Roleplaying - What is it and how do *YOU* do it?

Some of you may recall that several months ago there was a discussion in regards to branching the guild out in new directions. Roleplaying was one of those. Up until now, not a lot has come of this but this post (Which I've had to re-fucking-type after sitting here for an hour and a half and the damned forums LOGGING ME OUT) will hopefully change that.


What is Roleplaying?

Roleplaying is part imagination, part on-the-spot acting and part storytelling. You create a character (Or characters) and give him/her(/it?) a personality, thoughts and desires. During this process, you interact with other players who are acting out their character's life and react to their actions. Essentially, you and your friends are co-authors in an ongoing, on-the-spot story.



Who is my Character?

That's entirely up to you. Your character need not even be the hardcore raider who rampages through Naxxramas every weekend, You can be a simple farmhand, dockworker, apprentice sorceress or soldier... Whatever floats your boat.
I however, promise to torpedo your boat if your character turns out to be an Emo Lesbian Vampire Night Elf Priestess. This is not Goldshire.

Things to consider while fleshing out your character are....

Full Name, Aliases and/or nicknames:
Age:
Race:
Eye Color:
Hair(Or lack thereof):
Distinguishing marks, scars, tattoos, blemishes or gaping chest wounds:
Where you grew up:
Where is your family, who are they and what do/did they do:
What do you do:
Where did you learn the skills used to get by day-to-day:

Think up a backstory for your characters, I'm not saying it has to rival Tolkien's works or anything... It doesn't even need to take up all of five minutes of thought. Who is your character? You tell me... Or better yet, tell your fellow roleplayers.


Where can I roleplay?

When I next log in, I'll be creating a channel for those interested in participating to join.
Simply type /Join TheDrownedRat
I've found in my many years of roleplaying that beginners find it easier to participate when a setting is pre-provided. In this case I'll be going with the good old RPG trope of "You start in a tavern!" There's a reason it has become an RPG trope - because it works so damned well.
Being that it is a channel, you can participate from anywhere and not interfere with guildchat.
My only request is that should you wish to participate, that you keep any chat "In Character" and that any "Out of Character" discussion take place in Guildchat or whispers. Feel free to invite non-Absolution people to the channel, so long as they observe that simple request.



The Drowned Rat:

The Drowned Rat is a fictional tavern found in the Stormwind Docks, a battered old two-storey building made from worn stone and warped wood. A wooden sign hangs (barely) from the roof, painted to depict a rat floating belly-up in the ocean.
From inside issues laughter, drunken babble and the promise of a warm fire.

Inside one would find many tightly packed wooden tables, chairs and wall-side benches - many with obscene verse and carvings, much to the owners' dismay. Creaking wooden stairs lead up to the second floor of the tavern, a railed off set of balconies overlooking the first floor where one might find some quiet, more space and the illusion of privacy... or a better look at who was where and talking with who...

Trophies dot the walls here and there, the most notable of which being the stuffed Felhound's head mounted atop the hearth, all of which belong to the owner, a great old bear of a man going by the name of Gus. Once an imposing wall of muscles now long turned to hanging flab, Gus is always ready to tell stories of his time in Stormwinds' army and the Third War. His two daughters assist in running the tavern with him, cooking and cleaning while his wife scowls out from the back rooms.





Until things really start up, I'll likely play the part of Gus and/or the other Tavern Staff, if only to set the mood for the place. Once I feel this is done, I'll likely start bringing Rannia and my other characters in.

If anyone has any thoughts or questions, Bug me in game...

*picks up a quill and quickly begins to scribble out a message to one, Rannia*

Ishnu'ala Rannia,

My name is Cathrin Bloodbane. I know we have met in our adventures and travels, but I do think you should know a little bit about me, whether you want to do so or not. *smirks*

*puts down her quill and ponders a moment. Sighs and picks the quill back up, and begins to scribble rapidly on the parchment*

I am 500 years old and was born after the Third War. My parents spoke about the war often, but I didn't care about it.

Since the time I was old enough to walk, I cared more for picking the "pretty flowers" as I used to call them.

*smiles at the memory*

I was born in Teldrassil and lived in Dolanaar in peace with my family. My mother, Minerva, was a Sentinel in the Darnassian Army. She loved to sew and to tinker with anything mechanical whenever she wasn't on duty. My father, Frank, was a Druid and spent most of his life concocting potions, flasks, and elixirs. He sold his wares all over the world. Minerva and Frank Bloodbane loved me very, very much. However, they could not understand why I picked a life of a Druid of the Claw. Despite their wariness, I bid my goodbyes and left home at age 19 and after extensive training as a druid.

Oh! Did I mention that I had two sisters? Miraa and Midknight Bloodbane. I love them both very, very much.

*smiles sadly*

Unfortunately, when I left home to travel the world and become a well known Druidess, my parents died and so did my sister Midknight. Both my parents and Midknight were killed by the Burning Legion. Midknight trained as a rogue and she was the youngest-only 20 years of age. She was too young to die. Life was very empty without her and my beloved parents.

However, Miraa luckily escaped their fate. My middle sister was 10 years of age at the time, and my parents sent her to live with me after I left home. I found out why posthumously in the following letter from our mother:

"Cathrin, my beloved daughter. Please take care of your sister, Miraa. She says she wants to be a priestess, but she is so young. I can't let her go alone into the world. Instead, I am sending her to you. I know there is a monastery where you currently live. She might enjoy the training there. Please. Please take good care of her. I love you!"

I still have that letter.

Miraa lived with me for a few years, but my habits as a feral druid were not what she needed to put up with as she grew, so one morning, I dressed her and dropped her off at the Monastery that she badly wanted to enter and left her there until her training was complete. She didn't dislike me for it. Rather she enjoyed the time away from me.

On to the present day. My sister and I now share a small cottage together where we live more peacefully than when we were younger.

My work is as a Druidess Healer for the Clann <Absolution>, and my second job is as a Elixir Master. I still pick "pretty flowers" but this time to help me infuse them into potions.

I guess my apperance is the most unusual for a Night Elf. My dark purple hair reaches my waist and is always pulled up into two large braids that criss-cross in the back of my head. It is a more common hairstyle on a dwarf, but I love it. At bed time, the braids are undone and my hair falls in large waves. My eyes are gold in color with silver specs. No pupil. The most notable feature of my face is that I have tribal markings of two large and long vertacle scars from the top of my forehead to the tops of both my eyes. Then, the continue from the bottom lids of my eyes and stop at my lips. I have a tattoo on my right shoulder of a panther paw.

*dips the quill in ink and finishes with a flourish*

I hope this has told you a little bit about me, Miss. Rannia.

Elune bless you!

Signed,
Cathrin Bloodbane

I'm encouraging all guild members to check out The Drowned Rat. Even if you don't role play or perhaps just haven't yet, please lend your support to the newest aspect of guild life. Each of us can help grow the guild in small ways, doing so helps us all. Try expanding your horizons

Thank you

Aranron Aldelinde Eledhwen (Agro)