Hand, Full
Noel in collaboration with Caleb Zane Huett over at Viridian Void has a snappy little post on Description + Action = Living NPC.
Nice stuff and I thought I'd share something similar I've been developing in my own prep for a while.
When writing an NPC, I try to confirm they are holding something in their hands that implies action. And if they're not holding anything, why not? Are they running, sleeping, gesturing? If they just have their hands in their pockets, chances are that this NPC won't be an interesting encounter.
The benefit of this is that provides really clear information to the players about this NPC and what is likely to happen next based on their actions.
Compare this method with Lady Freya from Viridian Void. I think she comes out quite well. I think she'd be gesturing in her Erudite or Cultured encounters. And of course, she has a drink in hand for Charming. Its easy to imagine the pantomime for the scene.
My favorite "hand fill" (handful?) that's shown up in my prep so far is:
- shovel, covered in fresh mud
I almost don't even need to write anything else for this NPC. You can make a good guess about what they look right? What they'll probably do next? It should get your imagination fired up and also your player's imagination.
A demeanor like "surprised," "shifty," or "sweating" for this guy might go a long way though. It would also be good form to key a location nearby with something recently dug up or buried.
I don't necessarily recommend only and/or always giving an NPC something to hold, but the more minimal your entry is, the more a held object can improve it.
If you're struggling to make that goblin interesting, put a candelabra, or a pair of dice, or a kickball in their hands and see what happens.