Help for Newcomers
If your questions are not answered below, feel free to email me at
delhazan AT yahoo DOT com.
What is Roleplay?
What kind of character can I have?
How can I join the roleplay?
Rules for Roleplay in Realm of Eidolon
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What is Roleplay?
For the raw beginner, roleplay can be more than a little confusing. Why is everyone acting so weird?? Not to worry, we're only mildly psycho, and if you join us, you'll find it's rather addictive!
At least in Eidolon, roleplay is a form of cooperative storytelling where you are one of the people or creatures in the story. You watch (read) what those around you are doing and saying, just like reading a fantasy tale, because that's what this is.
Because we are telling stories here, the preferred style of presentation is the basic, old fashioned writing, with quotes, just like in a book. Many players, however, (especially in chat rooms), prefer to ommit the quotes for speaking, and use brackets to indicate actions. For example, in a chat room you might see:
PrpleDragon says, Hi, Tandra! How's it going? *pulls out the chair and sits down beside her.*
Both styles are accepted.
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What kind of character can I have?
Free Your Imagination!
Just about anything, but you are expected to create an ORIGINAL character. Powerful characters are allowed, but these are generally expected to have "earned" their abilities through roleplaying. The player must use his/her power responsibly to be accepted by the other players. If you are just beginning, it is recommended that you start with a more 'average' character.
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How can I join in?
Create a Character
The first thing you need to do is invent a character. As stated above, you are expected to create an original character. Trying to play Luke Skywalker or Goku won't go over very well with the other players. Remember - this is storytelling, so you want to write a NEW story!
Imagine what kind of personality you would like your character to have. You don't need anything detailed to get started, but having some idea of who you are is helpful in knowing how to respond during play. Looking at the current story on the board may give you some ideas as well. Nothing is more frustrating than creating a great character, only to discover that s/he won't fit in any of the ongoing threads. ('Thread' is another word for storyline.)
Get Your Feet Wet
Entering a story is always the hardest part, so don't be afraid to ask questions - most players are willing to help. Putting OOC: (it means "out of character") in front of your question will help prevent confusion.
To start playing you will need to take a look at what is already going on. What is the current story? What's happening? What reason might your character have for coming upon the current scene? It is considered bad form to simply "appear" with no excuse for how your character got there. If there is more than one storyline going on, choose one that seems most appropriate to your character.
Bring a Friend
When things are quiet, it often happens that there are no open threads currently available. (A closed thread is when an ongoing story is not currently accepting new players.) You may find it very helpful to bring a friend with you to help start a new Storyline.
Advertise!
Post a message in the Bulletin Board section to let other people know that you are seeking players for a thread. It may be that others are lurking in the wings, wishing there was someone around to play with, or someone willing to play a certain type of story. You won't always get an answer, but letting others know what you have in mind is a good way to start.
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Rules for Roleplay
Some rules are the same everywhere, (eg common courtesy and decent manners), but others may vary depending on where you play. Here then, to help things run smoothly, are the general rules for playing in the Realm of Eidolon.
Language
Since Eidolon is open to public play, it is better, (and more creative), to invent new words or phrases if your character needs to curse. If you're on the spot and don't have time to invent something, the old standby &*%$! is always acceptable.
Autoing
'Autoing' is stating the actions, reactions, or results against a character other than your own. In some rpg's, this is considered standard practice, but in Realm of Eidolon it is considered bad manners. Autoing is also more apt to be protested by the other players than almost anything else. State only what your own character does or attempts to do, and allow others to reply with their own reactions.
Bad: X chopped off Y's head.
Better: X swung his axe in a wide arc from right to left, aiming for the base of Y's neck.
Best: X glared at Y, his anger boiling. With a mighty yell, he raised his axe and swung it with vicious power at Y's neck, hoping to send her head echoing across the cobbles in a bloody trail of gore.
Fighting
Fighting is allowed in Eidolon, and it is perfectly possible for a character to die. HOWEVER: since play here is cooperative, (see autoing), the killing blow is actually up to the discretion of the character who dies.
Death
Death is often a rather peculiar situation in Eidolon. Due to the nature of the realm itself, people are frequently not quite as 'dead' as they would be if they were killed elsewhere. Individuals who are killed often find they have no trouble in returning as ghosts or spirits. While the ethereal nature of their new form limits their ability to affect the living, they usually find it very easy to communicate. Murderers and cut-throats may find this rather unsettling.
Resurrection of the recently deceased requires a ceremony of some sort, but it can be performed by anyone - even a child. A body always facilitates resurrection, but since Eidolon is more or less a figment of imagination anyway, it is possible to proceed without one. Substitution of a different body form, or reincarnation of the original spirit into a new form are always available options.
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Dragon image above is by Dee Dreslough.
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