Role-playing is like a dramatic art, but can be so much fun once you get the hang of it! All it takes here in the Shire – and on the Plaza overall – is courteous and fun interaction with others, patience, and a creative imagination. The more you realize who your character is, the more your role-playing will evolve. It will become as if you really are a Hobbit of the Shire, and one that Tolkien envisioned when he wrote his books.
How to roleplay
How to behave in an RPG
Please, no God-Moding
Confused?
Whether or not you are walking the streets of the Shire, going to work, or enjoying someone’s company at a pub, there is a story you are becoming a part of! So interact with others politely and courteously, and think, feel, and act the way that your character might. Feel free to describe these actions or emotions in detail. If you are sad, perhaps you are crying and hiding your face within your hands. Such descriptions make your post an interesting read for everyone who come across it – and read it.
Just make sure to read everyone’s posts before yours, and so that you may know what the RPG is all about or what has happened so far! You don’t want to keep on crying if someone just cracked a joke that would have brightened your day. Nor do you want to be ordering drinks if you are actually hurt and visiting the Shire Medical Clinic. This helps the story you are adding to be believable.
So keeping in character at all times during an RPG is essential – and fun! Any OOC (out of character) comments should be kept to a minimum and whited out, if written at all. This way, you will meet many people and enjoy your stay here in the Shire to its fullest.
Whether you are visiting or taking part of the The International Shire and Pipeweed Assocation, the Shire Medical Clinic, the Hobbit Defense Squad, or the Shire Players Theatrical Organization, someone is likely in charge. Please respect these leaders, follow all of their rules (so please read their first posts) ... and enjoy yourself while they lead you forward!
These leaders are usually some of the best hosts and hostesses in the Shire – they will eagerly welcome you, entertain you, and teach you a lot about their crafts! They may even offer you a promotion if your devotion to their organization becomes obvious and your skills improve. What a thing to look forward to!
If you ever need to leave for an extended period of time, notify them before you leave or go and drop by the Shire’s There and Back Again Office. They will read your letter, and completely understand.
However, unwanted affection, foul language, rude comments, and abuse towards others shall not at all be tolerated. Neither is role-playing with yourself or with several NPCs encouraged.
Godmoding comes in a variety of forms. One is when you put yourself at an advantage over another Hobbit or foreigner. You are not allowed to be indestructable or have any “special powers” – even if you are a Hobbit doctor or HDS member. The only way of healing would be by herbs. Nor may you harm, nab, or kill someone. This is up to the person you are chasing if you succeed, and if you are not a Shirriff, Bounder, or HDS member then you may not only be godmoding but ignoring basic Plaza Etiquette.
Remember you are a Hobbit. Even the elven races and the Istari have limited powers upon the Plaza. So any references to spells, special healing powers, or callings upon a dragon are not allowed. If a mayor warns you about this and you do not heed their warnings, the Valar may just temporarily suspend your Plaza account.
Another common form of godmoding is when you cause a Plaza member to do something in your posts, whether for you or not. You may not say that a member just delivered food to you, sat you in a chair, or gave you a hug back. Let them do it themselves! The Plaza really is about courtesy and community.
If you have any other concerns, problems, or questions to ask about how to role-play, feel free to attend Role-Playing classes at our Shire Academy. A professor will be there willing to answer all of your questions.
Also, quite simply, just look around to see how other more experienced Hobbits are role-playing. Just read and learn, if you wish!
Page by Istya Alassea
Updated by Tari Boffin
|
<< Fanatics Plaza
