I love to RP but I am terrible at it.

[Korthac]

Hi, I am very new to the server. I am having trouble coming up with a character that fits well with the server and lore. I have more experienced with the single player mechanical side of NWN than the roleplaying multiplayer side. Does anyone have any general tips and tricks to help me out? I tried creating an Orc and found that I am very inexperienced with roleplaying situations out. I have read a lot of the must read topics and still find myself at a loss. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you on the server as a better player.

[thids]

Hey, welcome to the server.

To start with, you should probably determine some basics about your characters personality and background, then let those be a guideline to your RP (make sure they are a guideline, not something set in stone as that rarely ends up well). If you are set on roleplaying an Orc, you need to find a way to balance your characters nature (being an orc and all that) and having actual interactions with others beyond just outright hostilities and pvp. That might be a bit tricky, seeing as plenty of characters will react in a hostile manner to an orc.

If you are stuck trying to think of personality traits, this might help you
http://www.ashami.com/rpg/
There is no need to actually roll for the results, unless you want a generated character, but there is a nice list of personality traits that you can use as suggestions. It's a great tool to help you get your character "off the ground" so to speak, at least from my experience.

Once you have all of that figured out for your character, try to stick to those as guidelines when you interact with others. In the beginning, if you are having trouble remembering what you picked for your character, a good idea is to type stuff like that in your character's in game journal or somewhere else easily accessible.


Since you seem new to roleplaying, I'm going to suggest staying away from Paladins, Druids and Warlocks. In terms of races, I would stay away from Orcs as well, simply because there isn't a fully active orc RP group currently (someone correct me if I'm wrong?). Actually, if the UD was more active these days and you had no issues with Drow roleplay, I would even suggest playing something down below. Not because it's less challenging, quite the contrary, but simply because the UD veterans are a very friendly and forgiving bunch and will gladly help you learn the ropes of UD roleplay. Unfortunately things down there are slow currently, but it's something to keep in mind for the future.

Maybe you could try making 2-3 characters and see which one sticks? What kind of roleplay would you be interested in? Give us a general idea, and I'm sure people will give you several suggestions for character concepts.

[Korthac]

What kind of roleplay would you be interested in? Give us a general idea, and I'm sure people will give you several suggestions for character concepts.

I had a couple ideas. My Orc was my first character who is a Barbarian. At first it seemed like a simple idea until I started encountering other players. I am not skilled enough to roleplay an Orc it seems.

My second idea was a Halfling who aspired to riches and adventure outside Baldur's Gate. I botched my character creation though and haven't touched the character since.

Another idea I had was a Ranger who hunted Undead to cleanse the world in their own way. Having a deity intimidates me. I am not sure which to choose and how to roleplay it.

My last idea was a Swashbuckler who pursues the challenge of a fight. Testing himself against the trials of the world. It is not an idea I have fleshed out much.

I don't know which idea I should go with or that I can roleplay well. I know I want to be good aligned or a protector of sorts. Many of those classes have race or deity requirements though. Again, it intimidates me and I fear I would disrespect the server if I did it wrong.

Thanks for your reply and I hope this helps!

[thids]

Having a deity is nothing to be intimidated by, especially if you aren't playing a divine heavy class like a cleric or a paladin.


Here's my suggestion, hopefully others chime in as well:
Out of those you wrote I would personally go with a Ranger (human probably). Since the ranger deities are still locked into nature ones + Shaundakul, you could possibly pick up Shaundakul as a deity. He is basically a demipower at the time the server is set in, so you don't even have to mention him that often. Roleplay it as something personal to your character, that he (or she) doesn't reveal that often. Your character could be someone who was originally from Baldur's Gate, and is returning now in the wake of this undead menace that has gripped the city. That would easily explain your characters hatred for the undead in the future. Shaundakul is a deity of exploration, travelers, caravans... you get the picture. When you go adventuring with people, have your character consider them travelers and your character their guide and protector. Eventually you can even choose a section of a road somewhere, and proclaim your character the ranger of that area, protecting that specific patch of the road (just make sure you find something that's traveled often!). A ranger is probably one of the more versatile character concepts in terms of roleplay, plenty of doors are open to you. In terms of personality you can go anyway you like, anything goes for rangers really.

This is Shaundakul's dogma, it's a nice guideline to the religious side of the roleplay for his followers:

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Spread the teachings of the Helping Hand by example. Work to promote him among traders, especially trailblazers who seek out new lands and new opportunities. Unearth and resanctify ancient shrines of Shaundakul. Ride the wind, and let it take you wherever it blows. Aid those in need, and trust in the Helping Hand. Seek out the riches of the earth and sea. Journey to distant horizons. Be the first to see the rising sun, the mountain peaks, the lush valleys. Let your footsteps fall where none have tread.

(Helping Hand is another name for Shaundakul)
if you are interested, you can read more about him here http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Shaundakul

Hope that helps as an example. As for your fears, while we sometimes have very heated discussions on the forums, majority of the community is very friendly in game (from my experience at least).

[Darkcloud777]

Go with a mage and seek out Terri Lalani asking her to be your mentor. you can grow and become powerful. avoid the religion (since you would be a wizard) ... assist the good and fight undead (Terri runs the Phoenix Company a neutral good aligned guild) you can multiclass into a meylee type or even become a trickster like Terri. its up to you but that is one option. follow this link ....and welcome to the BG!

http://bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t= ... 37#p605837

[Tsidkenu]

My only, and simple, recommendation is to take some time to trawl through the Lore of the Lands. If you find something that interests you, delve deeper into it using the Forgotten Realms Wiki. If you find you have a question that you cannot find and answer for in your character development, ask away and one of the lore nuts on here will come to your aid!

I have found that if you do just a little bit of groundwork in the development stage of character creation, it is much much easier to flow on with RP in-game because you know where your character has been, what kind of personality they are, and how they are going to respond to a variety of other players and situations.

I personally do not worry too much about the mechanical side of making a character, because the RP is always more important (to me) than having mechanical advantages in PvE/PvP. Have fun!

[Korthac]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I found the links to be very helpful. I was thinking of going with a Halfling Ranger that worships Shaundakul. If that sounds lore friendly of course. I found it quite fun to be small and exploring the world sounds very appealing.

[Hoihe]

It does! Also sounds fun to RP and say .

You'll have all the reason in the world to wander and explore!

[R0ninknight]

That road between Farmlands East and the Friendly Arms Inn could use a Helping Hand ranger to protect the low level characters that would like to socialize by the Inn!

I like where this is going.

[Uther3867]

this is something me and one of my old DM's Came up with do to this issue becuase it's hard to have ties to someone who has none i hope this helps

((this came from a hombrew campaign and is not cannon or lore percise to FAERUN, just for showing how to go about it))

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Rules:
- To make this work you need to go into this with a blank slate, you can't have any preconceptions about the character, don't think about the character's class or race, don't even come up with a name. You can pick the gender in advance if you want as it may difficult to write the responses as gender neutral.
- Answer the questions in order - don't even read the next question until you've answered the questions before it.
- Three sample characters created this way are provided as you go through to help with the explanation.



Part 1

Choose a song that embodies the type of character you want to play.
- Record the tile and artist

Fatboy slim – right here right now



Part 2

Who was your character's best friend when they were child?
- Describe who the person was and why what it was that made them the character's best friend.

His imagination- he didn’t ever fit in with the other kobolds his age, he always was daydreaming and drawing schematics in his time off there wasn’t alot of crafters or imaginative kobolds in his tribe they were mostly shamans and closed off thinkers.



Part 3

Describe the item your character posses that is most important to them, and explain of why it is so important to them.
- The description should be pure flavour here, don't worry about in game significance or stats for the item, just personal significance to the character.

His bag of tools- they never left his side like a dog and it’s master his tools were always with him along with his schematics. They have been with him since he started crafting those tools gave him a edge when leaving his tribe because of his “heretics ways”.

Part 4

Sum up the entire character in a single word
- No explanation, just the word.

Inventive

Part 5

The Character's Name

Nicky

Part 6

Describe the Character's immediate family (and any relevant extended family)
- All from the character's perspective. Names, relationship to the character, location (if known to the character - no specific locations just stuff like travelling, homestead, city, etc...), occupation, relevant affiliations/history, etc...

At this moment it is unkown to him if his tribe is still alive or not as he dropped his tribe name when coming to the civilized world.


Part 7

Describe the place where the character grew up.
- No names, races or countries, just describe what the place was like.

He grew up in a hilly land in a tribal community but he always thought there was more than spirits and shamans in his life and that’s why he was claimed a heretic and kicked out


Part 8

What is your character's greatest fear?

Bad intent: the worse possible fear of a crafter is what if his invention fell into the hands of the wrong people.

Part 9

In what company is your character most comfortable?
- No races or classes, just describe the characteristics of the people.

Friends and people willing to help him with his inventions he’s not comfortable with thieves and murders. But with hero’s and gaurds.


Part 10

Describe the character's physical appearance (Picture optional)

He’s tall for a kobold about 3’5 and looks like the picture somewhat (more in tone of picture than in actual looks.



Part 11

What would your character consider their greatest achievement?

Building a Time machine


Part 12

What would your character consider their greatest failure?

Figuring out if the time machine was used for the wrong purpose and going back in time and convincing his past self that it’s a best not to invent it and understanding that it is been overdone.

Part 13

What made your character decide to leave home and "become an adventurer"?
(If there was a specific event / buildup, or just wanted to see the world... doesn't have to be flashy).

Build up to the point of being out casted and called a Heretic because of not crafting with magic but inventing with mechanics.






Most of 14 & 15 will probably be stuff that has to go back and forth between us to fit it into the world. For now just make up a wish list and we can talk specifics after I get back.


Part 14

Are there any important events in your character's past that may impact their future in the campaign?
(This one is not mandatory, don't make stuff up just to have something to fill in...)
Examples: ran away from a betrothal, discovered/invented something, wanted for a crime somewhere, became a local celebrity because of a performance they gave, etc...

Invented a time machine went back in time to stop him from inventing it, changing the time line (for the time lords to know)
Southern continent known for blowing up his shop with a experiment gone wrong.\
The Lightning Cannon (lost the plans for that one)



Part 15

Is there any other important information that the DM should know about your character?
(This one is not mandatory, don't make stuff up just to have something to fill in...)
Stuff like:
- Quirks
- Formal Education/Training
- Important Contacts / "Connections"
- Notable Physical Characteristics (Tattoos, colouring, unique make-up, etc...)
- Has the character travelled? (prior to the trip that gets them to the campaign start location).
- Guild Memberships?
- Mount / Animal companion?
- Potentially Relevant Unusual Skills (Double Jointed, etc...)

Contacts/ guild memberships:
Southern Cont. Suppliers Guild and Mercantile Guild

Travel
Chill wind- (it’s cold but nice people)
Norse Isle- (RUN AWAY)
Main Cont - TOO BIG
Isle of Wraith- Lightning Gun Works

[AlwaysSummer Day]

This might sound weird but I always have to imagine how their voice sounds. If you can imagine this you can "hear" what they say. How does this halfling sound? Gruff and hoarse like a ranger that has had a hard life and maybe hit the hinweed a bit to often? Cheerful yet obnoxious perhaps? Monotone? Imagine the voice and you won't have to think of what s/he say you will simply imagine it.

Never be afraid to take a moment to reply. My high wisdom cleric does all the time so he can sound like he at least is sometimes wise. My high int wizard on the other hand rarely does because he is often one step ahead of (more likely to the side of) the conversation.

Finally if you are bored and nobody is on take some time to fill out your characters biography. It will help to developed them and give you the character flaws and values that make the game fun.

[Steve]

If you're still open to advice, I'd suggest creating a Human of any Class, that is young—say 18–20 years—and is very "green" in everything—they want to learn, are observant and ask a lot of questions (in-character, of course).

Let the RP of the Toon parallel your own Player-need to gain experience. After some weeks/months just following the basic RP I suggested above, you may wish to evaluate your Player knowledge, and start to RP a more Lore-heavy Race, or Class (an Orc is, btw, a very RP-heavy Race, something I wouldn't recommend for a beginner, nor a RP heavy Class, like Warlock, or Druid, or Paladin).

[tausoldier]

I've found that a lot of a compelling character's personality develops through interacting with other characters. It can be very hard to imagine the panoply of interactions that went into making your character who they are beforehand, but an hour or two with the right kind of foil can really cement who they are and how they interact with the world around them. In some cases I've had character concepts take complete and sudden left turns simply because they met the right person.

Some idea of who they are and where they're from beforehand can be helpful, but I usually keep the concept loose and just retcon (small) details as things change and my picture of who the character is develops. Sometimes you discover that certain parts of a character just don't work or are not fun to keep playing, whereas the rest of them definitely does/are, and it would be a lot simpler to quietly change a few details rather than start over. A lot of the time I have to keep fishing for a character who is enjoyable to play, and I wind up with a lot of waste characters trying to find that one. So don't be afraid to commit to or write off a character just because.

[AlwaysSummer Day]

If you can imagine a Scottish accent you can play a dwarf. . . .

Oh and also, no offense, you are wrong. You -ARE- skilled enough to RP an orc. Don't doubt yourself arbitrarily. The fact you posted here proves it. When I first started playing I had no idea what RP was. My first event consisted of my dwarven barbarian, Vardrag Duumfel Ironhouse, being totally silent and me wondering why I got xp at the end. It was on a different server years ago. Anyways the point is so long as you stay IC (don't talk stats, or about real world events) and you're golden.

[MopKnight]

Come and roleplay with me I play both my characters as a kind of weather vane for the lands so I like to catch newbies up on whats been going on so you have something to talk about!