Mike’s Rant

I see it every week. Some poor lad sittin’ at the edge of the table, grippin’ their dice like a holy symbol, eyes wide, lips shut, heart beatin’ like a war drum. They got a great idea. A perfect move. Somethin’ to say.

But when their turn comes?

Nothin’.

And before they can blink, someone louder jumps in, steamrolls the scene, and we all move on like they weren’t even there.

Now listen, lad. I ain’t here to bark at ya. I know speakin’ up ain’t easy for everyone. Not every player’s a bard. Some of ya are just tryin’ to stay afloat in a room full o’ thunderous fools and spotlight hogs.

But I promise ya this: Yer voice is worth hearin’. Even if it trembles. Even if it cracks. SPEAK ANYWAY.

Now here’s how to do it without lettin’ fear steal yer tongue.

1. Prep One Line Before Yer Turn

Don’t write a monologue, fool. Just one sentence.

“I want to move beside Tharn and ready my axe.”
“I’m gonna ask the merchant about the missing gear.”
“Can I roll to see if I know that symbol?”

That’s enough. You ain’t auditionin’ — yer contributin’.

And the more ya do it, the easier it gets.

Need help rememberin’ how to start simple? Go read Stop Forgettin’ What Yer Character Can Do. Same principle. One step. Then two.

2. Ask the GM, Not the Table

If yer unsure what to say, talk to the GM. Look 'em in the eye (or the screen) and ask:

“Would it make sense if I…?”
“Can I try something weird here?”
“Do I need a roll for this?”

Yer GM’s job is to guide ya, not judge ya. And if they’re doin’ it right, they’ll make space for ya to step forward without gettin’ trampled.

Want a GM who supports quiet players? Show ‘em The Quiet Player’s Guide to Gettin’ Noticed. Might just change how they run the table.

3. Steal the Spotlight For Five Seconds

I ain’t tellin’ ya to hog the story. I’m tellin’ ya to grab it by the scruff and say one thing that matters.

Then let go.

You’ll find that when ya speak with purpose, the room listens. They notice. And they wait for more.

Look at Ye Don’t Have to Cry to Be a Character. That article’s a damn good reminder that subtlety ain’t weakness — it’s control.

Yer Voice Don’t Gotta Boom — It Just Has to Be Heard

Even the softest player can leave the deepest mark. You ain’t here to impress — you’re here to play. And that means speakin’. Even if it’s one word at a time.

👉 For more ways to step into yer character without shakin’ like a gelatinous cube in winter, try How to Roleplay Without Feelin’ Like an Idiot, or scroll through the rest o’ the Player Tips collection to find yer rhythm.

4. Practice With the Party — Not Against ‘Em

If ya got a character idea or a move you’re nervous to try, talk to the others outside the session. Message someone. Run it by a friend. Say it aloud.

Half the nerves come from not knowin’ how folks’ll react. But if someone already knows yer comin’ in with a bold line or a quiet monologue, they’ll listen better. Support stronger. Wait longer.

That’s the heart of a good table. And if yer table ain’t doin’ that?

We’ll fix that next, lad.

5. Don’t Wait for the Perfect Moment

You’ll never find it. Ever.

Instead, speak when ya feel the tug. That spark. That “I should say something” itch.

Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s rushed. Say it.

Because trust me — the longer ya hold it in, the more it turns to stone.

Want a way to practice bein’ bold in small bits? Try a character like The Paladin Who Can’t Lie — But Carries a Shield That Does. That fool fails forward — and people love him for it.

Yer Voice Belongs at This Table, Lad — So Use It

The strongest thing ya can do is speak when yer scared. That’s braver than any fireball or sword swing I’ve ever seen.

👉 Contact the Tavern if ya need help figurin’ out how to work with louder players or trickier tables. And don’t forget to check the FAQ for more on what a respectful game table should look like. Yer silence ain’t weakness. But yer voice is power.

FAQ

Q: What if I freeze mid-sentence?
A: Breathe. Pause. Say “Never mind, I’ll try again.” We’ve all been there. No one worth playin’ with will mock ya for it.

Q: I feel like the others talk over me. What do I do?
A: Tell yer GM. Quietly, privately. A good GM will fix that. A bad one? We’ll write a separate scroll about that goblin.

Q: How do I speak up without soundin’ silly?
A: Ya will sound silly at first. Then ya won’t. That’s how it works. Let it be clumsy — it means yer learnin’.