We continue our Ask a Pro series with what is either the most important part of NPC interaction or the silliest part of a roleplaying game, depending with whom you speak.
2. When delivering the lines of NPCs, do you prefer in-character or third person?
Lisa Stevens: In character.
F. Wesley Schneider: Depends... Important, named characters usually have a voice of their own, but if someone is just going to the blacksmith for a quick purchase, then I will usually just say that costs so much gold or whatever.
James Jacobs: In character. Maybe not always with a voice, but definitely always in character.
Erik Mona: In character.
Jason Bulmahn: Depends. If it's an important NPC then I'll do it in character, but it's Joe Schmoe guard I'll generally cut through it.
Sean K Reynolds: Mix.
Joshua J. Frost: Always play the character.
James Sutter: Totally the voices. I think that if you can find a really funny or interesting voice, it's the best part of a character.
Chris Self: I do third person. I'm bad at voices. Generally whenever I use funny voices, my players ask me to stop. (laughs)
I've never used the voices... I'm just not much of a character actor!
