PC Relationships with NPC

[Darren Onyx]

So recently I created my first NPC, Thalia Faric. I created her with the intent of aiding Onyx in and out of combat as well as making her his romantic partner.

However I'm not used to writing an NPC like this. What I mean is when I write NPCs it's usually me describing a character that Onyx is attacking, or talking with, or otherwise isn't too relevant. Thalia is, obviously, relevant. Is there any advice any of you can offer as to managing how often I use her, how I should use her, and whether or not I should have her and Onyx be romantically involved.

 

[Elani Zambrano]

I hear [member="Darth Carnifex"] has an army of NPCs, literally and figuratively. Ask him.

 

[WolfMortum]

[member="Darren Onyx"]

I see no problem with using an NPC as a romantic partner, nor in how often you choose to use her.

The point of NPC's aren't just for combat and the like but can provide depth to the background of your PC in ways that isn't always easiest to portray from your characters first person POV (Point of View/Perspective). I've known others who have done the same and if anything, it helped bring them into the characters that they played as well as push stories on two fronts (being able to be in more than one place at a time while orchestrating a thread).

I'm going to be very unoriginal and cliche here and say that at the end of the day, Roleplay with who, what and how you like. If it's going to greatly benefit your interest in your characters direction then by all means go for it; though that said, [member="Lady Kay"] and I have been roleplaying a long time together and didn't originally intend to wind up playing the romance we do.

I have to say that if you have the opportunity to roleplay with someone for as long as we have, then the opportunity for long term arcs will enhance your investment in the character massively.

 

[Not Ordo]

NPC relationships are an excellent choice for any PC. Also, when it can create story a good story arc when they get murdered, kidnapped, or otherwise become the object of some trouble.

 

[Darren Onyx]

Thanks for the detailed response. I've been writing Onyx for years and this is the first time I ever decided to give him an NPC love interest. Was mainly looking for outside thoughts and you provided them, so thank you! [member="Veiere Arenais"]

Thanks for the response, [member="Kal Ordo"], she's gonna be prominent that's for sure. She's based off one of my favorite D&D characters I played, so it'll be fun translating that into Star Wars.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Darren Onyx"]

Do what you want dude. I've used NPC's for year as dedicated Co-Pilots. Works great when you have a thread running and your kinda iffy on what to do next. Plus slinging dialogue back and forth between you and your NPC can be fun as well. Even Comical, if you make it.

 

[Captain Ironbeard]

[member="Darren Onyx"]
Hm. I've used NPC's as more than just quest giving utilities before, but I don't know how I'd write a romantic partner NPC. Seems difficult, best of luck.

 

[Darlyn Excron]

[member="Darren Onyx"]

Simple enough. Treat them like a character. Relationships are whatever, neither good nor bad, just as long as they're a character (in the perspective of their role in the story) and not simply a prop. Take for instance the total of one times I've used Darlyn's dad NPC so far. Very little interaction at this point, but I treat his NPC dad as a character first and a story telling tool second. He doesn't show up all the time, only when he's actually relevant and important enough to be mentioned, but his use will be everything from an absentee father to an antagonist.

My major tip? Don't ever type huge dialogues between characters unless a long time has passed in one post (its meant to show much time has passed) or you're setting a thread up. You have the advantage of two characters in one post to make their dialogue, but if you overstuff it in a thread (when they're in the same room i mean, of course) then it starts to be less fun for all involved.

I hope that helps a bit.