Hey Folks, I've been pondering a question regarding verisimilitude. When you create your town do you populate it with people that have names or do they only have names when the players ask or do the people not have names and you ask the players to name them.
I usually name all the major factors in the town ahead of time - mayor, constable, smith, tavern keeper. However, I've been hearing that sometimes it's better to ask the players to name the town, or the mayor, or whoever because that will make them more invested in the world.
Which way do you do it?
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"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
i find it more fun to name as you go, it results in people with some strange names sure, but it tends to be easier in the long run as not everyone is gonna be talked to.
I will often find a nice random name generator and pre-generate a few lists of names. You can pretty easily get a list of 40-50 names that way, and then just pick one from the list when you need one. Makes it seem like I was way more prepared than I was :)
I also use a random name generator/ list of names, and assign names when asked, for minor NPCs, and improvised characters.
Major NPCs I pre-name.
I think that having Players name NPCs sounds fun and interesting, but it would definitely destroy the impression that the Characters are in a fully realized ( pseudo ) reality, and they're just interacting with it.
If that's important to your game, I'd avoid Players naming things. Plus, you KNOW some Player is gong to start handing out joke and/or obscene NPC names to be funny, which could be OK if that's the tone you're going for.
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Definitely names as needed for myself and even then only if it's a character that will stick around.
It can be a fun, creative exercise to fill out an entire town, but unless you just love doing that, it can also be a lot of work that either never gets used or they get repurposed when you need an NPC in the moment.
I'll add to the recommendation of name generators, name lists, and even random string generators; they make life way, way easier when you need a name on the fly!
My NPCs exist in a quantum state. Until such time as their name is used, the players, and I, have no clue if the name is made it up or if it was predefined.
For the most part I only name major actors in the campaign, minor roles aren't named until the players ask, or there is some need to use a name.
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Hey Folks, I've been pondering a question regarding verisimilitude. When you create your town do you populate it with people that have names or do they only have names when the players ask or do the people not have names and you ask the players to name them.
I usually name all the major factors in the town ahead of time - mayor, constable, smith, tavern keeper. However, I've been hearing that sometimes it's better to ask the players to name the town, or the mayor, or whoever because that will make them more invested in the world.
Which way do you do it?
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
i find it more fun to name as you go, it results in people with some strange names sure, but it tends to be easier in the long run as not everyone is gonna be talked to.
I will often find a nice random name generator and pre-generate a few lists of names. You can pretty easily get a list of 40-50 names that way, and then just pick one from the list when you need one. Makes it seem like I was way more prepared than I was :)
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
I have never thought of it before, but I will try asking them to name random NPCs sometime. It sounds fun.
I also use a random name generator/ list of names, and assign names when asked, for minor NPCs, and improvised characters.
Major NPCs I pre-name.
I think that having Players name NPCs sounds fun and interesting, but it would definitely destroy the impression that the Characters are in a fully realized ( pseudo ) reality, and they're just interacting with it.
If that's important to your game, I'd avoid Players naming things. Plus, you KNOW some Player is gong to start handing out joke and/or obscene NPC names to be funny, which could be OK if that's the tone you're going for.
DM: So you're ushered in to meet the mayor ....
Player: Boaty Mc'Boat Face!
DM: *sighs*
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
Important figures get names in advance, for everyone else I keep a list of names handy or pull one out my arse.
Definitely names as needed for myself and even then only if it's a character that will stick around.
It can be a fun, creative exercise to fill out an entire town, but unless you just love doing that, it can also be a lot of work that either never gets used or they get repurposed when you need an NPC in the moment.
I'll add to the recommendation of name generators, name lists, and even random string generators; they make life way, way easier when you need a name on the fly!
My NPCs exist in a quantum state. Until such time as their name is used, the players, and I, have no clue if the name is made it up or if it was predefined.
For the most part I only name major actors in the campaign, minor roles aren't named until the players ask, or there is some need to use a name.
Name generators are your friend. This is the one I use. https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com
That's probably the best random name generator, ever; I have that one up at all times while DM'ing.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.