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Roleplay Guide

Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Posted On: 11/20/2013 at 01:10 PM
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Hey guys! So I posted this in the GW2 forum, and I decided to transfer it here to the ESO section. A couple parts are still GW2 oriented (like some examples) cause I'm not as familiar with the Elder Scrolls, so I can't make good examples. Don't worry, I'll bone up on lore before launch! Enjoy!

A Beginner's Guide to Roleplaying

In other words: Roleplaying for Dummies.

 

Not that you're a dummy, of course. Maybe you just haven't done it before, but you've done things like tabletop RPGs, such as D&D, Serenity, Deathwatch, etc. Perhaps you love storytelling. Or maybe you just want to try something new. That's perfectly fine! Come on in and take a look. Now, this isn't a total and complete holy book of roleplaying, but it gives the basics on a few key things you need to know. I've included links to a few roleplaying community sites that I have found extremely useful as I have progressed through those games and roleplaying communities in them.

Some common misconceptions

Oftentimes people avoid roleplaying because they think it's "weird." They think it's "socially unacceptable." Well, I hate to break it to them, but roleplaying is simply acting and reacting. Any actor, of any sort, is playing a role.Weird, huh? Doesn't matter if they're in a movie, on the stage, or just a couple of kids playing in a box that they're pretending is their fort. It's all make believe. The key thing that matches up is it's telling a story, as if you were someone else.

Another thing: When you play an RPG (Thats three letters in the acronym of our chosen game genre MMORPG) you're playing out a character in a roleplaying game. You're playing a role. You're simply not taking it to the immersion level that a roleplayer does. You are your character. Without you as the soul of the character, the pixels stand and die. Or just stand if you're in a safe zone. That being said, it's not too terribly strange to take that to the next step and be the character.

 

Common Misconceptions dispelled, where do I start?

I'm glad you asked that. I would say start with your character.

Uh, 'scuse me, Ragmar, what about my character? I already have my level 50 dragonknight,, what more do I need?

Character Template (compliments of Tamriel Foundry)

Fill this out. This helps you begin to get an idea of what you want your character to be. You can see some examples from some family members who are interested Right Here

Once you have that, you've got a good place to start. Play around with your character a bit, about how they'll react, what they'll do to other things, what their likes and dislikes are, etc. Try creating a new person from your head. One thing I have discovered is that a character that you can truly act out well is a character that has a portion of yourself in it. That way the character is like an extension of you, instead of trying to redevelop your mind. It's very difficult to create a brand new person that you pull out of your head for entertainment purposes. Might give you a headache if you try too hard.

Okay, great. Got my character in the works. What's next?

 

Let's teach you a few key terms that you're gonna need to know.

IC: In-character. This means your actions are what your character is doing. Usually done through emotes, /say, /yell, or actually in-game character actions.

OOC: Out-of-character. This means that your character did not actually just jump, because you accidentally pushed the space bar. These are things YOU do, not your character does. Like if a mob spawns where you're roleplaying, and you kill it. Or you push the spacebar.

God-modding: This is taking control of another persons character, creating their responses, etc. GODMODDING IS A NO-NO. You must not do this. Because the point of roleplaying is immersing yourself in a new world to act as if you're someone else for a little while, if you couldn't actually take control of someone's mind and make him give you his sword, you can't do it in game.

Mary-sue/special snowflake: A character that is just way out there and is ridiculous. For example: A char that is on his own Wyld Hunt because the Pale Tree spoke to him, but Rytlock Brimstone gave him his fiery sword. Oh, did I mention that the char also soloed Zhaitan? *Annoying Buzzer Sound* Wrong. There are two things wrong with this. Can you see them? One, he is too powerful. No one can solo Zhaitan. Two-

Lorebending: This is changing the pre-written lore to suit your needs. This is also a no-no. Just don't do it. When in doubt, try and avoid it. Do some research, it'll help you in the long run.

Wow, lot's of don'ts. Is there anything you're not telling me?

 

Don't be intimidated by those things. They're pretty easy rules to follow. And please remember, these are not hard-and-fast laws. They're just general, unwritten rules that roleplayers follow. Because half the fun is adding more depth to the virtual reality you're already playing, part of it is taking what's given. That's what these rules are intending.

Also, it's etiquette. If you don't show people the same respect they would to you, most people won't roleplay with you. Sad, but true fact.

A couple more etiquette points. If you see some people roleplaying, and you would like to join them, just send one of them a quick /w and see if it's alright. Most often, people are willing. But sometimes it wouldn't make sense to their story for you to be there. Don't be offended if they say no.  And no one can stop you if you'd like to watch, just don't spam up their chatbox with emotes/says/etc.

 

Lot's of stuff so far, Ragmar. Anything else?

 

My friend, there is loads more, but I don't know it all. This is pretty much a bare-bones guide to get started. It's got as much as I can think of off the top of my head. As you become more experienced in roleplaying, there are huge levels of intricacies that you can make up. It's an art form. Like all people, you start out scribbling. But with practice, practice and more practice, you can create a masterpiece that you can be proud of.

 

Roleplaying Resources:

These resources come from various games and roleplaying communities I have been a part of. Some of the information in them pertains to only that game. However, there is plenty in there that applies to Roleplaying in general. I have listed the particular game names and communities if you're interested in learning more.

World of Warcraft 

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/7415795418

Runescape: Combination Free-to-play and Pay-to-play Guides on the official Forums

http://services.runescape.com/m=forum/forums.ws?237,238,871,63555294

http://services.runescape.com/m=forum/forums.ws?237,238,675,64037832

Guild Wars 2 Official RP Site and Gaiscioch

http://www.guildwars2roleplayers.com/forum/m/2737230/viewthread/4000919-new-to-gw2-or-mmo-roleplay-get-started-here

http://www.gaiscioch.com/tavern/guildwars_roleplay/post_35783.html

Star Wars: The Old Republic Official RP Site

http://www.swtor-rp.com/forum/m/1639455/viewthread/1430214-roleplay-resources

http://www.swtor-rp.com/forum/m/1639455/viewthread/1826940-rp-character-creation-tips

 

Gaiscioch Roleplaying Etiquette Compendium By Elza

Posted by Daenera

Part 1: http://www.gaiscioch.com/tavern/guildwars_roleplay/post_47747.html

Part 2: http://www.gaiscioch.com/tavern/guildwars_roleplay/post_47748.html

Part 3: http://www.gaiscioch.com/tavern/guildwars_roleplay/post_47749.html

Part 4: http://www.gaiscioch.com/tavern/guildwars_roleplay/post_47750.html

 

ESO RP Resources

Tamriel Foundry Roleplay Guide

Tamriel Foundry Roleplay Corner

TESO RPers Site*

Fog's History of Tamriel Video Collection Thred

 

Note: These sites, guides, and links are not all run by the GSCH Family. Therefore, they don't necessarily abide by our family friendly rules. I am not responsible for any angry, violent, suggestive, or otherwise inappropriate things that may be seen, heard, or discussed. I did my absolute best to filter the junk out of it, but sometimes things slip by. People are how people will be, particularly in roleplaying, where you're acting as someone else. You have been warned.

Last Edited on: 12/09/2013 at 06:20 PM
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Response:

Ban Curadh de na Fhiaigh
Mystriss Freya
Ban Curadh de na Fhiaigh
Replied On: 11/21/2013 at 08:07 PM PST
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Looking forward to RP in ESO!  My minion and I are already plotting evil things... wait, that's nothing new... Never mind.  *Waves hand dismissively*

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Ban Caomhnoir de na Iolair Gorm
Daenera
Ban Caomhnoir de na Iolair Gorm
Replied On: 11/22/2013 at 08:03 AM PST

First time for everything but I am so intimidated by RP in this game due to my severe ignorance of anything ESO (never played a single one!). :( /scared

*hugs*
Dae

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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 11/22/2013 at 09:58 AM PST
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Don't be scared. It's gonna be awesome!

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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 12/09/2013 at 06:19 PM PST
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Due to an imminent closure of the Earthen Ring Roleplaying Website for WoW, I have removed those links. Sorry.

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Seaimpin de na Aracos Buí
Tayto
Seaimpin de na Aracos Buí
  • GW2: isredel.4302
Replied On: 12/20/2013 at 06:22 PM PST
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Since there are two of the same thread, I'm just gonna repost what I said in GW2's RP guide thread.

 

"One thing to note, please do remember to separate your feelings between your character and yourself. Just because someone's character doesn't like your character does not mean that the player behind said character has any negative feelings towards you.

 

If your character is in some sort of argument, please, for the love of all that is sacred, do not take it personally. I have been in guilds and situations where a player would ragequit or actually send me angry PM's/Whispers/Tells because of something my character said to their character.

 

To speak bluntly, if you find yourself completely unable to separate your character's feelings from your own, then just don't role-play. I'm completely serious. It will cause you stress. It will likely cause you to lash out at other players. It will cause a whole mess of unneeded internal or external drama that nobody wants. Take this suggestion seriously if you find yourself unable to separate your feelings.

 

If you start out not being able to separate your feelings and are able to work on it and learn to separate your feelings, great. If not, stop. Realize that roleplaying, while fun, is not for everyone."



» Edited on: 2013-12-20 18:23:51

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Ridire de na Iomproidh Oráiste
Rainingblood
Ridire de na Iomproidh Oráiste
  • ESO: @Rainingblood
Replied On: 12/25/2013 at 03:30 PM PST
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Great guide! I've been playing MMOs for years, but this will be my first attempt at RPing... I've been engrossing myself in the lore (never had played an elder scrolls game until now), so that is helping a lot. I think it's going to feel funny when I first get involved. I've never had to prethink the game before; just hop in and PvP.

 

 In that regard, how will people plan on pvp in TESO from an RP perspective? I won't plan on emoting and typing while I attempt to kill someone... :)

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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 12/25/2013 at 04:17 PM PST
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I've never done any RP-PvP. but I think I can kinda understand the concept. Most of the RPing is done before and after the combat, whereas in combat you break character so you can focus on the battle. The first incarnation of Gaiscioch was a roleplaying guild, so I'm fairly certain Fog can answer your questions better than I can.

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Banlaoch de na Griobhta Dearg
Briseadh
Banlaoch de na Griobhta Dearg
  • GW2: Briseadh.7386
Replied On: 01/17/2014 at 09:18 AM PST
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When I RP, I make a profile for myself.  The rest of you aren't going to see it.  You will just have to learn about my character the way you learn about people in real life.  INTERACTION!

My advice is to expect people to misunderstand your character just like I know we misunderstand each other in life via only the use of text and even online chat.  Learn to be as expressive as possible in text.  Like saying how your toon is standing, sitting, etc.  Use text to convey this when emotes don't do it right.  I do find RP in MMOs just doesn't live up to what I did in text only arenas.  Then again live action RP is a lot of fun and even scarier.

The RP group should have a way to note what is action/flavor text and what is actually the say.  In the old text only days of RP we pretty much put :: before and after actions, ~ for singing, and nothing if you are saying it.  Of course in MMO's these don't always work because of hotkeys to do a whole bunch of things.  

Don't mess with Mama Bear, I might hug you too tight. =D
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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 01/18/2014 at 10:22 PM PST
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most games are providing a /emote or /me recently that you can use for actions. I talked about it in my GW2 RP 101 a few months ago.

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Ban Curadh de na Faolchu Donn
Ezsme
Ban Curadh de na Faolchu Donn
  • ESO: @Ezsme
Replied On: 02/28/2014 at 04:54 AM PST

What a great guide. You've given me a great deal to think about. I always play a character that is an extension of myself and I always have a backstory and I always play my character in character.

I guess now I just need to take it to the next level and actually talk to other characters.

 

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