Ravenholt Core NPC Team

The Core system is a dedicated NPC (Non-Player Character) program in which you receive training on how to marshal (field, rogue, formal, module, etc.), how to manage monster camp, how to run modules/adventures, how to stat monsters (both for the field and for modules), and how to support and train other NPCs, among other things.

We encourage you to gain confidence and strength in as many aspects of the behind-the-scenes elements of running NERO as you possibly can. In exchange for your commitment to being involved and gaining the additional experience, we count on you for some of the weekend and long-term key roles, as we know you will be in attendance for the majority of the season's events. Having a Core team allows Plot to plan for events and roles more confidently.

While you'll gain training in every area, if you have particular areas of interest, we will support your desire to excel by trying to ensure that you get involved in those aspects more than others.

Being part of the Core team is certainly not required in order to become heavily involved or to get interesting roles at NERO Mass, but if you're planning on NPCing the majority of the campaign's events, it will get you more thoroughly involved throughout the year. You'll also become part of a highly valued team!

To get involved in Ravenholt Core, send an email of interest to Gary Strong, the Ravenholt Monster Master, at npc@neromass.com.

Some of the Things You'll Learn as a Core NPC

Who’s Who in Monster Camp

• Monster Master

• Assistant Monster Master

• Core Lieutenants

• Core-in-Training

• NPCs

• PC-Shifting NPCs

• Plot

• Guest Directors

• Guest Plotline Directors

• Marshals

• Owner/GM

Playing a good monster role

• Playing to the stats you have

• Playing to the intellect of the monster type

• Playing to the skill level of the PCs (when to stay, walk away, or RUN!)

• Learning to handle complex stat cards successfully

Developing a solid NPC role

• Creating a personality

• Character flaws and foibles

• Creating a continuity of information, plotline, etc.

• Tracking of information gathered and given

• Moral alignment or moral ambiguity

• Habits and quirks to make it distinct

• Costuming appropriately

• Developing a suitable skillset

• Keeping what you learn to yourself (but share with plot!)

• Have a code of conduct for your character (what would s/he do or not do)

• Remember, it’s a game – don’t take it personally if the character dies

• Play logically (for the character)

• Having personal goals

• Studying your game history

• Believe in your own character (“A villain is a hero who has chosen the wrong way to achieve his ends”)

Desk training

• Using the monster database

• Managing NPC groups for the field

• Handling treasure distribution for the field

• Managing NPC groups for modules

• Managing treasure distribution for modules

• When to ask for help

• Organizing NPC groups for the field

• Organizing NPC groups for modules

 How to create stat cards

• Using the monster database for basic stats

• Using the rulebook to create PC-based stats

• Statting a monster that has base + PC stats added

• Build based statting

• Effect or skill based statting

 Overall statting techniques

• How to balance for a field party

• Maintaining balance for the field overall

• Creating a single character encounter

• Statting for a pre-planned plotline (modules and field encounters)

• Skills and stats needed for low NPC numbers

• Skills and stats that can negatively impact the player base if used inappropriately

• Direct evaluation of the field as a marshal – how to tell when a field is well balanced and entertaining

• Developing stats for multi-level groups

• Developing stats for a scaled module or party

   Some of the Things You'll Learn as a Core NPC

Marshal training

• Rogue marshaling

• Field marshaling

• Module marshaling

• Plotline marshaling

• Rules marshaling

• Formal marshaling

 Rules training

• Read the rulebook!

• Read the errata!

• Know which playtests we use at NERO Mass

• Handling rules lawyering

• Making a rules call on the field

• Making a rules call in a module

Scenario training – dealing w/ disgruntled players, creating on the fly, etc

• Improvising an encounter when a plotline goes differently than expected

• Handing an Out of Game pissed off player in a module

• Handing a disgruntled NPC in a module

• Handling an NPC who wants bigger stats

• Handling a plot shift that needs major adjustment to a plotline

Module running – from setup through run

• How to read a plot writeup

• Getting additional information about a plot writeup

• When to adjust a writeup and when not to

• Gathering props for the module

• Doing module space setup

• Appropriate treasure for a module

• Appropriate stats for a module

• Hooking a module – the trials and tribulations

• When to be in-game and when to be out-of-game

• Shaping the environment for the PCs, without overdoing it

• When to make adjustments midstream

• How to scale the encounter up or down in a hurry

• Knowing when to let it go

• Knowing when the plotline can overlap other plotlines and when to get a plot team member to handle things                  

Running Character History Plotlines

• Delicate handling of character histories

• Know your character background!

• Involve numerous PCs

• Be extra careful not to spill private information

People skills

• Finding your niche(s)

• Clear communication with others

• When to ask for help

• Dealing with those pesky Plot people

• Handling complaining players

• Handling cheating

Leadership training

• Playing a minor role to let others learn and grow

• Observing others and providing positive feedback

• Knowing when to let the PCs lose (this is harder than you think!)

• Avoiding “us” vs “them” situations

• Keeping a positive approach

• Teaching by doing

• Watching out for inappropriate behavior towards others

• Managing your own frustrations

• Encourage reporting of player problems

New NPC training

• Teaching new players the basics (combat, primary rules, etc)

• Teaching players teamwork/paired skill use

• Developing roleplaying opportunities with new players

• When to help new players stretch their abilities

• Making sure new players are having fun

• Creating a team environment, not a competitive one

• Dying well

• Handing out the information you’re given