How Do I Portray Non-Human Characters Without It Looking Cringe?

Playing a non-human character is one of the most freeing parts of fantasy roleplay - but it’s also one of the easiest places to overdo it. The moment you start adding exaggerated quirks or forced “alien” behaviors, things can slide from immersive to awkward very quickly. Most players want to explore non-human perspectives, but they don’t want to become a caricature on camera.

The trick is simple: don’t start with the “non-human” part. Start with the person underneath it.

Here’s how to make those performances feel believable instead of performative.

Build a Person First, Then Layer the Species Traits

Many players begin with the species (“I’m an elf,” “I’m a tabaxi,” “I’m a tiefling”), then try to play into stereotypes. That’s usually what creates cringe - because it becomes a performance of tropes rather than a character.

Reverse the process.

1. Build the personality.

2. Add background and motivation.

3. Then add species-specific details sparingly.

A dwarf raised by scholars looks very different from one raised in a mining clan.A dragonborn raised around elves doesn’t express themselves like one from a warrior enclave.

If the person feels real, the non-human layer feels natural.

Choose One or Two Non-Human Traits - Not Ten

Instead of doing everything “creature-like,” choose a small selection of traits and let them sit quietly in the background.

For example:

• Slightly sharper eye contact (predatory species)

• Straighter posture and deliberate calm (elves)

• A curious head tilt (constructs or familiars)

• A small reaction to smells or sounds others miss (beast-kin)

These subtle cues are far more believable than dramatic voice changes or exaggerated animal impressions.

And on camera, subtlety reads better than spectacle.

Don’t Imitate Biology; Reflect Perspective

What makes non-human characters interesting isn’t how they move - it’s how they think.

Ask questions like:

• What do they consider normal that humans consider strange?

• How do they perceive time, danger, or relationships?

• What social norms do they follow instinctively?

• What do they misunderstand because of their upbringing or instincts?

When thought patterns shift, behavior shifts with them - naturally, not theatrically.

This gives your performance depth without turning it into a gimmick.

Lean Into Stillness More Than Exaggeration

One of the strongest ways to feel “otherworldly” is actually to do less, not more. Controlled movement, careful pausing, or measured reactions can make a character feel alien without being strange for the sake of it.

Examples:

• A construct who waits an extra beat before answering

• A celestial who rarely blinks

• An elf who remains unnervingly calm in chaos

• A beast-kin who reacts instantly to loud sounds

Stillness is powerful, especially over webcam - and it never comes across as cringe.

Let Visuals Do the Species Work

When portraying non-human characters online, the biggest problem is that your human face is doing most of the work. Even with subtle performance choices, the visual disconnect breaks immersion.

This is exactly where Faes AR becomes valuable. Instead of pretending to be non-human, the camera shows a version of your character that already displays:

• non-human facial structure

• species-specific textures

• magical or atmospheric traits

• clothing and cultural markers

Because the AR overlay communicates species visually, you don’t need to over-act to sell it. Your performance can stay grounded and human-like while the visual layer carries the fantasy identity.

You can explore the character library through the Faes AR Portal or read more about the design philosophy here:About Faes

The app is available directly at:store.faes.ar

Stay Grounded, and the Fantasy Feels Stronger

Cringe comes from trying too hard - forced voices, exaggerated movements, stereotypes. Believability comes from consistency, restraint, and intentional choices.

When you build a non-human character with the same care you’d give a human one, the fantasy elements become texture rather than a gimmick. And when your on-screen appearance reinforces that identity through tools like Faes AR, your performance can stay subtle without losing impact.

That’s when the character feels authentic.