Starting Out In Role Play

[Phenaren]

Hello, Awakening!

I wanted to post this here for those who are considering getting started in role play. It can seem like an imposing transition to make for someone who has not role played in an mmo before. Though, honestly, most everyone to some extent plays a role in an MMORPG. Nobody should ever feel like they can not present anything in role play situations as we all, by being able to create a character with a unique appearance and skill set, have the creativity to flesh that character out.

General Guidelines

Firstly, in spatial chat you should avoid the use of "Emojis" :), :P etc. can easily be replaced with /grin, /wink or /emote Gazes to (insert name) and sticks out their tongue. Likewise, LOL, ROFL etc. should be avoided in favor of /laugh or /chuckle etc. The reason for this is imagine if you are at a supermarket and you make a joke to the cashier who responds with, Ell Oh Ell. It doesn't happen (At least... not often. These days, though it is actually possible) or if someone at work said, "Hey, how are you today? Smiley Face" You don't commonly (hopefully) run into that. Try to type as your character, similar to tabletop role playing games where you present yourself as the character you play.

Also, try to avoid godmodding. Godmodding in role play is playing a character who is invincible, knows everything, can do everything or in general is far too powerful to be believed. The simplest of characters can provide the most extraordinary roles for players.

Metagaming is another thing to avoid, Metagaming is when someone takes knowledge that their character should not have and uses it in role play. It can be anything from something someone told you about their character OOC (Out Of Character) IE: Tony is a Jedi, but he plays his character so as to not reveal that information, and walking up to Tony and asking how his Jedi path is going as your character, to something in Canon that your character would have no personal knowledge of IE: The Emperor is a Sith who set the whole trade federation thing up to disolve the republic.

Try to avoid taking In Character things personally. We all get carried away in games, it is natural. Sometimes something happens in character that angers us, but, the best thing to do is to send a tell to the player out of character and inform them.

Converesly, In Character Actions Do Have In Character Consequences. If you are a crafter and you play your character as a Mandalorian badass, always smack talking people and /slap'ing anyone you see, don't be surprised when someone calls you on it and responds with a friendly /duel. Always be aware that your actions have consequences just like in real life and take that into consideration before acting as your character.

ALWAYS ASK CONSENT before you take any action as your character that can permanently or in general effect another persons character. Killing, Maiming, Wounding, Imprisoning, Enslaving etc. should always be discussed OOC first hand with the other player. Ultimately, you are the lord and master of your characters and yours alone, be respectful of others desires for their characters.

Avoid real life topics in character. Real life is cool and awesome. But, Obama, Bush, Bieber etc. etc. do not exist there. Vader, Han and Luke, however, do. Though, few are likely to truly know of them. Try to get an understanding of the Star Wars Universe and discuss things regarding that and how it effects your character and those around them.

Dealing with non-Role Players. Always try to be courteous and realize they have a right to wander around cities in the game, too. Hell, be in character while answering questions. You can always remark later as your character about that odd rodian that kept saying, "Winky Face" and "Lowl" as having an odd speech impediment. But, try to respect their gameplay preferences and if they are seeking to grief you, /ignore or /duel then /ignore works wonders. If their harassment gets intolerable we have an excellent staff in the Awakening server, consider contacting one of them for a Player Harassment ticket (Player Harassment is against the rules)

These are just a few things to help people avoid the common "trouble making" elements of RP. I think the greatest rules of role play is be respectful and have fun. Nobody is ever the greatest Role Player in the world and we are all prone from simple human error to cross any of the before mentioned lines, be patient with each other and remember, we are a community.

I hope this helps out anyone considering role play and I look forward to seeing what others add to this discussion. Please keep posts on topic and respectful.

[Phenaren]

Developing your character

Fleshing out a character for role play can be exciting and fun. Though, some times it can be challenging so I wanted to post a few things that may help with this.

Questions to ask yourself about your character

Where were they born? Where have they traveled? What profession are they? What things do they like? What things do they not like? What makes them happy? What makes them angry? Do they have a nervous tick or some other quirk? What is their outlook on life? Are they happy, sad, angry typically? What are their goals and how do they plan to achieve them? How do they feel about other species? Do they like a certain planet and populace more than another? Where do they stand on the Galactic Civil War?

Everything we do in game can help provide us information about our characters. If they are a ranger, perhaps they prefer the wilderness like the traditional D&D type Rangers, wandering into cities only to trade hides and herbs, restock supplies and get a drink before heading back out. A carbineer could be a soldier or mercenary either presently or retired as the Carbine is a weapon favored by either.

Your badges can aid you in details about your character. If you explore a lot on the game, perhaps your character is an explorer, ever wandering to the next unseen region in search of whatever their heart drives them after.

While you by no means have to limit yourself to simply what your character is mechanically made of, it can offer you ideas into how/who your character is. What experiences they have had and how their existence has been. Simple things can become the greatest elements of any character. Someone who is always in the same mood, or who tilts their head a certain way before attacking somebody for example can provide detail to a character.

A Weaponsmith can be a gun runner, evading the Imperials and ever seeking new clients to supply with their illicit goods. A Pistoleer could be a part of an underground illegal fighting arena, or a law enforcement agent. A Combat Medic can be a mad scientist ever seeking new subjects to attempt their formulas on. Regardless of what you play mechanically, you are not limited by what you imagine they employ those skills for.