My Shy Guide to Role Playing

[Maral Qestir]

This guide and the rest of this thread are amazing. Thank you for posting it.

 

If you're shy, with a shy character, people love to try and pry open shy people, in real life, and in RP. Put yourself on the chopping block and tell yourself, "This is for art."

This is so true. I often start off RPing in a new setting with a shy character (or at least one who's not a people person for one reason or another), and people just love trying to drag those characters out of their shells. And I've gotta say, I love the character development that comes from it, especially when that character has some big reason for being that way.

 

Another ice breaker I've found that doesn't even require words is to do something eye-catching and/or unusual. For example, if your character has a pet, interact with that pet and emote out the pet's actions. Someone who comes along might be interested in your animal/magical companion. Even if your character doesn't do anything unusual, emote out the normal things they're doing. That way, people will at least know you're interested in RPing and will be more likely to approach you.

[FreelanceWizard]

For example, if your character has a pet, interact with that pet and emote out the pet's actions. Someone who comes along might be interested in your animal/magical companion.

 

Having one's carbuncle or faerie do amusing things is a great way to break the ice. It's less "face-threatening" because it's not your character potentially being rejected, too. Some techniques are: have the pet be interested in someone and try interact with them, resulting in you going over to apologize; have the pet be playful with you, such as by stealing something of yours and running over to the other person, resulting in an interaction when you try to get the item back; have the pet want to tease someone (this works best with the faerie) and result in your character having to quickly apologize; have the pet be affectionate or otherwise helpful to you, attracting others who are interested in the cuteness.

 

Of course, one doesn't want one's pet to steal the show or be disruptive, but within the bounds of good taste (or as discussed in advance by /tell), pet actions can be an easy way to start up RP.

[xelliexell]

It does not matter what your character is, or what your character does, do not go searching with expectations and limitations. You want to enter a bar? Do it. "But my character does not drink alcohol." Then get some damn tea. Want to go to Thanalan? "But my character does not go to Thanalan." You had some bad tea, and while intoxicated, took a caravan to Thanalan. Your character wakes up there; not knowing how the heck he/she got there.

 

That's a great point. I'd say stop worrying about what your character would NEVER do. Start thinking about why they did it this time. Stories are interesting not when everything goes to plan, but when the plan gets ruined. That's what changes your character over time and allows them to grow.

 

This. This this this this. I've heard many people say OoCly "Man, I would love to go to that, but my character never would!" A lot of people. A looooooot of people. Sometimes I've even tried helping by giving theoretical scenarios, but it usually feels like throwing dry pasta at a wall. The intent is there, but nothing sticks.

 

I've played a stoic, no-nonsense sort of character before, who was a huge recluse on top of it. I was able to shove him into all sorts of awkward situations that he greatly disapproved of when I wanted to. He was at the beach party because his employers insisted that he chaperone. He begrudgingly went into that dangerous dungeon to collect some vital samples for his research. While he hated every minute of it, it was still a fun time for me, and I never felt that I was being "untrue" to my character for putting him into an element that made him uncomfortable. We're still the masterminds behind our characters - the grand orchestrators of all that happens in their world - not the other way around. ^^ So, if you really want to participate in something, just think of a reason. Everyone is motivated by something.

 

TL;DR: /emphatically agrees!

[Guest Hiroshu]

I've heard many people say OoCly "Man, I would love to go to that, but my character never would!" A lot of people. A looooooot of people. Sometimes I've even tried helping by giving theoretical scenarios, but it usually feels like throwing dry pasta at a wall. The intent is there, but nothing sticks.

We're still the masterminds behind our characters - the grand orchestrators of all that happens in their world - not the other way around. ^^ So, if you really want to participate in something, just think of a reason. Everyone is motivated by something.

 

Exactly! Don't write your character completely into a corner by themselves. There's a good chance you're letting your own shyness hold them back. Get in there and, if you feel awkward, express that through the character. Someone's bound to pick up on it and throw you a bone.

[Saiden]

Exactly! Don't write your character completely into a corner by themselves. There's a good chance you're letting your own shyness hold them back. Get in there and, if you feel awkward, express that through the character. Someone's bound to pick up on it and throw you a bone.

 

This is always a fine option. If you are very shy, actually writing a shy character can help provide an out for you to actually have them act shy. Shy hooks are still hooks.

 

And the opposite is also true, namely, trying to create an extremely outgoing character to force you to fulfill their personality and get past your own shyness. But the former option seems to work the best for me.

[Guest Hiroshu]

This is always a fine option. If you are very shy, actually writing a shy character can help provide an out for you to actually have them act shy. Shy hooks are still hooks.

 

And the opposite is also true, namely, trying to create an extremely outgoing character to force you to fulfill their personality and get past your own shyness. But the former option seems to work the best for me.

 

Great point, 'cause the latter is what I tend to do.