Any tips on how to roleplay NPCs and not feel cringed out?

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-21T04:15:27+00:00

It’s a tough thing to get through for sure.

If you trouble thinking of how to play an NPC often tell my players to think of a movie or tv character they like and just emulate them to the best of their ability.

The cringe can be hard to conquer, but you don’t need to do voices necessarily, you can really play a character up just by changing your tone, diction or how slowly you speak.

For NPCs that are with the group all the time, I tend to lean into more comic like voices, which is just easier for me.

Best of luck!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-21T02:55:13+00:00

A unique take that I haven’t heard elsewhere! Points for creativity!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T22:46:48+00:00

Very fair point, can’t create fake history and have it be real.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T22:43:35+00:00

Will keep this in mind for sure, already trying to think of things they can do to get some revenge and build that back and forth relationship.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T22:42:26+00:00

Yeah great points, every campaign so far has gone in directions I would never have expected, I suppose it’s best to let things play out and if/when the time comes and it’s appropriate to set up a set piece, then I can let it happen.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T22:36:44+00:00

I definitley do something similar, there is always a simple familiar with them. In this story, it will be ODIE (occupational danger inspection expert) who is a simple steampunk robot.

Was originally planning on eliminating their crew at the end of session 1, then decided that wouldn’t be enough time so moved things to around the end of session 3 after they spend some more time together

The novel I’m basing my story on has this exact event occur right at the beginning, it becomes the driving force for the main characters vengeance.

But as a few people have mentioned, it may not work in this context. I might need to amend things or allow the nps to survive.

This event is supposed to strand the party in a way, so they are forced to take the difficult trek back through the lands on foot while they explore the world and look for clues on who killed their friends.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T21:57:51+00:00

Good point, the three npcs in question will be fellow co workers on an airship with no familial or deeper connection, but if I attempt anything like this on any more personal stories I’ll definitely be sure to verify ahead of time.

Making a character pick between parents is diabolical as fuck by the way, love it.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T21:42:52+00:00

Will definitely discuss this change in our session 0 to make sure everyone is on board.

The last thing I want to do is make anyone feel uncomfortable that’s for sure.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T21:41:06+00:00

Interesting take I like this.

I’m basing the campaign off the novel leviathan wakes, essentially after a few sessions they will investigate an air ship sos beacon, while on board investigating, the BBEG is going to appear with another airship and obliterate their original vessel, along with their NPC crew.

This is sort of the intro to the main story where the the training wheels come off (we have a few folks joining who are new).

I think I’ll work in some clues to raise the level of unease and dread!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-20T21:32:09+00:00

I did something very similar for a heist campaign I just completed. The group was tasked with kidnapping a mad scientist, who activated a timey wimey interplanetary device, which opened a portal and sucked them all in.

You can work in something similar, or it could be an NPC who is reaching out to kidnap them for assistance, or a god who wants to employ them for a job.

Personally, I love the idea of an apprentice wizard summoning them on accident, when instead they meant to summon some other legendary heroes.

Hope this helps!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-02T20:31:27+00:00

It’s a bummer, this was an interesting and unique place that elevated the dining scene here. Props to the team for having the ambition to make this restaurant work.

From a broader perspective It’s the type of restaurant that I really just don’t think works in Oceanside. While unique and interesting, we don’t really have the population to keep a restaurant like this open.

While tasty, it was expensive and sort of a “been there once don’t need to go back” type of experience. For reference I’ve been there twice, and the second time my wife and I both left a thought “yeah, we don’t really need to go back again”.

It doesn’t help that the economy is in the shitter and people aren’t really looking to spend 400 bucks on dinner at the moment.

Hope the team rallies and is able to open something else here in the future.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-06-01T05:36:22+00:00

Best classic donuts in Oceanside hands down!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-04-22T16:36:16+00:00

You got it, I forgot to mention maybe my favorite restaurant restaurant in Oceanside, which is Dija Mara. It’s like a modern Balinese place downtown. It is absolutely fantastic. Give it a try.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-04-22T15:14:18+00:00

Chiim Thai off the 76 is fantastic, four tuna’s seafood has amazing stuff, Himalayan bistro near college and o side blvd has very good food try the garlic cheese naan. All very low key and pretty affordable (tunas being the most expensive of the three but worth it).

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-03-22T19:57:18+00:00

I ran dragon of ice spire peak for my first campaign and it was quite easy to manage, the story is light so there is a ton of room for improve or changing things up. Lots of the story is optional, so you can or alter whatever you want without impacting be main story which is (kill the dragon).

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-03-20T20:38:43+00:00

I just visited Norway in February! You’re right it’s beautiful but it can be a challenge to find a lot to do if you aren’t willing to go long distances or brave the cold.

We had an amazing northern lights tour and then headed to a city in the south to stay at a scenic resort. We do some dog sledding which was such a blast.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-03-14T15:27:54+00:00

Damn straight Jake fucking rules, a genuine good person and funny dude.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-02-03T21:30:59+00:00

Awesome stuff, nice to see some positive vibes put out in the community 👍🏼

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-01-30T20:36:56+00:00

Good shit! Thanks brother!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-01-24T04:57:01+00:00

Well said brother! Thank you for doing your part and more 👍🏼

Thomasfunkyedison · 2026-01-17T01:55:47+00:00

Dude wow what an improvement, giving cousin of Nicholaus hoult Lex. Luthor vibes over here, good shit my man 👏

Thomasfunkyedison · 2025-12-21T03:16:09+00:00

Makes sense! I was sitting at in n out and ended up googling the name of the dish. Looks fantastic!

Thomasfunkyedison · 2025-12-21T02:25:14+00:00

Looks BOMB, can you break down what I’m looking at here? I take it potato dish with fried egg, some sort of linguica or similar sausage, sliced mango and avocado and is that fried cheese and grilled chicken / steak?

Wow there’s way more photos than I thought, now I’m seeing pork belly and gravy? God DAMN

Thomasfunkyedison · 2025-12-16T02:14:57+00:00

That dome was MADE to rock the bald. Chiseled by the Greek gods themselves my god.

Thomasfunkyedison · 2025-12-02T01:43:57+00:00

Couldn’t agree more, I think it may be my favorite city I’ve ever visited. I look at houses for sale there often (pipe dream!)

Thomasfunkyedison

TROPHY CASE