Thread: New-ish RPer help

Hey all. I'm new to Laurelin and I'm ready to RP. I was originally a Hobbit Guardian on Imladris and then I moved to Landroval to RP as an Elf Loremaster. Landroval was only all right and I heard great things about Laurelin, so I decided to move here. I never really got any real RP experience so that's what brings me here.

I can't decide between a Hobbit or an Elf to start my RP career, so I have a few questions:
1. How are the RP communities for each of the races?
2. If I play an Elf, do I have to speak Sindarin all the time in-game? (I'm already struggling through Spanish in school, so languages aren't my thing right now).
3. Which one would be best for an RPer who really hasn't had much experience?

I'm basically open to any suggestions, but I refuse to play Race of Man, so if there's anything that could help me get used to the RP community, just let me know!

Welcome to Laurelin!

I'm sure you'll soon find your feet - we're a very welcoming bunch!

To answer your questions:

1 - I think all the races have active communities at present, with regular events; see Laurelin Archives for a good measure of the community's activities.

2 - No, you certainly aren't expected or required to speak Sindarin or Quenya! Many elf players use the odd greeting, or say farewell in Elvish, but that is down to personal taste.

3 - Roll one of each, and see which one grows on you! You may find you enjoy playing both! ;D

The main thing is not to worry. Keep your background pretty vague and let it develop naturally as you get settled into both character and community. You'll find no shortage of friendly souls willing to offer you advice on this server. So go on: roll your characters and get stuck in!

I'm completelly agree with what Curugirion just pointed

Look in Laurelin everybody can talk sindarin just: [S] and see? I'm talking sindar and you understand me!

There is few events that are themed sindarin and is expected that your char knows to speak it (IC, and using the [s/q] trick), but everybody writes in english, except for some things like the greetings (Mae Govannen, Suilad), or the farewells (Navaer, Namarie), its simple just say one of those and it will work.

As for Hobbit part, there is some nice active kins, they have a hobbit themed event (every week), but further than that I don't know more...

And what Curugirion said: try both and choose the one that suits you better or if both suit you, choose both!

Hi there and welcome to Laurelin. Now Hobbits, that I do know about.

There are two -that I know of - main Hobbit rp-kins ingame. The People of the Shire and The Grand Order of the Lost Mathom. Both run regular rp events, and have active membership. We also work together on projects, so It's a big happy family of pie eating-dancing-fishing fun.

Currently tonight the Grand order is running their forte-nightly market in Micheal delving, and on fridays is the ever popular Green Dragon Friday. Taking place in, of course the Green Dragon inn in Bywater, it starts at 8pm uk time but someone is always there from early on. So why not drop by and share an ale and a tale, and get to know us?

Originally Posted by somethingaboutsomething

Hey all. I'm new to Laurelin and I'm ready to RP. I was originally a Hobbit Guardian on Imladris and then I moved to Landroval to RP as an Elf Loremaster. Landroval was only all right and I heard great things about Laurelin, so I decided to move here. I never really got any real RP experience so that's what brings me here.

I can't decide between a Hobbit or an Elf to start my RP career, so I have a few questions:
1. How are the RP communities for each of the races?
2. If I play an Elf, do I have to speak Sindarin all the time in-game? (I'm already struggling through Spanish in school, so languages aren't my thing right now).
3. Which one would be best for an RPer who really hasn't had much experience?

I'm basically open to any suggestions, but I refuse to play Race of Man, so if there's anything that could help me get used to the RP community, just let me know!

Greetings, M'lord

*The dwarf bows courteously in front of the newcomer and rises with a polite smile*

I shall venture to offer my humble advice, but first, let me bid you welcome amongst our ranks - I hope you will have a long and pleasant stay and find it to your liking.
And now, to your questions:
1) Communities
I have found that this server has numerous communities - some centered around races, events or places, while others center around specific playstyles or epic storylines. What overarchs them all, however, is the respect each show to the others. (Of course we have a few fallouts, but they are rare to my experience) In fact, I will claim that the server has one big community, spanning them all - but I think you should see that for yourself.

2) Language
I think that has been covered.

3) Hobbit or elf
I would normally suggest a hobbit or a man to someone who is new to Tolkien RP. Elves and dwarves are complicated races differing much from our real daily lives, feelings, manners and traditions. As you have already ruled out men, I would suggest a hobbit to find your bearings.
However, I feel quite certain that if you find yourself bitten by the RP-beast, you will find yourself rolling alt upon alt to try out new ideas. Some you will stick to, others you will leave to fade. At least, that is my experience for my self and others I know.

I hope you find guidance in some of the advice presented by me and others. I shall offer you one last suggestion.
Read the advice with an open mind and then do whatever you feel like yourself! That is the best way to RP - Have fun.

For now, at your service and your family's
Bregir Stoutheart

PS. If you feel like getting deeper into RP, middle earth or the ways of the races, there is a multitude of guides out there on the great big interweb, and some on these very forums.

Let's not all forget Gûr Edhellen - a guide that you can use, somethingaboutsomething, which will help you understand the Elves of Tolkien's world, and how to base them in-game.

I'm working on it, as always, but my site's down at the moment. Trust it to be back online on the 7th of June.

Oh, and while I'm here! Mae govannen, mellyn!

Welcome!

As your first character on this server I'd suggest that Hobbit is the way to go. Not that Hobbits are "the best" by any means but simply because Hobbit RP is more accessible than Elf by virtue of the fact that most Elf RP seems to take place in Rivendell (which is a pain to reach until you get near level 30) whereas Hobbit RP takes place in the Shire, where Hobbit characters start anyway. While there is Dwarf RP that goes on, it's a bit harder to access casually and it might be worth getting to know the server a bit before trying to crack that particular nut.

Besides, as has already been said, making one character doesn't mean you can't make others if you want.

Thanks you guys! After much thought and many, many characters, I've decided to go with a Hobbit. Can't wait to start! See you all in-game!