I'm just curious exactly what this means in a computer game. A little background: I used to live in a large city, and I saw some groups practicing medeival-type stuff in-costume in the public parks. These are some of the same people who would pitch in when a Renaissance Festival came into town. So I more or less know what that is, and it is surely role-playing.
Within computer games, the closest I've come to role-playing is Morrowind, where part of the role play comes in picking a class, and part comes in pre-programmed responses to NPC dialogue (i.e, lie that you found a recovered item and keep it, or answer honestly and gain favor/get other rewards). Within a game like L2, I'm not sure where RP comes into play.
Bear in mind, this whole question is prompted by seeing another thread in these forums from a player looking for a clan that does both RP and PvP. A lot of the responses indicated that these two were generally incompatible with each other. Having not done much of either, this picqued my curiousity.
I know it's asking a lot to do all that typing to explain this. Just if somebody wouldn't mind taking the time to reply, or maybe post a weblink to a sight that explains it.
I recommend going to www.l2rpa.org (http://www.l2rpa.org) for more RP information. But in L2, RP is about your character being played as an actual person might, and interacting with others as a real person might. So responses you wouldn't get from a RP character (in theory) is: PWNED! I OWNZ U!! (At least, not in character. :P)
And by the way, it's very possible to be in an RP & PvP clan. I should know, I belong to one. ^^
Thanks for the info. Also, right after I posted this, I found a post in the "Tales of Aden and Elmore" forum that gives some explanation of RP in this game. After reading that, it seems like the main incompatibility is that many players who like PvP just don't like for other people who aren't into PvP to be on their same server.
The Wishing Well is not precisely a roleplaying event - it is a storytelling event. Many contributions contain clear references to countries and myths that are not native to Aden but rather our own world - I would say in the realm of roleplaying, it is an uncommon flavor. Nonetheless, it can be fun to attend if you want to 'hear' some poetry and/or lyrics.
Mainly, roleplaying means that you draw the line between things that happen to you as a player and things that happen to your character as a character - this ranges from not feeling like you suffered a personal set-back when a weapon blows up (because it was the character's) all the way to knowing details about the character such as their family, the exact way they go about using their skills (or for that matter where they learned it), and acting those details and the character's personality out.
The IC/OOC divide is at once the largest barrier that new roleplayers struggle with and the clearest distinctive mark of any sort of roleplaying: The actions in the game are no longer yours, but you are steering someone else, a second persona if you will.
Consider it giving a backstory to the game.
Many people find it geeky (and I suppose it probably is), but mostly because they can not understand that the IC/OOC divide takes place - people believe that when a wedding is roleplayed, the players are using it as some sort of replacement for a real relationship, or that the player really believes they become their character, neither of which is generally true.
However, the best way to find it out is just to start with a bit of 'fluff' RP and slowly sink into something more serious.
To make an example of the progression, at first you might do things like having your character strike a victory pose after a difficult battle, later you might add dialogue, and finally you might want to place the battle into the context of a greater story in progress.
They are not completely incompatible...just mostly incompatible....and that's from the more uber, hard-core PvP viewpoint.
A PvP focused clan/ally levels and practices and gets gear...then they level and practice some more.
An RPer will log on and chat with friends, attend scripted RP events (my personal favorites), work up a new story twist for their character, or even tag along with a pal working up their character.
For many uber or uber-wannabe folks...that "time off" the RPer takes is absolutely intolerable.
I think that's why many people believe roleplaying and PvP-orientation to be incompatible.
By FAR the emphasis on Lionna and on all servers is dominating end-game. That means most people are zeroed in on PvP and all that entails.
RP is a subculture almost. A place where, as Mallie said, you sort of 'steer' who you think your character would be...sort of as another dimension to playing.
Most RPers have a backstory, set of family members, history, and substantial story details in place for their characters...giving that toon depth and substance IN THE MIND OF THE RPER. Doesn't mean they won't kill you (lmao)!
Many hardcore PvPers won't appreciate RP. Some won't even tolerate it.
Most RPers enjoy PvP, though. I've known a couple who will port across the map to attack you (lol).
Unfortunately the bias is that "people RP because they are UNABLE to exp/level and Pvp". Although I acknowledge why that generalization would be out there--I gotta say it isn't particularly accurate.
Some of the RPers I've known are walking encyclopedia's on how to play (even end game) and were brutally efficient at PvP.
End of the day--I'll bet it's easier for an RPer to join a seige than it is for an uber PvP hound to sit in on a scripted RP session. And the RPer will be less stressed, too (Lol).
And by the way, it's very possible to be in an RP & PvP clan. I should know, I belong to one. ^^
Yeah, but why are you Lawful Good ? :confused:
I would have joined you if you'd have been mean and evil !
So, let me rephrase : any Evil RP PvP clan on Lionna ? (and then we'll War you :p)
I don't think you need to shine a very bright light on some of the templars for them to throw shadows. ^^: But maybe I'm biased because all the templars I know personally play evil characters?
And reading a bit further down, yeah, you would start to think all templars are evil <<.
Then again, you could also say that they're more on the chaotic side.
Besides, what defines evil, its all in the eye of the beholder.
Haha, that's quite true! In any case, finding a reason to be in a clan in which a character really doesn't belong can make for some pretty interesting twists. Amathal most certainly had a tough time adjusting to Echoes at the time!