The basics of RP?

[Roderic Dizzel]

I am totally new to RP and I just wondered how the game differed? I normally paly PvE. Any tips or things I should know? the more help the better. I hear a lot about back story and other new things.

Roderic Gracie.

[Blended Pain]

I doubt if this is the correct forum to ask. This is more about text based RPs and not Rping in WoW.

[larissa]

I doubt if this is the correct forum to ask. This is more about text based RPs and not Rping in WoW.

Not really, I've seen a few RP tip threads in this section. While maybe not the direct intent of this section, it still seems to be the best place for it, since people who are actually role-playing will have the best tips. :smiley:

I am totally new to RP and I just wondered how the game differed? I normally paly PvE. Any tips or things I should know? the more help the better. I hear a lot about back story and other new things.

Roderic Gracie.

The actual gameplay differs very little. The only thing that is different is that you will likely find more people playing 'in character'. As in rather than just being themselves, they have taken on the persona of the character they're playing, whether that be a naive Night Elf exploring the world for the first time, or a dishevelled warrior who was once a bright, shining Paladin before the world crushed them, or whatever they may be.

Role-playing is much like being an actor and a write at the same time. You are given no script, you have to come up with it yourself, as well as your character's persona and motivations. A back story is your character's past, what has happened to them to make them who they are today. With a developed back story, you can get a sense of how your character will act and react to situations as they come up. When you meet up with others, it can be fun to play as your character, and interact with them in that way. If you have ever played table-top role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, you should have a basic idea. The only difference is that it's a computer controlling the NPCs and the plot/quests.

To give an example of a back story, my Priestess Larissia was taken from her family at a young age, before the rise of Arthas and the Scourge. The Light shone strongly within her, and it was decided that she should be taken to a convent to best learn how to develop and use the Light. The war came, and her parents were killed, and her sister left to fend for herself on the streets of Stormwind. Some years later, her training was deemed complete, and she was set on the path to aid others in the world. She had been taught only about the Holy Light, and she feared the power of Shadow, so much so that she would not use the abilities governed by the darkness, for fear of succumbing to some dark temptation.

This was my backstory, and I've since roleplayed off and on with her over the past few months. As she explored and successfully accomplished quests, she began to gain confidence in herself, and in her abilities. And now today she has fully come into her own, deft with both Shadow and Holy, doing all she can to protect her friends and loved ones, while trying to fend off the rising hordes of the Burning Legion, and of the various other power-mad factions found both in the Outlands and upon Azeroth.

I would recommend thinking about the type of character you want to play, beyond the basic class/race selections. Do you want to be a fallen Paladin, attempting to regain their place in the Light, or perhaps the opposite, so disdainful of the righteousness and over-zealousness of factions like the Scarlet Crusade that it's left you bitter and cynical. Perhaps a youthful and bright-eyed mage out on their first adventure. Or any of a near infinite number of possibilites.

The most important thing is to play something that you enjoy, whether to just have a fun time, or to delve into tragedy and pathos, or whatever.

~~~Larissa

[Roderic Dizzel]

Thanks Larissa. I wanted to try it since I am tired of killing Murlocs for every misson. Although I will have the same missons RPing should make it a bit more fun. I am looking at a Night Elf Druid. Are there alot of these around? Plus this has forced me to read the huge WoW history bookj for a understanding of the world. I want a real cool story and reading the history should help. Also do pepole just come up and as your story? If not why is it important? Do people ask before they play with you or somthing?

[Icefrost]

I am looking at a Night Elf Druid. Are there alot of these around?

Well, you already found one right here. Refer to the "World of Azeroth" -threads in this forum for details if you want.

[larissa]

Thanks Larissa. I wanted to try it since I am tired of killing Murlocs for every misson. Although I will have the same missons RPing should make it a bit more fun. I am looking at a Night Elf Druid. Are there alot of these around? Plus this has forced me to read the huge WoW history bookj for a understanding of the world. I want a real cool story and reading the history should help. Also do pepole just come up and as your story? If not why is it important? Do people ask before they play with you or somthing?

There are a good number of them, I would think. But it would depend on your server. Night Elves are the only Alliance race that can become Druids (I have a little baby one myself as an alt :grin: )

As to asking for your story, depends on the people you meet up with. Not everyone you meet on a role-playing server will actually be role-playing. So unfortunately, do not expect to be immersed in a new world of Thee and Thou and all that. But you will find others.

A back story isn't necessary, it's a tool to help define your character and their motivations. Actors do this with the parts they play. They often get a background story to their character, so that they can get an idea of why their character behaves as they do now. It would make you wonder if you met someone who was bitter and cynical and hated all cats, but had no reason to. But if in the past they had watched their parents get mauled and killed by wild nightsabers, say, they you can begin to get an idea of why they have such an outlook on life. So it's mainly a tool for yourself.

RPing is best done when you're with others, obviously. But if you partner up with someone to work through quests in the area, you can start to add flavour to your adventures. Rather than just say "Okay, I have this quest to kill 10 Murlocs", you can be more in character, and make it more 'real' ... "These Murlocs are too dangerous, and their numbers keep growing. We must do something, push them back from encroaching upon the lands of our friends and families."

And knowing the Lore of the game is definitely a good thing. It is a great source of ideas, so while long, I would certainly recommend reading it over.

~~~Larissa

[Roderic Dizzel]

Yea, I will try it out. Maybe I will look you up in game Larissa.

[thmpr]

Thanks Larissa. I wanted to try it since I am tired of killing Murlocs for every misson. Although I will have the same missons RPing should make it a bit more fun. I am looking at a Night Elf Druid. Are there alot of these around? Plus this has forced me to read the huge WoW history bookj for a understanding of the world. I want a real cool story and reading the history should help. Also do pepole just come up and as your story? If not why is it important? Do people ask before they play with you or somthing?

I have a (yes it's overdone) Gnome mage that I only run in character - and I mean no exceptions - when people (( )) me they'll get a response of me being confused and ask what they're talking about! It's funny when someone doesn't get it or are new to Rp,or best yet, someone on our RP realm that HATES RP (but why are they there, I wonder?) and this "#*$&#*(% rp'er won't break role" and get ranting at me :)