NPC SHIFT GUIDE

Things to Bring:

  • Clothes: Come wearing all black clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is a non-descript base layer under the NPC clothes we provide. They will get sweaty, dirty and have makeup on them by the end.

  • A water bottle.

Things to Not Bring:

  • Anything you mind being lost: Things in Ops tend to be picked up by other NPC’s assuming it is a game prop. So don’t bring your characters gear or a favorite jacket.

What To Expect:

  • You will come to the Ops room where you will be Out Of Character.

  • You should check in with the Guides so they know you are there.

  • You will be asked to play many roles over the next few hours to help provide an amazing experience for others. These will not be like the character(s) you would normally play, so please keep that in mind.

  • You will put on different costumes, masks, makeup, hats and carry many weapons. Each of these new characters will be explained to you by the Guides. 

During your NPC SHIFT 

This is Part of the Experience

Dystopia Rising is a Role Playing event, and NPCing is a chance to stretch your RP muscles and try on some new hats. Non Player Characters are a great chance to try out a new way of acting, a new way of walking, a new way of talking. 

Get a fuller experience by stepping in to different roles. If your character loves combat, try NPCing as a coward. If your character is weak, try NPCing as strong character. These are great chances for you to try new things with no consequences. We are here to play pretend and NPCing provides a great opportunity for that.

Know your Guides

Before you go out with a group of NPC’s make sure you know who the Guide going out with you is. Learn their name and what they look like. You might need to find them in a chaotic combat situation.

Playing to Lose

Being an NPC is like being an extra or background character in a movie. So while sometimes a main character will get killed by a random bad guy the death is about the main character, and not upstaged by the extra.

So while we aren’t going to be ineffective, if you see a player slide on their knees across a muddy field to stick an adrenaline shot into their friends chest, even if you can smash them, give that player the moment to feel like the hero they are.

Ask questions before you go out. 

The Guides will do their best to make you informed of what it is they want you to do on the module, but that doesn’t mean they will hit every point you need. Let them tell you the plan and if after there is still a question, please ask it. Don’t be shy, several others are likely thinking it or will also like to know. Also if you are not comfortable with something, tell the Guide.

Self Care

Take the time to eat, drink water, and rest for at least an hour before your time on NPC. If you run until you are exhausted, don’t eat, or drink for 12 hours then head to Ops for NPC you are going to become sick, exhausted, or hurt yourself. You will know what time you need to be there so at least an hour before take the time to be ready.

The Guides will ask you to get involved in mods, put on makeup and costuming, but only you know what is best for you. If you hurt yourself on the last mod or if they ask you to get dressed up like a zombie and you are allergic to makeup, it is up to you to speak up. The Guides will be more than happy to accommodate your needs, but can only do so if they are made aware.

Stick to the Script

The Guides will have prepared a story ahead of time and you are the actors. However you may not know the full story. So while we want you to be creative and make fun choices don’t change the story. If they tell you to tell the town a character just died, don’t decide it would be more dramatic to say they are immortal and coming to kill them all. If you do that you are likely ruining the future story the the Writers have worked hard to write.

Get off the stage!!

When you are dead, give players and oppurtunity to loot you, and then safely remove yourself from play. This means out of sight for the other players. This is to remove you from combat as well as from the eye line of the other players.

When you put your hand on your head this is a symbol that you are Out Of Character, but a better indication for this is if you are just not visible. This doesn’t mean you need to run a mile off, look for your Guide and try to be low key. Return to Ops unless the Rules Guide informs you otherwise.

Your NPC block is a great chance to stretch your role-play skills and muscles, providing an enhanced experience for your fellow players, the same way they provide it for you on their NPC blocks. It is also a great way to get to know your fellow players as people, rather than just their characters. We are excited to see you in Ops!