Fantasy Monologues Vol. 10
Fantasy voice acting demands more than a deep timbre and a dramatic pause. It demands characters. These ten original monologues pull straight from the taverns, towers, and torch-lit dungeons of a living D&D world, giving you grizzled swordmasters, bumbling wizards, and nervous clerics to sink your teeth into. Pick one. Find the voice.
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Occupational Hazard - Corra, Guild Assassin, Cleaning Her Blades After a Job Gone Sideways
"Nobody hired me to save the target. I want that on record. (wipes the blade methodically) I showed up, assessed the situation, and made a judgment call that deviated from the contract. The Guild has opinions about that. Loud opinions, delivered in writing with several official seals. (sets the blade down) Here's what the contract didn't mention. He had a kid with him. Seven, maybe eight years old, sitting right there. (quiet) I don't do kids. That's not sentiment, that's policy. My policy. (picks the blade back up) So the target lives, I'm suspended pending review, and you're sitting across from me because someone said you needed a person with my specific skill set. (looks up) I'm listening. But upfront, I have one rule. Now you know what it is."
The Dragon Remembers Everything - Vaelthurix, Ancient Dragon, Addressing a Would-Be Thief
"Put it down. (a long pause, utterly calm) Not because I'll kill you. I might not. Put it down because that chalice belonged to a queen who died defending a city you've never heard of, in a war your historians forgot to write down. (shifts weight slowly) I was there. I watched her hold that thing above her head in the rain and rally four hundred people who had every reason to run. (beat) You were going to sell it to a collector in Mourne for what, sixty gold? (almost amused) Put it down. Sit. I'll tell you what it's actually worth. (the temperature in the cave drops slightly) And then you're going to make a much more informed decision about your career."
The Night Shift - Aldous, Graveyard Groundskeeper, To a Party Sneaking Through at Midnight
"I'm not going to pretend I don't see you. (lantern raised) I've worked this cemetery for nineteen years. I see everything. (walks over unhurried) Now, I don't particularly care why you're here. In my experience, people in graveyards after dark are either grieving, stupid, or on a job, and you lot look too organized to be grieving. (surveys them) Here's my arrangement. You stay on the east path, you don't disturb any markers, and you're gone before the temple bells ring four. In return, I don't remember seeing you. (beat) I ask one thing. (genuinely) Whatever's been opening the Maldren family crypt from the inside, deal with it. I'm getting tired of resealing the door. (turns back toward his lantern) East path."
Wrong Table - Duchess Seravine Holloway, Approached By Adventurers During Dinner
"I'm going to stop you there. (dabs her mouth with a napkin) I know why you've approached me. The crest on your satchel belongs to House Merrow, which means Aldric Merrow sent you, which means this concerns the northern estate dispute, which I settled in arbitration fourteen months ago. (resumes eating) Whatever he told you about the deed is a selective reading of a document he clearly hasn't reread since signing. (pleasantly) I'm not being dismissive. I'm being efficient. My solicitor's office is on Candler Street, third floor, Tuesdays and Thursdays. (glances up) You seem capable. If Aldric is actually sending hired help over a boundary dispute, the situation may be more interesting than I assumed. (sets down her fork) Sit. Quickly. Before anyone notices."
Classified - Oswin, Retired Royal Spy, Feeding Pigeons in a Park
"I'm going to tell you something and I need you to act natural while I do. (doesn't look up from the pigeons) The man who gave you my name is being watched. Has been for two weeks. Which means you were probably followed here, which means we have about four minutes before someone who is paid to be invisible decides to become visible. (calmly tosses more seed) I don't do fieldwork anymore. My knees have opinions about fieldwork. But I know someone who does, and I know what you're dealing with because I built the network you're trying to untangle. (stands slowly, stretches) Walk south. Don't run. There's a bakery on the corner. Buy something. I'll find you. (quiet) And next time someone gives you my name, ask them what mine actually is first."
Professional Opinion - Mira, Battle-Hardened Combat Medic, Addressing Overconfident Fighters
"I need everyone to look at me for a second. (wipes her hands) I have twelve bandages, two healing potions, a needle, thread, and the patience of someone who has stitched closed wounds by torchlight more times than I can count. (looks at each of them) I am not a miracle. I am a resource. And like any resource, I can run out. (firmly) So when I say form up, I mean form up. When I say fall back, I mean right now, not in a moment, not after one more hit. (quieter) I have lost people because they thought they had more time. I refuse to lose any of you to the same mistake. (picks up her bag) We clear? (doesn't wait for an answer) Good. Move up."
A Cursed Instrument - Lysander, Bard, Explaining Why His Lute Is Whispering
"Okay. So. I need you to not panic. (holds up the lute) It started in Fenwick. A woman sold it to me for three copper, which I now understand was a sign. (the lute emits a faint sound) It only does that when it disagrees with something I've said. Which, fine, is frequently. The thing is... the music it produces? Extraordinary. I played a tavern in Ashford and someone who hadn't walked in six years stood up. I'm not exaggerating. (beat) I've tried having it cleansed. Twice. The second priest asked me to leave his temple and not return. (quietly) I think it likes me. I think the curse is... selective? (the lute hums) See? (looks at the party) I just need someone to tell me what's actually inside it."
Terms and Conditions - Maevis, Sea Hag, Negotiating Under a Pier
"Everybody always rushes the terms. (settles onto a barnacled post) Your type shows up, desperate, says 'I'll give anything,' and then acts surprised when 'anything' turns out to be literal. (tilts her head) I'm not unreasonable. People say I am. I find that unfair. (fingers the water idly) You want the Storm Chart. Fine. It exists, I have it, we can do business. The price is a memory. Specific, vivid, genuinely yours. Nothing borrowed, nothing fuzzy. (looks at them steadily) You won't feel it go. That's not a comfort, that's just how it works. (picks something unspeakable off her sleeve) I'd suggest something painful. Those tend to be the most valuable and frankly you're better off without them. (extends a dripping hand) Shall we?"
Bedtime Tactical Briefing - Commander Voss, Father of Three, Also Currently On Campaign
"Alright. Lights out in ten. I mean it this time. (settles onto the camp stool) We have a pre-dawn march, a river crossing that's going to be cold and unpleasant, and then a defensive line to establish before midday. (quieter, softer) I know you're scared. I know the sounds outside camp are strange and the stars here don't look like home. (looks across the fire) Your father was scared his first campaign too. Kept that to himself for twenty years and then told me right before I shipped out. (small smile) Didn't help much in the moment. Helps now. (stands) Being afraid means you're paying attention. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. (firmly) Ten minutes. Then sleep. We've got a long day and I need you sharp."
What the Cards Said - Zinna, Traveling Fortune Teller, Reading for a Skeptic
"You don't believe in this. (lays the first card) That's fine. The cards don't require your belief to be accurate. (lays the second) This one here means transition. Something ending, something beginning, the uncomfortable bit in between where you don't know which side you're standing on. Sound familiar? (glances up) I thought so. (third card) This one's interesting. It usually means a choice is coming that looks like two options but is actually three, and the third one is the one you're pretending isn't there. (sits back) I'm not telling you what to do. I'm not even telling you what will happen. (quietly) I'm telling you what you already know but haven't said out loud yet. (beat) That'll be five silver. (gathers the cards) The skeptical ones always tip the best."
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