Thread: Breaking the Barrier

Well, I think it may be time for me to get cracking on the New Year's resolution I made some time ago. It all started when I made a promise out of the goodness of my heart. My Girlfriend has been so supportive of me over the last few months and I know she enjoys the things we do together, and I never thought she'd take to Civil War reenacting the way she did, but that's besides the point. I wanted to make a effort to get into some of the things she liked and give them a try, maybe I'll find out I like her stuf as much as she likes mine.

So anyway, long story short, she's big into RP. Over Forums, message boards. Heck, in a few hours she wants me to come over so we can roll out a makeshift Exalted campaign.... wish me luck on the pen and paper thing. I showed her LOTRO tonight and she was stunned. SHe was big into WoW and quit because...well, it felt like an RPG in name only... her words not mine (not here to argue about WoW) We took a look around and found out that this is one of the few games that has a sizeable, supportivev RP community. She wants to give it a shot... and seeing as I have two lifetimes subs sitting around I'm not using, I can put her up on one. I think it would be nice to play with someone I actually know for a change, and with her living a fair distance away right now It would give us something to do during the week to past the time till I can see her again. Heck of a lot more engaging that IMs...

On to the "problem." She has extensive RP experience... I have next to none. I played two D&D campaigns for a total of 4 months or so back in high school. That's about it. The only hard and fast rule I remember is character separation. I tried to distance myself from them as much as possible. I would even avoid humanoid races that looked anywhere near normal because it made that easier (I became a fan of half-orcs, warforged, and the like).

I'm trying to find a balance that works for me, and I feel a bit limited and overwhelmed at the same time. I feel like I'm drowning and I haven't even started yet. There are only four races (not a complaint) and they are all... well, normal for the most part, so that's a bit different, but the problem runs a little deeper. I'm finding the transition from Gamer to RPer (if that makes any sense) harder than I thought... I can't help but think of gameplay aspects when going through character select. It's not so much min-maxing, rather mechanics. I would love to draw up a thief/rabble-rouser type character, who knows. But playing a burgler isn't something I think I could pull off.... I struggle enough on my Captain, and my Champion seems tougher, despite the "Basic" tag.

How does one stop focusing on game mechanics so much and get into character development? I think that's the main problem here. I've got a week or so before I see her and we give this a go. I would like to have at least three potentional options drawn up for the future, Let her look over them, see how I did, and how they will mesh with what she may want to do. The last thing I want to do is stifle her, and heck, I think if I can get this figured out, it will give me a new way of looking at the game, so it might just be fun. I'm just a little lost as to how to get a start.

I'm not trying to do anything overly complicated. Our characters don't ave to be romantically linked (or linked in any way for that matter, at least for now) I would just like to draw up a few characters that are separate from me and anything else, and gove room to grow as I learn more about this. The scary part is, looking at my current roster.... they all bear a striking resemblence to myself... unintentional, but scary. If I take nothing else away from this, I would like to address degrees of separation, or else I may be in trouble.

Have say not sure I'm much help here I don't roleplay really in Lotro but I did spend something like 8-9 years previously roleplaying via forums, message boards etc such as your girlfriend enjoys. I find the other difficulty that in a graphical created setting it is very difficult for me to put my mind into the character role and see my character. The inconsistencies and trying to manage both the visual and mental image kinda breaks the immersion for me. I've done it some in second life for few years but it was rather clumsy and I had to focus more on what I was seeing and writing from my mind then what was actually there.

Maybe a consideration may be to actually try one the message boards or forum rp's it may mean a bit of break off game but it may be a solution to help you start out with visualizing your character in your mind first. The familiarity with the game mechanic may make the mind vision much very difficult to obtain in the game first starting out. Not because my own difficulty I say this but because many times our familiarty with something can slip in even unwanted especially in trying something new. Sometimes it's better try it clean slate.

If it helps any if you read any books do you visualize the characters in these books as you read? Think about your character as one those in the books, but your the writer and the character is yours to form and develop as you wish. other role-players are also writers with their own characters and and there is no predictability really as much like real world each character has it;s on mind and way they may play out.

Some the first things lot roleplayers may do is write a bio or a sheet about their character where the character is from, what are their weaknesses and strengths what is their background what effects and shapes their story and their mood their desires and despairs try not to share to much it though in story you don't want people to know things they shouldn't know without learning it from your character but it helps you get a mind eye of your character.

Also keep in mind every character should have both strengths and weaknesses. Super-powerful with no weakness are ill-favored in many rps and it kills some the the strong dynamics that comes with roleplaying with others. Try not to write for other peoples character to much this means when comes to giving a girl a kiss for example. You should indicate the motion of your character to try to do this but don;t actually say you have done so. This can be tricky and somethign I often messed up myself even in the years I played. You attempt to give the girl a kiss. It;s up to the other player to decide if it actually happens. Only time this should be broken is if you have permission from the other player.

Anyways I got a bit off topic there. Afraid even if I returned to rp myself I have becoming to unfocused to be able to portray a character well anymore, and my writing has become really messy lol I hope some part of this was understandable and helpful. Or least gives some thought.

I afraid been out of it a bit to long now to I don't have any decent links to show that may help. Other than a community I used to be active in that might be helpful but not sure I can post the link here, and it's probably better to see what the folk who actually roleplay in lotro have that may be able to help to.

Originally Posted by Odailin

Maybe a consideration may be to actually try one the message boards or forum rp's it may mean a bit of break off game but it may be a solution to help you start out with visualizing your character in your mind first. The familiarity with the game mechanic may make the mind vision much very difficult to obtain in the game first starting out. Not because my own difficulty I say this but because many times our familiarty with something can slip in even unwanted especially in trying something new. Sometimes it's better try it clean slate.

I will be giving this a shot later today when she finally get's out of bed. It's going to be different for sure...

The reason I came here was because she wants to give the game a go, because she missed MMOs, and she got to dreaming of RP and characters and such last night. I'm sure she already has that Elf she was invisioning worked out, which means she stayed up late last night, which is why she isn't getting out of bed today.

That's the difference between her and me. She just thinks of characters and... with a little work, they exist, and they're awesome. Me, not so much. Maybe I just need to sit down with a pen and paper and just daydream a bit. Just start writing down what comes to me, maybe by the end of the week I'll have a basic character bio like you suggested. I may have to re-read some of the books for this... oh darn . I did some thinking this morning and I see a focus in the way I think. All of my "Ideas" are heavily defined by thier class in LOTRO. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but that seems to be where it's shifting for me. I was thinking of trying to dig into some of the other systems in place to help me define a character. Yeoman Hobbit comes to mind, since most hobbits were farmers and such. Make him a Hunter and try and develop from there, heck, I don't know. I'm just piecing together the random thoughts in my head at this point. It's like playing a Hobbit came to me in a dream...

Good for you, for trying to please your girlfriend this way... I suspect she's got a keeper in you.

Role-playing, like everything else worthwhile, takes practice. I've been role-playing since Mines of Moria came out, late in 2008, and I still don't feel I know everything about it. Still, here are some considerations for you:

Will you and your girlfriend be role-playing according to the "lore"-- the books and the movies? Or will you be inventing more unusual characters, half-elves and such? This is a big deal, on Landroval at least. Both styles are fine, but you'll find that some players prefer one or the other.

If you are interested in staying true to the lore, then the easiest races to role-play are Men and Hobbits (in my opinion), since Elves and Dwarves really do have different racial backgrounds and destinies. In terms of this game, you can use the game mechanics to craft a basic back-story for a man from Bree or a hobbit from the Shire (as you mention, yeoman hobbit would work well!).

Many people advise writing pages describing your character, even filling out a questionnaire with detailed answers... and I guess that works. But you can also just imagine one or two things that drive your character to go adventure (I'm assuming you will want to go adventure, and not just hang out in the Prancing Pony): is it revenge, boredom, ambition, a desire to be helpful, or some other thing?

Try walking, unless your character has a reason to run. Walking really helps make role-play more easy and natural.

Perhaps incorporate the crafting skills you'll acquire into your character's story. Absolutely incorporate your class, perhaps in regards to special weapon skills, or special, heirloom weapons you might acquire.

And lastly, look for other role-players and engage them. The best way to discover who your character is, is by interacting with others: it's why we play an MMO, after all.

Good luck!

You can't really give me all that credit. I just wanted to find something we could do that went a little further than just Ims and such during the week. I've been looking for a way to rekindle my interest in LOTRO and I thought this would be a fun way to do that, she just jumped on board.

I suspect she will stay true to the Lore as defined by the books, heck, this girl read the Silmarillion in sixth grade... I can discuess that when I head over in a half hour for dinner. For some reason I've been leaning towards Hobbits. My first character was a Captain, then a Dwarf Champion. Never been keen on Elves (sorry) so this may be an excuse to try the race I have ignored. I was eating lunch and the combination Hobbit-Hunter-Yeoman popped in my head again, maybe I could do something with that. My home would be close to two of the major places (The Shre/Bree). It would seem to lend itself to a more peaceful and sedentary existance, making RP easier (in theory) I know it was a bit of a walk to get my Dwarf to Bree.

I think I may just let those ideas stew in my head awhile. I remember bits and peices of Hobbit Lore from when I read the books long ago. They seem to not really go far and like food and parties... sounds fun. I could sit in the Shire and still be productive, farming would make it not completely pointless. I don't know if this is linking too much to things or not, but I know Hobbit soldiers were keen on using bows (trying to remember exactly where I read that). There are Bounders and such. The Hunter seems to fit there quite nicely, but this is just me picking my brain as I write this, but I think I may be on to something here. THe only hitch comes in the "not leaving the Shire" mentallity, but Ill cross that bridge when I come to it.

Two things I've done for character development (creating something Other to myself) are the following:

I. Bring characters with you wherever you go. I'm not saying LARP, LARP is alright but actually attunes you to all the ways your usual body interferes with the ability your character should have, and their normal way of walking/talking/etc may feel alien if done 'through' you. I'm saying to bring them with you. In the back of your mind, as you go through your daily life, do things as you normally would, but "Taidrian would do _______ instead" or "Taidrian thinks ________ about this." Give your character some insight into your life and they may do the same for you.

II. Facebook. It's got enough questionnaires for a lifetime, and if you have people to interact with on it, so much the better. Just be sure you're always IC when using a character facebook! This isn't for everyone, but I find it works for me and a few of my friends enjoy it (though a Facebook that isn't your own is easier to forget about ). For an example, here's mine: http://www.facebook.com/lossenelenwen

Whatever you try, mine or anyone else's, best of luck! I agree with the other statements that you are doing well as a boyfriend.

EDIT:
So far as ingame development.... Delve into your UI and Combat options. Names can be turned off, floaty vendor signals can be turned off, the numbers can be removed from your morale/power... there's a lot that can make it seem less game-ish and more real. Though harder to play combat-wise that way, very fun. ^^

Originally Posted by ferdinanda

The best way to discover who your character is, is by interacting with others: it's why we play an MMO, after all.

In my experience this is the the truest statement about roleplaying on LOTRO, and possibly one of the most intriguing aspects. My characters have pretty much learned how to think for themselves - at times I have very little control over what they're going to do given any random social situation. Unlike with forums and message boards and the like, you don't have a lot of time to contemplate a response, so dialogue and even emotes tend to be much more spur of the moment, leading to character developments unforeseen. I've found that the best way to develop a character is to just have at it, and see how they end up RPing for themselves. Unless I have a very, very good idea of what my character would do given circumstances A B and any other letter, trying to squeeze their reactions into a predetermined RP frame, so to speak, generally doesn't work out well. This is all from my own perspective, of course, it may be quite different for others.

For example, I just created a character with a name I really wanted and the Rohirrim background I love. I have no idea what his personality or personal history is. But we shall see how he roleplays!