Playing a Non Player Character
(NPC) in Shadow Accord

Non-Player Characters (NPCs) play an intricate role in enhancing the game experience of Shadow Accord. They provide plot, tension, and establish the culture of medieval England as well as the World of Darkness setting.

The majority of NPCs are experienced players taking a break from their personal character (PC) and helping the Storytellers. This can be a rewarding experience, both by granting the player additional experience points (xp), and a role play that they would not otherwise have access to with their character. By following the instructions below, you too can participate as an NPC.

How to start

NPC are generally chosen from experienced players as they have a responsibility for knowing the rules. At event, anyone except first time players may come to Storyteller Camp looking to play an NPC. Each time you NPC you gain 1 xp per character played, with a maximum of 3 xp per event (See “Character Advancement” within the rulebook). You are welcome to play more than three NPCs over the course of an event, but Storytellers are unable to award more than the maximum xp allotment.

While there is no guarantee that the Storytellers will utilize you at that particular moment, occasional drop-ins during event will often yield different answers based on the changing nature of what is going on in game. If there is a sign on the door indicating “ST Camp is Closed” it means that either all Storytellers are out IG, organizing multiple plots and do not need further NPCs, or are sleep. Be patient and understand that Storytellers tend to be very busy people during event and you are ultimately assisting them to enrich the game experience.

Checking in

Once approved to play an NPC, please wait for a Storyteller to write up a Character sheet and explain your objectives. You will be asked to sign the Check-In sheet by writing your name, the character you are playing, and the time you are coming in. This allows Check-In team to later tally up the XP you earned from NPCing. It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure you are checked in.

Suit-up

The storytellers will usually give you a quick rundown of what they are looking for, and will go in to greater detail once they have a Character sheet written up. This initial process is a good time to gather and try on garb. *You should place your PC’s clothing and items in a specified OOG area. If it gets mixed in with NPC garb, you may have a hard time locating and getting it back.

  • When finding NPC garb you should consider several key things:
    • Is this character a peasant, a craftsman, a noble, a monster? Dress to the part as best as possible without going to extremes – unless of course asked by the Storyteller to do so.
    • Consider that character’s “lot in life” and how it’s may have effected what they have. A peasant isn’t going to be wearing very nice clothing. A noble tends to be draped in brighter colors, and like all other time periods, they like their fancy hats. A monster’s clothing requirements can vary.
    • Money. Similar to the previous point, this tends to depend upon where the character is within society as well as Storyteller discretion as they will be the ones to issue IG funds. *Be aware that any and all unspent funds must be returned back to Storytellers once that NPC finished.*
    • Consider any makeup or masks you may need. Ensure that you are correctly portraying the character.
    • Ask what sort of weapons you may have. Listen to the Storytellers and ensure that your character sheet reflects what you are carrying. There is no use carrying around Brawl boffers if you don’t have the Brawl ability.
    • Be sure to check any tagged items you are using to ensure it is tagged correctly. Only grab and utilize tagged weapons when instructed to.

The rundown

This stage of the process may often happen before, during, or after getting suited up. The Storyteller will go in to detail about whom your character is and their reason for being in town. They may give you a lot of information, or a little. You will be responsible for completing the goals that ST sets down for you, and while the personality will be played by you, this character is ultimately the domain of Storyteller. Talk with the Storyteller and ask questions. Doing so will give you, and the Storyteller, an idea of how your NPC may be received.

It is during this stage that you will be provided with a character sheet. Review what powers you have, if any, and be sure you are aware of how to correctly use them. If you are confused, ask questions or look it up within a rulebook. It is your responsibility to utilize the powers you have within the scope and boundaries of the rules.

  • Be sure you understand the faction you are being asked to play and how they commonly interact. It’s often a good idea to let the Storyteller know what level of canon (SA, oWOD, and/or Mortal History) knowledge you have before they place you as an NPC. This will ensure that you’re not overwhelmed.
  • Note your Power Pool, and be sure to keep it in mind when you go out and start using it.
  • Be aware of the consequences of running out of your Power Pool, being fed from, and what can kill you.
  • Also, don’t forget to have a name for your NPC and a general idea of what they were doing before coming to town.

Overall the Storytellers should be able to answer any questions you have, and once you feel you are comfortable with your NPC and their duty, await for the Storyteller to let you go. They may ask you to enter at a specific location or at a specific time, or they may merely send you out upon the road to wander.

Helpful tips

Here are some overall suggestions for accomplishing tasks as an NPC:

  • When entering the game area as an NPC, remember to have fun. You’re there to enhance the game by being a plot device. Enjoy yourself!
  • Respond to IG events as the NPC would. If he/she has never seen a monster and happens upon something that looks like one, freak out accordingly.
  • A comedy of errors sometimes makes for compelling game play. Sometimes you enter in to game with a purpose, but that purpose is confounded by other events. Don’t get discouraged, try to find creative ways to accomplish your goal inside the confines of what your NPC would or could do.
  • Unless you’ve played this NPC prior, everything and everyone is new to you. Don’t go to places just because you, the player, know it’s there. Don’t avoid someone because you know as your PC that they would kill your NPC. Get in the mindset of being someone completely different.
  • Let your NPC learn if they are smart, or flounder if they are dumb. You’re not playing yourself, and so you are not confined to your same mental attributes. If your NPC is an ignorant peasant, be an ignorant peasant.
  • Express emotion. If your NPC is angry, then act angry. You are acting a part and that means going to lengths to express such things. Just don’t overdo it unless the situation legitimately calls for it.
  • Differentiate yourself from your PC. This can be done through changing how you commonly act, speak, and react to people and situations. If someone mistakes you for your PC, don’t get flustered. Simply explain as you would a stranger that they have the wrong person.
  • Stay within the scope of your NPC’s objectives. If you find yourself getting too wrapped up in to events far beyond what the Storytellers intended for your NPC, wait for a good time to excuse yourself and return to Storyteller camp. If the hook you’ve found is useable, this NPC could become recurring.
  • If you’re gonna die, make it a good death. Use some drama, just don’t overdo it.

Returning

Once you are done NPCing you’ll want to exit game the best way possible. Do not simply drop OOG and leave the scene, unless of course your death timer has run out and your NPC is dead. For those still living, find ways to slip out or leave officially along a road. It doesn’t even have to be the main road going to ST Camp. Once out of sight from the players you can then drop OOG and return immediately to ST Camp.

Once back at ST Camp, you’ll want to put the garb and props you have utilized back in their respective bins and locations as well as return any unused money back to a Storyteller. You are generally free to take a couple moments to relax and recap to the Storytellers how your mission went and how the players reacted.

Once you have put your PC’s grab back on and are ready to depart, please be sure to sign out as well.

Additionally, you may be prompted to send an NPC report of exactly what happened to the main storyteller email in the days after event. This will allow the Storytellers to use the information you have provided to continue their plots.

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