Key Takeaways for Roleplaying NPCs

• Understand NPC Motivations: Use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to understand and role-play NPC motivations, from basic survival to self-fulfillment.
• Behavioral Traits: Tailor NPC behaviors based on their intelligence and nature, from simple creatures driven by basic needs to complex beings with grand schemes.
• Language and Communication: Use specific phrases, slang, and communication styles to make NPCs feel authentic and unique.
• Social Struggles: Incorporate personal struggles and concerns such as debts, health, and family issues to add depth to NPCs.
• Cultural Tensions: Highlight historical conflicts and prejudices to create realistic and engaging social interactions.
• Accents and Tones: Even subtle changes in voice and tone can make NPCs more memorable and engaging.
• Blending Realism and Fantasy: Balance realistic motivations with the fantastical elements of the game to create immersive and dynamic NPCs.

Ever struggled to make your NPCs memorable? Does every NPC sound just like you, except with a different title? Then this guide might just be the shot of dragon fire you are looking for. Role-playing Non-Player Characters (NPCs) not just an exercise in bad accents, it's a fundamental aspect of running a successful Dungeons & Dragons campaign. NPCs add depth and realism to your world, enriching the story and engaging your players. This article will guide you through the nuances of role-playing different types of NPCs, from low-intelligence beasts to powerful dragons, and everything in between. We'll also explore how to incorporate real-life psychological aspects to create memorable and believable characters.

A Brief Psychology Lesson

Before we begin, we should first define a classic concept in psychology because it will set the ground rules to answer the question of 'why' which will often come up. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow that outlines five levels of human needs, ranging from basic physiological necessities to self-actualization. In the context of RPGs, this hierarchy can be a valuable tool for understanding and role-playing NPC motivations. At the base of the hierarchy, characters are driven by survival needs such as food, water, and safety. As these needs are met, their motivations shift to higher levels, including social interactions, esteem, and self-fulfillment. You should often note that intelligence stat block is always a good place to see how this hierarchy fits into a specific creature's imaginary life.

For example, a starving dragon's actions will be guided by the immediate need for food as a normal human or bear would. A noble might be motivated by the desire for status and influence because all of their basic needs are met through wealth. You can see here that the intelligence stat is a good indicator of the creatures needs, but differs based on their social status, or on what needs are failing to be met. Similarly, a dragon typically isn't concerned with food because it likely has a network of minions to provide for its needs, making it the top of the food chain and eliminating most basic motivators. By considering where an NPC falls on Maslow's hierarchy, Dungeon Masters can create more realistic and compelling character motivations, enhancing the depth and immersion of their campaigns. Not just that, but when dealing with alien species, undead and aberrations, for instance, you'll be able to see when this theory is completely thrown out the window for narrative purposes because some creatures, as defined by the highly debated alignment system, don't have such needs because of the fantastical nature of fantasy RPGs. Okay enough of that, but don't forget it. We'll start small and work up to the big boys. 

Beasts and Simple Creatures

Understanding the behaviors and motivations of creatures can set the stage for interesting encounters. Typically, creatures such as wolves or owlbears often exhibit straightforward behaviors driven by survival instincts. They may be territorial, aggressive when threatened, or protective of their young. Their basic needs are motivated by hunger, safety, and the protection of their territory or offspring.

Beasts typically communicate through growls, roars, and other animalistic sounds/non-verbal communication. Their ability to communicate is fairly limited, but of course, there's magic. Oh magic you got me again! Magic or druidic abilities might allow limited communication, such as through the spell 'Speak with Animals' or Beast Speech. However, it's important to note that while beasts are very perceptive via hearing, sight, and/or smell, they lack a significant memory span or understanding of humanoid body language. As a DM, your answers might sound foolish, be intentionally misinterpreted, or be generally short based on exactly which of the 5 senses they are most proficient in. In essence, they filter the world through their 5 senses, their basic needs, and that's it. 

A wolf pack defending its den from intruders might use coordinated attacks to drive PCs away and fight to the death. No amount of scooby snacks are going to sway their opinion that you are not threatening them in their forbidden lair, however, if unexpectedly stumbling upon them, a PC might actually have chance at using Animal Handling to quell the chances of a physical confrontation. Clearly, running would be a better survival tactic than fighting, especially if they outnumber their enemy. This doesn't mean that every druid or ranger is going to gain that animal companion they always wanted, but it does offer some insight into the fight or flight psychological aspect of beasts and other similar creatures.

Understanding how to role-play these more primal creatures sets the stage for more engaging encounters. Next, let's delve into portraying low-intelligence humanoids like goblins and kobolds.

Low-Intelligence Humanoids

Low-intelligence humanoids such as goblins and kobolds often rely on cunning and numbers to achieve their goals. Goblins and kobolds often exhibit cowardly or trickster behaviors. They rely on numbers, traps, and ambushes rather than direct confrontation because generally, they are weak and poor at combat. You'll know this because it either describes in the book, there is a lot of folklore about the creature in pop-culture, or their Combat Rating (CR) rating is probably going to be below CR 1. These creatures are opportunistic, scavenging for resources and avoiding fair fights whenever possible. There is often a crude code of conduct, even if it is limited to "he who survives the duel is now the leader." Might earns rights in these simplistic cultures.

Similar to beasts, survival is a primary motivator. They seek food, shelter, and safety from larger predators or more powerful foes. They may also be driven by the desire to prove themselves within their communities, often through cunning plans or bravery in battle. Foolishness, poor decisions, and strong emotional ties are critical to these cultures because these are the strategies they understand and rely on. They might be tricky, but they often don't think about other possibilities. 

Goblins and kobolds use a mix of crude language, high-pitched chatter, and body language to communicate. They are tribal and may speak in broken Common or use their own guttural languages. Adding specific phrases or slang can make them feel more authentic. For example, goblins might refer to gold as "shinies," and kobolds might call traps "click-clacks." Just these small additions to your language will go a long way to making these types of creatures feel alive.

When a PC meets a goblin, kobold, or similar creature, their first thought would likely be how dangerous are these adventurer's? Do they have enough traps, tricks, and spears to kill it, or do they have to sneak off and find a bigger baddy to help them deal with the PC? That is the thing with these low-intelligence humanoids, they're not idiots, because they know they can easily be beaten, which is why so many larger creatures keep them around for a mutual benefit of protection. An adventuring party may be able to defeat them handedly in melee or a social interaction, but they typically have at least someone around that rules the roost. In the case of Kobolds, that might just be a dragon, but we'll talk about that later on!

With low-intelligence humanoids adding an element of cunning and chaos, let's explore how to role-play average-intelligence humanoids like town guards and merchants.

Average-Intelligence Humanoids

Average-intelligence humanoids, such as town guards and merchants, bring a sense of everyday life and grounded realism to your world. Whenever you deal with townsfolk, this will be your cheese cantrip. Most townsfolk are simple everyday humanoids trying to earn a few coins to get by. But we're not here to talk about simple professions and haggling for better prices with the local merchant.

The best example of a common average-intelligence NPC would be all those pesky guards that dot the landscape and enforce the unfair rules of the kingdom. They are duty-bound, possibly disciplined, and almost always suspicious of strangers. They generally follow orders and maintain a sense of law in their communities. Guards are motivated by a sense of duty, loyalty to their superiors, and a desire to protect their commanders. 

Guards speak in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. They might use military jargon or formal language, but they are certainly not educated like a wizard or royal. Obviously, humans can vary greatly from knuckle-dragger to leader, however, most humanoids are concerned with getting through the day, whether it’s by honoring their god, avoiding starvation, or staying away from the pointy end of a sword.

A town guard dealing with troublemakers in the market might try to defuse the situation by a quick show of force by grabbing the hilt of their sword. They know when they are overwhelmed, and unless they have nothing to lose, they can be quick to throw down their arms. Unlike a pirate or rogue who knows capture will cost them their head. Just think of a real person in your life and think how they might react to a situation. Chances are that the more shoes you try to walk in, the more variations of outcomes you'll get.

Now that we've covered average-intelligence humanoids, let's move on to high-power NPCs like dragons, nobles, and aboleths, whose motives and behaviors are far more complex.

High-Powered NPCs

High-power NPCs such as dragons, nobles, and aboleths bring a level of complexity and depth that can profoundly impact your campaign's storyline. In some sense, these creatures are much more difficult to role play because they are far more intelligent than you are yourself. But you have one ace up your sleeve, you sly rogue—you are the DM, and you know the backstory. Even a savvy player can guess, but until you allow that crumb trail to fully unveil itself, they will never truly know what your plans are.

Role Playing Nobles and Royals

Let's start with nobles and royals because they are the most relatable to our modern culture general study of history. They are often depicted as sophisticated, commanding, highly ritualistic based on customs, and often pretty arrogant. They are used to being obeyed and respected. They are motivated by the desire to maintain or expand their power, influence, and legacy. This can involve complex political maneuvers and alliances.

To separate themselves from their inferior commoner counterparts, nobles and royals speak with refinement, often using formal language and etiquette. They might use flowery speech or subtle insults to convey their superiority.

A noble expects others to jump when they say to, because their position of authority legally allows them to. They are always scheming to gather information and gauge the loyalty of those they meet to ensure their needs are being met, goals being tracked, and royal decree being followed for both true gain as well as social status achievement. They are constantly balancing the needs of their kingdom with their personal ambitions, and for the most part, if you are a commoner or low level adventurer, you are just another tool to be used or cast aside.

That is not to say that they are evil, but they clearly delineate who is of value and who is perceived as not. Some may be duty bound and step forward in the face of danger to show their bravery, or could just as easily accept the help of an adventurer trying to fill their pockets with a few coins to kill a local monster. Why risk their lives, when they can risk yours? And if you aren't of noble class, what is one less adventurer?

Role Playing Dragons

Dragons are ancient, wise, and powerful, often exhibiting a combination of arrogance and patience. They may be territorial and view other creatures as either potential threats or tools to achieve their goals. They are often driven by the accumulation of wealth, power, and knowledge. Their goals can span centuries, making them patient and strategic. This, like the life-span of elves, is a potentially alien way of thinking to us mere mortals. 

Dragons speak with authority and eloquence, often using formal or archaic language. Their words carry weight and are usually laced with underlying threats,  promises, or lies. While the type of dragon can alter their style of ego significantly, one thing remains true, their egos are huge, and they should be. Especially as they age, they have acquired contacts and treasures from far and wide. Unlike fairytale dragons, they often form alliances with other powerful creatures for mutual protection. Or, as we noted earlier, have a horde of kobolds to wade through before you even get to their remote lair, hidden from the eyes of any traveler.

A dragon knows their worth, and they know they're formidable, giving them the deserved ego they demand, and demand they will. You will often find them requiring tribute from a nearby village, offering protection in exchange for wealth and loyalty, or just simply not to kill them keeping them in fear. Some dragons enjoy engaging in a philosophical debate with adventurers, testing their wisdom and resolve before deciding whether to ally with or oppose them. But the one thing you must remember is that dragons have vastly different monstrous networks that they are able to gather information from, and their historical memory help immensely in this manner. It's no wonder dragons are feared, because if they wanted to kill you, they could, but the question is, how can they use you instead, before they make you their meal?

Role Playing Aberrations and (Alien) Aboleths:

Aboleths are ancient and malevolent beings with vast knowledge and psychic abilities that can probe deep into anyone's mind at a whim. They are manipulative and view other creatures as pawns in their grand schemes. They seek to expand their influence and enslave other beings to serve their purposes. Even compared to dragons, their age might as well make them immortal, for the amount of patience they have to accomplish their goals is literally unimaginable to the human mind. 

Aboleths communicate telepathically, often using unsettling and cryptic language. Their words can instill fear and doubt in the minds of those they contact. Not just that, but by enslaving others, and probing the minds of adventurers, they might already know the answer they are looking for. This makes your adventurers a play thing, like a game of cat and mouse, something to keep alive to toy with until they need them to do something, or just outright kill/enslave them when they they no longer have any use for them.

For example, an aboleth using its psychic powers to control a group of villagers might turn them into mindless thralls to further its dark plans. An aboleth bargaining with adventurers, might offer information about an ancient artifact they seek, full well knowing what lay ahead, or how to manipulate them in exchange for their assistance in achieving its goals. I created a whole campaign on this in my Shadow Over Silvermore Campaign and it was a blast.

Understanding the underlying concerns and struggles of NPCs adds depth to your role-playing and makes interactions more realistic and engaging. Now, let's look at some final tips for bringing it all together.

Social Struggles and Concerns

Every NPC, regardless of their status or power, has personal struggles and concerns that influence their actions and decisions. Many monsters have a more stereotypical idea that influences them, however, by twisting background historical events, you might just consider the following ideas to give a little spice to your NPCs.

God-Fearing: Many NPCs, regardless of their status, might be influenced by their religious beliefs. Whether the gods walk among other on earth, or sit back from afar, this can affect their decisions, actions, and interactions with others.

Owing Money: Debts can be a powerful motivator. An NPC in debt might take risks or make desperate choices to repay what they owe. This can make for great moral quandaries or redemption stories.

Wanted by the Law: Being pursued by authorities can lead to paranoia and a constant state of vigilance. This can make NPCs more cautious or more reckless, depending on their personality. It can be straightforward to know that a thief is on the run, but also twisting for a vigilante like robin hood can make for a compelling story.

Family Health: Concerns about a family member's health can drive NPCs to seek help, make alliances, or take actions they wouldn't normally consider. Just look at survival stories from real life, where family members crossed oceans to find salvation, hope, or medical treatment can inject a lot of emotion into an NPC.

Hunted for Trophy or Fear: On a different note, monsters, in particular, might be hunted by adventurers or other creatures either as a trophy or out of fear. This constant threat can influence their behavior and decisions making a typically disliked monster draw out empathy during a session setting up an unlikely quest.

Love: Well I have to end this list with love. Love can be a strong motivator, leading NPCs to act in ways they might not otherwise. This could be the love of a partner, a child, or even unrequited love. Consider Helen of Troy and all the trouble that started. 

Understanding the underlying concerns and struggles of NPCs adds depth to your role-playing and makes interactions more realistic and engaging.

Accents

If you look on the internet these days, you can't swing a dead kobold without stumbling upon a new RPG group airing their campaign on video or podcast. Some of these groups, such as the infamous Critical Role, for example, have professional voice actors. I want to clearly state that you do not need to use voices, however, as bad as you are, and if you are even a little bit better than me, a touch of even the worst accent or tone shift can go a long way. Start out simple with language changes equalling the creature's intelligence. Then add in a tonal shift here and there, and by the time your group finishes their first quest, I can guarantee that they will appreciate the fact that you tried. Plus, you'll be adding a point or two in your own performance stat block! A little bit will go a long way. But don't sweat it if you're not great at it—everyone is happy that you're the DM running an adventure and they didn’t have to.

Cultural Tensions

In the diverse and vibrant world of Dungeons & Dragons, cultural tensions are a significant aspect of interspecies interactions. These dynamics can add layers of complexity to your role-playing, enriching the narrative and providing opportunities for memorable social encounters. Now, it's important not to go overboard, but peppering in cultural differences and grudges can sometimes create interesting social interactions with NPCs.

Historical Tensions

Many races and species in the D&D universe have long histories of conflict and rivalry. For instance, the animosity between elves and dwarves is a well-known trope in fantasy lore, often stemming from historical wars, cultural differences, and competition for resources. Even Mountain Dwarves and Hill Dwarves have vast differences and grudges against each other, let alone High Elves and Dark Elves. When role-playing these interactions, highlight the underlying mistrust and occasional respect that can arise from that shared history. If a player chooses a very unique, or even homebrew race to play, highlighting those differences can be a source of fun, which is exactly why they chose the race in the first place.

Dark Past

Certain races, like Tieflings and Dark Elves (and generally all subterranean races), are often viewed with suspicion or outright hostility due to their demonic or dark heritage lore. This prejudice might influence how NPCs react to them, affecting social interactions and even the willingness to offer aid or services. I once created a minotaur for a character, and as you can imagine, the cow jokes flowed from the entire group. The point here is to take the bull by the horns and lean into the different races that your players choose. Just like highlighting the ranger or druid for being in touch with nature, or a wizard understanding the arcane, cow-towing to differences to make character feel unique can make the world feel alive and gritty. Okay you get the point, we can MOO-ve on!

While incorporating these cultural tensions, it’s crucial to handle them sensitively and thoughtfully. The goal is to enhance the story and create realistic, engaging interactions, not to reinforce harmful real-world stereotypes. Remember, this game is for fun, and no one wants to be left upset, so its important to know your players. By weaving cultural tensions into your NPC interactions, you can create a more immersive and dynamic world. These conflicts and alliances can drive your narrative forward, providing rich opportunities for character development, stories of redemption, and renewed trust/empathy.

During my Dragonlance campaign, I create a Hill Dwarf and another player rolled up a Mountain Dwarf. Using the historical grudge about how the Mountain Dwarves locked out the Hill Dwarves, leaving them to their own devices wandering for the rest of eternity. It made for quite an interesting social dynamic that everyone felt comfortable to laugh in. For instance, silly terms like leaf-eaters for elves, stone-brain for dwarves, or shadow-dwellers for subterranean races can go a long way to address ancient grudges which shaped an older aging races values without creating real-life social drama. Again, when used properly, this can be a great source of role-play interactions setting that stage to heal old wounds through redemptive stories.

The Final Role Call

Role-playing NPCs effectively can transform your D&D campaign, making your world feel alive and immersive. By considering behavioral traits, motivations, language, and social struggles, cultural grudges, you can create memorable and dynamic characters that enrich your campaigns. Whether you're portraying a cunning goblin, a noble dragon, or a desperate merchant, these tips will help you bring your NPCs to life and engage your players in meaningful and compelling ways.