NPC Duty

If the Players Characters (PCs) are the lifeblood of a LARP, the Non Player Characters (NPCs) are its  backbone. NPCs are support characters and antagonists, busy townsfolk and monstrous horrors. 

When Player Characters (PC) scour the nightscape for valuable herbs, the NPCs lurk in the shadows with weapons and costuming. Likewise, when the PCs need employment, NPCs may show up as townsfolk to give them missions or trade with them. Some NPCs may play characters of extreme importance or eldritch monsters that require several guilds to bring down. 

What do I gain from NPCing?
Performing tasks as an NPC has the following benefits

• Lowered Costs:  Attending as a full-time NPC or as a Basic participant has a lower price point than the other forms of Attendance.

• In-game rewards: Every hour spent during a part-time NPC shift awards 1 basic Component or 2 basic components for hours during the 3rd Period of the Event. Basic and Standard participants who complete an NPC shift (3 hours) are awarded 3-5 XP to all their Characters (depending on work quality and safety)

  • Full time NPC Participants receive up to 3 basic Components after an Event.

• Non-tangible rewards: NPCing is a good way to feel out the culture of a game, learn the lore of a LARP, and get to know the Game Staff and participants. Going to a LARP as a Full-Time NPC (see below) is one of the best ways to try out a game with a minimum of cost. 
  
  
  

Is NPC Duty required?

Those who pay the Basic attendance fee are required to give 3 hours of their time at the Event for NPC duty. NPC sign-ups will be open during check-in at each Event. 

For Standard and Patron participants, NPC Duty is not required. But in all cases, playing an NPC can be incredibly lucrative in addition to being immensely helpful to the Game Staff. If you are interested in saving money, acquiring XP, and having the chance to experience all sorts of characters continue reading below.

What do I need to bring as an NPC?

NPCs are required to wear all black to an event. This means a black shirt and black pants. Black shoes are preferred but not a requirement, although athletic footwear is highly encouraged. Overnight equipment/gear, food, water, and any necessary medication are in the domain of the NPC to bring. 

During Events, Game Staff will provide the necessary costuming, make-up, weapons and props. 

Types of NPCs

First type: Shift Time Non Player Characters (STN)

A shift time NPC is a player character who offers to donate time during the event to perform NPC duties in 3-hour increments. As an STN, you will help add numbers to major battles and assist with module set up and break down. Most NPC STNs will not play any major parts for the Event and will just help add to the world that should exist as the World Beyond the Fall. 

STNs benefits

• CMP reward: 1 basic-level Component (CMP) per hour. After 7PM on Saturday, it’s 2 B.CMP per hour.

• XP reward: 3-5 XP based on performance, time spent, and safety.

• Interim Action +1: An additional Interim Action for use after that Event. This will not allow a person to have more than three Interim actions between Events.

• Loyalty Progress: Going to an NPC shift counts as going on an Archfaction Delve for the purposes of Loyalty Progression, meaning that they progress their Loyalty by 1 Subtier. 

• Component Roulette: After their NPC shift, roll 1d6 per hour of their Shift. This is not increased/doubled in any other way, such as from Period 3 Shifts. These dice are rolled and the results are added together to determine how many extra CMP are awarded (see table below).

  • Special Rule: Exploding Dice 1: If a “6” is rolled on a die, roll that die again and add the result to the “6”. This may happen only ONCE per die.

  • This means that a 3 hour NPC shift can get a Rare CMP in addition to the hourly CMP reward.

** Individuals that purchase Basic-level Attendance are required to performing an NPC shift (3 hours minimum). This offers a more budget friendly attendance level to the game while rewarding those who intend to perform such a shift anyway with a lower price point.

Second type: Full time Non Player Characters (FTN)

A Full Time NPC is a person who chooses to perform NPC duties for the entire weekend. These NPCs will be able to play more important roles for the weekend and help further major plot arcs. A perk to NPCing full time is that it only costs $20 dollars to play a wide variety of characters throughout the weekend. NPCing full time is a great way to learn the rules system and to overcome any initial fears of participation that some new players experience.

Those hoping to eventually join the Game Staff usually start their path by attendance as Full Time NPCs, although this does not guarantee a position in Staff by any means. FTNs are awarded 0-3 basic Components per Period of service — this is given to one of their Player Characters.

Third Type: Deputized Non Player Characters (Deputies)

Professional NPCs (Deputies) are an elite group of experienced NPCs that choose to sign on for a one year NPC tour with the World Beyond the Fall. They are granted special insight to the master plot for the entire game as well as playing the most powerful and influential persons/creatures that will appear in the game. 

Becoming a Deputy is a selection process based on attitude, performance, and motivation. After attending as a Full Time NPC for at least 3 Events, anyone wishing to apply for a position with the Deputies may submit a resume to BTFGameStaff@gmail.com. Deputies also qualify as future staff prospects and have final say on game marshaling calls when Game staff is not present.