One feature, rather seldom used in Finnish larps but very common in German ones is the use of Non Playing Characters – NPCs. The term ‘non playing’ is slightly misleading, as the NPCs have much in common with traditional Finnish pre-written characters and they will certainly get to interact with characters and each other ingame. The main function of NPCs is to lead the storyline onwards according to instructions from the game masters and to create atmosphere to the game. Below you’ll find a brief comparison between NPCs and PCs (Playing Characters) as the terms will be used for Broken Shovel:
10 €
One pre-written character .
Player acts independently following the personality and skills of his/her character.
Player brings all the stuff his/her character needs ingame .
Ingame all the time, live every situation as the character would.
5 €. NPCs may be assigned some work ingame (like making and serving food), thus the lower fee.
Either one character for the whole game or several smaller characters, needed only during some special part of the storyline. NPC character descriptions are usually shorter and they may be (partly) just told to the players, not totally written on beforehand.
Player follows instructions from the game master. These instructions vary from very open (“go to the tavern as a local carpenter and enjoy a nice evening after a long day of work”) to more specific (“Go and tell that merchant in the corner that you have a horse outside that you would like to sell to him. Try to get him out to the courtyard”)
Game Masters will help with finding stuff at least for NPCs with several characters.
More “acting”, offgame briefings with the game masters in between.
Game fee:
Character:
"Independence":
Costume and accessories:
Way of playing:
All in all some 5-8 NPCs and 10-17 PCs are needed for the game. Please tell us in your registration whether you want to participate as an NPC or as a playing character.