Description + Action = Living NPC
One of the great challenges with writing good NPCs is to present them in such a way that the GM can easily portray them in a scene. I am experimenting with punchy descriptors accompanied by actions or short vignettes.
This idea came about when revising my current Triangle U project and discussing how to portray NPCs with Caleb Zane Huett. He had, as an example, put some actions as examples of what an NPC might be doing and I suggested linking them to descriptors. In the first version of this post, I made it sound like a solo idea when really it was a collaboration - sorry, Caleb!
Here's an example, randomly pulled from Blades in the Dark, since they have three attributes usually.
Original: Lady Freyla. Regarded by some as the finest sommelier in the Empire. She serves only the most deserving at the Emperor’s Cask. (Erudite, Cultured, Charming)
New: Lady Freyla. Regarded by some as the finest sommelier in the Empire. She serves only the most deserving at the Emperor’s Cask.
- Erudite: Lady Freyla is arguing the finer points of Skov religious philosophy with an agitated Skov mystic; she seems to be winning.
- Cultured: A dowager duchess compliments Lady Freyla on her immaculate fashion; she responds with a witticism about the latest opera star.
- Charming: Lady Freyla shows up besides an agitated patron exactly as he needs a refill on his drink. She times it perfectly so he stops shouting and the table visibly relaxes.
We're currently testing this out in Senioritis. I look forward to trying it in play!