The Players Corner Archive

I'm hoping that we can get some tips from those that have a strong background in RPGs and try to help the players that truly are interested in learning how to RP.

Think of Gemstone as a book you are reading. Then put yourself in the position of a character that's going to pop right in the middle of that book. You know there is a beginning - the history - of that book. Now your character is going to enter and perhaps make his/her mark on the future histories of that book.

This character is going to have a background. You aren't some 30ish year old <whatever the race> that cannot possibly not have a background. So, before you pop into that book, you'll need to do some research.(read the beginning of that book)

As any actor researches the part he's going to play before the filming of that movie starts, players need to do the same.

Then answer a few basic questions:
Where, within the setting of Gemstone, did your character come from?
What race is this character? (the race may very well influnence where the character came form.)

Think of Elanthia as a finite place -- meaning there are no worlds or places not already in existence. Where is your character from within Elanthia?

Read the atributes and characteristics of the different races. There you are given the parameters to work within. We know in GS that giants are nomadic. We even see their village move from place to place. We've seen that they have assisted in some conflicts thoughout history. We know that a half-elf is a result of a human and elf mating (not giant, not dwarf..but human).

The object of role-play is that you have been given a set of circumstances, boundries if you will. Your task, as a player, is to flesh out a character that fits within those boundries. Not keeping within those boundries is called Free Form Role-Play and Gemstone is NOT a FFRPG. There is enough background given to players to help them flesh out a character - if a bit of time and thought is put into it.

reg

I'll use the expample of maps. You folks that also play Inferno will know why I've choosen maps as an out-of-game element that has been brought into the game.

We all know where to get maps out-of-game. We all know that within the game, we cannot walk up to the mapmaker and get a map from him/her.(Not one that has been made by that player) But, we also all know that this is part of how he/she plays this particular character.

So, the question is: are you bringing in an out-of-game situation when you see that mapmaker IN GAME to then say out loud - "I love/use/hate your maps."...?

In Inferno, the question is a bit more clear-cut since any player can make a map and then sell it in the cartographer's shop for other players to buy.

The question really is.. how do you handle within the game, some of the information you have learned outside of the game? reg

I just present that knowledge as if I was taught it in school, or my "parents" taught it to me.

Think about all the things you would hear just in passing through a town. I think one of the biggest downfalls is that in a town if there was a thief, or a well known "lady" more people would know about it. So in that sense the only place you get to hear about them are in the thief's folder or through AIM or actually knowing someone.

We need much better channels for gossip in the game.

Buckwheet reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Buckwheet:
For things such as histories, I read them as me, and I determine which parts of history my characters care or would know about. I personally know them averagely, but on certain topics I know it pretty good.

I just present that knowledge as if I was taught it in school, or my "parents" taught it to me.

Think about all the things you would hear just in passing through a town. I think one of the biggest downfalls is that in a town if there was a thief, or a well known "lady" more people would know about it. So in that sense the only place you get to hear about them are in the thief's folder or through AIM or actually knowing someone.

We need much better channels for gossip in the game.

Buckwheet

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Why not open a RP'ing folder fer someone to Mod Buckwheet?

I think that would get some heavy traffic. You could set it up as mainly what is ooc...what is ic...i need help with rp'ing...someone teach me...yadayada.

Just a thought ;P
reg

SEND[Krash] going to need to borrow you for a moment or two, so be prepared to be moved to a lounge.

Dhunkan just appeared.
You feel yourself being pulled away...

[Consultation Lounge]
The cozy surroundings of this simple conference room provide a much-welcomed respite from the chaos just outside its walls. You notice several plush chairs arranged casually around the room in a comfortable grouping.
Obvious exits: none.

Somewhere nearby, you hear a sloshing sound. The sound gets closer and closer, until you notice Gamemaster Krash standing in front of you. Amazingly, Krash appears to be sober.
Krash says, "morning"
Krash asks, "how you doing?"
You say, "hello m'lord"
You bow to Krash.
Krash says, "I need to change either your first or last name"
Krash says, "either is fine by itself"
You say, "oh bugger"
You frown.
Krash says, "can't have bakery products running around the game"
Krash says, "probably best to change the last name"
You ask, "ahhh but who knows if I'm not really a baker?"
You wink.
Krash chuckles.
Krash says, "its a modern term"
You say, "but I do see yer point"
Krash says, "I can tell you if a last name is avaialable"
Krash says, "you just need to tell me what you'd like me to check"
You nod.
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
You ask, "I suppose dhonuts is out?"
Krash just tickled you.
Krash says, "yes"
You grin.
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
You say, "this is tough"
You rub your chin thoughtfully.
You ask, "how about D'mord?"
Krash asks, "that would be fine. I won't find any odd or weird information on D'mord if I look?"
You say, "I hope not"
You feel the blood drain from your face.
Krash exclaims, "all set!"
Krash exclaims, "thank ya much!"
You bow to Krash.
Krash waves to you.
You wave.

The world grows blurry and indistinct. After a moment everything becomes clear again. Looking about, you see...

[Northern Caravansary, Interior]
Just south of here lies the caravansary green, an oasis of grass amidst the dust of the beast pens and the caravaners' tents. Beyond it to the south stands a row of merchant wagons in the shadow of the stockade's southern wall. You also see the stockade gate.
Obvious paths: south, east, west, northeast. reg

However, I think Krash did a fine job in explaining the situation, and you, Desmonique, handled yourself very well given the circumstances.

Kudos to the both of you for approaching the "problem" so well!

Roberta
reg

quote:

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Originally posted by Siara:
I've put this in the Concerns folder because the quality of role-play is a concern for many players. (That and the fact there ain't another place for it ::flails:

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Just thought I'd let you know there is a new category on these boards dedicated to roleplaying. In fact, Desheri is one of the moderators.

~Sayrena

reg

When they purged the names I think I had some of the greatest names around.

Sinister Thoughts was my favorite

reg

How many truly memorable RP'ers can you tell me their history?

How many truly memorable RP'ers can you tell me of the nuances of their characters?

reg