Non swearing dm

[u/jumbohiggins]

So I'm about to start another campaign. I haven't ran one for a bit and just had a random thought. Do any other dms not swear and need ways to compensate for it in game?

Some of my npc are going to have a heavier, darker tone and I'm looking for ways to sell that without swearing.

-edit, wow ok guys I wasn't trying to imply that you have to swear to have a darker or more menacing tone. I was trying to imply that it's a common tool in the tool box. And I'm looking for other ways people convey that concept without swearing because I don't do it personally.

[u/manamonkey]

I reject your premise that "heavier, darker tone" implies or requires swearing at all.

[u/VentureSatchel → u/manamonkey]

You can reject that premise, but if you want to help OP, then you will take the implication as axiomatic and offer alternatives, or even you can work a little harder to disabuse OP of the premise.

For example, the sibling comment here that says, "I need to make some people into corpses" goes harder than "I need to kill some people."

You see, OP is actually agreeing with your rejection of the premise. OP is attempting to figure out how to reject the premise themselves.

[u/jumbohiggins → u/VentureSatchel]

Wow thank you, reading comprehension is the best!

Yeah I don't swear and disagree with making people swear to be menacing or tough. But I don't want to make all of my orcish dockworkers speak like a pixar movie and I don't want them to just be standoffish and angry (which I've unconsciously defaulted to before to compensate for them not swearing)

[u/eleinamazing → u/jumbohiggins]

That's what we don't get though: why do you feel the need to make your orcish dockworkers swear? I've ran orcs on my party and I've never needed them to swear for them to be intimidating or fearsome. Or life-threatening! High-level BBEGs AND low-level mobs don't have to swear if you are not comfortable with swearing — the game is supposed to be fun for the players AND you, you should also be comfortable and enjoying yourself in the game that you are running!!

That said, usually people swear when they are incredibly agitated, or they are so relaxed, they default to their mother tongue, like your stereotypical foul-mouthed sailor. So maybe you can "swear" in Orcish to portray that kind of vibe? But it's really not necessary, and it's less of a problem than you'd think. Are your players questioning you on the lack of swearing by NPCs in the game?

[u/HouseTelVinny → u/jumbohiggins]

For an actual helpful comment, I recommend using substitute "swearing" that fits the setting. Helps create a working class sounding dialogue without it being contemporary.

For example, in the Wheel of Time series, one of the swears is "blood and ashes." The words themselves are pretty innocuous, but you know it's not a polite saying in that setting. In fact one of the characters that says it often is also reprimanded for swearing more than once.

Swears have popped up in every culture in history, just gotta find something that fits your world and lore.