Making conversation is not easy, more-so in roleplay and more-so again in random situations, and a lot of people can struggle with the means and method being keeping up a conversation, and more importantly a good one when there is no direct narrative. So here’s a guide to all things ‘Conversation’.
Beyond Basics is a series of posts that delve into different aspects of roleplay beyond the basics of character creation within an MMO setting. For our purposes, this setting is World of Warcraft but it can be useful in others too. This series will look at things like plots, storylines, and conversations. As well as the world and community around you as a player in an MMO. Explaining how you can best make use of that; and how it might differ from roleplay on tabletop games for example. You can find the rest of the series here: Beyond Basics Series Index
Making conversation is not easy, more-so in roleplay and more-so again in random situations. Unlike the tavern and other events where we have clear boundaries, aims, and narrative direction. But it is good practice and good sportsmanship and community spirit to be able to do it and to engage in RP with other people outside the guild.
It also means if you have mastered the skill you will never be lacking or wanting for RP, as you can go find it, and it is an unspoken truth that we all wish we had the guts to do it, so if you do you’ll be an unsung hero OOC. There is an unspoken admiration for the folks that throw caution to the wind and dive in, at least with me and anyone I have ever spoken to on the topic.
It can be daunting though, trust me, we are all on that ship. Perhaps the following tips and suggestions might make it a bit easier, or at least take one worry off your mind and leave you more time to freak out about the chosen victim potentially being a half-dragon that was raised by cats and is now madly in love with you. The risks of roleplay.
Getting started: The Head First Dive
Got to start somewhere and it does not always have to be ‘’Hello, how are you?’’ as that tends to get a vague reply and leave the conversation gasping for breath and dying at birth. However, like the elephant in the room if you are aware of that potential pitfall you can use the age-old opener and buffer it with something else; ‘’You looked lonely and/or I am lonely’’ that could work to instantly open up a route for conversation: ‘’Why?’’. ‘Why’ questions are always good for getting into real discussions. Why’s are your friends, folks.
Other examples:
‘’Hi, how are you? Don’t mind me, I’m just a touch concerned about that shady looking character over there and thought it better if I didn’t look like I was traveling alone, so…who are you exactly?’’
‘’Hey, do you have the time/directions to/did you see X person?’’
‘’Hey, are you okay? You look…’’
Alternatively: Bait and Lure
Much less guaranteed success with this one but then again the former just doesn’t suit some characters, even if that is a trait you ought to be careful and sure about choosing for your character due to its limiting quality. Nonetheless. You, for whatever reasons, cannot or do not want to approach someone, so we lure them in. Now 90% of roleplayers these days are somewhat lazy, I myself am often included I do not deny; we will perch on a bench or at a lamppost or the ‘Spot’ and just…wait. For what? Who knows. This is not baiting and luring. This is not seeking RP.
Think of something your character could be doing that might attract interest other than sitting idle. Theo is not the type for approaching randoms and making conversation, so when I have him standing around I will emote him reading mail, if I am mostly AFK or distracted, because reading mail is not interesting. No one is going to approach him reading mail until the sought him out specifically for something else.
However!
However, if I am trying to bait and lure in RP I will have him drawing or something more interest-catching, maybe even casting glances at someone nearby as a reference. People (myself included) love when you make it about them and their character and they will be all over you in seconds. Similarly, Flynn has a macro for giving women lewd looks. I cannot count the number of times hitting that macro has bought him RP, it is one line long, simple and a little crass but fitting to the character. Do something interesting that they will want to get involved with.
If you’re really driven to make an impression have something happen. Have your character lose something, maybe they notice their pouch is gone and they have been robbed. Someone might stop and help. Maybe grab a friend to play out the little mugging, heck if you play on AD EU, give us a prod and we will prove the thieves for you. It all creates atmosphere, interest, and intrigue. It makes people want to know more right off the bat and some might take the bait and come to you to learn more.
Just keep swimming!
So you have got it started, that is half the battle won, the next part is to keep it rolling and a lot of this will come down to your chosen victim. Some folks are great; once you get them started they will banter back and forwards very easily. With some folks, it is like getting blood from a stone. But it always helps if you come prepared to make that extra bit of effort and if you have your head wrapped around the method of making conversations and keeping them moving in RP, if nothing else you will provide them a better example to learn from. This breaks down into four points.
Observe
Read their MRP or TRP. This is where I always start because it also shows them your committed to the RP enough to have bothered reading about their character. With any luck, their MRP/TRP will give you something you can run with, a scar to ask about, some tabard/faction, armour, or unusual weapon or something to ask about. If your character is not a soldier or very well-traveled they might take interest in those that look well-traveled asking about said travels.
Some people will have visible hooks in their profiles that you can use to broker topics. Also look around you. What is happening? Talk about that, maybe people are having a fight, maybe there is a couple curled up on a bench nearby, maybe you’re in a camp on a warfront and hear a yell go, up or war-drums rumble. Observe your targeted character AND your surroundings and use both in finding and steering conversations.
Listen
There is that great quote: Most people do not listen to hear, they listen to reply. That is prevalent in a lot of RP, you could be talking about purple cats dancing on the moon, and really all the other person is doing is waiting their turn to talk at you about themselves. Which is not overly fun for you, note also, don’t talk entirely about yourself, that is no fun for your counterpart, this is a tango, it takes two and balance. So listen. Actually, hear what they are saying and think about it from your character’s perspective, what do they think about that? Actually, listen to the person and react to their words. They will always want to come back for more RP time and again.
Follow up
You have heard what they said, you know how you feel about it so follow it up, ask a leading question, ask for an explanation, or how that made them feel, maybe ask what they did next, or what lead them to be there in the first place perhaps. If they ask a question give an answer, but give that answer some life, if it is vague spice it up, add a joke, wit, humour, charm, a deflection or distraction, a topic change or back-fire question. It will make your dialogue seem all the more natural and interesting.
Detail and Develop/Share and Relate
Add details, in moderation, remember you do not have to tell everyone your life-story at the first meeting, or even all in one sitting, you can drip feed them little bits over a long time, which will both secure their interest and enjoyment of the interaction as they get something from it and that your character comes off as more natural and real.
Develop. Was something said that made your character think? Did it change how they think? Or give them a different opinion? Remember nothing is black and white and your character is only as static as you make them, they can grow and change and interactions and conversations are one of the key foundation stones for that change. Keep a background awareness of how your character is being affected by the conversation and perhaps a similar awareness of how/if you are affecting that other person.
Share and relate, make it personal, interact and bond. The victim says they are from ‘X’ location, have you ever been? When were you there last? What was it like? They enjoy ‘Z’ Hobby? Do you? Does someone you know? Do you recall anything from youth about anything similar? Take their words and answers and relate them to your own character and experience, roll it into a story, that way you are showing the person more about your character than you are telling them. Which is always a win-win.
Tweet ThisIf All Else Fails: Conversation Topics
If all else fails, try some run-of-the-mill fall back topics;
- Politics
- War
- Professions/Occupations
- Hobbies
- Family
- Travels
- Loves
- Hates
- Dream job
- What brings you here
- Where are you off to next
Bonus Tip: Interactions need an end. A conversation cannot go on forever and if you let it, it will dwindle and become stale, and that will sour the tone for the whole encounter. Practice knowing when and where is a good time to cut it off and end it before it gets ill and dies by itself. And when that time comes sum it up and round it off and leave. If you enjoyed it, and want to speak to the person again, say as much or allude to it, it will make them feel even better about the encounter too.
‘’Maybe I will see you around?’’ ‘’Well if you do get to X you will have to write to me.’’ ‘’Tell me how it goes with Z thing you mentioned.’’
And just like that, you have set up a second encounter.
I hope this guide was useful for you. If it was please let us know in the comments and share it around.
