Marshalt
Administrator
Published:
16.08.2006 22:57
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What is role-playing? Even to veteran players, a virtual world such as Etheria may prove to be a fascinating new experience. This guide will give helpful hints as to how to behave and do your first steps until you feel to have merged with this world.
Role-playing Guide
What is role-playing? Why do we play Ultima Online? Because in this tiny little world we can try how it would be to live an alternate life, we can have fun and forget our real lives and problems for a while. Would you ever have wanted to be a king? A valorous knight, or even a beggar in the streets? Here you can be what you've always wanted to be.
But many people have worked long and hard to create this world, and it is not to you to spoil others the fun - so act accordingly.
How to behave?
First of all you must understand, that while this is a game, there are still lots of people in here, and to many of them this is not just some game, they've worked hard to make their small virtual character achieve something in this world, and they may react very offended should you try to harm them.
Even if this is to be a virtual only - this is what it is about, how else could you try this alternate life, unless you merge and identify with your character, and unless the others play along?
Don't just walk up to the next best person asking "hi, what's your job in real life?" - besides not understanding (and wanting to understand) what you are talking about, he'll have your nose broken at best - after all he might just be a noble of the city and as such - as an important character of this world - he might very well demand you to show the respect that is due. Unless you have achieved fame for yourself, bow and wait to be addressed before doing even as much as looking at him/her. - Remember, fame is not gained by stories that you make up for your character, but by his deeds in this world.
Try to become one with your character and see the world through his/her eyes. Forget TV, school or work - this is a different life, take your chance and live it.
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As to the history of this world, you should know, that most any person on Etheria has only recently survived a devastating Armageddon. Mages were blamed to have summoned the disaster and are thus hated and feared everywhere. The old empires of the world have crumbled, their cities been destroyed and deserted. Scared to death you thus emerge in a foreign world. Now it's up to you - and the others around you, to build a new world out of its ruins.
Whatever the society you build should look like, you are going to have to live with and in it. It's your choice to lead and shape - or to live the happy and protected life of a normal citizen. All options are at your hand, but lonesome adventuring or slaying monsters in dungeons does not gain you fame or glory, but rather interaction with other players is the key. - Even though building your character, teaching him skills and training his muscles may help, this will merely make your task easier, but nothing is gained unless you can convince other players to stand behind you and to support your ideas.
Be aware, that on Etheria - unlike on most all other shards - there is no Game-Master driven story line, it is only up to our players to shape the future of this world.
There are a few things you can keep in mind that may make your life easier (and avoid conflict with others):
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CAPITAL LETTERS are usually used to represent shouting (combine it in game with typing "!TEXT" and it will also increase the range where your voice is heard) - however other players may consider shouting without a reason as an offensive act.
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*Text* usually is used to express feelings, to comment behaviour or to express thoughts, that you want to make other players aware of in order to understand a situation. Be very careful though, don't happen to respond to thoughts of others - if in a conversation someone comments *doesn't believe what he hears* and you say "why don't you believe me?" you'll likely find yourself burned as a mind-reading witch. Rather respond something like "I feel you don't believe me, why is that?" - after all, your character has no real knowledge of that other persons thoughts.
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[Text] mostly is used to tell comments to other players directly - something not related to the game. - E.g. "[OOC: my house is on fire, I must log off!]" Where this line would have been most unnecessary, as your character could have simply left... Such comments will be tolerated in time but don't ever start a whole conversation about your real life - Game-Master justice can be swift and harmful...
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If you enter a shop, don't just say "buy" or "vendor buy" don't even dare to think using "buy bank guards" as it is sometimes seen on other shards. Would you do that in RL? No! And neither would your character. Instead say "vendor let me buy some goods" or once you know him and his stock call his name and ask like "Jasmine, let me buy some bread" this will leave a much better impression even if the target character is "just" a computer controlled character - but really you can never be 100% sure anyway...
Additionally there are a few other aspects to keep in mind...
Race:
An Ork might behave different than a Human. Orks may tolerate more aggressive speech than humans, while elves might banish you for the very first curse you mutter.
Merge with your character, and always think what he would do in the current situation. Behave as you feel fit for your character to behave in a possible violent medieval world, and if you head this warning, you should be able to stay out of most unwanted trouble.
Being technically possible isn't all:
Keep in mind that not everything technically possible is a free letter to doing it - when running around naked in the snow... your character may survive it for a while, but even an Ork would be freeze off not only his feat... The game engine may or may not have this result in an immediate effect, but for what the game engine can't do, Game-Masters are watching the game - and if you end *coughing* for hours after sleeping in the snow, then don't bother to even ask "why?" This tiny figure on the screen *is* you, and you should act accordingly.
Combat and death
Shout a battle cry "Die you bastard" upon attacking and offer a weakened monster or opponent the chance to retreat "run or die!"... They will appreciate it, and have the chance to tell of their defeat - after all we don't want to see anyone having a bar-table talk of how they were just killed in battle...
Even if you just recently died (and we were kind enough to somehow let you return) - never ever mention having been killed, rather claim having been unconscious or similar.
Being evil
Just because you are evil doesn't mean you can engage in conversation and just need to insult people. This won't make you popular. Not with the players and not with the Game-Masters. Killing or stealing from people, and worse NPC's in town is as good as forbidden. Sure, if you are an Ork and encounter a Human enemy, insults or even some fighting might happen, but give your opponent a chance to flee when his/her defeat is obvious. Insane mass murders are definitely not welcome and while Game-Masters may tolerate it, your madness will have its price. Following the basic rules of civilisation will make towns safer, and thus also help you. After all you too came to town to trade, rest, or just have fun, didn't you? Think if you'd really do the same if you were in your characters position.
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'Apertura' - Unicorn
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Give your character some weakness
Don't make up storries for your character - play and live them in game. If you have a little experience in role-playing games, it may be a good and fun idea though, to give your character one or two certain weaknesses, and to stick to playing them. A world of superheroes is boring, and this may just that little extra topping to be remembered for. While not always, sometimes those weaknesses will even be helpful as you can make up excuses to escape certain situations, and the resulting stories, conflicts and events will sure make your game that much more fun, when your friends try to help you over your problem or when they start teasing you with it.
Don't try to have everything you do just improve your character, for if you do that the game sooner or later becomes "work" and none of us came here to work, we came here to have fun, relax and play. Keep that in mind, you don't need to be the "all mighty mega killer" - there is much more hidden in this game. Take your strength and weaknesses, your friendly helpful paladin who can't lie, even if that is the only way to get past that heavily guarded enemy outpost.
Be yourself - or someone else
Whatever you are - stick to it. It's not a bad thing if your character gains a little bit of your personality, becoming your second identity only that your character on screen has a little different skills and possibilities. Though of course you can also play a totally different being than you are yourself, you will find it very much harder to play and to stick to it properly - and we'd recommend it merely to experienced role-players to try.
Always remember - that when you are playing on this shard, this is not 'just some computer game' - but a simulated world, where lots of players may have a real interest, to achieve the life they dream of for their character. So use some common sense on your behaviour.
Have fun and forget your real life, its not important here. From now on this character on screen is you! Go now, and let your adventures begin...
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