RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes

Shae'ra · **09-04-2013, 04:25 AM**

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: 1) Should I finish the game before starting a character to RP, or is it acceptable to just jump right in as soon as a spot opens up of the server, even with my own basic knowledge?

This is a personal choice, mate. I have only made it up to level 23 at the moment and have gotten lightly into roleplaying. I have general knowledge up to here, but I am also not trying to be a lore keeper in-game. Most roleplay mentions very little on detailed lore in my experience. On the average day, people are not going to question you about how exactly Primals are brought about and what tempering is - they are more likely to try to rob you or ask you how you are doing.

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: 2) If said character is created, how far should I develop his backstory? Is it okay to create a basic backstory, with some motivations as to why he is in the game world, and a personality influenced by this basic backstory that would grow as I RP, or is it better to flesh out his history, friends and family, relationships, influences, etc, before starting to bug other RPers.
For example:...
Ahem... my point is, that gives me a basic background, some family ties, a goal, a reason for just living day to day, a trade, and a base personality. Would that be considered acceptable.

This is up to you. There are generally two types of writers: The Architect and the Gardener. I am a Gardener myself. I will never know all of my backstory until I develop it a I roleplay (which has lead to amazing plots, or so I am told) an example of this is I RPd the other day in FF and someone mentioned why my character was wearing a Maelstorm jacket - well, let's just say that my Miqo'te ended up being a twin suddenly rather than all his brothers just being older than him.

As for your story: It is yours. I see no reason you couldn't go with the backstory and it is good that your character's personality and drive comes from something in his past (stronger character foundation). Only thing I am not sure of is if you mean literally into the realm like he is from out of it or not, if you just mean to call it a realm then nevermind me it's 4am.

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: 3) Assuming I jump in with that character, at what stage in theÂ game should I begin to seek out RPers? Post-game? After the tutorial and the world opens up? Level 20? Is there a general starting point?

This is completely up to you. I personally am trying to get to end-game before I do most RP -- but this is because I am picky on my outfits. It is completely up to you what you want to do and when you feel comfortable roleplaying.

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: 4) This is more a scenario that could occur whilst RPing in the game. How should I enact this?
Scenario: I walk into a tavern in Thanalan, and stand at the bar, searching for someone to order a drink from. A fellow RPer sends me /say and begins to engage me in conversation. How would that conversation play out? Would I try to use as many emotes (the in-game kind: /sit or /joy etc) alongside typing what my character says? Should I use more specific emotes?
Is either of these examples accepted? Should I base the level of detail I go into on the initial contact of the 'Fellow RPer' and what he has typed in first? Is there a standard that the majority of RPers expect when interacting with each other?

One thing to note: The use of double brackets ((this)) is to indicate OOC chatter. So you would most likely confuse the seven hells out of people, could be amusing though! The way you roleplay is up to you. Though, I do not recommend relying on the game emotes like /dance /wave /salute
I will use game emotes every now and then to accompany what my character does and this is my personal way of roleplaying:

Nahv'ir took a seat upon the wooden chair, pressing his back against it and leaning his head back with a small sigh escaping past his pale lips. It took the Miqo'te a few moments within his own thoughts before he jolted his body forward, elbows crashing hard down upon the wooden surface of the counter with his hands balled into fists, "How long does it take someone to get a drink around here?"
Nahv'ir /sit
Miah jolted upon the sudden movements of the Miqo'te, her own ears perking up as her tail straightened in mild fear before settling back down,"I'm Miah" the female Seeker dipped her body into a small bow before lookign back up to him, "what do you want to drink?" She canted her head to the side, wide eyes set upon the other's face as she awaited his answer.
Miah /bow

(not all typed emotes have to be followed by or used with a game emote either!)

There are people who do faster style for taverns which is the
Nahv'ir: How long does it take to get a drink around here
Miah: Well, what do you want to drink?

However, that is not my personal style as I prefer detailed posts.

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: 5) How extensively should I use the in-game emotes? All the time, just a bit, or somewhere in between?

Refer to the above ~ I rarely use in-game emotes outside of /sit /kneel /pray (if I have a character that would do that) /bow /salute
If someone /waves at me -- I usually take it as OOC unless I see them emote something else along with it.
Ex: Miah /wave
Miah flails her arms over her head with a broad grin on her face, "Nahvy!"

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: 6) How can I initiate contact with an RPer that I haven't had any prior interaction with? Should I just find someone and send them an OOC /tell?

That is one way to do things, another is to wait and watch what kind of roleplay is going on in a location and then to approach them ICly. Most times people just approach ICly if it doesnt seem like a private roleplay and all is well. Do note though, if someone decides to leave then or they want to roleplay just themselves - Don't feel bad or anything -- 99% of the time it is just the fact that the two people were trying to get somewhere with their roleplay and couldn't include another, not specifically you.

(09-04-2013, 03:34 AM)Arc Wrote: Sorry there are so many, and I guess most of these are just small, specific scenarios relating to proper RP etiquette, so I'll leave it here for now. Any response would be appreciated on how best to proceed.

No worries on questions -- it is better to ask and to be willing to learn than it is to not ask and then not want to take any advice from anyone..and that applies to both new and old roleplayers.

New RPer needing guidance

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes