So, I'm new to LARPing, having only done it once at Crossroads last year. But I NPCed and I can tell you that I had a blast. I don't know much about this and so my opinion may not help, but I'm giving it anyway. :lol:
It seems to me that people are going about this all wrong. This idea that NPCing is work? It's not. And I think everyone relating it to work is adding to the problem of certain chapters not having enough NPCs sign up. What really needs to be done is for people to show the benefits of NPCing. And there are A LOT!! I'm going to list some, and it might be a good idea to pass them on to new players. Sure, people who have already LARPed or role-played in any capacity might want to do a PC just because that's what they're used to and that's what they're attracted to doing. And that is totally cool. But there are a lot of people who are open to new ideas and suggestions, and showing them how NPCing benefits them would help both the chapters and the players!
Here's a quick run-down of why I loved NPCing:
- You don't have to be in character the entire time. You can take a break in Monster Camp if you feel like it.
- You can throw yourself into big battles with no worries or pressure. Sure, you want to win, which makes it a good battle for the players. But since you're not playing your own character, it doesn't matter to you as a player if the character gets killed. Plus, I got several lives, so I was able to try out several battle strategies, which was a blast!
- Since you're one of many NPCs, you can pick whether you would prefer to roleplay, fight, or both. And since the Plot team always has need for various different characters, there's always going to be something interesting for you to do if you feel like it.
- You can interact with a bunch of different PCs. Being a random townsperson helps you to see which PC characters are players that you might want to do a plot with. Sure, you can't use information you get as one NPC to help another NPC or your PC out. But being different NPCs helps you to interact with different groups that you as a PC may not interact with, which is really interesting and fun!
- The PCs love you. No, they really do. I had several PCs thank me for NPCing and offer me food and drinks. A few took time out of PCing to ask me what I thought about the game so far and if I was having fun, and they also offered me help and asked me to thank the NPC monsters for running after them through the forest!
- You don't have to make any decisions right away. Not sure what race or class you want your PC to be? NPC and try them all!
- You're involved in the plot, and you can feel it. I got a rush knowing the plan in advance, and seeing the reaction of the PCs when it all happened.
- You can still be surprised and intrigued and have fun. The PCs plotted a surprise attack against our NPCs, and it was awesome! As much as you might know about the plot, the PCs are always there to throw a wrench in the plan, which makes it a great game for NPCs too!
- It is SO MUCH CHEAPER to NPC, it's not even funny. You are literally saving HUNDREDS of dollars a year, and that's if you only go to one chapter. If you want to LARP but don't have extra money, which a lot of people don't nowadays, then NPC! You're still playing the same game as everyone else, after all.
- You get to know other players out of game. Because you do spend time in Monster Camp out of character, you really get to be friendly with your fellow NPCs and the Plot team. I love the memory of me and 4 other NPCs excitedly retelling a module we just played as we walked back to Monster Camp out of game. It's one of the best memories of that weekend I have! :yes:
- You don't have to bring costumes, props, or boffer weapons with you when you NPC. Don't want to spend money on items you may not use? Find out what kind of costuming and props and boffer weapons you like by trying stuff out at NPC Camp.
- Everybody is willing to help you out. I'm sure lots of people help out PCs as well, but I've had lots of people offer me help (information, giving me a ride, borrowing a tent, etc.) and mention that there's always a need for NPCs and so they're happy to help me however they can.
- You can learn about the world and the rules. People are more than happy to answer any questions you have, and the more information you have, the more likely you'll be happy with a PC once you create them. And any information helps you to figure out if this is the game for you.
- Everyone is genuinely thankful to the NPCs. Everybody knows that the game couldn't happen without the monsters and townsfolk and so forth. I got thanks for NPCing more times than I can count. I felt really welcomed and appreciated, It was AWESOME!
If someone doesn't want to spend too mcuh money on fees and equipment, if they don't want to stay in character all weekend, if they don't want to commit to a race or class before they know more about it, and if they really want other players to honestly be grateful that they came out to play, then NPCing is the way to go.
I haven't read this entire thread, so forgive me if I've gone over something that someone else already has. And I know that some of the benefits of NPCing have been stated in other places. But I really just thought I would throw my two cents in. Because sometimes people need to be reminded that NPCing is fun, too!
Honestly, if people don't want to NPC, they shouldn't have to. I dealt with NPCs that really enjoyed it and those that weren't really into it. I can tell you that it not only affects PCs when the NPCs don't care. It's not fun to try and plan an attack or try to make a story about a family if another NPC involved is just standing there like a scarecrow. After all, half of acting is reacting! I would much rather NPC with other players who are into it. That way we can play off each other and make it fun for both the PCs and us.
Anywho, I hope this helped!
~ Sarah
EDIT: I forgot to add that it was REALLY SUPER AWESOME to be able to relax out of game in the NPC Camp when I went. I mentioned it briefly, but it cannot be overstated. They had air conditioning, chairs, drinks, food, and all the latest information on what was going on in the game. It was like a free pass to a VIP lounge or something, no lie. XD