I have found that emulating a persona is okay; an accent not so much. e.g., trying to sound like a hardcase, an idiot, or a smartass can work, but trying to sound like someone from London's east end most likely won't.
Aerich Dragonsbane: "So, you enter this shop... Are you accomplished in the arts of archery!? For you must know that I, ranger extraordinaire Aerich Dragonsbane craft only the best bows in the Viscounty of Verbobonc! Each piece is meticulously handcrafted to be a precise, accurate and beautiful implement of destruction, so if you miss - don't blame me. All my bows are of masterwork quality, so you will not find any mundane bows here, at least not one made by me. Yes... yes, in the back there is a rack of used and traded in bows (He makes a face) ... but you came here seeking the best, did you not? I even have enchanted wares; bows, bolts, arrows ensorcelled with devastating and deadly enchantments! I've a wizard friend who comes in twice a month to do the enchanting." The Party: "Dragonsbane? Have I heard that name before? It seems.. familiar. I thought you used to travel with the UlDragos adventuring company - a barbarian bard, a beautiful red-haired Paladin of Sune, and a disagreeable fellow that looked like a half-orc barbarian but wore the robes of a druid.. Didn't you slay the great black dragon of..!" Aerich Dragonsbane: Yes, Yes! ... That MIGHT have been me, but you are here to BUY something, no? Tales are for another time! I'm taking a break from my adventuring days... bad back, you know. (He winks) It's often cured by the sound of jingling gold coins! Please, let me know when you are ready to make your purchase." The ranger leans back, regarding the party coolly and with a practiced eye.
Why would the PCs have heard of Aerich Dragonsbane before? Generally PC lines are very short, things like "Yes,", "no," etc. That's the best way to stay away from supplying identity to them. We don't want to do that, because players provide their own identities for their characters. Less PC story, more PC interactive environment. (Also you've got at least three lines worth of NPC dialogue there. )
Sorry man, i was trying to work a tad of back story in there! ... i'll give it another go. Also wanted to make sure he sounded really self-assured and cocky ... the character when used in my games is a ranger/ thief that is very confident of his abilities. trying to convey that in a humorous way.. that he's a bit of a sarcastic jackass. Actually i think i might rework it to be shorter, and voiced by a random shopkeeper that says Aerich Dragonsbane creates the bows, but is not there - he's out adventuring. That way if i continue to use the character myself it won't be .. strange. For me. lol i'll have it done later today, i'm at work now! Or if you would like to use just a portion of the previous one, that's fine too. Thanks for the feedback.
Knoll the bounty hunter You have a lively look about you. It takes a bad'un to spot a bad'un. I did some wrong things as a pup. But my pack mother said to me “there's always time to turn around this side of the ground”. Go on. So now I do what I can to set folks back on the right path, and I'll tell you somethin for nothin - you don’t want this dog on your tail.
REVISED Dragonsbane shopkeeper: "Greetings!... Are you accomplished in the arts of archery!? For you must know that ranger extraordinaire Aerich Dragonsbane crafts only the BEST bows in the Viscounty of Verbobonc! Each piece is meticulously handcrafted from the finest materials to be a precise, accurate and beautiful implement of destruction, so if you miss - don't blame him. (He winks) I'm his humble shopkeeper! He's off adventuring, delving in some dark dungeon or traipsing across the land with the UlDragos adventuring company. He stops in to keep the store in stock from time to time, and has many a tale to tell, let me tell you! Party: "Please tell me more about these bows and arrows I see for sale." Dragonsbane shopkeeper: "All our bows are of masterwork quality, so you will not find any mundane bows here. Yes... yes, in the back there is a rack of used and traded in bows (He makes a face) ... but you came here seeking the best, did you not? I even have enchanted wares; bows, bolts, arrows ensorcelled with devastating and deadly enchantments! Aerich has a wizard friend who comes in twice a month to do the enchanting. Sorry, NO special orders - just what you see here. So what'll it be!"
(Gaear, will you please put a dog alongside Simon? The dog is Simon's familiar) Simon My NAME... is Simon! Some CALL... me Tim the Enchanter! This IS... my dog, Woodrow! I AM... a retired adventurer! Now I USE... the knowledge and experience that I accumulated from my adventuring days to craft these WONDROUS items all around you! I AM... a busy man! Heather You're a nosy one, aren't you? We sophisticated city folk keep to ourselves and don't pry into other people's affairs. But I'll forgive your impudence this time. I own this shop and make all of the leather wares that you see around you. I work with leather made from all kinds of animal skins, but I prefer to work with leather made from bear skin. Have you met my husband, Carl? He runs The Golden Bullseye. Mal Do I look like a confessional priest? You're either here to browse my wares and possibly trade with me or you can beat it, got it? And no loitering or shenanigans! Now, stop pestering me and get out of my face! Some of us have to work for a living! We can't all be bothersome adventurers! [Then he mutters something under his breath, but you could swear that he was cursing you.] Carl I'm a retired archer. Now I am a bowyer and fletcher, but I also craft wooden melee weapons and shields, as well as bark armour. I am happily married and content to craft and sell wooden wares now that I no longer have the energy for a military life. I craft the finest bows and arrows in the viscounty. Are you a fellow toxophilite? The longbow is an elegant weapon, not like cumbersome, heavy, metal weapons. Dame Nelly Why it would be my pleasure, darling! I descend from a long line of minor nobility. My family has run a high-class tailor shop for generations, although I never understood why my great great great grandfather gave this shop the name that it has. Oh well. I sell some of the finest dresses and evening wear in the viscounty. I also do rentals. My goodness, but you look like you could do with a total fashion make-over!
Jesus Staccatori: Yes, yes, everybody wants to know about the great Staccatori... Well, I have been touring all through the great Fleaness. Men are amazed and dumbfounded by my skills on the lute, women swoon over me and want to have my babies. Ha, I guess there might be even some small Staccatori's all over the place! A pity I am not there to instruct them in the gentle art of music. go on Anyhow, if you are prepared, for a price I might instruct you. On second thoughts - no you are not worthy.
Having just talked to one of the new merchants, it seems my original line is more of a "go on" response. To remedy that, here's the "welcome to the shop" dialog: Welcome to Veenah's Fashion! I carry a wide variety of the latest styles, made especially for adventurers like you.
That is pretty exciting stuff. You have mentioned most of things and it helps a lot. I really appreciate your views. Thanks again..
Gaear, I noticed you can only ask Veenah a little more about herself the first time you talk to her. Ideally, you'd be able to go straight to trading the first time, and ask her later, but only once. I tweaked the dlg file (below) so you can at least ask her later. The changed version has tested fine so far. Also, as I mentioned in the main v7 thread, she doesn't buy clothing at the proper exchange rate. {1}{Welcome to Veenah's Fashion! I carry a wide variety of the latest styles, made especially for adventurers like you.}{Welcome to Veenah's Fashion! I carry a wide variety of the latest styles, made especially for adventurers like you.}{}{}{}{} {2}{Tell me a little about yourself.}{}{1}{}{20}{} {3}{B:}{}{1}{}{0}{pc.barter(npc)} {4}{F:}{}{1}{}{0}{} {10}{G:}{G:}{}{}{}{} {11}{Tell me a little about yourself.}{}{1}{}{20}{} {12}{B:}{}{1}{}{0}{pc.barter(npc)} {13}{N:}{}{1}{}{0}{} {20}{Me? Oh dear, I've lived in Verbobonc my whole life. When my mother died, I inherited the business and changed the name. Perhaps I'll get to meet my father some day, if he ever comes this way again.}{Me? Oh dear, I've lived in Verbobonc my whole life. When my mother died, I inherited the business and changed the name. Perhaps I'll get to meet my father some day, if he ever comes this way again.}{}{}{}{} {21}{B:}{}{1}{}{0}{pc.barter(npc)} {22}{E:}{}{1}{}{0}{}