Hello, everyone!

[Galetaer]

I came across this forum and I figured I would give some role-play a try, I looked around the forums here and it looked like a good place to start learning about forum-based role-play. I have played role-playing games many times before, but typically on tabletops with a game master or when engaging in no-dice battles with my friends when hanging out at school. If you guys can stand a newcomer, I'll happily do my best to make a suitable character. There are lots of good writers and role-players on this site from what I've seen, so I'll work to learn fast and enjoy some time with you all .

Any advice or instruction as to what I should do or not do when role-playing on a forum would be great, I know the basic no-nos (power gaming, god modding, mary/gary sues) and I have read the rules of this community; but anything beyond that is sure to be helpful.

[Capricorn]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

One thing that I hardly ever see during tabletop RPs is actually stating the thoughts and feelings of your character that aren't obvious from the outside. I find that, on forum RPs, sharing what your character feels and thinks is something that's invaluable. It helps others better understand your character, and I personally think that a post is much more fun when I include that. It also helps length, if you're on a forum with very strict word requirements. The one here isn't too extreme, but adding feelings helps if you're low on muse.

[Galetaer]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to include my character's thoughts and feelings when necessary. In tabletop RPG's you typically just think inside your head what the character would think and base your actions on that, so this should be some good practice for me anyhow.

[Brenton]

Hmm well first off, welcome to the site Galetaer. The name is Brenton, but seriously don't feel like you have to call me that. Just don't call me anything rude or cruel. On the site I go by flamebreathe, flame, Brenton, or even Jesse when I introduce myself to new people. I'm here to help you in learning how to RP on the site and the different nuances of everything we do. All of the staff are really. The staff are as follows: Emiryal (admin), Brenton Bromsson (assistant admin), Quetzal (moderator), and Vlaer (moderator). For help go to any of us and we'll give you advice. Now then, advice for what to do first. I recommend to learn the site you should make a dwarf, elf, human, werecat, changeling, warg, werewolf, ranger, urgal, or anything that isn't a power class. We could use some Empire supporters but hey that's up to you. Honestly we could also use some assassins who aren't RPed by myself. Oh stay away from powerful characters for a month at least so you can really understand what to expect without them and how to build on a character's personality or history. They can always be changed either through magic or some other way. We do accept that.

As for what you should know, we are a rather small community of RP fans who have varying skills on writing (yes quite a bit of us can write really well but we have probably RPed the most) and therefore it isn't like we will judge you on your skill. Try to keep your posts between 150-200 words to start with (I know the minimum is 100 but for a good starter it should be 150 at least.) Once you can do that then work up from there. Eventually you will get to where you are putting out 1000+ word posts. Include the five senses, thoughts, feelings, skills, likes, dislikes, surroundings, and anything that you would notice in real life. It works better if you actually make characters with bits of personalities from your own. Just try to make your posts as descriptive as possible.

[Galetaer]

Thanks for the warm welcome Brenton, and I appreciate the advice and info; anything helps.

I am making a character for review right now who is a human swordsman with some magical capability. I like how he's coming along so far, and while his appearance and personality are quite the contrast I don't believe it'll be anything too unreasonable. I made the standard clean-slate adventurer guy, so he should - theoretically - have the potential to become anything within reason; an assassin included. As for power classes, I wasn't dreaming of it honestly; I usually prefer playing things that are more challenging than a super-athlete omega-mage elf, but it's mainly just my personal preference and I don't have any quarrel with anyone who enjoys more powerful characters. I'll do my best to stick to the word limit in an interesting and hopefully immersive manner, but I'm sure that - like most things - it will take practice.

[Quetzal]

Hi, Galetaer! I'm Quetzal, a mod around here. If you haven't found it already, there's a timeline of events, since we've deviated a fair bit from the plot of the Eragon books, here; argetlamrpg.proboards.com/thread/2252/timeline

I'm with you on the preferring not to play uber-powerful characters front. I have Eragon and another Rider, both pretty strong, but the Rider's more intellectual and can-everyone-calm-down-and-put-your-swords-away than strongest-ever-unbeatable-violent sword with legs. Some people prefer powerful characters, but I just don't connect so well with them. Making them weaker makes seem more real in a way. Plus it's fun when there's a greater element of risk in them doing things. I like developing them too, which is always fun. Throwing things at characters to see how they'll react and change is mean to them but fun (unless you are George RR Martin and just kill everyone you love, then it's just mean. I may or may not have just read the death of a character I really liked)

[It'sVlaerTheModOnHisPhone]

Oh, hellooooo there, Gale! How do you do? As Brenton said, I'm a mod. The rest pretty muched summed just about everything up so there's not much for me to do or to say other than I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay here and good luck and have fun and something. Also, if you ever need a tip or hinter on a power class just send Brenton or I a message. Of course you could ask anyone but we're the two most acquainted with power classes seeing as we RP a majority of 'em So yeah, have fun!

[Galetaer]

Thanks for the timeline Quetzal, it seems that if I'm not mistaken Galbatorix has not died and the Varden is still at war with the Empire; correct? And I'm glad I'm not crazy and the only one on the planet who doesn't like initially playing high-power characters. Character development is definitely important to me, and I feel that playing lower-powered characters does in a sense offer more of a challenge; but it also depends on how you said, because like you also mentioned a power-character can be perfectly reasonable and try to avoid combat.

Nice to meet you Vlaer, and I'm doing alright. I'll be sure to talk to you and/or Brenton if I decide I want to play a power class in the future.

A few questions about forum-based role-play:
So, to begin do I simply post in the appropriate location board and work my way from there?
Also, how do random encounters work (if they're at all present)? Do players share the burden of coming up with the scenario?

[Brenton]

Okay so to post with someone then you would have to either work that out with them in the shoutbox or just post a thread in whatever sub board and have the title say [title OPEN] so everyone knows it is available to post in. If it is just for you and someone else then put either CLOSED or the person's name instead of OPEN. That lets everyone know they can read the thread but not post. To start since you have a character, I'll RP with you. Hmm I think I'll use either Dyami or Hetrand who are both in my character gallery. You can choose the spot to post and I'll reply.

[Quetzal]

Yes, Galby hasn't died yet. The Varden and Empire are still at war, and are currently hosting their respective War Councils in preparation for the Varden's attack on Uru'baen. We plan on making things take a lot longer to settle down than in the books after the battle, though.

What Brenton said regarding making threads. You're free to post with your character being anywhere you think he has reason to be. We don't have random encounters per se. You can steer the thread in whatever direction you want, and make whatever you like appear, within reason. Things like little farms and villages, groups of soldiers or bandits, civilians etc can all be spawned and controlled by anyone in the thread. Anything more powerful or long-lasting, like a Shade or powerful artifact, you should check with a staff member first. If you want a canon or someone else's character to appear, you'll have to contact whoever plays the character. You can do whatever you like, really, it makes for some more interesting and complex scenarios than just random encounters.

If you post a thread marked [open], you're saying anyone can join, just as you're free to join any open thread yourself. This can be good if you're stuck for ideas or just want to see who shows up without arranging it in advance. The alternative is agreeing with one or more people via PMs or the shoutbox that your characters should meet, or of an event you think should happen, then making a thread for it. Usually a basic premise, eg 'I think my character would hate yours and that might be fun' is decided and then you just see where is goes from there.

There are links to mine and Brenton's character galleries (just a list of all our characters really) in our respective signatures if you wanted to get an idea of who might be good to make a thread with, or you could just go for making an open thread.

[fëanàro]

Hello and welcome to the best forum based rp for the inheritance cycle on the internet. The names feanaro and I how you stick around its always good to have fresh faces on here. Not much advise to give that hasn't been given already except that there is no such thing as a post that is too long. The more description an details you give the better. I've found that when I post with others that are making descent sized posts it encourages me to the same. I look forward to rping with you in the future enjoy the site

[Galetaer]

Sorry for the late, late, response; a friend of mine was keeping me occupied yesterday and I forgot to check the forum.

Alright, thanks for the clarification Quetzal, I appreciate the insight. I'll definitely take a look at your character galleries and see some examples of what kind of player characters are traversing Alagaësia.

Thanks for offering to RP with me Brendan. If you feel like it and I make an open thread, just choose who you think is an appropriate character.

Nice to meet you fëanàro and thank you for the warm welcome. Thanks for the advice, I'll put it to good use.