Sometimes we interact with random NPCs or we have a need to step away and set our characters to NPC. In either case, it is important to know how to handle interactions with NPC characters.

Interacting with Wild NPCs

The first type of NPC is a wild NPC. These are non-characters (thus, non-playable characters) that are encountered in the environment. They can include other ambiguous wolves, coyotes, or wildlife you are hunting. If you are writing out a hunting post, then you can assume that the animal you are writing against (the prey) is an NPC. Similarly, wolves may gain companions that are NPCs.

For wild NPCs, there are a few rules to follow:

Companion NPCs cannot clearly communicate with wolves. They may learn to understand in the way our pet dogs learn to understand us, but they cannot speak back and forth as there is a language barrier that cannot be crossed. That means that a wolf with a raven companion might be able to ask them to scout ahead - but the raven can only respond using it's own means of communication. That isn't to say there can't be some level of understanding - many animals understand each other's energy. A raven companion who responds by showing distress (cawing, mimicking a dangerous animal, acting erratically) is clearly indicating danger. The raven here is only one example, though.

All wild companion NPCs must make sense for a wolf. Ravens, crows, or small birds make sense. Lizards, reptiles, or amphibians could also make sense. A fox, eagle, or other animal a wolf might encounter makes sense. Prey animals do not, dangerous animals do not. A wolf and a cougar, though they co exist together, are not going to be friends.

Companion NPCs cannot give an unfair advantage. While we can use our first example of a crow "scouting" ahead, they cannot gain any information that the wolf couldn't have gained themselves in a turn or two. It is going to take time for that. The raven, again, can't convey what it saw. Similarly, a wolf's companion cannot help it fight, hunt, or otherwise give any sort of story-changing help. Companions are there for flavor only.

Outside of these limitations and common sense, you are free to be a bit creative. Having a flock of crows that makes noise when someone arrives is fine. The pack or your character would probably know someone was arriving soon anyway. Just be smart and considerate with wild companion NPCs.

Character NPCs

When it comes to the subject of character NPCs, the there are also rules. The character NPC is assumed to be present and accounted for even though the player is not able to post with them. Here's the rules and guidelines to follow:

The player of the NPC character is expected to provide OOC details on the daily habits and expectations of the NPC character. This can be provided on their profile under "habits" or in another area of the profile. Even if these details are also shared, in discord, they are required to be on the character's profile as not all of our users will be active in our discord.

All characters who would interact with the Character NPC must acknowledge the daily habits and presence of the NPC character. Even if the writer is away for a long time, the pack and family cannot assume that the NPC character is not present. While it can be assumed they are "out of the loop" a little bit, it cannot be assumed that they are not present, that they have abandoned their puppies/family, or that they have left the region.

You cannot bring a character back from NPC and then put them back on NPC right away. You also cannot bring back an NPC specifically to respond to some in-character drama, because that would be considered OOC influence. If you place a character on NPC they should remain on NPC until your hiatus is over.

While NPC characters are assumed to be present, they cannot be used as part of large decisions, because those large decisions would have to be off-screened and it is a requirement that large decisions or anything plot-changing is written out in-character.

Lone wolves cannot be placed NPC. They have no need to be NPC as they live alone. Instead, they can leave the game and come back later.

In addition, puppies under 6 months cannot be NPC. This is a delicate age for puppies and activity matters for them, as does writing out their growth and what they are experiencing. If you absolutely need to step away, you can ask someone to "foster" your puppy - that is, play them for you until you can return. You must establish terms with the foster player on whether they adopt the puppy fully if you do not return after a certain amount of time. The reason for this is simple: if the foster player has played them longer than you ever did, it is unfair for you to return and reclaim the puppy if they have taken a strong liking to them. If you don't want to go the foster route, then you must post enough to keep the puppy active and show their growth, or should return the puppy to the parents to adopt out.