For the Newbies to RPG! (As well as some /important/ rules)
Being a newbie to anything can be frusterating. You don't know how anything works, or you know somethings but not enough to let you play easily, and you don't want to ask. It feels weird to ask sometimes, right? Well, with this short guide, you will get the inside and outside of rpgs in general, as well as some specifics. If there is anything you want for me to add to this about 'how to's' or something that you don't understand and /still/ don't want to ask anyone about. Email me (you don't have to ask it as a question) with your suggestion/question and I will be happy to post it here or where ever is appropriate. Go ahead and read this to see if it doesn't make somethings clearer.
And here we go...
In a role play game you make up or have a character that you pretend to be. You have a new world to play in, virtual hardships and friends and groups. All of this you have in your head, non of it is real, but if you pose well enough the words will make it real. It is all in the way /you/ play the game, and that's just what it is, a game. If you find that the rpg is too stressful or people seem to be mean or angry with you, remember, it's just a game.
The best part of an rpg is to have a bunch of different characters, all with different personalities, and to use their poses to your advantage. Play your character off of what others do. It can lead to great adventures.
Some things that you must remember are to respect all players. The player behind the character has feelings too! People's characters may act one way, but it /is/ just an act. Respect the people who have been on longer than you have and the ones who are higher in rank. They have done what they needed to do to get there and they deserve to be treated decently.
All characters have a background (where they came from, who their parents were, etc). If you are not going to be at least a little serious about the rpg, then find an rpg that will let you be completely goofy. Nobody wants to see "Her mommy and daddy had her in a toilet and so she has webbed toes. She's a real good swimmer" That's just weird. An rpg is a society and it should be treated like one.
These thing that I have said appeal to all rpgs that have other real people as players involved. The MAIN thing to realize and have during any pose or response, is curtesy. Have a clue about what you are role playing about. If you don't know much at all about cats, don't join a cat rpg. If you don't know anything about The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey, don't join a dragonrider rpg. If you aren't nice, don't know what you are talking about, or have no more background than a piece of dirt for your character than you might just ruin the whole rpg for everyone else. It won't be fun anymore.
WAIT!!! Just because you don't know anything about the topic or how to develope a character doesn't mean that you can't join an rpg! You can learn. I did. Depending on what kind of rpg you are doing, it may take a day or it may take a month, but as soon as you figure it out, you will find that it is alot of fun, and that is what it is all about. Fun.
Power Player: A player who goes after battle experience like mad. He goes for abillities and strenghts that make his player the Thor of the RGer world.
Steam Venter: A close relative of the Power Player, this one goes more for the revealing in victory, slaying and just fighing for the fun of it. Wants to be the toughest, badest player around, but doesn't want to put that much effort into it, unlike the Power Player.
War Gamer: Likes to use cleverly devised plans to solve tactical situations. Likes to use realism in playing, tries to keep it as close as possible. Dislikes things that go against this realism, and things that can't be thought out, spurr of the moment is frowned apon.
Method Actor: Likes to interact with everyone, pack members and other animals. Enjoys situatins that illuminate their personalies uniqueness. Has problems doing things out of character
StoryTeller: Relative to the Method actor, but is more into filling out the story, than thier personality. Is more willing to do things out of character if it will further along the story's overall momentum. Likes the game to be thrilling, as if watching a movie, and likes it to be a smoothe story. If it gets boring, they might just get into trouble to make it interesting.
Casual Gamer: Is there to interact more with the people than the pack. Prefers to remain in the background, shy if put in the spotlight. Doesn't really know whats going are, or willing to get to know whats going on. Prefers simple characters and plots.
Specialist: They are drawn to one or two aspects and make it their thing. Ki/Water/Fire are what they are good at, and nothing else excels past it. Is loath to use anything but, and really revels in being able to show of their one or two great abilities.
BAD kinds of Players
The Lawyer: Goes by the rules, anything out side of it is not allowed, likes to argue with the person controlling the situation about the rules/behaviors/actions of everything.
One-Uppers: Like to bring in personal grievences into the game. They are likely to make inter-pack fighting than actaully helping any.
Loons: Make completely idiotic choices, have no idea whats going on, and refuse to see diffrently about it. Likes to get the pack into trouble all over the place.
Remember, don't get mad....
Just try it and see if you like it. A little frustration can lead to many wonderful things. To get a little extra knowledge, click below.
Want to learn about wolves? Click here
Want to join a much better rpg than this? Have you ever heard of The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffery? If so try out VirtuaPern. My name there is Maura, so look me up! To go there, Click Here
