Tag: roleplay

A Snipe at the Socials

Posted on by Gazimoff

I was out at a bar recently with a few friends, discussing the many trials and difficulties endured by Warcraft players today… Heck, who am I trying to kid – my fiancee and her sister were trying to tie fairy lights to each other, while I tried to work out if a Havana Zombie wanted to be friends with me. All in all the night was a bit of a blur, punctuated by aggressive singing in Welsh and mourning over the lack of a kebab.

In one of those rare moments of clarity that you get when drinking heavily in a strange location, I remember realising that there were different types of groups there. You had the guys at the bar who were trying to drink as much cheap stuff as possible before heading on to a nightclub. You had a small group round a table, trying to make their rum and Coke last as long as humanly possible. And you had us lot, being as rowdy as hell and making sure we had fun whatever we were doing.

Fast-forward 24 hours and I’m nursing the hangover from hell. I’m drinking coffee and Mountain Dew Throwback in order to persuade some neurons in my skull to get off their arses and start firing. I’m eating fried everything between two slices of bread because my stomach didn’t get it’s promised kebab the night before and it’s sure as hell going to remind me about it now. I’m fidgeting with a biro like it’s a cigarette, subconsciously forgetting that I quit four years ago and that sucking on a pen lid isn’t going to help.

I fire up my laptop, click away and find myself on one of the Realm Forums. My eyes are immediately drawn to the top post of the day. “Get rid of RP Guilds” it proclaims. I’m thinking that maybe it’s one of those ‘strong headline to make a point’ kind of posts. I’m wrong.

It goes on to say how we should get rid of all guilds unless they’re dedicated to PvE or PvP progression. After all, the new Guild Levelling system means that unless you’ve got twenty raiders earning points for your guild every night, you’re just going to be left behind. Progress or die, that’s what the new system means.

Only it doesn’t.

I do some digging to see if I can validate this forum poster’s point and I find this excellent series of articles on what guild levelling will involve. There’s surprisingly little that actually involves endgame raiding. I can gain XP for my guild from a number of different sources including daily quests, battlegrounds and regular dungeons. Even levelling my professions helps out!

Now I might be a little slow here, but I thought that there were a number of reasons that you might join a guild. It might be because of the endgame raiding they offer you, or because they help put together arena or battleground teams. It might even be because you’ve played with them in other games or know them from other places and appreciate their company. It might even be because you like to just hang out and have fun, and it beats trekking across the country to see them.

I mean, imagine if someone came up to you in a bar and told you that your group were drinking wrong. That you should be in a larger group in order to take full advantage of the discounts on offer. That you should only drink certain spirits so that you spend as little as possible before you get plastered? If it were me, I’d try to strangle them with a strand of twinkly fairy lights.

The point is that just like with bars, we all play Warcraft for different reasons and get different things out of it. Some of us want to ensure that we don’t waste any time, that we go in there to do what we want to do as quickly as possible then leave. Some want to use it to meet new people, while others just want to kick back, relax and have a bit of fun with friends. It’s different strokes for different folks, with no right or wrong way about it.

The social players might not have a level-capped guild immediately, but they’ll get one in their own time. And they’ll be sure to have a ton of fun on the way.

So You’re a Roleplayer?

Posted on by Gazimoff

There’s already been a huge amount of coverage about taking your first steps into roleplaying. Some of it’s come from players describing their experiences of being on a roleplayer for the first time. Others have tried to provide advice and guidance to help players get started. If you haven’t read them already, this list should get you started:

There’s also entertaining tales from Arrens, Meka, Pilfkin and Protflashes as well as a gripe from a well meaning Pewter. While a lot of this is due to Tamarind making an inspired choice when creating Single Abstract Noun, I think it’s also shown me something else.

A lot of the players were coming over from their PvE or PvP servers, and were understandably nervous joining in any of that “roleplay malarkey” going on. That quickly changed into abject fascination. You’d end up with a small group of guildmembers – say 2 or 3 – just standing there watching the roleplay take place. This wasn’t so they could point and laugh, it was because they’d never seen this happen in the game before. I guess it’s like showing someone who only does dungeons that they can also do PvP if they want to.

What’s impressed me is the way that newcomers to the concept have started dipping their toes into the roleplay waters. Egged on by others they’ve started to grow in confidence and have a blast while doing so. It’s been great to watch.

But where to go from here? There are a handful of useful tools that can help expand your roleplay, both in terms of finding new opportunities as well as making it more fun. While I might veer into server specifics with a couple of these, the principles are the same for most of them.

  • Get Gryphonheart Items – it allows you to create your own items and share them with others who have the addon. Make ones with on use effects with scripts if you’re feeling creative.
  • Test-drive your character with people you know. Try roleplaying with friends and see how the character fits with you. It’s a bit like wearing training wheels, but it helps you to identify any gaps or problems with your character concept early on. It might also give you ideas on how to flesh out your character further.
  • Look out for the server global roleplay channels – these are usually LookingForRP or LFRP. Get to know the people there and grab opportunities to roleplay with them.
  • Check out your server specific independent website. The Argent Archives, ER.EU and SWC Wiki are all examples of where you can find out what’s going on at the server you’ve chosen.
  • Go to events. Markets, fairs and other forms of entertainment are usually organised to create environments in which to roleplay. If you’re nervous about engaging in spontaneous RP, these events might be ideal for you.
  • Steer clear of Goldshire. Seriously.
  • While it’s sad to have to say it, expect to be propositioned. If idea of adult-themed roleplay is not something you’re after you might want to prepare a suitable response in advance.
  • Try and avoid “emote battles” where possible. These are where “/me swings his sword, aiming for Ziffit’s neck” and so on go back and forth. Trust me, they’re not worth it.
  • Remember that above all you’re playing the game to have fun, and it’s important to treat this aspect of the game as you would any other. If something happens that stops you from having fun or makes you feel uncomfortable with, you have the right to stop.

I’ve mentioned before that Warcraft is made up of a series of smaller games all meshed together. It’s popular not because one of them is outstanding, but because all of them work well together. It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in the single player questing experience or endgame raiding. You can play the auctionhouse or you can battle all-comers in the arenas and battlegrounds. You can dabble in all of the above if you want, collecting achievement points along the way. Roleplay is just like these – another way of playing the game.

http://wow.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/ghi.aspx

Nostalgia Is A Double Edged Sword

Posted on by Gazimoff

Two of my characters have been trekking though Thousand needles recently. Jupplar has been going back to the Old World to grind some gathering skills, while my Blood Elf mage has been finishing the quests at Freewind Post and the Mirage Raceway. All the while this nagging reminder kept on creeping up in the back of my mind. All this is going to change.

Don’t get me wrong though – change is not always a bad thing. The planned Gnomeregan Offensive is something I’m looking forward to enormously, partly because it closes a storyline that’s been left hanging since I first rolled my Gnome mage five years ago.

At level five you get a class quest to introduce you to your trainer. All the Gnomish ones have a similar feel to them – they talk about either preparing for an impending offensive to take back Gnomeregan or helping to resettle the evacuated population. The mage one – Glyphic Memorandum – starts with a letter.

To: New Students of the Arcane Arts:
You are required to seek out and study under the gnome Marryk Nurribit until such time comes that you are called upon to aid your people in re-establishing themselves in a new habitation. Please, without trepidation, prepare yourself for rigorous testing procedures and a difficult acclimation process as you find a domicile and/or any form of companionship with the local denizens.

Questions regarding your duties and abilities should be directed to Marrek Nurribit.

From a roleplay point of view, every Gnome’s life has been building up to the Offensive. It’ll be the most exciting thing to happen to the race, with the possible exception of Gnome priests becoming playable in Cataclysm. While I’m expecting the landscape and questing around Gnomeregan to change and become some kind of starter area, I’m not worried about it. For me it feels like the end of a chapter rather than the end of a story.

Nostalgia can cut both ways though. A fond memory of mine is when the guild I was in took a break from running dungeons to pay a visit to the Mirage Raceway. I remember watching the races and cheering on the Gnomish rocket-car, eating ice-cream and buying a chicken. Being there again on new characters reminded me of the good times we had, but then up crept the reminder that the entire zone will change.

Outside of Warcraft, I sometimes visit places that I haven’t been to for a time. They remind me of events that happened in my past, both the good and the bad. Places like where I grew up, where I used to meet up with friends as a kid. Places like where I heard the news my grandfather died, or where I struggled through difficult times in my life. Sometimes when I return to a place the entire landscape has changed; the buildings have been bulldozed or the green fields have turned to office blocks. It’s weird and possibly a touch melodramatic, but it feels like the memory I have no longer has an anchor – that the reality of it has started to fade.

The crazy thing is that I feel the same thing about some locations in-game as well. I know that Cataclysm is coming and that with it large changes will be made to the game world. I also know that logically it’s a great thing – quest hubs that have been problematic for years will get remade, huge unused locations will be brought to life and we’ll finally be able to use flying mounts everywhere. But at the same time I won’t be able to go back to the races, sit on the benches and cheer on the rocket cars.

Now I know I should get over myself – after all, it’s just a game. None of it is real – it’s all just bits and bytes, people and pixels. Then again, just because the environment is virtual doesn’t make the emotion any less real. The pride in getting a strong arena ranking, the cheer of taking down a new raid boss – they’re still real emotions that shouldn’t feel any less valid because they’re in a virtual setting. The fun we have with others, either as silliness in guildchat or testing new skills in dungeons, is just as authentic.

I’m still looking forward to Cataclysm and the changes it’ll bring. Being part of an evolving and changing world is more than I was hoping for when I started playing, even though I surprise myself when I realise I’ve been playing this for five years. The bittersweet taste is something that will fade in time, as new experiences flood in and push the old ones into the dusty corners at the back of my mind. For now, I’m making sure that my screenshots folder is backed up.

See you at the races.

It’s The People That Make It

Posted on by Gazimoff

I get up to some silly things in-game. Usually it’s just messing around with strange game mechanics like using Slow Fall then jumping from the Temple of Storms. Once in a while though, it’s something that’s shared around that’s equally silly, and makes the game even better.

I’m going to kick off with something that happened on Curio, one of my mages. I got asked if I’d help out a couple of people with making a portal to Dalaran so that they could set their hearthstones there and find it easier to get around the world. Heading over to Ironforge I picked up that this was a roleplay group, so I thought that I’d best be ready for some impromptu roleplay.

Since last year’s Children’s Week, Curio has constantly had a Gorloc pet with him. Affectionately named Ernie-fu, there’s a dialogue between them as Curio says something, then watches as Ernie emotes a response. As a result, Ernie doesn’t say very much but he does an awful lot. And one of those things is eat.

So when one of the portal-seeking roleplayers throws Ernie a hunk of bread to eat, Curio pulls out a tube (don’t ask) of jam in order to sweeten it a little. This then leads to questions being asked about why Curio has jam in a tube, which went to experiments in jam delivery systems. This then went to discussions around jam explosives, jam mortars and jam limpet mines. Curio then pipes up that he’s scared the Horde may have stolen his research, so he’s working on ways to protect Stormwind from a jam-based attack. The session finished with Curio suggesting that baking a large crumpet to cover the city may be the only way to protect it from jam-based artillery.

They couldn’t use the portal in the end – they didn’t have the Wrath expansion on their accounts.

Another one is mentioned by Ercles in his blogpost about Single Abstract Noun. Bear in mind that I’m Juplaar in the screenshot he’s included. My response was based on the question “Are hippopotamuses really hip, or are they just really cool potamuses?”

I guess the point I’m trying to make is that I do some crazy stuff in-game, from random roleplay encounters to campaigns for cheese-sculpting to be added as a profession. I get some immense fun from these moments of randomness, some real pleasure from being silly. But I couldn’t do it at all without other people to play alongside. A good set of guildmates or friends in the game are fantastic to have, and worth seeking out.

Although great game mechanics and cool effects can help to pull people into a game, it’s the people that you play alongside that will keep you hooked and eager to return. It doesn’t matter if it’s a close knit community or just some people you bump into for a while, the important thing is to have fun with others regularly.

When I’ve unlocked my last achievement and killed the last boss, I’ll still be around. As long as there’s silliness to be shared, I’m in.

An Architect of Archetypes

Posted on by Gazimoff

I’ve recently joined the Blog Azeroth community in order to get advice and guidance as a fledgling Warcraft blogger. There’s a seasonal topic currently running called the Blogger Elder Project, in which a writer tries to impart advice, information or expertise to their readers. I’d been thinking about it for a few days, but was really struggling to find something to write about. There are already some fantastic guides on the Mage class written by others, with everything from gear selection to talent choices covered.

It was when I came across Tamarind’s idea for a Bloggers Guild that I finally got an idea. Single Abstract Noun is a fresh guild on the Argent Dawn roleplay server in the EU cluster. I rolled a blood-elf mage, joined the guild and started chatting to other bloggers and readers. A common theme that emerged was about the roleplay server itself, how refreshing the experiences were compared to other server types and how much fun it was to watch others roleplay.

Now maybe I’ve been spoiled by my own server choices – I rolled my first character on a roleplay server because that’s what I was used to. I’d been a fan of pencil and paper roleplay games for some time and enjoyed them as much for the roleplay aspects as the social and gaming aspects. I figured that roleplay would be just another facet of the game like questing, instancing, raiding, crafting and so on.

One of the integral parts of almost any character I create is it’s archetype – how the character fits in the game world, how it perceives others and how those others view him. I tend to do this regardless of the server type I’m playing on because it helps to differentiate what would otherwise be a long list of Mage. It means I can match my play to my mood – if I’m feeling chaotic and bouncy, rebellious and anti-establishment or generally old  and cranky. The character I pick is also a clue to my guildmates and server friends about what kind of mood I’m in. You can even use this kind of technique on non-roleplay servers – just by having a character with an archetype or backstory helps to make it feel more real than just a sprite on a screen, helping you remember why he’s cool even once every quest is completed and every achievement has been earned.

As a result, I figured that a list of the major mage archetypes would be a useful thing to have. So here it is! Although each class has several archetypes to suit it (there are even several archetypes that would suit several different classes) I’ll be focusing on the ones suitable for mages.

Don’t think that you have to pick one in isolation – you may feel that your character can use a combination of archetypes. Be wary about choosing too many though, as it can make your character directionless. It’s better to have a clear focus than wide coverage, much like talent specs.

Also, don’t feel that Mages=Dalarani or Kirn Tor. As you can see from the list below, there’s a huge spectrum to choose from.

  • Dalarani – These are probably the most popular type of mage, particularly for Alliance roleplayers. Formal training and rigorous academic trials are all hallmarks of a Dalaran Mage. Magical research and experimentation are also elements of a Dalarani, although not as common. Subgroups such as the Kirin Tor may also provide inspiration for players of this type. Dalarani tend to wear their power on their sleeve, wearing violet robes and tabards to show their allegiance. Items such as the Dalaran Wizard’s Robe or the Tabard of the Kirin Tor are essential in this regard.
  • Hedge-mage – Traditionally mages that have had no formal training from Dalaran, the hedge-mages used to be rounded up and either forced into Dalarani academies, stripped of their magical ability or even killed. Today they remain mistrustful of the motives of the Kirin Tor, and are strongly anti-establishment. For players that like to be rebellious or those that don’t like Dalaran, this is a good choice.
  • Techno mage – There are mages out there with a proficiency in engineering, augmenting their machines and gadgets with arcane powers. They conduct research in how to make their latest creations even more powerful through the use of their arcane ability. Mages with Engineering and Enchanting professions are ideally suited for this archetype, especially Gnomes and Goblins.
  • Runemaster – Drawing power from arcane runes and symbols tattooed all over their body, the Runemaster wears little armour and carries only the most basic weapons. Ideally suited for melee combat, their physical blows are empowered by the arcane runes that decorate them. Ideally suited to Hordeside players, but can equally be used by players that haven’t rolled a mage. As an example, a Tauren warrior or enhancement shaman would be able to pull off being a Runemaster. Professions such as Enchanting and Inscription are also a good fit.
  • Noble mage – These characters are traditionally aristocracy first and a mage second. They may have been sent to a Dalaran academy for an education, but wield little magical power and are unlikely to have seen combat. This type is ideally suited to low level mages, particularly Blood Elves or Humans due to their strict social structures. Professions are optional – if you’re a noble why do things yourself?
  • Highborne -The original ruling class of the Night Elves, their use of primitive magic from the Well of eternity gradually changed them into a distinct racial group. During the War of the Ancients, many Highborne either fled to Dire Maul, or were transformed into naga or satyr. Other remnants formed High Elven societies or joined Kael’thas Sunstrider to form the Blood Elves. Although Highborne can be played by both Night Elves and Blood Elves, it is ideally suited for those planning to play a Night Elf mage in Cataclysm.
  • Felblood – Essentially Blood Elves that have fed on demon blood and been transformed into demonic hybrids as a result. Usually Kael’thas’s closest mages, the offer of demon blood was seen as a reward for their loyalty. Would typically be played by Blood Elves, although it would need to be handled with care.
  • Wretched – Blood Elves that have failed to control their magical addiction. By drawing on fel energies, they have started to undergo a physical transformation. Wretched can be seen all over the Eversong Woods. Although this would typically suit a Blood Elf mage struggling to maintain control on his addiction, it could theoretically apply to a mage of any race.
  • Warlock – A class in it’s own right, Warlocks are usually seen as mages that gave up on their academic training in pursuit of even more powerful sources of magic. Drawing upon demonic fel energies and shadow magic, the Warlock is interested in inflicting pain and suffering as well as damage to their enemies. A warlock does not grant foes a merciful death, and instinctively is interested in his own affairs rather than the greater good. Some warlocks seek to hide their demonic pacts from others, remaining integrated in mage societies. Others are open about who they are, feeling that anyone who disagrees with them can eat shadowbolt.
  • Bookworm – Another one for low level mages, this is the mage that studies the theory of magic but has little to no practical ability. If having discussions and debates about magical lore, theory and uses sounds like your cup of tea, this one is for you.
  • Battle mage (Warmage) – Usually armed and well trained in melee combat, the Battle Mage is usually part of a royal or senior guard. Using their magic to fight alongside warriors and rogues, their use of magic has been refined to a collection of simple gestures and rituals that gets traded between a close group. The battle mage is ideal for a raiding mage seeking a background, or for those playing part of a city guard.
  • Necromancer – From the depths of Scholomance, the Cult of the Damned have been training former mages in the arts of Necromancy. Some mages such as Ras Frostwhisper have since gone on to become Liches, further aiding the Lich King. The Necromancer role would suit any mage looking to play one of the bad guys. Equally, a former member of the Cult might be a suitable concept. The Cult are not particularly fussy, so this would suit any race.
  • Shadow hunter – One for the trolls! The Shadow hunter is a practitioner of voodoo magics, being neither good nor evil. They draw on the power of dark gods to help themselves and their allies. A lot of their power is surrounded by ritual and ceremony, and as such makes a great concept for a roleplayer. Items such as the Bad Mojo Mask make great props  for someone choosing this archetype.
  • Witch doctor – Another one suitable for trolls, the witch doctor uses their magic combined with alchemy to twist nature to his bidding. Not just suitable for mages, this can also be played by shaman or druid alchemists of the Horde.
  • Ley walker – Rather than drawing their powers from the undead or the Twisting Nether, the Ley Walker seeks to use the streams of power that cross the world, pulling on them like threads in a loom and weaving them to create their spells. Usually outcasts or outsiders, the Ley walker is comfortable in solitude and their place in the world around them. Not exclusive to mages, this archetype is also a good fit to priests, druids and shamen.
  • Blue Dragonsworn – The forces of Malygos have many mages that are allied to them, seeking to control and regulate the use of magic in the world. As with Necromancers and Felblood, this is essentially a case of being able to play the part of the enemy. That said, there are examples of those who have been captured, coerced or manipulated into fighting for the Blue Dragonflight. A character could also play a dragonsworn of a different dragonflight, although there would need to be care in ensuring that the ethos of the dragonflight is aligned with that of the character. Most characters tend to be secretive about any relationship they may have with a particular dragonflight.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, nor does it contain everything that there is available on each archetype. If a particular one inspires you, it’s worth having a look for further information on WoWWiki.

Also, bear in mind that most roleplay servers have their own roleplay community. It’s worth getting in contact on either the realm forums or the general roleplay forum before creating the character, in order to ensure that the concept works and is a good fit with the server. They also might be able to offer advice and guidance on how you can improve the concept further.

Don’t forget, if you’ve got anything to add or have any questions, feel free to post it in the comments!