NPC is a term well known to fans of computer games, especially cRPG. For the record, however, let’s make it clear that it is an abbreviation of the term “non-player character” or “non-playable character” which means any non-player character in the game. In the case of electronic entertainment products, the actions of these gentlemen are controlled by artificial intelligence, while in the case of classic, paper role-plays, the Game Master who conducts the session plays them. The situation becomes more complicated when we look at another form of play: larps.

What is larp? Those disguises again?

For the sake of order, it would be appropriate to explain what exactly this LARP is. Looking at the Wikipedia entry, you can see that there is no clear answer. From the beautiful terms of “art related to improvised theater” or “activity on the border between game and art”, to the statement that we are dealing with “an RPG where events are played instead of throwing dice”. Virtually everyone could define this phenomenon in their own way, while being right. The problem with defining exhaustively what a larp is is that it is an activity with a wide range of species. It is enough to mention that we can distinguish small larps taking place in one room (quite often organized at conventions and do not require prior preparation on the part of players), huge field, taking place on an area often covering hectares, as well as those with an audience and a specific ending, which include historical reenactments, including the Battle of Grunwald. They all have common points with each other: a plot defined by the organizers, established mechanics and full improvisation in how players play their characters to achieve their goals.

It is quite a quiet neighborhood full of hospitable people. | Source: pikniknadodra.pl / OldTown

Where are the NPCs in all this?

NPCs, of course, are not available in all LARP types. Small, convention games are most often organized by one or two game masters, who are more than enough to cover a small group of players, while historical re-enactments are constructed in a way that does not require any additional units. However, in the case of the largest field games, they become an obligatory element of the game, necessary to build the real world presented. A bartender in a post-apocalyptic pub, a dwarven blacksmith who rarely goes beyond his belongings, ochlaptus looking for cans after buckets to collect another drink. There will always be a place where someone who is not going to be a hero will come in handy.

Depending on the needs and type of the game, NPCs can fulfill various roles. The most obvious one is, of course, building a unique atmosphere and creating background events. It can be both the insignificant role of an old lady who sweeps the porch, creating only a nice and homely picture, as well as a gossiper sitting around the feasting, who can direct players to specific plot threads or, on the contrary, introduce a hint of chaos. As in the case of computer games, the role of an independent character is to distribute tasks, both those set by the organizers and small ones, invented by himself, if he has permission. Sometimes we deal with situations where an NPC has a bit more power, such as a mechanic deciding what properties the device created by him has,

Sometimes you have to hassle. Well, the horse costs money. | Source: terrafantastica.net

What’s it like to be an NPC, okay?

Of course, playing an NPC involves a completely different kind of fun than being a regular player. Apart from cases where these roles are played by people belonging to the group of organizers, volunteers who take on being an independent character must take into account the fact that they will know any plot twists in advance, and thus, people who hate spoilers may feel disappointed. Immersion is also diminished, because they must also be prepared to play many, sometimes very different people or beasts. Knowing what is going to happen in a moment and the constant juggling of roles can be a big obstacle for many people from getting into the presented world. In addition, there are also obligations, both those imposed on a regular basis and quasi-organizational, such as reacting to players breaking the rules of the game.

Of course, it is not that such a role has only disadvantages. Guided by the good of ordinary participants of the game, NPCs may often stretch the rules of the game. There is nothing to prevent an NPC from being much more difficult to kill if it gives others a satisfying challenge, or if they have interesting, unique abilities or tools. On the organizer’s side, in addition to the previously mentioned possibilities for additional activities, they often enjoy special benefits in the form of a tent or room where they can rest and prepare for the next roles, energy refreshments that allow them to regenerate, or a much cheaper entrance ticket to the LARP or in no free entrance at all. Apart from the satisfaction of organizing a nice game for others, NPCs enjoy one, extremely satisfying thing, unavailable to other players in the game. While players are lucky enough to participate in just one extremely memorable and epic scene within a few games, this is practically part of the daily routine for NPCs. It is the possibility of experiencing these exceptionally spectacular moments, even from the perspective of a less significant character, that is the greatest attraction associated with being an independent figure. There are also times when players thank them for doing something spectacular, which is also quite nice. yes, for an NPC it is practically a daily bread. It is the possibility of experiencing these exceptionally spectacular moments, even from the perspective of a less significant character, that is the greatest attraction associated with being an independent figure. There are also times when players thank them for doing something spectacular, which is also quite nice. yes, for an NPC it is practically a daily bread. It is the possibility of experiencing these exceptionally spectacular moments, even from the perspective of a less significant character, that is the greatest attraction associated with being an independent figure. There are also times when players thank them for doing something spectacular, which is also quite nice.

As an NPC, you can always become the frontier of the arena. | Source: pikniknadodra.pl / OldTown

Playing insignificant roles in cooperation with the organizers is not for everyone. Seemingly marginal importance, being often cannon fodder, the need to constantly change the characters played, often with a not too deep history, more difficult immersion and sitting for a long time in one place for a long time can be unattractive, but there is a large group of people, and you can I include them for whom this form of play is the most satisfying. So if you like to show your acting skills by playing different, very different people, you feel joy seeing the satisfaction of others with the fun organized for them, and you do not care about playing the first violin in history, then being an NPC is for you! It is enough to dare.

Main photo source – mosznazamek.pl / Wintcher School