How to Roleplay Without Feeling Like an Idiot
Mike’s Opening Rant
Elgrin once told me, “Mike, ya don’t have to talk like a banshee to be a bard.” This was right after he tried to seduce a banshee — with a love song so bad it made her cry. That’s right. A banshee. Cryin'. Said he “felt awkward” and wanted to try somethin’ bold. Lad nearly lost his soul and his pants.
I’ve seen it all. Players who mumble their lines like they’re orderin’ soup, folks who break character every three seconds, and one poor halfling who tried to play a tiefling rogue with a Scottish accent but somehow ended up soundin’ like a drunk goose.
Let me tell ya somethin' important — feelin’ awkward when ya roleplay is normal. It don’t mean yer bad at it. It means yer human. Or dwarven. Or lizardfolk with unresolved daddy issues.
And if anyone at yer table made ya feel like a fool for tryin'? THEY'RE the goblin-kissin', ale-spillin', roleplay-ruinin' problem, not you.
So pour yerself a pint, sit down by the fire, and let’s fix this, yeah?
Don’t Let Roleplay Fear Ruin Yer Fun
👉 Mike’s Tavern is here to make roleplay easier, safer, and funnier than a mimic in a bathhouse. Explore Player Builds & NPCs for inspiration or Tavern Etiquette for what not to do.
Roleplaying Is Weird — And That’s Okay
Let’s be honest. Pretending to be someone else in front of other people? It’s awkward. Especially if yer new, if yer shy, or if yer sittin’ at a table full of milk drinkers who all trained at the Royal Theatre of Overacting.
But that awkwardness? That’s the doorway. Every great roleplayer walked through it. Nobody starts out confident. They start out sweaty, mumbly, and terrified their elf voice sounds like a strangled squirrel.
Here’s the trick: you don’t need to perform — you just need to decide.
Say what yer character wants. Ask for what they care about. Use your own voice if ya have to. Start small. A quiet “I don’t trust him” in-character is ten times better than an overacted monologue about betrayal.
Need a confidence boost? Take a peek at The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing — he's grumpy, awkward, and still one o’ the best builds I’ve seen.
Talk Like You, Play Like Them
Worried yer voice don’t sound “in character”? Listen, lad, ya don’t have to sound like a dragon to play one. Voice acting is seasoning — not the stew.
Want to whisper everything because yer rogue’s edgy? Sure. But also maybe don’t whisper like yer tellin' secrets to a ghost during a funeral. Just speak plain, like yer character would. Give their words weight, not theatrics.
In doubt? Channel the vibe of The Paladin Who Can’t Lie but Carries a Shield That Does. That one ain’t performin’. He’s just playin’ a conviction — and lettin' the table see it.
Start with Feelings, Not Flair
Most players try too hard to “sound fantasy.” They force thee’s and thou’s and end up soundin’ like a goat doin' Shakespeare. Don’t start with the voice. Start with how the character feels.
Are they scared? Confused? Protective? Pick one emotion. Speak from there. That’s roleplay. And if yer party’s worth adventurin’ with, they’ll notice — and they’ll follow ya.
Need a little etiquette cleanup at yer table? Then read The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens. Might be the best kind of roleplay advice I’ve ever cursed under me breath.
Don’t Let the Loud Ones Scare Ya
Every table has one: the performative bard, the backstory bard, the voice actor bard... (Why is it always the bard?!). Let ‘em have their moment. But don’t let their performance make ya feel smaller.
Roleplay ain’t a contest. And ya don’t win it by shoutin' louder. Sometimes the softest line — a whisper, a pause, a single look — becomes the moment everyone remembers.
Even Captain Nail knows when to shut up and let the silence do the talkin’.
Still feelin’ like a fool, eh? Good. Means yer doin’ it right.
If this scroll hits too close to yer nervous little heart, try one o’ these others:
What If My Character’s Dumb — and So Am I? Yer Not Dumb, Ya Damn Fool.
How to Get Into Character When You’re Too Tired to Care
Or just pour yerself a tankard and read the full Roleplay Anxiety Survival Index.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to use an accent when I roleplay?
A: No, ya don’t. Use one if it’s fun. If it’s not, toss it like last week’s goblin stew.
Q: What if I feel silly or embarrassed in front of the group?
A: Then yer normal. Everyone starts there. Keep playin’, and it’ll fade faster than a mimic’s patience.
Q: How do I stay in character when I’m nervous?
A: Anchor to emotions, not words. Focus on what yer character wants or fears — not on soundin’ impressive.
I’ve Seen Braver Dwarves Faint Mid-Backstory
👉 If yer scared o’ roleplay, Mike’s Tavern is the safest place to look like a fool — and still get cheered for it. Come learn the ropes, laugh at yer flubs, and find yer voice in our Player Tips, Player Builds, and Tavern Etiquette. We’ve all been there, lad. Now pull up a stool.
