100 replies to this topic

[darlarosa]

To be quite honest I prefer humans over elves because you can have more...I suppose "normal" npcs. whatever normal
Not to say I haven't enjoyed certain mods(Xan,Tsujatha,Yasraena,Fade) it is just that humans can be good too and cute people tend to forget that the moment the boots of speed hit the floor.

[Azkyroth]

To be quite honest I prefer humans over elves because you can have more...I suppose "normal" npcs. whatever normal
Not to say I haven't enjoyed certain mods(Xan,Tsujatha,Yasraena,Fade) it is just that humans can be good too and cute people tend to forget that the moment the boots of speed hit the floor.

I'm still not clear on your stance on half-elves.

[Gabrielle]

Sex sells.

Elves rule as do half elves. Odd that my npc mods have non-elves though.

Humans are boring. The point of roleplaying is to play something else take on a different role.

[darlarosa]

Sex sells.

Elves rule as do half elves. Odd that my npc mods have non-elves though.

Humans are boring. The point of roleplaying is to play something else take on a different role.

what makes elves so great >.>

Eh Half-elfs I do not mind so much. IT's the fact that almost every single one is "tortured" in some way that bothers me

[Silinde Ar-Feiniel]

Well, i'd choose Quality Interaction with other NPCs and CHARNAME, but that's not always so true to me. Actually i think one of the most important things for choosing my party, is the depth of the character of an NPC. That means the story around him, his personal quests, his personal goals, his personality and his attitude. But Interaction isn't enough to describe this. For example, Valygar doesn't talk much BUT i love the story build around him and i think that he is one of the most interesting NPC in the game. Also his personal quest (the planar sphere) is one of the most exciting things in the game... So interaction is half my choice...

[Deva]

Elves are used a lot because of:

a) Lots of life experience. An elf can be relatively immature and yet have a load to talk about.

b) While humans are the most populous race in the realms, they're not necessarily the most likely to begin adventuring. In fact, the convoluted condition of most elves left in Faerun, plus their super-human abilities like high magic and godly grace, means they're more likely to start adventuring.

c) Elves appeal to people 'cos of the whole beautiful-and-deeply-connected-to-nature thing.

d) Elves can be more interesting to write, 'cos they're likely to have more extreme views on things, in a game/world basically dominated by humans.

e) Fucking up that whole ethereal detachment thing Tolkien gave Elves is FUN.

f) A lot of people won't, and can't take the short races seriously, so they're not an alternative.

g) I've always found half-elf characters to be less complex than straight elves. That's not to say they are, or have to be, I've just found that they aren't as well written in fanfic or what have you, always being bouncy bardic happy-go-lucky types.

At least, that's how I see it.

I'm not opposed to elves, as long as there's a reason their elves. In Ninde's case, it's essential to her back story, a huge element of her character. I think and elf should not be an elf unless this is the case.

[Kellen]

Lots of Elf stuff...

All that to say, An elf is an elf, not a human with pointy ears...

[Azkyroth]

g) I've always found half-elf characters to be less complex than straight elves. That's not to say they are, or have to be, I've just found that they aren't as well written in fanfic or what have you, always being bouncy bardic happy-go-lucky types.

Is that a challenge? ^.^

I'm not opposed to elves, as long as there's a reason their elves. In Ninde's case, it's essential to her back story, a huge element of her character. I think and elf should not be an elf unless this is the case.

Arkalian started out as a half-elf because I wanted a human-like character who could multiclass, but it immediately became a foundation point of her backstory. It often works this way, but it's best to avoid the various cliches that go with each race (half-elves as either bouncy bardic types or tortured moody outcasts, elves....where to start... x.x)

[Gabrielle]

Elves are just plain sexy.

Making a vampire npc is better though. Sexy and powerful in one package.

[GeN1e]

Seems like I've already voted here somewhen before. Right now my choices would be fittning into the world, quality interaction and the romantic possibility. The latter is apparently just a personal taste (they differ as everyone knows). The two former are generally a base for any more or less serious project, with the first one being a must for most any project ever.

[Kellen]

I've not actually voted, and will probably never get around to it, because I have three tied together as first. Banter, lots and lots, but only if it's quality and fits into the world. Humor comes pretty close after, along with romance, but anything after that is just icing on a cake. Those first three are necessary, the next two can be really fun, depending on the mod/character. Few would want to romance Korgan, and I don't commonly expect humor from Mazzy. And most expect/want neither from Cernd. I have seen a few snippets of humor in both of the latter, and some that was 4th wall humor, or us laughing at the characters, rather than them being funny(Korgan and Edwin have quite a bit of this), but I can make do without both Humor and Romance, if there's lots of quality interaction with the characters and the world.

Alright, now I'll shut up and let you continue.

[vilkacis]

I've always found half-elf characters to be less complex than straight elves.

...gay elves usually being the least complex of the lot?

Although yes on second thought considering the unholy powers of fanfic that's probably true.

Making a vampire npc is better though. Sexy and powerful in one package.

meet

Hitherto I had noticed the backs of his hands as they lay on his knees in the firelight, and they had seemed rather white and fine. But seeing them now close to me, I could not but notice that they were rather coarse, broad, with squat fingers. Strange to say, there were hairs in the centre of the palm. The nails were long and fine, and cut to a sharp point. As the Count leaned over me and his hands touched me, I could not repress a shudder. It may have been that his breath was rank, but a horrible feeling of nausea came over me, which, do what I would, I could not conceal.

Wow. uNF uNF, baby

[darlarosa]

Eh I agree with you Deva, but my point is...too many people have elf npcs for very similar reasons. Or maybe I am becoming annoyed with similar stories.

I'm not saying I do not enjoy elven npcs in fact two of my favs are elf but....eh I dunno. As I said I'm sick of the damn good looking buggers, I mean "bloody hell can't we get some good looking humans in here?" or Someone who doesn't have drama carved into their finely sculpted chests!!

[Lady of payne]

Quality Interaction with other NPCs and CHARNAME. If it's bad then it's not my mod! Conflicts NPC I love the most.

[Eric P.]

Time to rethink this...

Above all, the NPC should be of practical value to the party, and of the most useful/advantageous kind for his or her class(es). I wouldn't want to kick an NPC out of the party in favor of a less interesting but more valuable asset, when it comes to adventuring. A very close second consideration is interaction with the main character and other party members. The NPC should be personable enough to interact, rather than be a robotic party member

Instead of the above rubbish, and especially as I write my own mod for distribution (and want people to enjoy it), I find that quality interaction with other characters (including the PC, of course) is most important. Personality should be defined and consistent, but the possibility of changing a point of view might be a nice bonus to the players. Immediately following quality interaction in importance is that the character should be a believable part of the game world, should have his or her own strengths, and should be able to rely on the PC and/or other party members to compensate for any weaknesses/shortcomings. Also, it's good if the NPC can learn and grow as a person during the course of the game. Best if the NPC is memorable...in a positive way

- E

Edited by Eric P., 27 March 2011 - 11:10 AM.

[Ipsissimus]

Personally, I'd put Writing quality of the mod> NPC's personality> Interactions with other NPCs> Interactions with the PC> plot-related stuff (comments on major events)> interjections> personal quest, if applicable> THEN use in the party. If an NPC is just supposed to be useful, IMO they could end up being just a powergaming character, with little actual personality.

[Vherdel]

Offering incredible evil options as well as banter and epic battles are my interests.
Although I usually play without NPC's because my Assassin is a loner

[Daxs]

I hate to revive an old topic but I'd love to see some short people. Maybe a Deugar or a Svirf character.

[Zyraen]

I can't remember if I posted to this topic before, but since someone posted first lol...

I'd like to add that for any NPC to be completed, I think he/she should be something the author really feels for. If the author doesn't connect to it, even if its a great idea and others adore it, the NPC could well never see the light of day...

[ARKdeEREH]

I voted for the fitting into the world option. I think it would be best to creat NPCs that have some connection to plots that are in the existing game, but expand upon them in some way. For example, I think it would be really interesting if someone created an NPC of Viconia's brother Valas, the one who was turned into a drider. There could be a quest to rescue him, and then he could join the party as an NPC. His existence is already mentioned in the game, so he would fit very well into the game and seem a natural addition.