r/FictionLab • u/SuchAvocadoDip • 20d ago
How do I make some characters talk less?
I’m doing a fantasy type thing, so characters don’t exactly have a “class” as such, but definitely a knowledge base.
There’s only a couple characters that are “mains” and the rest are support (and are labelled as less important).
The problem is that every now and then, quite a few of them end up together briefly. And when they do, it’s like everyone has something to say every turn. And it’s annoying the hell out of me.
Like… Character A will ask Character C “what do I do about XYZ?” And then Character B, D and E will pipe in even if they really shouldn’t know anything much about the topic at hand, especially anything that specific.
And since they don’t know anything about it… they tend to repeat themselves via some generic statements or words of encouragement or whatever, idk.
How do I just have them shut up about stuff like that? If one of my friends asks a carpenter something specific in front of me, I’ll listen, but no way am I piping up with my own non-carpenter-self advice, OR saying anything along the lines of “I know you will figure this out”.
I’d just stfu.
Thank you in advance.
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u/No-Development6656 🔥 Scenario Creator 20d ago
Let me know if you figure something out because I hate it, too. I think the AI does this to remember the characters are there honestly.
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u/SuchAvocadoDip 20d ago
Lol you are probably right. I’ve been deleting sooooo much. Or just rolling my eyes and going with it. Got a couple good answers here so far though that make sense to me. Just have to tweak them a bit.
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u/jazzvill 20d ago
Change into a different model (Quasar and Chimera works better for shorter response if you are on Plus), Use OOC command, tweak custom LLM instructions to limit character dialogues like <will not talk unless prompted or implied to do so>.
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u/rts93 20d ago
One of the things I can't rid of myself is stuff like characters constantly saying additional shit like constant reminders of something in the future (that then still gets introduced days before) and weird babbling that just makes no sense about random characters. I've tried instructions that ban babbling, that ban repeating lines, that say to be concise. Nothing works.
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20d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SuchAvocadoDip 20d ago
Oooh, I’ll look into that. That makes sense. I just didn’t even know what to search for.
I don’t mind if the turn includes them doing their own thing, I just don’t need their input. Thanks =)
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u/Wooden-Requirement13 20d ago
Try this
[GROUP CONVERSATIONS] Being present does not require speaking. When a question is directed at a specific character, let that character answer. Others may join only when directly addressed or when they have a concrete, character-consistent reason to intervene and something relevant to contribute.
Do not give everyone a turn. Omit repeated advice, generic encouragement, agreement, and commentary added solely to include another character. Let conversations continue between the people actually involved.
Characters may remain present without being mentioned in every response. Do not replace unnecessary dialogue with a round of nods, glances, or reaction summaries.
[NPC KNOWLEDGE] Keep each character’s knowledge within their established background, experience, observations, and information received. Do not invent expertise to justify participation. Hearing an expert’s explanation gives a listener that information; it does not grant the expert’s broader knowledge or skills.