, half surprised expression, with the creepiest “I’m so happy!” voice. My players were immediately creeped out by, and loved this guy even though he had zero relevance to the story, and threatened them with a sawed off shotgun mounted under the shop counter before they finally left. That was so much fun, but I’m still baffled as to why the PCs wanted so much to chat this guy up when it’s like “The game is over here guys! See? It’s over there!”

[@SSkorkowsky]

That is awesome. Love the description you gave the bootlegger. Never underestimate the ability of a player to jump down the rabbit hole of falling in love with a random and completely on-the-fly NPC. Very often we end up remembering that NPC with far more clarity and love than we even remember the adventure or campaign.

[@daltonprather6649]

so glad to see more seth!!!!

[@schonnj]

Also good tips for memorable PC's too. Great vid.

[@peterdafox]

Love ya seth!

[@heatherellis3471]

I just found this channel and I'm really digging it!

[@Troommate]

Essential Plot NPC you say? no promises....XD

[@mikebrown293]

Do you use the NPC props in actual play?

[@BigDictator5335]

That guy you described at the end is a real guy that I've met.

[@robertbogan225]

Love the shirt and the content!

[@squeethemog213]

This will really help me make my pcs shine in my campaign. I unfortunately default to three personas when I do npcs but the tips in this I'll definety try out. Thanks is Seth :)

[@NodDisciple1]

17:40 I gave you a name Dweebles...if Seth wants to make it canon. D: (See below.)

[@Tsunkuotaku]

Brilliant video! I think it's your best yet. Just watched this a second time and I think I enjoyed it even more this time. Keep up the great work!

[@brettroper1031]

So we have Mike Dweeble and Shaun.

[@Yuni-is-Schrodingers-Fox]

His name is Todd, but he will always be Brody to me

[@dirus3142]

I think of him as Todd Brokowski

[@yipyipyipi]

What Seth tried to teach us: how to make memorable and great npcs What we (and Seth) learned: Seth would make a villianously good clocksalesman.

[@cianawadsworth3492]

Thank you so much for this video! It helped a lot!

[@aeoscampaignsetting8489]

Hold up, does Seth have red irisis or am I just crazy

[@SquirrelGamez]

I love your NPCs and even with my 20-something years of experience, it's always nice and helpful to get input from fellow DMs and how they do things. Keep them coming. :D

[@TheStowAway594]

So your dressing up as multiple people from different time periods, creating personalities for each of them, then recording it and putting it on the internet........your wife must be a very understanding individual lol.

[@GenericJake]

I’m gonna be honest… I kinda never noticed Dweebles was still just Seth. His combed hair and goatee actually threw me off unlike the fake mustache

[@SSkorkowsky]

I credit 90% of it to the black and white filter.

[@GenericJake]

@@SSkorkowsky that could do it too

[@Kevlar-78]

We need a Feywild-Jack

[@1217BC]

Poor Dweebles

[@TwistedTentacleInn]

Those guys you have on your show are overpaid. They're riding off your knowledge and success. I just hope you're aware that they're taking advantage of you. Especially that guy who dresses like detective all the time. You're welcome. - Innkeeper Vase Odin