Ye Don’t Have to Cry to Be a Character

Listen, lad. I’ve seen more bad roleplay than there are teeth in a troll’s stew. I once watched a half-elf declare eternal love to a vampire NPC—in full character—in front of their real-life girlfriend. The table went quieter than a cursed mime in a silence spell. If yer idea of roleplay means monologuing like a drunken bard in drama school, it’s no wonder yer party keeps “accidentally” throwing fireballs in yer direction.

Let’s be clear: Roleplaying ain’t weird. But you can make it weird, ya surface-dwellin’, spotlight-hoggin’, goblin-kissin’ fool.

And if anyone ever told ya roleplay means “talking in an accent while describing how sad your wizard is,” they were either wrong or a theater major. (Same difference.)

Roleplay’s just makin’ decisions as yer character would, not as the player who forgot snacks again. That’s it. Not fancy. Not mystical. Not an excuse to whisper dark poetry for 45 minutes while the barbarian’s pickin’ his nose waitin’ for the plot to return.

“You’re Not Auditioning for the Royal Bard College”

👉 Want roleplay that keeps the party laughing, engaged, and actually in-character? Stick around Mike’s Tavern and learn how real adventurers get the job done:
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/player-tip
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/about-mikes-tavern

Roleplay Without the Cringe: Mike’s Golden Rules

1. Make Choices, Not Speeches

Yer character wants revenge? Cool. Show it by makin’ reckless decisions in-game, not by narratin’ yer tragic childhood for five real-world minutes. Roleplay happens in the action—what ya do, not what ya recite like a poetry contest.

2. Talk Like Yer Character, Not Like Shakespeare

You don’t have to fake an accent, roll yer Rs, or sound like some poor bard straining through a cursed opera. Just think like yer character. Would they threaten the barkeep? Walk out of the room? Punch the Duke? Then do that.

(Unless yer idea of “thinking like your character” involves licking every magic item to see if it’s cursed. In that case: STOP. IMMEDIATELY.)

3. Don’t Hog the Ale

Roleplaying’s a team effort. Don’t monologue so long the wizard falls asleep and the ranger levels up outta spite. Roleplay is give and take. If yer talking more than yer listening, yer doing it wrong.

If ya want a masterclass in team-based play, take a scroll through this build:
👉 The Paladin Who Can’t Lie but Carries a Shield That Does
or maybe:
👉 The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing but Does It Anyway

4. Respect the Table, Ya Spotlight-Spillin’ Milk Drinker

If ya want to try romance roleplay, dramatic monologues, or edgy backstory reveals, make sure the party’s up for it. Not everyone’s comfy, and if ya push it too far…

JUST FLIRT WITH NPCS IN PRIVATE, NOT IN FRONT OF ME ALE, YA CAVE-LOST GOAT-WRESTLER!!

Ahem. Sorry. Got flashbacks.

If you want to avoid bein’ that guy, study this etiquette piece like yer life depends on it:
👉 https://www.mikes-tavern.com/tavern-etiquette

The Tavern Is Where Real Roleplay Lives

👉 Come see how normal adventurers (well… mostly normal) keep their sessions fun, immersive, and only slightly embarrassing:
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/contact
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/faq
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/tavern-tales

FAQ

Q: Do I have to use a funny voice to roleplay?
A: Only if it helps ya. I once had a barbarian who only grunted and kicked things—and he roleplayed better than half the sorcerers I’ve met.

Q: What if I’m shy and don’t like speaking in character?
A: Then don’t. Describe yer actions. Make choices. That’s still roleplay, lad. Just don’t sit there like a wet loaf.

Q: Is roleplaying only for serious moments?
A: HAH! No. Sometimes the best roleplay is a drunken bet with a pixie over who can eat the most fire beetles.