A Guide to Role-playing

 

Introduction: This document has been written to assist members in the Lions of the Heart guild. Its purpose is to offer insight and advice on what we promote, how to promote it, and how to add to the role-playing environment, as well as stressing the tenets of the guild. Any questions, comments, or advice can be submitted to Corwyhn Lionheart at Corwyhn@lionsoftheheart.com.

Definitions:

Role – "a part, or character, that an actor plays in a performance"

Role-playing – "a technique in which participants assume and act out roles as to resolve conflicts, entertain, or to practice appropriate behavior for various situations."

Role-playing:

Role-playing as a gaming genre has been around for many years, and has evolved today into the "core" of gaming. From the paper & pencil Dungeons and Dragons, to the Online Clans and Guilds in fantasy realms.

Role-playing is not strictly for large groups or guilds...but for everyone. One does not need to be a member of a guild to role-play.

Role-playing differs in gaming technique, in that a player assumes the role of an in-game personality. A player can immerse himself into the gaming environment and actually become an interactive participant in the surroundings. Role-playing is limited only by one’s imagination.

 

How to Role-play:

There are no SET protocols for role-playing. As stated above, role-playing is limited by one's own imagination. Many online groups establish certain protocols to assist its members in some of the "how to’s"…but these are more as guide for the individual to develop his own playing style.

A rule of thumb is to THINK before you act…ask yourself questions…

"How would (mychar) react?"

"What would (mychar) do in this situation?"

The hardest ability to overcome is to put aside your Real Life persona, and immerse yourself into your character and its surroundings. Your in game character, though driven by your real life personality, has a personality of its own. Your in-game character has no need to know your real life troubles, nor should your in-game character display behavior driven by Real Life issues. The ability to separate real life from a role-playing life, is the true definition of a ROLE-PLAYER

 

Role-playing naming conventions:

To foster a role-playing environment, players should ALWAYS develop a respectable in-game name that conforms to the games setting. Names add a lot to the atmosphere and enjoyment to ALL players. Names such as "IaMtOcOoL" and "DoOdZ" add nothing to the game, and show a measure of immaturity, lack of imagination, and a lack of respect for other on-line gamers. Those that have naming conventions such as these, are also less respected in the game, and thereby, restrict their own enjoyment of the role-playing experience. A player’s name is a powerful tool. A name is the first impression others have of your character. A name can lend insight into your characters history, and a name can assist a player on how the character interacts in the gaming environment.

 

Role-playing language:

Many role-players, individuals and guilds, develop their own "languages". Speaking a certain way, or in a particular dialect, enhances the gaming atmosphere and lends enjoyment to all that encounter it. The ability to do this comes with experience. Those that do not feel comfortable or have a lack of experience in this form of speaking should at least try. Attempts to role-play are not frowned upon by true role-players, and many will lend assistance to those less experienced. Malicious, sexual or verbal harassment in any language is just generally unaccepted by role-players.

 

Character Histories:

Creating a character with a good fantasy name is the first step in a role-players evolution. Many role-players also develop a background history for their characters. This history is what the character is driven by, it’s guiding force, if you will. A character history is the foundation that the player draws from on how the character would interact and react to certain situations. Creating the character history IS the creation of the personality. It is a powerful tool to a role-player and should never be overlooked or taken for granted. 

 

What is the Lions of the Heart?

The Lions of the Heart is an online role-playing guild. Its members promote and believe in the promotion of role-playing. The members of the Lions of the Heart are all players that believe in the spirit of camaraderie, adventure, and FUN.

Basic Tenets of the Lions of the Heart:

1. LOTH members are required to have a character name conducive to a fantasy game. In other words, no alternating CAPS, such as, IaMtOcOoL, or names such as "Mr.Cool" or "Butt-Wipe". If you wish to become a member of the LOTH and find yourself in this category, do not petition for membership unless you are willing to change your name. Your petition will be declined.

Name examples such as "The Dark One", "The Hateful One", etc are titular names, and can be used as such…but a REAL fantasy name must be given to attach the titular to...

Example: Falkryne, "The Dark One", etc…

A fantasy naming protocol adds to the enjoyment of the members, the gaming environment, and those that we associate with. A proper fantasy name within an RP game brings with it a measure of respect and maturity, as well as enjoyment.

 

2. All LOTH members are to render assistance to another member if aid is needed, unless such aid could result in the death of the saving character, or can be denied if it is time consuming to the enjoyment of another. Help should be given if it is within reason..

Though this leaves many situations open to interpretation, it is better left to the decision of you, the player. Assistance should WANT to be given to assist those of your guildmates in distress, and ye shalt not be ordered to, at the cost of your own character life.

If conflicts arise from this issue, these issues will be forwarded to the officers of the LOTH, whereby they shall render an opinion and judgment if need be for future playability.

Examples of detrimental edicts:

NO member can demand that another members  put themselves at risk that has a great chance in the death of their character. Members should be willing to help other members in distress, but can not be ordered to do so.

NO member can demand the belongings of another member.

 

Role-Play accordingly is the rule of thumb.

3. NO LOTH member is to maliciously,  verbally, or sexually harass any other player in the game.

 

4. All LOTH members are to role-play their characters at all times within the game environment, to the best of their abilities. We are an RPG Order, after all. When in all LOTH groups or in the guild chat channel, role-playing is left to the discretion of the player...but it is highly encouraged in public and in "mixed" groups.

 

LOTH Stance on Player Killing and PvP (Player vs Player) :

1. We ARE NOT against player-killing if it is done in a gaming context and is properly role-played.   

2. We of the LOTH do, at times, participate in player killing, if it is to further the needs of the guild. We do, however, do so in a role-playing mode.

3. We of the LOTH DO NOT condone player killing out of a gaming context and will seek out and destroy all those that do so, particularly against any LOTH member or its allies, and will still do so in a role playing mode.

4. We have no set requirement as to the PvP switch. If you wish to PvP (switch on), then it will be done in a role-playing mode. If you do not wish to PvP (switch off) , ye are welcome to that option and experience the questing and adventuring with thy fellow members.

LOTH Stance on Members Playing together:

As with any large organization, it is not abnormal to find members that just do not "click" together in personalities. It is not the desire of the LOTH to force any member to associate with or play with any member or player that they have personal conflicts over. If the tenets of true role-playing are upheld…there should not be an issue with this problem, but in reality, it does exist.

Members are free to associate with, and play with whom they feel is compatible with their in-game persona. The guild will not, at any time, dictate otherwise, unless a direct violation of guild protocol is perceived.

The guild DOES require, though, that while personalities may conflict, when members are in the presence of one another (Meetings for example), that they respect one another and uphold the tenets set forth in this document.

LOTH Message Board and Guildchat Protocol:

Message boards are provided for the communication of the LOTH members.

All members are to abide by proper netiquette when in these forums. Abusive, foul, or insulting behavior will not be tolerated. Any instances of these nature will result in immediate restriction to these forums, as well as an inquiry for disciplinary actions if needed. All members are to treat one another with a measure of respect that each has for being a member of this guild.

Abusive, vicious, or any other personal attacks are not permitted, in guildchat or on the message boards…period, and members will be removed immediately.

 

Special thanks to all LOTH members who contributed to this Guide.

Guide adapted from the Holy Order of Armageddon, a guild formerly housed on the Tarew Marr website.  May it rest in peace.