Text Frame vs Text Frame with assigned speaker

[Varsuuk]

I wanted to get a style opinion. While I was testing the par5ed DDEX1-1, I tweaked the text frames so that the "descriptive" portion was a simple Frame. For spoken text from a character I can "name" to players (e.g., "Harper Agent", "Half-orc", "Tim the Enchanter", ...) I break up the text frame so I can put just the quoted text in its own frame with the Speaker assigned.

However, I decided to look in my bought modules for patterns to follow and I noticed that in LMoP for instance, a section where a particular wizard speaks (threatens) the players, it uses the standard Frame box without attribution that I started with.

Thoughts?
(Btw, I'm not saying there is something wrong with that choice - I like the separate chat myself and will use it - UNLESS things I hear here might change my mind. I cannot say I have used the app enough to know what is more pleasing to the eye over the long term. I do notice the "Attribued Frame" is bright white, so that might be a factor...)

[Skellan]

I find assigning a speaker is useful if you have more than one npc engaging in dialogue. I guess it is just a style preference really

[Zacchaeus]

I wanted to get a style opinion. While I was testing the par5ed DDEX1-1, I tweaked the text frames so that the "descriptive" portion was a simple Frame. For spoken text from a character I can "name" to players (e.g., "Harper Agent", "Half-orc", "Tim the Enchanter", ...) I break up the text frame so I can put just the quoted text in its own frame with the Speaker assigned.

However, I decided to look in my bought modules for patterns to follow and I noticed that in LMoP for instance, a section where a particular wizard speaks (threatens) the players, it uses the standard Frame box without attribution that I started with.

Thoughts?
(Btw, I'm not saying there is something wrong with that choice - I like the separate chat myself and will use it - UNLESS things I hear here might change my mind. I cannot say I have used the app enough to know what is more pleasing to the eye over the long term. I do notice the "Attribued Frame" is bright white, so that might be a factor...)

There are two different methods of getting an NPC to speak a line. The first is to assign the speaker in the text frame, as you note in your first paragraph. This is a reliable method and it will always show that speaker when you click the little balloon.

The second method requires that the DM has set the option Chat: Set GM Voice to active CT. With this option turned on you will see that when an NPC is selected in the Combat Tracker a small white box appears down at the bottom left hand corner of the screen just below the chat log, alongside the standard 'GM' one. This indicates which NPC is the current speaker. You can click between whichever you want either the current speaker or the GM.

To use this method you prepare your speech bubble in a text frame as normal but don't assign a speaker. To have the text spoken by the speaker drag the speech bubble to the chat line and press return. This will have the speaker 'say' the words.

Whichever method you use will depend on the circumstances of what you want to do. I don't think it's a question of style but rather substance. The second method obviously requires that the speaker be on the Combat Tracker and so that means that you need to create the personality in order to get it to work. If you don't need or want to have to create the NPC then the first method is preferable.

I use both methods since, as I say, they do different things essentially and it gives me the most flexibility.

[Varsuuk]

Cool, I knew about the second method - but only in concept not exactly how to do it since hadn't tried. That was clear.

Thanks, the reason I was thinking there might have been a lean toward old style GM originated text was due to seeing the descriptions of character / scene combined in same Frame where a villain speaks (LMoP, don't want to be too specific) at/near end of the frame.
In my convert of DDEX1-1 I did the chat bubbles fo the speaker surrounded by GM frame but again, prob cos new and feature-y to me ;)

[Zacchaeus]

LMoP was designed as the starter adventure for 5e and (I'm guessing because I don't have the paper version) that for each of the text boxes it says DM. When he converted it to FG Zeus clearlt just followed that exactly and placed a GM as the speaker for all of the text frames. This isn't actually necessary of course since that is the default FG speech mode.

I would certainly make sure that any prepared speeches or text from any NPC was wrapped into a named speech bubble, since it adds flavour to the adventure for the PCs.

[Trenloe]

To expand on what Zacchaeus says about IDs - you can also manually add speaking ID's with the /id command, and also by clicking the speech bubble in the top right of NPC and PC sheets.

Info on speaking IDs here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Chat_Window#Speaking_Identities

[Zacchaeus]

To expand on what Zacchaeus says about IDs - you can also manually add speaking ID's with the /id command, and also by clicking the speech bubble in the top right of NPC and PC sheets.

Info on speaking IDs here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/Chat_Window#Speaking_Identities

See, this is what I love about this software. No matter how much you think you know there's always something that you don't. The /id command has slipped passed me altogether and I completely forgot about the little speech bubble on PCs and NPCs. So, Varsuuk, there are multiple methods and for the ones that Trenloe mentions no need to have any options set.

[Varsuuk]

Great stuff. Yeah, I felt it added flavor as well and have been doing so in my conversion. Wanted to hear from those who use it regularly and now on top of the feedback, I've learned quite a bit of options that go into my D&D brown (CVS ")leather(") journal where keep FG notes as well.

Btw, apropos of nothing, each time I see your forum icon, I think of Davos Seaworthy as portrayed by Liam Cunningham... It's not even that close, I think it's the tilt of the head being reminiscent of Liam's Twitter avatar.

[damned]

See, this is what I love about this software. No matter how much you think you know there's always something that you don't.

"You know nothing Zacchaeus Snow!"

https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/jonsnow.jpg

Sorry... couldnt help myself... and to anyone new reading my post - its positively untrue!