- Getting Started
- Basics of Chat
- Basics of Roleplay
+Do not bring past characters with character development from other servers. We prefer you start a fresh character to begin your development.
Roleplay Conduct: A series of threads listing how players should behave on the server and the forums
Character Resurrection: Characters can be resurrected after death, however, resurrection has its consequences
-= Getting Started =-
We're glad you've decided to give roleplaying a try on our server! Like any server, it's not always easy to get going with a character and get into an already established community. But that shouldn't deter you from getting involved, and we have outlined ways and guidelines for getting started in HollowWorld. Staff and players are always willing to help newcomers as well, or those needing a change of character. If you're not sure on something, feel free to ask us! Browsing the forums to get familiar with current groups and houses is a good way to find more organized places for RP if you don't want to just join the general happenings.
Please note that whilst research does assist in some Roleplay, make sure to use words that most people would understand. Using armor or weapons during combat Roleplay should not get overly complicated with details, try focusing more on how your character moves rather than what they wear. If your character has or does something obscure that's not well known, please describe it to nearby participants in the Roleplay so they may understand what you are trying to do.
Other information
Let's go through a quick roleplay run-down!
Character Creation
- Character Profiles/Journals: Making your character journal is important so people can get an idea of your character, but also all the choices in the templates can help you think of things about your character you wouldn't have thought of previously.
- A Beginner's Guide to Playable Races: There are many races and cultures in Altera, each unique from each other with their appearances, buildings and cultures. There're also multicultural groups of an array of races.
- Roleplay: Roleplaying discussions is all a big part of Altera.
Magic
Remember, magic is not well known for new characters. It must be explored in roleplay. You don't start off with magic.
- Branches of Arcane Magic: Different forms of Magic has been introduced into Altera. However, learning the deeper parts of any magic branch can be difficult and in some cases seem impossible. You will need to find a guide in Roleplay and somehow convince them to teach you (Contacting them OOCly isn't allowed).
- Divines & Divine Magic: There are eleven Gods of Altera and are a deeper part of the motivation and beliefs for some characters.
- Mutations: Changes & Mutations a Character undergoes
Altera - Our World
- Our World: Information about plants, animals and unique aspects of Altera.
- Alteran Calender: Years, months and days in Altera.
- Settlements, Houses and Organizations: Here's a Census of Towns, Houses and Factions!
-= Basics of Chat =-
Following is some of the basic rules and requests of roleplay chat:
Using ( ) for OOC chat: During a roleplay if you need to say something OOC (Out of Character) then please use ( ) so to not confuse the other roleplayers and to keep it separate. Try not to spam roleplays with too much (OOC) and instead use the /ch ooc or /ch local if need be.
Using * * for actions: Using actions during a roleplay is essential. Here we do this by putting asterisks around descriptive or active sentences. Example: He drinks the ale noisily
Using { } for thoughts: Like actions, thoughts help make roleplay more in depth and interesting. However it is important to remember that you cannot hear the thoughts of other players and is more for OOC character development. Acting on the unspoken thoughts of others is considered meta-gaming, which is covered further below. Example for thoughts: {I wonder what's in this vial...probably shouldn't drink it...}.
General roleplay chat: First make sure you are in the /ch rp channel. This has a range of 40 blocks and should be limited to roleplay chat only. /ch local can be used for nearby OOC chatting as well as the brackets mentioned before. Be thoughtful of what type of language you use for roleplay chat. Things like modern slang, c u laterz, and smilies are heavily discouraged. While we have our own lore, we follow a medieval example, so words and speaking styles should follow suit.
For example saying “Good evening!” instead of “Hey, what's up?”. Also, your character may speak a bit differently in regards to their education, race, and socialization. Adding these details keeps roleplay immersed and detailed.
Using Languages: Altera is home to many different races and cultures, some that come with their own language. While a new character can start out with a reasonable knowledge of a language, taking time in game to learn them legitimately is always encouraged. Natural elves or Dwarves of course will know their people's language and everyone generally knows the Common tongue. When speaking in a different language during roleplay chat, please use <Language: text>. This informs people nearby that you are speaking a different language and they can react appropriately with their character. Some will understand what you say while others don't.
If your character does not legitimately know a language, you cannot use the information to your advantage. This is considered meta-gaming and is heavily discouraged.
{See More Here}
Example: <Verba: It's so good to see you my friend...>
-= Basics of Roleplay =-
Most of this is general knowledge, but the following always needs to be kept in consideration when roleplaying on the server and among a large group of people, or in small private roleplays.
First and foremost is respect for the other. Whether it's respect for the other person(s) or event you're participating in, this aspect cannot be ignored. This includes a variety of things such as waiting for a response after an action, keeping roleplays realistic and reasonable, discussing vital points in OOC beforehand, and even joining into certain roleplays going on around you. Another important aspect to respectful roleplay behavior are the following two points: Being OP and Meta-gaming.
OP (Over-powered) Characters:
These are never fun...not for anyone, including the roleplayer of the OP character. Nothing will keep good RP away from you quicker than playing a character who always has to win, or take center stage. While it's always a good feeling to have your character be victorious over someone or something, keep in mind that /everyone/ generally wants that, but we don't always get it. Just like in real life, characters have limitations, and those are what make the roleplay more interesting in the end.
That doesn't mean you lose every time, but that you can take hits and damage as well as dole it out. On the opposite end, playing a none powerful character can often bring unexpectedly amazing roleplay that you would have missed out on otherwise.
Examples of Power-Gaming:
- Having imaginary guards/followers/friends that protect or give information to you is a form of power-gaming (And Meta-gaming in some cases)
- Using "Power" phrases, He bashed his shield forward, flinging [Name's] sword away from them, into the grass. This removes the other players choice of what would happen when the power-gamer thrusts his shield forward.
Meta-gaming in Roleplay:
While it's hard to know something in OOC and not have your character know it in RP, nothing is more frustrating then a meta-gamer. This means not incorporating information you know to your characters advantage. Some people prefer to not know things OOC to prevent the temptation, and if you feel equally tempted, then we suggest the same route. If you can handle it, great! But keep the two separate in an effort to keep roleplay realistic and unspoiled.
Hearing about an attack on a town, or a planned secret event over skype, on the forums, or anything other than in Roleplay and reacting to the information in roleplay is Meta-gaming.
The exception is the Organized Events section, any event posted there unless stated otherwise is common knowledge.
Examples of Meta-gaming:
- Knowing someone when their skin/appearance has changed to mask their character. Say a wanted character wears a thick cloak to hide his or herself. Calling out that character or attacking them would be meta-gaming.
- Knowing a character by the name above their head, that name isn't there in roleplay, you need to meet the character before knowing them. An exception would be that they are famous, like royalty, a legendary warrior or someone often spoken of and described.
- Being aware of who killed someone when no one witnessed it. The same goes for someone being murdered and knowing who their murderer was, no one would remember who kills them.
- Knowing about a dangerous person or pathway from someone telling you over skype or other forms is also meta-gaming. You might get attacked, or even die, but avoiding the RP is meta-gaming.
- Got caught in a fight? Don't call on your friends to save you! This is meta-gaming and it will completely ruin the Roleplay if your friends suddenly appear for no reason to save the day.
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