Hydaelyn Role-Players
First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Printable Version

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First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Elyscia - 12-12-2013

*Groans* I posted this in the wrong forum......... please somebody move this for me ._. It won't let me delete it.. 


Oh God, I'm so sorry.
=========================

Hello! So, I am completely new to the Roleplaying world. I have always been interested in roleplaying but never had the chance to until I met somebody a few months ago who also played FFXIV and said he would RP with me once I transfer servers (was on Shiva, now on Balmung).

I am from the UK - Scotland.

--MMORPG background
RFO, Ragnorok 2 (before they re-made it - 5 years ago), Tera Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, Ether Saga Online, numerous other random FTP MMO's when I was bored.

--RP experience
I only started very recently, and I've been RP'ing with one person. I have been feeling incredibly shy about RP'ing in public. I know there isn't a 'right' way to do it, but I'm embaressed about whether or not I've described or explained what I said how I wanted to. I feel very shy about it. I know people tend to roleplay in party chat, but I don't know - I sometimes like the openness which means more people could join in should they wish to.

--Character ideas/info
Her name is Elysica Rose. She was found as an infant and Hyur-raised. (hence the non-traditional Seeker of the Sun name - also made it easier for me to roleplay because I find it hard understanding all the lore right now.) Grew-up in the countryside, but it was far from peaceful; it was a very, very small community with only Hyur so she was discriminated all her life and was subjected to racism, and she had trouble making friends. Her Hyur-family and herself are rather poor.. 
Her personality.. she's very happy; or at least tries to be. Very kind, sweet soul, yet incredibly naive and ignorant and doesn't understand how city life works. At all. Elyscia is 20 years-old. (Or something. Haven't fully decided yet...)

The friend I roleplay with, his character is stern, stoic, finds her grievingly dumb yet can't help but feel he needs to do something to help her because he used to be in the same position (poor, living in the streets of Ul'dah in his youth and tried his best to make something out of himself.)

--How did you learn about the coalition?
Google and many Roleplaying Guides I read came from here

--What kind of a role-player are you aiming to be? Light, medium, or heavy?
This is kinda what I'm struggling with at the moment, but I thoroughly enjoy heavy roleplay.

--Anything from real life you'€™re comfortable with sharing? (Work, school, hobbies, etc)
I work part-time, but the shifts are 12 hours Thurs-Sun. In my spare time I play a lot of competitive Dota 2. Really, that's all I do with my life: work, play Dota 2.
I would play FFXIV a lot more, but on my Main character (whom I don't roleplay with) I finished my Relic+1, and I don't have that many people to roleplay with on Elyscia.

So, yeah. That's me - or at least that's Elyscia so far. I really hope to uhmn.. do.. something here. Make friends here and in-game or something. Learn how to become a better writer/roleplayer. I don't know. My stomach is actually churning as I write this - I have social anxiety so that doesn't help!

Well, yeah, if you have any questions or have something you want to ask please do so!

Take care everybody! This is what Elyscia looks like:


[Image: JRApJMh.png][Image: yFZ3I4U.png]

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Salvi - 12-12-2013

(Don't worry about this being in the wrong place, I'm sure someone will move it to the introductions page). Big Grin

Hi there Elysica, nice to meet you.
Feel free to add me in game if you like after reading your post we have something in common for sure, I'm super shy when it comes to initiating RP. But someone helped me out tonight and it went great! Cool

(12-12-2013, 12:32 AM)Elyscia Wrote: I have social anxiety so that doesn't help!

Well hello fellow SA sufferer! Blush

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Kieron Lohengrin - 12-12-2013

welcome to balmung =x expect a wall of helpful information shortly from olofantur

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - John Spiegel - 12-12-2013

TL;DR -- As long as you have a good attitude, most folks are willing to work with you on developing your character.

So here comes walls of text.

So you're new to RP, eh? There's a variety of linkshells and free companies out there with a wide array of styles and varying levels of immersion and intensities.

It is true a lot of RP takes place in /p chat but even more takes place in /say. Unless I am getting heavily griefed, I stick to /say regardless of the topics talked of. So I encourage you to hang out at a tavern, eating a meal or something and just go with whatever happens. If someone approaches your shy character, you can just be shy and scurry away or what have you. You could also eavesdrop on someone else's thing.

A very common pitfall I see are folks in one of the adventurer's guilds just emoting, thinking that would get them attention. Depending on what they're doing it might, but a lot of folks think that if they're emoting that they're eating a sammich, that warrants all attention to them... when in reality roleplayers are just like NPCs to other roleplayers... they're people that exist. People that pass each other on the street. When I'm just hanging out I sometimes walk laps around whatever city I am in just to scope out RP elsewhere and perhaps eavsedrop in some fashion (I do a lot of lurking OOC that turns into IC if they poke me XD).

My three characters are: John Spiegel, Alex Silversheath and Grace Silversheath (John and Alex I am on much more). I am only able to play a few days out of the month due to my job, so in about ten days (I think) I should be in-game. If you want to lay down RP just holler sometime. I'll go easy on you (maybe).

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Merri - 12-12-2013

Welcome to the RPC! Went ahead and moved your thread for you, so don't sweat it. It's no problem at all :>

I can absolutely relate to being shy. For the longest time, I was often far too nervous to approach anyone in character. It's really something that just comes with time, for the most part. You can prepare yourself all you want, but I've found the best way to break out of your shell is to put yourself out there.

For example, I was forced from my own shyness because my character mandated it. Can't very well have an outgoing and engaging character if you yourself are too shy to bring it to life, after all. My best advice would be to take things at whatever pace you feel comfortable with. As time goes on, you'll find yourself more and more comfortable and in tune with the character you've created. 

That being said, there are so many people here who are eager to help those new to the community ease their way in, myself included. Also, as mentioned, there is a plethora of resources here on the site to help you find your way if you're confused about something!

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you in-game. Hope to see you around!

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Erik Mynhier - 12-12-2013

Always looking for more friends, so come over and say hi if you see me. I run in a gmt time frame so I'm always about.

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Nebbs - 12-12-2013

Hi Ely,

Welcome to RP!

You probably got a lot of good advice on engaging etc.. so I'll just take a moment to maybe offer some cautions points.

1. Find a good group and stick with them
There are as many ways to RP as there are people and you will find quite a bit you won't like. So find a group you feel comfortable with and RP with them while your confidence builds.

2. Avoid the main areas
Some may say Nooo! to this but to be honest these areas are a melting pot of styles and could either confuse, overwhelm or just plain upset and infuriate you. If you do go there, have a thick skin, and roll with the punches.

3. Have a simple story to tell
Have a simple ordinary story that is easy for you to tell and that others can relate to (and you seem to have that). Great RP comes from ordinary people in extraordinary situations, which is not an absolute but is a good place to start. That way you can play the "ordinary" while you get a feel for your style and the way things work.

4. RP
There is no substitute

As you get comfortable then you can branch out far more.

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Knight Kat - 12-12-2013

Hey there Elyscia! I just recently got back into RP. It has been very slow-going. I lurked this site for nearly two months and then I lurked Balmung for weeks. I have been SO SO SO shy about approaching people for RP. However, things have been slowly coming together.

Just like Merri said, the trick is taking baby steps out into the open. Putting yourself out there. For instance, I searched out RPers that I found on this forum and added them to my friends list (still searching for some). It was as simple as sending an OOC (out of character) tell to them that said "hello, can I add you?". Then I asked to join a Link Shell called Intermission. There are many other Link Shells out there too. Today I went to my first RP event which is hosted by the Grindstone Free Company. It was the Wednesday training matches. I highly recommend their events because you get to watch a lot of RP and there is no pressure to be constantly entertaining or chatty because the matches are the center of attention. Just like real life, an event gives people something to talk about. There are many other events that occur too.

I did more RP today than I have done in the last two weeks. So everything is coming together for me. If I can do it, so can you.

I'd like to find you in-game and practice RP with you one of these days if you are interested. My character is Kiht Jakkya. Send me a tell and I will add you to my friends list. Or if it's ok with you, I can find you and send you the tell. No pressure, this is just an offer.

I welcome you to this site Smile Hopefully, one of the most helpful Elzen in the world will be along to spam you with all sorts of goody links.

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Tla - 12-12-2013

Welcome! 
First of all, fistbump for another European player! Second...you're probably the only other person but me I know who's played Ether Saga :O

Now, a lot of people already gave you great advice. I can really understand what being shy means. I went away from games without ever RPing in them cause I didn't have the courage to. But I've always found in this game the community seems less manneristic, more spontaneous, and more open, into rolaplay, or at least this is my experience and I really hope it can be yours too Smile
Oh and I'm avalaible, so hit me in game for whatever!

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Rinh Hallani - 12-12-2013

Gasp, I made it here before Olofantur!

I think the others have covered the RP tips really well so I won't try to add anything there, but since you say you're in the UK, I thought I'd mention Europa. It's an OOC LFRP linkshell for EU players so just nudge myself or any of the other leaders if you want an invite. If you're looking for a free company, The Travellers Guild is an RP FC with most members being EU-based and Eorzean Union is an endgame PVE FC, also mostly EU players.

Welcome to the RPC and to Balmung! ^^

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - dadajin - 12-12-2013

Welcome to the forums! I completely understand how you feel about anxiety and role-play situations. I felt the same way when I first started. You'll find that roleplay community here are more than understanding.

I hope to see you in game sometime! If you see a Uujin Dadajin running around be sure to shout! He loves Miqo'tes ^ 3^

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Hammer - 12-12-2013

Hey Elyscia! Welcome to RPC, and Balmung! I'm glad you took the plunge and introduced yourself.

There has been a lot of really great advice in this thread already, so I'll just add one quick tip that has helped me overcome social anxiety both in roleplay and in real life (as I am quite shy myself!): Go out and do things with others. Don't just sit around a tavern where your sole objective is socializing. When there is another activity to concentrate on, you'll feel less like the focus is on you, and there is less pressure to be socially entertaining. The focus shifts outward instead of inward. I find I'm most socially comfortable when I'm at practice, or volunteering. And it works for roleplay too! Get in on those IC dungeon runs, and roleplay while you fight your way through. Find an adventuring partner for questing. Or invent roleplay activities: invite someone to go on a walk around Limsa Lominsa restocking lantern oil. I dunno. Many possibilities!

Whatever you do, I hope you are able to break out of your shell a bit, because there are lots of people around here who are looking for friends and would love to get to know you! Smile

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Roen - 12-12-2013

Walking around restocking lantern oil... what a fantastic idea!! Thumbsup

Welcome to Balmung Elyscia! Your character looks charming!  I too made a sort of a displaced foreigner to make up for the fact that I was new to FFXIV and lore.  So that definitely helps with not knowing every ins-and-outs of Eorzea.  AND my first exposure to roleplaying was with just ONE other player!  (it was tabletop D&D though, years ago)

As for how to get with the roleplaying community, I think everyone already gave you some great advice.  I too am a fan of roleplaying in /say, since if people are close enough to you, or you are talking in a normal voice, some others should be able to overhear.  And it does allow for others to get involved!  

Like Kiht said, roleplaying events are also great ways to meet folks.  Grindstone is an example of a good opportunity to watch or participate even as an audience, and I got to meet Kiht!  There is another one coming up this Saturday at Coffer and Coffin Tavern.  I know it is a tavern social setting, but people will be showing up there looking to roleplay with others.  Just keep that in mind when you bring your not-so-social-maybe-even-super-shy character around.  Just make up an excuse that she would be there!  I know I've come up with an IC reason to go even though my character wouldn't show up to a tavern just looking to hang out.

So anyways, I hope to see you in game soon, and if you see Roen around, she's quiet but a friendly sort.  Feel free to say hi!  I welcome random RP.

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Olofantur - 12-12-2013

D:

SO MANY PEOPLE ALREADY POSTED

WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE

/weep

I'm tired Q_Q

Hello and welcome to the RPC!

Looks like you've already for a feel as to the helpfullness of the community, so i'll just skip ahead to a few additional links. ( a lot of people mentioned them by name, soooo tah da!)

http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/misc.php?page=welcome
BAM! welcome link, outline of the RPC, touches on some of the main tools here, hopefully you'll have some time to poke around the Lantern, maybe read a wiki or two..

http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=1770
BAM 2! This RP handbook put together by Eva is really one of the best ways to create a solid foundation of information about not only roleplay in general, but the specifics of the FFXIV universe, Teleporting, the Echo, as well as a whole host of other little tid bits.

And onto the communities! that a few people already mentioned. (Sine you're in the UK I highly recommend taking a look at Rinhs suggestions, they're great groups and will likely have a high level of activity during your play time.)

http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=1902
"Intermission" which has been mentioned is a blanket OOC linkshell for Rpers here on Balmung, few better ways to get to know the folks, even if you just want to sneak around quietly, listening in.

http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=5045
"Balmungs Finest" is a dungeoning initiative centered around getting people through group content, maybe your stuck on a dungeon or don't want to deal with random cross server people giving you grief for not knowing everything already? heres the place to go!

Just to close off, theres also a small event happening on the approaching Saturday, while the time might not be the best, the doors are always open!
http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/calendar.php?action=event&eid=55

Feel free to flag me down if you ever see me running about in game, i'm always happy to chat.

Now i'm off to reply to all the other threads i've missed Q_Q
Cactuar

RE: First-time Roleplayer. Kinda shy and nervous. - Tla - 12-12-2013

(12-12-2013, 12:57 PM)Olofantur Wrote: D:

SO MANY PEOPLE ALREADY POSTED

WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE

/weep
I bet you were out there in the world living real life...shame on you!!!