Beginner's Manual to Role-Playing

    by Aquilar of Spur in Dark Ages

    Dedicated to my beloved Arreouw,
    who has inspired me to re-evaluate not only my own character, but myself.

    Introduction.

    Welcome! This manual is designed to help you get a start in the world of role-playing. RPG's (Role-Playing Games, to those who're new to this) are both an exciting and interesting realm for experimentation, study and having fun. Unlike some types of games, there is no "win" or "lose" in an RPG. When asked, many experienced RPG gamers will tell you that the most enjoyment from games of this genre comes from detailed and creative role-playing.

    What is role-playing?

    Some people in RPG's have no experience in the world of role-playing (and some do, but act like they don't), and this is an important term to define. Role-playing can be called the active usage and establishment of a virtual character. Let me expand this - role-playing is effectively pretending to be someone else. In a game like Dark Ages, there are many different ways in which a role-played personality can manifest itself. You become a new person, with a history, an appearance, and a personality, which may or may not be in any way similar to your own. In fact, one of the most challenging and most exciting ways to role-play is to create a character that is completely different than yourself in any way you can imagine. Here are some examples: some people manage to role-play very effectively under mentalities which are inherently evil or manipulative, or some people assume the position of a very righteous person, and some take a more conservative path and role-play characters that are neither wholly good or evil (my personal favorite). Part of the beauty of role-playing is in that ability to lead a totally new life and see where it takes you. In the process, you might find out something about yourself, as well. All of these possibilities lead to a diverse and varied atmosphere of people and beliefs, which maintain a fresh aspect to RPG's.

    OK, I understand role-playing, but why bother?

    RPG's mean different things to everybody. Some people spend their entire lives in an RPG merely advancing themselves within the game or searching for a "world domination" status, but take it from an experienced role-player who's tried this before - it just doesn't work that way. :) Role-playing games aren't meant for that kind of gameplay. The truly interesting and addictive side of these games comes out when you really try to be a part of the community. Power and conquest can be part of role-playing, don't get me wrong, but to spend all of your time and energy into attaining that level 99 warrior will make you bored really fast.

    The aspects of role-playing.

    There are some fundamental points that should be observed when creating a new character. Remember, it's important to keep this character's personality as seamless as possible, and to that end, you need to keep in mind the elements of role-play. Role-playing shows itself in many ways, and these are some of the most common: personality, goals, speech, appearance, craft, community and history. Let's look at each of these in some detail.

    Your speech is one of the most important elements of your role-playing technique. How you react to people and how you communicate with them is essential to establishing your character. Some people will speak in perfect English, fully capitalized and punctuated and spelled, others will speak using archaic words or even accents. All of this adds a unique flavor to your character. I've met people who speak completely in cryptic riddles using Shakespearean language, or who avoid saying words that use more than 2 syllables. Once again, it's personal taste here, and a bit of creative insight. Anything you do to make your character unique will promote their awareness of you.

    Appearance in some cases can be a very minor aspect of your state of being, or a major one. Appearance depends on a number of factors, but most importantly, be creative with it. If you wear the same outfit as everyone else, you're not likely to stand out in a crowd. Here's some advice: keep one outfit available on your person for stylish needs, and then when you enter into a combat situation, quickly switch to your prepared and preferred military wear.

    Personality is central and key to your player. I won't go into an in-depth analysis of personality and it's effects on the game, because it's a subject so complex that it is way outside of the scope of this manual. Just remember that your personality is, in the end, what makes you who you are. If you're a bad guy, be ruthless, be cruel, be merciless. If you're the knight in shining armor, go find those damsels in distress. If you're a philosopher, philosophize. If you're a barfly, act drunk! Be sure to make a conscious effort at first in this sector of role-playing, because it can be very hard for some people to really create a definite and distinctive personality that doesn't directly reflect their own. After some practice though, you'll find that this character's personality will flow right out of you.

    Your craft can very much dictate your role in the world, if you choose it to. Role-played Priests, who abide by the rules set for Priesthood, should in turn try to make their character correspond to that order. Or you can make a Priest who does not follow the order of Priesthood, and can be ruthless, manipulative or just indifferent to suffering. The same can be said for any class, but if you're serious about fulfilling the role that some classes demand, you must think about how you're going to go about it, and whether a certain class is the right one for you beforehand. Don't just jump into it.

    You're judged by the company you keep, the saying goes, and this is as true here as anywhere else. Stick around the bad guys, and you'll quickly find yourself classified by other people as a bad guy. Participate in in-game revolutions and surprise, you become a revolutionary. :) I've found that for an all-around player who doesn't wish their image in people's minds to be restricted to a certain group should attempt to be companions to as many people as possible.

    Aimlessly playing an RPG can be very rewarding in itself, but for some people, much satisfaction can be obtained by setting goals and meeting them. Goals can take on a number of different things, whether it be to make a powerful wizard, a well-respected monk or a political idealist, setting goals can be a reliable way of keeping yourself and your character on track. But be careful, don't make goals that you're probably never going to achieve, because you'll only disappoint yourself (some sage advice there).

    Lastly, your history is a very important part of your character. Every character should have a past, whether it's real or imaginary. A history is that part of your character that makes him whole; no person got where they are doing nothing. For some people, they can include past RPG's and the experiences they had there as their history for their currently active character; in this way, one persona can thrive and develop through numerous games. For others, starting anew, think about how your character acts now and what would have caused him or her to do so in the past.

    What are some tips on role-playing?

    Okay, there are a couple of things to be said here:

    1. Take notice of the environment and history that the programmers have provided to you! It's very important to be respectful of the game's internal history, and to try to build on it rather than ignore it or tear it down.
    2. Choose a name that fits the game. A name like JaCkDaRiPPa just doesn't fit in Dark Ages against its historical backdrop.
    3. STAY IN CHARACTER! The really good and respected players will stay in character as much as possible. With everyone in character, the in-game society runs smoothly.
    4. Explore. Don't restrict yourself to just one setting or one city.
    5. If you're bored, and you've no major quest to embark upon, don't just sit around and complain about the programmer's lack of events, make your own. Your role-playing ability really comes out to shine when you orchestrate your own events, and you get the added benefit of actively taking part in the community(and consequently making yourself known).
    6. Talk to people. Especially newbies. Newbies aren't to be shunned or condemned because they're not as experienced; take someone under your wing and teach them the ropes. Friendship and people are central to the RPG experience.
    7. Make yourself known. You don't have to necessarily be the strongest warrior or the highest wizard to be known by many people. Being unique, speaking your mind and contributing to the world inevitably makes you stand out in a crowd.

    Some final thoughts...

    Remember this is a beginning guide to role-playing, and that means it examines it in a brief and superficial light. RPG's are very deep and special worlds, and there's far more to be learned than what's included in this manual. What you get out of an RPG is very dependent on what you put into it. Don't expect an instant rise to fame and recognition, and don't be fooled into thinking that establishing a character is an overnight thing. It's not. Your virtual person should be a long-term project, and a work always in development. Explore new roots, associate with new people. The ultimate RPG is the one where reality and virtual reality are hardly distinguishable. Use your imagination, be creative, and keep at it, and remember that there are other people alongside you sharing the experience. Make it enjoyable for them, too. A lot of role-playing is impromptu and spur-of-the-moment, and those are skills that take time to develop. With some effort, and creativity, you can have a very memorable experience. Best of luck to you in your travels, wherever they lead you!

    Aquilar Antonine