Finding Roleplay
(Kudos to Garliah Rholak Lightblade for suggesting the topic.)
I see a reasonably common complaint about the availability of roleplaying and the ease with which someone can work their way into a scene. It's neither faction nor server exclusive; one can have difficulty finding the frequency and type of roleplay that they would like, and attribute the reasons to circumstances or perceptions that aren't really responsible for the dearth in question.
Every server is stylistically different, with the various realm cultures brewing up as guilds and plots come and go. What we do here on Earthen Ring is often mocked and derided on Moon Guard as "not real roleplaying" while we often roll our eyes and hop on the bandwagon to make fun of them in return for being overly dramatic or focused on ERP. While it's not the point of this article to contribute to such flaming, it is important to realize that what we see as normal roleplaying behavior here at "home" is not always going to be perceived in the same light on other realms.
It's easy to make some of the common mistakes when scoping out a new roleplaying scene or trying to get involved with a specific group of people. It's even easier to feel slighted or ignored when you manage to approach at the wrong time and can't quite find an "in".
First, you need to find the roleplaying. Wandering around mousing over hundreds of people looking for an RP mod may eventually net you something, but it's a very inefficient method and will frustrate you more often than not. As any veteran will tell you, the best way to find roleplay is to create it.
Easier said than done, you say? Not at all. You can get a lot of mileage and satisfaction out of involving others around you and utilizing the game itself as your vehicle. If there's a particular person you would like to roleplay with, it never hurts to send them an in-game letter asking them either for assistance ('I've heard stories of your prowess, perhaps you would be willing to aid me in doing [quest].") or for a simple meeting. This works best with busier roleplayers who you know to be inundated with stuff going on regularly.
Maybe you're just looking for broad contact. Using the walk toggle is a fairly universal sign that you're in no hurry to get somewhere and you're open for roleplaying contact. Again though, as people do not generally stop other pedestrians on the street to chat, you'll want to be doing something that garners a small degree of attention. On Earthen Ring, several years ago, we had a Stormwind town crier named Herbe. He was a simple low-level guy wandering around the city and calling out news stories. He added tons of flavor and immersion to the game and he was a blast to talk with. It's a great schtick to try if you're feeling saucy.
Perhaps your character has a service they wish to peddle (get your mind out of the Goldshire gutter... or not, if that's your thing, I don't judge). Set up shop on a busy corner or a well-traveled route and announce your business! Again on Earthen Ring, there was a locksmith rogue who ran a strongbox opening racket in the alley between the Orgrimmar auction house and the ammo shop. He roleplayed all his dealings and came away with some sweet (for the time) tips in the process.
These things can take a bit of setup though, and maybe you're just testing the waters or see a group already in progress that you'd like to edge in on. There's ways to deal with that too.
Most often are the shy sorts who approach circles or other roleplayers and sit to watch or wait to be included. This is an awkward situation for both parties, and the ice is easily broken by sending a brief OOC tell denoting interest or asking the person waiting if they wish to be included. Some folks are completely comfortable just watching roleplaying happen, and they should be allowed to do so in peace.
The biggest mistake you can make here is sitting there like a stone doing nothing. Much like how someone does not include a random stranger in a conversation with a friend, it can be difficult to justify including a bystander unless they make an attempt at communication. Something as simple as "I couldn't help but notice you were talking about [thing]," or "Excuse me, you don't happen to know [person]?" (even if that person is fictional) gets your foot in the door.
If you're the more extroverted type and you happen to be in a tavern atmosphere, offer to buy a round for the house. Instant recognition, and you've just made a few in-character friends (particularly if you actually buy the drinks and trade them around). After that, it's smooth sailing; chat about any old thing, from the sword on their hip to the smell of brimstone on their clothes to the latest local sports interest (okay okay, but you know what I mean).
What's critical to know here, however, is how to handle rejection. Sometimes there really is a private conversation to be had between two characters, and it can be tremendously rude (as it is in real life) to walk up to people in heated discussion about something personal. You should never take this personally and then become thorny about roleplaying with those people in the future. You'll burn bridges you've yet to cross and give yourself a reputation for being petulant.
It's also important to realize that some nights are just quiet and people are going about their business. We all know that Earthen Ring is a big old sofa with comfy cushions and more than a few pretzel crumbs in it. People are comfortable here and have settled into their subcommunities and circles, erroneously referred to as cliques (a phenomenon that bears its own article). It's natural human behavior for folks to prefer the company of those they are comfortable with, but don't give up after round one of the match if you don't find an "in" with those people right away. Good things come to those who wait, if at first you don't succeed try again, et cetera.
Additionally, the understanding that not everyone roleplays like you is key. There are groups and individuals who prefer to use the happenings in the game around them to drive their roleplay, and use things like PvP, dungeon runs, and world events as an integral part of their enjoyment. Then there are those who shun everything about the game except its chat interface, scripting intricate plots and preferring emoted combat over using the game's actual system for it. Both of these (and all points in between) are valid methods for seeking roleplay, and condemning a group for preferring a method different from yours is not only rude, but foolish, as it closes off possible opportunities in the future.
Finding your place in roleplaying, or finding it at all, requires a bit of patience and a great deal of understanding the culture of the realm on which you play. Don't be afraid to ask around, test the waters, and ultimately move on gracefully if a group or a realm is not for you. Conducting yourself gracefully will net you a far better reception should you choose to try again than making a scene and starting a flame war.
I see a reasonably common complaint about the availability of roleplaying and the ease with which someone can work their way into a scene. It's neither faction nor server exclusive; one can have difficulty finding the frequency and type of roleplay that they would like, and attribute the reasons to circumstances or perceptions that aren't really responsible for the dearth in question.
Every server is stylistically different, with the various realm cultures brewing up as guilds and plots come and go. What we do here on Earthen Ring is often mocked and derided on Moon Guard as "not real roleplaying" while we often roll our eyes and hop on the bandwagon to make fun of them in return for being overly dramatic or focused on ERP. While it's not the point of this article to contribute to such flaming, it is important to realize that what we see as normal roleplaying behavior here at "home" is not always going to be perceived in the same light on other realms.
It's easy to make some of the common mistakes when scoping out a new roleplaying scene or trying to get involved with a specific group of people. It's even easier to feel slighted or ignored when you manage to approach at the wrong time and can't quite find an "in".
First, you need to find the roleplaying. Wandering around mousing over hundreds of people looking for an RP mod may eventually net you something, but it's a very inefficient method and will frustrate you more often than not. As any veteran will tell you, the best way to find roleplay is to create it.
Easier said than done, you say? Not at all. You can get a lot of mileage and satisfaction out of involving others around you and utilizing the game itself as your vehicle. If there's a particular person you would like to roleplay with, it never hurts to send them an in-game letter asking them either for assistance ('I've heard stories of your prowess, perhaps you would be willing to aid me in doing [quest].") or for a simple meeting. This works best with busier roleplayers who you know to be inundated with stuff going on regularly.
Maybe you're just looking for broad contact. Using the walk toggle is a fairly universal sign that you're in no hurry to get somewhere and you're open for roleplaying contact. Again though, as people do not generally stop other pedestrians on the street to chat, you'll want to be doing something that garners a small degree of attention. On Earthen Ring, several years ago, we had a Stormwind town crier named Herbe. He was a simple low-level guy wandering around the city and calling out news stories. He added tons of flavor and immersion to the game and he was a blast to talk with. It's a great schtick to try if you're feeling saucy.
Perhaps your character has a service they wish to peddle (get your mind out of the Goldshire gutter... or not, if that's your thing, I don't judge). Set up shop on a busy corner or a well-traveled route and announce your business! Again on Earthen Ring, there was a locksmith rogue who ran a strongbox opening racket in the alley between the Orgrimmar auction house and the ammo shop. He roleplayed all his dealings and came away with some sweet (for the time) tips in the process.
These things can take a bit of setup though, and maybe you're just testing the waters or see a group already in progress that you'd like to edge in on. There's ways to deal with that too.
Most often are the shy sorts who approach circles or other roleplayers and sit to watch or wait to be included. This is an awkward situation for both parties, and the ice is easily broken by sending a brief OOC tell denoting interest or asking the person waiting if they wish to be included. Some folks are completely comfortable just watching roleplaying happen, and they should be allowed to do so in peace.
The biggest mistake you can make here is sitting there like a stone doing nothing. Much like how someone does not include a random stranger in a conversation with a friend, it can be difficult to justify including a bystander unless they make an attempt at communication. Something as simple as "I couldn't help but notice you were talking about [thing]," or "Excuse me, you don't happen to know [person]?" (even if that person is fictional) gets your foot in the door.
If you're the more extroverted type and you happen to be in a tavern atmosphere, offer to buy a round for the house. Instant recognition, and you've just made a few in-character friends (particularly if you actually buy the drinks and trade them around). After that, it's smooth sailing; chat about any old thing, from the sword on their hip to the smell of brimstone on their clothes to the latest local sports interest (okay okay, but you know what I mean).
What's critical to know here, however, is how to handle rejection. Sometimes there really is a private conversation to be had between two characters, and it can be tremendously rude (as it is in real life) to walk up to people in heated discussion about something personal. You should never take this personally and then become thorny about roleplaying with those people in the future. You'll burn bridges you've yet to cross and give yourself a reputation for being petulant.
It's also important to realize that some nights are just quiet and people are going about their business. We all know that Earthen Ring is a big old sofa with comfy cushions and more than a few pretzel crumbs in it. People are comfortable here and have settled into their subcommunities and circles, erroneously referred to as cliques (a phenomenon that bears its own article). It's natural human behavior for folks to prefer the company of those they are comfortable with, but don't give up after round one of the match if you don't find an "in" with those people right away. Good things come to those who wait, if at first you don't succeed try again, et cetera.
Additionally, the understanding that not everyone roleplays like you is key. There are groups and individuals who prefer to use the happenings in the game around them to drive their roleplay, and use things like PvP, dungeon runs, and world events as an integral part of their enjoyment. Then there are those who shun everything about the game except its chat interface, scripting intricate plots and preferring emoted combat over using the game's actual system for it. Both of these (and all points in between) are valid methods for seeking roleplay, and condemning a group for preferring a method different from yours is not only rude, but foolish, as it closes off possible opportunities in the future.
Finding your place in roleplaying, or finding it at all, requires a bit of patience and a great deal of understanding the culture of the realm on which you play. Don't be afraid to ask around, test the waters, and ultimately move on gracefully if a group or a realm is not for you. Conducting yourself gracefully will net you a far better reception should you choose to try again than making a scene and starting a flame war.
Views: 3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nurrah Anthania on -
One thing that stood out to me as I find it's worked quite well, is establishing a "shop" or a home of sorts. Nurrah is a tailor and has taken up residence in The Finest Thread in Stormwind. I have gotten loads of RP just sitting on the porch (I also use MRP) at random hours of the day.
I tend to sit there when idle as well, half watching the screen. When someone comes up (and they do) I RP with them. Sometimes it's friends, other times, strangers. Either way, I've enjoyed it. I've actually sold a few things too.
Thanks for this, sir.
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Permalink Reply by Garliah Rholak Lightblade on -
(Notes that All Kudos should go to Kormok he's the one who did the article I'm just the one who suggested it, anyone could have done that)
I really enjoy the RP on this Server it is actually a lot easier to find compared to other servers.But if you make a new character looking for RP for them can prove a little more difficult but like you said in the article you just got to be patient and eventually your character will be more solidified into the community.
By the way Nurrah its mainly because you have such an RP inviting look to you when your on the porch.
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Permalink Reply by Kaith Greybarren on -
My advice to a new player on approaching and working their way into RP may be a little more sideways than more traditional approaches. Get to know the roleplayers OOCly first. It somewhat goes back to a discussion I recall seeing either here or on the Realm forums regarding RPing with people we don't like. People are far more receptive to roleplay with someone they like and at least marginally know OOCly. Do this while using the more traditional means of meandering about ICly. Fills the slow period in the beginning for yourself as well as you work on getting your character ICly known.
As for cultures of roleplay, I can't truely say much about the different servers in WoW. Where I do have different experiences of culture styles is from EQ, MXO, SL, and SWG. They all had different common themes within their own lore and roleplay styles. I've dealt with where it is considered good form to post what your character is thinking, though it is not a practice of style I advocate personally. I've even dealt with cultures where god-moding is accepted and you are expected to do so in return. It really boils down to "how" you like to roleplay more than the "what". And the best to do that is simply to jump in and see how you are received. If the water in one pool is too cold, there are plenty of others to go and try.
The biggest thing you can do for yourself is be patient, as Kormok has said. Patience really is your greatest asset as a roleplayer. It takes time for people to get to know you, your character, and your nuances. Give them that time, and you will find a ready circle of new companions weave the next grand adventure (or perhaps misadventure) with your character.
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Permalink Reply by Arialynn Dawnfield on -
I'm going to put it another note of advice for sparking you own roleplay. Roleplay on any server doesn't happen unless player-characters are involved, therefore the spark has to start somewhere. I believe that waiting for other characters to start the fire for you will often result in frustration, not satisfaction. Remember, roleplay isn't a service - it's recreation.
I can understand that having a character that is too anti-social, or too serious can lead to problems starting roleplay. My main, Arialynn, very much fits this role. But I found that I could fill the opposite niche by creating an array of alts with opposing personalities. Do I feel serious today? - This character. Is it time to make people laugh, and be goofy? - This character. Believe it or not, with Arialynn or other characters I play, I can still successfully roll the RP snowball downhill. You just need a moment of inspiration, a roleplayer standing nearby and a bit of tenacity. Know your character's strengths and weaknesses.
Another bit of advice: carry a thick skin. Everyone is trying to be a unique snowflake, and there will be times when your character is in a crowded room and you don't receive the attention you like. Be mindful of the other players, and how many interactions they are handling at once, or how tired they may be, or other factors that are beyond your personal realm of control. It happens. Be understanding and mindful. If you are, you may find the favor paid back to you with the friendships you form.
Finally, this is more along the lines of RSPs: long RSPs can be more distracting than helpful. When people read text (especially on the Internet) less and more succinct is better. You have a unique opportunity to tell a few things about your character's appearance with your RSP, don't waste it with word clutter. If you're determined to show that you're a good writer and roleplayer, don't use RSP as the one chance to demonstrate your talent. Show it in-action. That is where the good writing and roleplay is, not a screen-long RSP title or description that invades a good chunk of a player's screen.
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Permalink Reply by Lockon L Lockfall on -
I want to extend on Ari's third point a bit, when it comes to creating and maintaining roleplay.
Always remember that the people you Rp with are people too. They've got lives and things to do, and many of us come onto WoW to relax and unwind. No one likes logging on and being bombarded with whispers asking them Rp. Being respectful of other people in this regard can work wonders in Rping and just relations as friends in general. Also remember that many Rpers also participate in the other parts of the game (raiding, pvp), and you should understand that as well, when you are approaching people.
Most of all the golden rule of Rping is COMMUNICATION. Touching base with people whether it's asking to be involved, or proposing to step in or add to plots is key if you want to have a successful experience. While sometimes Rping blind can be fun and interesting, there are times when people will be upset that you didn't talk to them about things first. (Examples could be, character pregnancy, retcons, death). Having good lines of communication, even just a. "hey I was thinking about this." is a great way to enhance roleplaying and keep drama at a low, which in turn makes the community stronger.
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Permalink Reply by Stardancer on -
Thank you for posting this! I play a great deal more on the Horde side these days, and while in Conquest Hold I happened upon a Tauren druid who was in the arena by himself (they are usually for three players). My character is the type to notice an amazing battle going on down in the pit, so she started cheering for the druid. He was only defeated one time in all those fights! When he came outside, my character started a dialogue with him about the arena and what he was doing in there. He began RPing along with me. Soon, a mage joined us and right there in the middle of Conquest Hold all of us were RPing for over an hour. I guess just "being" the character while you are out questing encourages other people to be in their character(s).
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Permalink Reply by Syvbia (Vonghal) Dragonbane on -
HAIL Kormok.
I enjoyed your post, and I have enjoyed reading the responses. I like the idea of the town crier..In wretched we had a member who was going to be a news broadcaster...covering local events...we thought it was a GREAT idea..but it flunked out. Sadly her passion only survived 2-3 scenes and then fizzled. I think a town crier would be a great idea and for anyone taking the interest. There is plenty of role play to be found... the thing now a days is actually finding it. A town crier would be very ideal. I don't know too many RP guilds on Alliance side. I am generally on Alliance when a rp scene or boredom and a itch to level comes into play. With the new expansion comes I will be making a goblin to do just that- town cry. I had originally thought to just replace the News Caster idea... the player/ toon who was in Wretched Souls- left guild and turned Alliance.
As I have said Im not sure what story lines Alliance guilds have on going but- I know Wretched has a good bit happening at any given time. I think it would be interesting to see a Town crier should anyone want to invest the time. If the position if not claimed by say Labor day.. I very well give it a try!!
Awesome idea Kormok <3
Well Past my bed time!!!
Syvbia
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