Player Tips – Ways to get More Immersed in Your RPG – Part 2

February 2, 2016

Last week I talked about a player tip about using a description of your character. You can read about it here. I am going to continue this discussion with another way to be more immersed in your character.

And that is Player Tips: CHARACTER VOICE.

Every day we speak. We use inflection, volume and other characteristics to send a message. Many actors are given over to their characters and develop a voice that makes sense to all aspects of the character. Even if you are not playing Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition all characters have a race, a background and some sort of profession.

Does the character voice make sense for all of those pieces. If not is there something cool or interesting about that character that makes them speak in an unusual voice?

Melissa Raunch from Big Bang Theory fame plays Bernadette and she uses a high pitched squeaky voice. The actress’ voice does not sound that high all the time, but it fits her “tiny frame” and at the same time has become an irony because the character is pushy and bossy despite her size. One character admits that he is kind of afraid of her.

Just this little tidbit can not only make you immersed in the game but it can be a distinguish whether you are talking in game or out. It can also bring others at your table more into the world when they here you communicating differently. It might encourage them to do the same.

Now if doing voices is not really your thing, because lets face it, we all have different talents. I do not always use a voice but when I do I try to make it last. I make notes on my character sheet what the voice is. So what do you do if voices are not for you?

You can use reminders. You can still set the voice, but instead of vocalizing it, you say, “in a squeaky voice my mouse-like rogue replies . . . ” Without having to use the voice the players, and hopefully yourself, will get more into the game and visualize the scene unfolding around you all. Before too long these little reminders can be used less and less, maybe once or twice a session because everyone will have their own interpretation of your character solidly in their mind.

But beyond squeaky and deep voices, you can have different speaking patterns. You can have a lisp or a delay where you never finish a sentence in one breath. Using a character voice will make the character more real to you and those you are gaming with. When this happens character choices will become easier your role playing will improve.

So whether you are adopting a voice for a character or if you are just noting to your players how your character sounds when you speak, you are adding to the world. You are adding immersion to all the players at the table. And more fun will be had by all.

As always thanks for reading and tune back in next week for part 3. Until Next Time Stay Nerdy!