The full extent of the player controlled VNPC.

[adriannetwork]

I recently sent in a log with a player report involving a scene with some VNPC family members.

I animated them for RP purposes and used emotes to create dialogue.

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emote the youth with blue hair says to @ in southern-accented sirihish, "Great job at your stellar emotes."


Well I found out I should not actually do this. Which I'm totally okay with! This was news to me when I played the game as a teenager like ten years ago I did this ALL the time. I was not aware that it became the official policy not to have VNPCs speak.

With that said, as a somewhat experienced player:

• What is the absolute farthest extent someone can use VNPCs without crossing any lines?
• What /ARE/ those lines?
• Are there any "best practices" for VNPCs for family members?

Zalanthas is a world full of people beyond those that are represented by the player characters (PCs) and non-player characters (NPCs) that you see in the game. There are thousands of other lives that go on behind the scenes. Sometimes the game will utilize those (such as virtual witness to crimes). Be aware that even though you don't see any NPCs around, if the room description specifies people being around, their likely are virtual eyes watching you.

Feel free to casually interact with VNPCs, but do be careful to not 'power emote' them, or use them to coded benefit of your character. They are to be considered passive entities, who help to provide flavor and realism for the game.

[Lizzie]

Basically, you shouldn't consider that you're playing your VNPC. You have a PC, you're allowed to have one. Not more than one. The VNPC exists as the help file states - for flavor.

The reason you shouldn't use speech in animating VNPCs is because of the language code. Embedding speech in emotes circumvents it, and allows elves to understand 100% perfectly your sirihish-speaking VNPC. Or humans to understand your VNPC elf, or vice versa. Just because you don't see one in the room, doesn't mean they're not eavesdropping.

Your VNPC can be nudged and poked and prodded, but shouldn't be hit - because that -should- activate the combat code (or brawl code).

Basically anything that a player would normally need to type a command for, shouldn't be used for a VNPC other than the emote itself and general movement (as in - your VNPC is walking with you - but is NOT guarding you).

[Marauder Moe]

There is no linear spectrum of vNPC usage, nor is there a clear-cut line neatly dividing what's appropriate and what's not.

Best practice for vNPC family?  Have them only exist offline.

[Taven]

Well I found out I should not actually do this. Which I'm totally okay with! This was news to me when I played the game as a teenager like ten years ago I did this ALL the time. I was not aware that it became the official policy not to have VNPCs speak.

I was super bummed when I found out that this wasn't allowed, myself. It's been a policy for at least 7 years, and I suspect even longer then that. I can definitely see why it's a policy, and I do believe it's a good one, all things considered, but that doesn't mean I can't be bummed!


What is the absolute farthest extent someone can use VNPCs without crossing any lines? What /ARE/ those lines?

You have to be very careful when using vNPCs or having them do anything in response to you. You might assume that they'd react one way, while in fact, staff knows they'd act a different way. Small things like having people bow to your templar, or have people avoid your gemmer or act warily around them is likely fine. Something like people eyeing your elf suspiciously, that also might be okay. But people applauding you, supporting your argument, or using the world in any way to support a point? Avoid that, because you just can't know for sure if it's true.

That said, I have used vNPCs before. I've had family members show up to performances or promotions (though they can't talk), hired someone to find a vNPC family member who got in trouble, and RPed out lessons with a vNPC. I also believe I've had one-sided conversations at the bar with vNPCs, though they weren't very rewarding.


Are there any "best practices" for VNPCs for family members?

Generally, you can't interact with them while you're logged into your PC. I mean, you can, they just won't be able to talk. If you want to keep track of your relations with your family, though, there's a great way to do this--The biography tool! You can write stories that focus on your family members, write fake logs that focus on you and your family's interactions, and I've even written biographies FOR family members (though sparingly, and you want to make it clear in both title and content that it is not your biography). Seriously, the biography tool is awesome.

That said, don't assume your vNPC family is doing anything especially awesome. Their positions and accomplishments won't have any sway over yours. They're meant to mostly be background. If you want your family to do awesome things, there's an easy fix--Have a PC family!

[Case]

I would say the only PCs who can control/move/order vNPCs beyond a vNPC child interaction are Templars and Sun Legions/AoD officers (Sergeant+), and to a far lesser extent for those non Templars. Fear reactions or weird things drawing attention are fine for anybody. It shouldn't ever be a big focus of RP imo.

[solera]

Basically, you shouldn't consider that you're playing your VNPC. You have a PC, you're allowed to have one. Not more than one. The VNPC exists as the help file states - for flavor.

The reason you shouldn't use speech in animating VNPCs is because of the language code. Embedding speech in emotes circumvents it, and allows elves to understand 100% perfectly your sirihish-speaking VNPC. Or humans to understand your VNPC elf, or vice versa. Just because you don't see one in the room, doesn't mean they're not eavesdropping.

Your VNPC can be nudged and poked and prodded, but shouldn't be hit - because that -should- activate the combat code (or brawl code).

Basically anything that a player would normally need to type a command for, shouldn't be used for a VNPC other than the emote itself and general movement (as in - your VNPC is walking with you - but is NOT guarding you).

Apart from sparring partners, where the code allows sparring.

[Zoan]

If I'm using vNPCs, I use them as an environment, not a person. And always in a way to efface, not aggrandize my character.

Examples:

* Being jostled or mocked for my gem in the Gaj.
* Being watched warily or aggressively as I pass down [east|west]side as a certain race.
* Soldiers giving me funny looks if I'm appearing circumspect.