NPC Ramblings?

[Seriel]

So i've got an inn full of NPCs, and a town full of em too (It's a popular town), but i've got a slight problem, what do I make them say? This is an area thats a bit too creative for me, so has anyone got any tips on what to make these NPCs (And NPCs in general) say?

 

[Matseb2611]

I like it when they give useful tips and pointers, though having some of them express opinions on stuff in the setting can help with developing the lore. Just don't make them info dump, because that's unrealistic.

Though if you are going for maximum realism, most NPCs wouldn't speak to a total stranger.

Edit: Oh and make them talk about the recent events. If some village got attacked, people in other villages will be gossiping about it.

 

[Seriel]

I like it when they give useful tips and pointers, though having some of them express opinions on stuff in the setting can help with developing the lore. Just don't make them info dump, because that's unrealistic.

Those are good points, but there isn't that much lore to talk about, most of it is discussed elswhere :/

Though if you are going for maximum realism, most NPCs wouldn't speak to a total stranger.

Nah, i'm going for Cliche JRPG (But still a unique game)

 

[Kes]

Do not try and make all of them say something meaningful/informative to the player.  If every NPC pops out with some remark like "I hope you're taking anitdotes if you're going into the woods" you quickly run out of things to say, and it sounds ridiculous anyway.  It could be something that reveals a bit about relationships in that town e.g. "If you're thinking of buying anything from that no-good, cheating, underhand creep at the Acme Wizard Shop - don't!  That's all I can say - don't!"  e.g. "I was just asking my friend here about how to make good bait for fishing.  You wouldn't happen to know would you?"

People will possibly want to pass on bits of news, even if it's something known to the player.  It can be "Hey, have you heard that Duke Snodkins was assassinated last week?  They say that 4 vagabonds (tha's our heroes, btw) did it.  Can you believe it?"  It doesn't have to be relevant to the story.  "The miller over at Farnhackem has managed to break the sails on his windmill.  I always said he was useless at maintenance.  Now we're going to have to go all the way to Uppingham.  I'm so mad I could throttle him."

People could be having conversations between themselves (they don't turn to the player) and if you want a second page, they could turn and tell the player not to eavesdrop on private conversations.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

Way I'm doing it is defining a set of responses per "type" of NPC made with everyday general responses like Hi's and whatever, things about that place and also something specific to that type (i.e. "job" related)

 

[Shiroi Akuma]

Once I was an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow into the knee :3

"I think my wife don't loves me anymore"; "Really?! How do you know"; "I made her a present, but she wasn't lucky about it"; "What was it?"; "A vacuum cleaner, I thought she loves to clean the house"; "Oh no, you should never present your wife whiteware."

"Ar ya tha waiter?! *hicks""; "I stil waiting for ma drink..." 

Sorry, bad at writing myself.xD  However at least I tried. I think the best way would be to go outside and observe people, it might be very inspirational.