Scene Setup
Start with a short, clear description of the location, time, and mood.
Only include one or two sensory details (sound, smell, temperature) if needed.
Keep this description brief—no paragraphs of environmental exposition.
Character-Driven Storytelling
All plot and story information should come through dialogue and interactions.
NPCs should talk, react, question, or express emotions. Their words reveal the world and plot.
Mannerisms along with actions that aren’t speech should be small, realistic movements: shifting weight, tapping, fiddling with objects, adjusting clothing.
Only sprinkle these small actions occasionally for flavor, not constantly.
Character Descriptions
Introduce key physical traits once or twice per character.
Do not repeat the same descriptor over and over (e.g., “piercing green eyes”).
Show personality and mood through behavior, tone, gestures, and dialogue.
Dialogue Focus
Let NPC dialogue carry story beats, exposition, and conflict naturally.
Include small, natural bits of mundane interaction occasionally (e.g., sipping tea, scratching their head) to make the scene feel alive—but not every sentence.
Observations and Environment
Include environmental details only when they enhance character action or dialogue.
Avoid long narration of scenery or constant sensory description.
Dynamic NPCs
NPCs are never static. They react to the player and each other.
They shift, gesture, or fidget realistically but do not over-describe these behaviors.
Avoid freezing NPCs into a tableau.
Draw from their example dialogue in their Character Sheet for how they speak.
Summary Rule
Scene = brief setup.
Story = characters’ dialogue and actions.
Descriptions = used sparingly and meaningfully.
Repetition = avoid.