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Guide: So you want to roleplay?

Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Posted On: 07/23/2013 at 06:24 PM
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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 80 thief, what more do I need?

Here is a fantastic place to start (courtesy http://www.guildwars2roleplayers.com/ and the link provided by our very own Viktor, as well as question sheet linked by Izzy. Third option is linked by Twilah. You can do all three, or just one.)

Character Template

Character Question Sheet

 GW2 Character Creation Guide

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/2016793577

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

 

GW2 Lore Videos 

Posted by Vampiresbane

http://www.gaiscioch.com/tavern/guildwars_roleplay/post_35765.html



» Edited on: 2013-07-23 20:15:14



» Edited on: 2013-07-24 18:55:24



» Edited on: 2013-07-24 19:12:37

Last Edited on: 12/09/2013 at 06:21 PM
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Response:

Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 07/24/2013 at 07:29 PM PDT
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Please note that if you have your own thoughts to add, this is not an end-all roleplaying guide book. This is a resource. Please, add your own thoughts!

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Ban Ridire de na Aracos
Aemrys
Ban Ridire de na Aracos
  • GW2: Aemrys.2396
Replied On: 08/03/2013 at 10:08 AM PDT
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this is completely amazing and so helpful -- thank you!!

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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 08/26/2013 at 01:53 PM PDT
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Seaimpin de na Ulchabhan
Dirkdaring
Seaimpin de na Ulchabhan
  • GW2: Runeslinger.9482
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Replied On: 09/03/2013 at 05:00 AM PDT
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  I`ve always played my characters  in a roleplay aspect as in each has his own moral code, restrictions etc, like my old pally in EQ ,  mainly roamed in undead heravy zones looking to cleanse norrath of the blight , 

 

 Also set up healing buffing stations for lower lvls, random people with quest, drive by heals, rezes, corpse retrivel etc , played it from how he would react to stuff , just never could get into the  speaking in thee and thous  haha .

 

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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 09/03/2013 at 05:54 PM PDT
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  I`ve always played my characters  in a roleplay aspect as in each has his own moral code, restrictions etc, like my old pally in EQ ,  mainly roamed in undead heravy zones looking to cleanse norrath of the blight , 

 Also set up healing buffing stations for lower lvls, random people with quest, drive by heals, rezes, corpse retrivel etc , played it from how he would react to stuff , just never could get into the  speaking in thee and thous  haha .

I approve. Also, just something I read recently and would like to clarify on, thanks for reminding me Dirk, you don't NEED to thee and thou. It makes sense for a pally, like Dirk RPed, but for other people, hearing someone speaking archaicly would be weird in characterly. Most people give the character an accent based on what they do. My characters are usually moderately educated, so they speak like I would, play english, with some slang. Others would speak high falutingly. I knew a roleplayer who played through "learning" common, so she spoke broken common, or english.

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Ban Caomhnoir de na Iolair Gorm
Daenera
Ban Caomhnoir de na Iolair Gorm
Replied On: 09/04/2013 at 05:56 AM PDT

Ooh I love it Ragmar! You are wonderful for putting this together!

*hugs*
Dae

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Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
Ragmar
Seaimpin de na Capall Donn
  • ESO: @Artrath96
Replied On: 12/09/2013 at 06:20 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 06:19 PM PST
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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.



» Edited on: 2013-12-20 18:21:19

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