Below is a guide of what to expect while you’re there, how best to prepare, and how to make your NPC/Casting shift the most fun possible for both you and the other players you interact with.
Every person who attends a Dystopia Rising event spends a number of hours, determined by the level of ticket purchased, as a Cast/NPC, “Non-player Character”. This is a period when you will put aside the character you’ve created and portray other characters that make the world a living, breathing thing. You may also help tidy up the Operations (Ops) area, set-up or break-down modules, or any number of other various things that need to be done.
Casted/NPCs are characters that you will play for only one scene or scenario. It might be as a mindless zombie who attacks the other players, a Rover Caravan Driver trying to get a new gun, a Baywalker looking to get a disease treated, or a million other fun possibilities.
You should plan to arrive to Ops 5-10 minutes before your scheduled shift. You should arrive well rested and fed so you can be ready to go when the hour turns over and to work the entirety of your shift.
This is Part of the Experience
Dystopia Rising is a Role Playing event and Casting/NPCing is a chance to stretch your RP muscles. Casted/NPCharacters are a great chance to try out a new way of acting, a new way of walking, a new way of talking. Try on many hats and live many lives.
We are here to play pretend and your Casting shift is a great experience to do and learn.
BEFORE YOUR CASTING SHIFT
Take the time to eat and rest for at least an hour before your time in Casting. If you run until you are exhausted or don’t eat and drink for 12 hours and then head to Ops for NPC you will become sick, exhausted, and/or hurt yourself.
Things to bring:
Clothes: Come wearing all black clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is a non descript base layer under the NPC clothing we provide. They will get sweaty, dirty and have makeup on them by the end.
A water bottle. We will have water and cups, but they can run out, also Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Bring your character sheet, but please put it in a safe place in ops.
Things NOT to bring:
Anything you mind being lost: Things in Ops tend to be picked up by other Cast assuming it is a game prop. So don’t bring your characters gear or a favorite jacket.
DURING YOUR CASTING SHIFT
What to expect:
You will come to the Ops building where you will be Out Of Character.
You should check in with the Ops Guides so they know you are there. Sign in as directed.
You will be asked to play many roles over the next few hours.
You will put on different costumes, masks, makeup, hats, and carry many weapons. Each of these new characters will be explained to you by the Guides.
You will be asked to abide by covid safety and Ops organization guides while on this shift. Leave Ops cleaner than you found it.
Know your RULES GUIDE
Before you go out with a group on a scene/mod, make sure you know who is the Field Guide going out with you. They are there to help and ensure that mod plot is executed safely and as planned. Learn their name and what they look like. You may need to find them in a chaotic combat situation or you have a question about the objective of the Mod.
Playing to Lose
Being a Casted/NPCharacter is like being an extra or background character in a movie. So while sometimes a main character will get killed by a random bad guy the death is about the main character and not upstaged by the extra.
So while we aren’t going to be ineffective if you see a player slide on their knees across a muddy field to stick something into their friend’s chest to save them give that player the moment to feel like the hero they are, even if you could smash them.
Ask questions before you go out
The Guides will do their best to make you informed of what it is they want you to do on the module, but that doesn’t mean they will hit every point you need. Let them tell you the plan and if after you have a question, ask it. Don’t be shy, chances are several others are thinking it or would also like to know. If you are ever uncomfortable with something tell the Guide.
Self Care
The Guides will ask you to get involved in mods, put on makeup and costuming, but only you know what is best for you. If you hurt yourself on the last mod and they ask to send you back out on a combat mod it is up to you to speak up. If they ask you to get dressed up like a zombie and you are allergic to makeup it is up to you to speak up. The Guides will be more than happy to accommodate your needs but can only do so if they are made aware.
Stick to the script
The Guides will have a prepared a story ahead of time and you are the actors. However you may not know the full story. So while we want you to be creative and make fun choices: don’t change the story. If they tell you to tell the town someone just died don’t decide it would be more dramatic to say they are immortal and coming to kill them all. If you do that you are likely ruining the future story the the Story Writer worked hard to create.
Get off the stage!!
When your Casted Character dies (it’s inevitable) remove yourself from play. This means out of sight of other characters. This is to remove you from combat as well as from the eye line of the other players.
When you put your fisted hand on your head this is a symbol that you are Out Of Character, but a better indication for this is if you are just not visible. This doesn’t mean you need to run a mile off, just look for your Guide and try to be low key.
Your Casting Shift is a great chance to stretch your role-play skills and muscles, providing an enhanced experience for your fellow players (the same way they provide it for you on their shifts). It is also a great way to get to know your fellow players as people, rather than just their characters. We are excited to see you in Ops!