Make Your Own Soot Sprite Tutorial

Sootballs at Con!

You know, when Shawna has a good idea, it sparks an avalanche of activity. We here at Mythic Geekdom tend to follow the brilliant & sudden lightening flashes of our resident brilliant ADHD multipotentialite, for we know that what follows will be nothing short of epic. It was them that had the original idea of Mythic Geekdom, after all.

So when they said that they wanted to make the Susuwatari (also known as soot balls, soot sprites, and other names) from Studio Ghibli films such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, and bring them to a con, we knew we had to jump on the opportunity.

Stay tuned for more delightful antics from us with these little darlings at more conventions, as well as a forthcoming explanation of how we made these adorable little critters - coming SOON!

No Accent? No Problem!

• Example phrase for Tools “I am always watching” 

THINGS THAT CAN AFFECT VOICE CHOICES 

• Character’s Background / Culture / Subculture / Personality  

• Top stat? 

• 3 adjectives to describe them 

• Archetypes: Hero, Sage, Intelectual, Lover, Fool

TOOLS (don’t have to use all, but can use some)

• Body language/gestures (narrating ok: no visual, neurodivergent, etc) *example

• Facial expressions/eye gaze *example

• Pacing (it’s not about the speed of the words, it’s the length of the pauses) 

• How much they talk (pauses can be “dialogue.” Be aware & don’t step on them. Silent characters, feel free to narrate) *example - also for dm narration not just PCs & NPCs

• How they say it (emphasis) *example

• Tone/pitch (Jo & Shawna explain physical difference) *example 

• Texture/placement (gravel, breathy, smooth, nasal, lisp, stutter) Don't over-spice! *example  

• Vocabulary (high class, low class, subculture)

• Catch phrase (best developed naturally in game, but can be planned ahead with intention)

Go back & apply “TOOLS” to “Things that Affect”

MORE THOUGHTS

• How do the tools change when the character’s emotions change? 

• Why do we use these tools? So you as character & you as player are distinct “I wanna see what’s over there around that corner” (prevents confusion & conflict) 

• Warning: can you sustain this? Or will it hurt after a while? Also, if it ends up changing, that’s ok. 

• If you didn’t intend for something to be funny, but it gets laughs or eye rolls, lean into it - It can become celebrated. 

• If you intend for something to be funny, use caution, read the room, is it the right time? (the higher your insight, the funnier you get)

• If it crosses another player’s comfort boundary, stop. If something crosses your comfort boundary, communicate.

• Q&A TIME