diff --git a/config.lua b/config.lua
index 56cdc00..6fe949d 100644
--- a/config.lua
+++ b/config.lua
@@ -60,3 +60,10 @@ yl_speak_up.blacklist_effect_on_block_right_click = {}
 -- If some items are for some reasons not at all acceptable as quest items,
 -- blacklist them here. The data structure is the same as for the tables above.
 yl_speak_up.blacklist_action_quest_item = {}
+
+-- NPC can send a message to all players as an effect;
+-- this text will be put in front of this message so that you and your players
+-- know that it originated from an NPC (just make sure this returns a string)
+yl_speak_up.chat_all_prefix = minetest.colorize("#0000FF", "[NPC] ")
+-- the NPC will use this color when sending a chat message
+yl_speak_up.chat_all_color = "#AAAAFF"
diff --git a/fs_edit_effects.lua b/fs_edit_effects.lua
index 4a307e8..f0ee304 100644
--- a/fs_edit_effects.lua
+++ b/fs_edit_effects.lua
@@ -747,7 +747,9 @@ yl_speak_up.execute_effect = function(player, n_id, o_id, r)
 		local text = r.r_value
 		-- replace $NPC_NAME$, $OWNER_NAME$, $PLAYER_NAME$ etc.
 		text = yl_speak_up.replace_vars_in_text(text, dialog, pname)
-		minetest.chat_send_all(text)
+		minetest.chat_send_all(
+			yl_speak_up.chat_all_prefix..
+			minetest.colorize(yl_speak_up.chat_all_color, text))
 		-- sending a chat message always counts as successful
 		return true
 	-- "Call custom functions that are supposed to be overridden by the server.", -- 11