Example phrase for Tools “I am always watching”
THINGS THAT CAN AFFECT VOICE CHOICES
Character’s Background / Culture / Subculture / Personality
Top stat?
3 adjectives to describe them
Archetypes: Hero, Sage, Intelectual, Lover, Fool
TOOLS (don’t have to use all, but can use some)
Body language/gestures (narrating ok: no visual, neurodivergent, etc) *example
Facial expressions/eye gaze *example
Pacing (it’s not about the speed of the words, it’s the length of the pauses)
How much they talk (pauses can be “dialogue.” Be aware & don’t step on them. Silent characters, feel free to narrate) *example - also for dm narration not just PCs & NPCs
How they say it (emphasis) *example
Tone/pitch (Jo & Shawna explain physical difference) *example
Texture/placement (gravel, breathy, smooth, nasal, lisp, stutter) Don't over-spice! *example
Vocabulary (high class, low class, subculture)
Catch phrase (best developed naturally in game, but can be planned ahead with intention)
Go back & apply “TOOLS” to “Things that Affect”
MORE THOUGHTS
How do the tools change when the character’s emotions change?
Why do we use these tools? So you as character & you as player are distinct “I wanna see what’s over there around that corner” (prevents confusion & conflict)
Warning: can you sustain this? Or will it hurt after a while? Also, if it ends up changing, that’s ok.
If you didn’t intend for something to be funny, but it gets laughs or eye rolls, lean into it - It can become celebrated.
If you intend for something to be funny, use caution, read the room, is it the right time? (the higher your insight, the funnier you get)
If it crosses another player’s comfort boundary, stop. If something crosses your comfort boundary, communicate.
Q&A TIME