Small Talk

While role-playing can be made simple in one way or another, you need to be prepared. Hence the other articles on this site. One question you get asked or will ask if new to all this is: What do you all talk about anyway?

First I will ask a question back at ya:
What do you talk about in everyday life?

Drawing on that, take it on with a role-playing twist – What would your character talk about? If you think of it that way, you can get a start on what types of conversations to start or be apart of over the course of the game. You can also get an idea from your backstory – interests, dislike/likes and history. Perhaps magic is your “hobby”? Talking to mages and related people and asking questions of that sort would be ideal. Just like being social? Then almost any topic in a gathering or tavern is good. Just use good taste, know your “crowd” and add a bit of tact – depending on your personality in-game.

I’ll dispel a rather stereotypical myth about role-players: Not all RP chatter is long, “thee”s and “thou”s, monologues or dramatic moments. It can be a simple as everyday small talk or watercooler conversations at work – even chatting with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Small exchanges between other players fall into this. The same interactions happen in everyday life, like when heading to the market or seeing some friends that have returned from a long trip.

Just apply a game-related “spin” to these things and you have a great start. They can also be springboards towards getting to know other role-players and working out storylines for more dramatic plots. There may be times when you can’t think of a bloody thing. Either your mind is spent or you have RPer’s “block”. It’s ok. Wing it as best you can, and if you really feel like it, let the other person know – never hurts. Just be cool, do your best and have fun with it.