Question for long time DMs

[Seymour Guado]

Heya, i've only been a DM for about a year and i think i'm doing ok but there's one thing that i'm kind of struggling at. I can hardly ever get the players to speak in character. because of this they sometimes loose a little bit of concentration and drift into irrelevant conversation. wow what a cool ryhme. anyway, does anyone have any tips for me about encouraging them to be a bit more co-operative.(and is there supposed to be a hifen there..hmm)

[The Great Hairy]

Gidday Seymour,

The best way I have found is two-fold. Firstly, *you* need to speak in character when playing one of the NPCs. Secondly, if the PC speaks out of character, then you - still in character - should say "I beg your pardon, Sir Styles, but I did not understand that" or something along those lines (obviously fitting with the NPC, of course).

That's the in-game way. Out of game you can also deduct XP (or reward XP for good roleplaying), ask the players to remain in character, instigate the "unless moosed/timed-out/OOG, everything you say your character says" or hit the player with a soft-toy whenever they stray from the point.

Cheers,
TGHO

[Rob-hin]

Also, talk about this with them.

Most issues can be easily resolved by just talking and explaing what you like. Other can eigher agree, or not.

[Seymour Guado]

thanks a lot. thats really helpful

[Rob-hin]

Just an add-on.

Be clear when you talk about it. Make agreements that everybody is comfortable with.

For instance, we desided to speak English in character. Out of character we speak Dutch.

Also, small talk is no problem as long as it doesn't get out of hand. It's good to interrupt sessions once in a while to just talk. As long as it's not at important moments. If it does happen then the DM can interrupt. "Sorry guys, this important. You can continue in a few minutes." Continue and have small talk when the important part is over. (but don't announce it as an reses, just start the small talk)

Hope this helps.

[Mr.Waesel]

Out of character speaking is very normal at the table. In my game, pop culture references and jokes fly across the table (trogdor!), so don't think your doing something wrong if it happens. Just be sure to put your foot down and say "guys, no comes the serious part, in character please." at the BBEBG showdown, but let them have their fun when killing goblins

[Rudar Dimble]

Very good comments sofar. I'd like to add one more:
Make sure your players really have a good feeling with their character. They'll probably be more willing to talk in character, when they and their character 'are one' (if you know what I mean).
To achieve this it helps a lot to have the players answer various (apparently unimportant) questions, like:
What is your first childhood memory?
Who are your relatives and what are they doing atm?
What goals due you persue?
How do you think you are going to serve your deity?
How was your youth and who were your friend? What are your friends doing atm?

Do this right before starting the quest. If you are lucky it might even provide you with some interesting sub-quests.

[jopperm2]

Originally Posted by Rudar Dimble

Very good comments sofar. I'd like to add one more:
Make sure your players really have a good feeling with their character. They'll probably be more willing to talk in character, when they and their character 'are one' (if you know what I mean).
To achieve this it helps a lot to have the players answer various (apparently unimportant) questions, like:
What is your first childhood memory?
Who are your relatives and what are they doing atm?
What goals due you persue?
How do you think you are going to serve your deity?
How was your youth and who were your friend? What are your friends doing atm?

Do this right before starting the quest. If you are lucky it might even provide you with some interesting sub-quests.

I agree, having a detailed character history should not just be a biography with importnant details, but also include things that allow you to see how the character truley feels, and not just how they act.. What's your favorite color? can have more impact on a game than one thinks.. In fact, i like player to have a whole list of favorites like favorite gem, animal, place, song, drink, food.. etc.. It helps a DM add "the little things." When the DM is trying to get a character to trust an NPC have the character be from the same town as the character and meet him in his favorite bar and buy him his favorite drink.. Works every time.. Favorite flower is nice for the ladies.. Works IRL too!