I think it depends on the people RPing. Some will welcome you into their conversation/group/storyline with open arms. Some will not. If you try to make yourself noticed, I think it's important not to be discouraged if they don't immediately recognize you and drag you into their storyline. Keep trying! :)

Personally, I'm just slowly playing the game and meeting people and growing my friends list. In fact, a lot of people have been inviting me into their guilds but I kind of want to avoid any GvG social rivalry and just be friends with other players.

I honestly just took a deep breath, jumped into an RP that I saw happening at the tower base at Island of Dawn, and wouldn’t you know it, I wound up in a fresh new RP guild with some of the coolest RPers I’ve ever met. Honestly, the worst thing that can happen is that they ignore you, which is whatever, just move on to the next opportunity.

Another option you have (which I’ve also been doing a lot) is to type in the Area chat saying that you want to RP, and anyone who is interested should whisper to you. That also works, when I did that I had someone whisper to me wanting to RP literally 10 seconds after I had posted in the Area chat. Take the risk, you won’t regret it – it’s soooo much fun!

Random walk -ups ...

In WoW we had mods that you could specify if you were open to walk-up RP. Some enjoyed it, some didn't.
Myself, I'm shy until I get to know a person, then I never shut up. So random walk up is awesome. It forces me to interact.

I've managed to do it a couple times also. Usually It just started with me hanging around "looking at my mail (or map, or street signs)" And interjecting something like 'Excuse me, I couldn't help but over hear ....'

That has lead to some crazy adventures. Or if you are just wanting to introduce yourself, a good opener is "Pardon me, I think I'm lost can you tell me how to find XX ?" If the other participant is open to walk up, you may find yourself on a tour of the city, if they aren't they'll just give you directions and send you on the way.

Either way, you "save face" and don't suffer the snub. I think this is why RPers have gotten the elitist title. We're all a bit shy and tend to not step out of our comfortable cliques.

That being said ....

I play a Human female Sorc - Zalandria - on the CH server. Feel free to engage me in conversation if you see me out and about (however if I'm with a big white-haired male lancer named Corren ....chances are we're questing hot and heavy - he's not much of an RPer)

Tis fun to RP. Been doin it for years as well as LARPing irl. Just don't come off as a snob, troll, or noob, attempt to ease into the conversation by the methods that have been posted above. To me it adds an extra bit of playability to me that makes this game even better.

You should simply walk up and start RP'ing with the people. If they are saying something that your character would reply to, then do it! It's a lot easier for everyone if the newcomer to the group to introduce themselves by making the first direct statement/action. Though, sometimes the group will ignore you. THIS is considered bad RP etiquette. It is called "Bubble RP", meaning their RP is encased in a bubble and they will ignore everything outside of their bubble. If this happens, just wave it off and move on, you don't want to RP with bad RP'ers anyway.

The key is context.

The best thing to do is to create a context in which your character would need to interact with another. For example, maybe they need directions, they're looking for someone, or they're taking information for the Valkyon census. This is how writers introduce new characters, they don't just walk up and say "hello, I'm so and so, how can I join the drama?" Unless your character is extremely outgoing and is comfortable walking up to a complete stranger, having context will create a more immersive experience for everyone. On top of that, it will make your character seem more interesting than a passerby who just happened to be there when the conversation started.

I can confess to being one of those people in the middle of a big conversation, and it's hard to keep track of everything that's going on when a lot of people are talking at once. Sometimes your comments get drowned out by all the others, or sometimes the other players just don't have enough to go on to get you involved in a meaningful way.

Also, take the time to get to know the other characters. We all appreciate that you put a lot of thought into your backstory, but it should exist only that you may draw upon it when the time is right. Typically the less people want to discuss their past, the more I want to know.

Just walk on over, it doesn't matter too me. The world around me is real, so I respond to it appropriately. On the flip, sliding your way in must make sense or my character won't respond nicely. Come stomping in and talking like you had been there all along will get you called out as an eavesdropper. Saying something random will have you looked at like you are crazy. Casually commenting as a passerby is fine by me though. Not that it matters since I am on BC and we will never meet. :(

Quote: Zieg on 04/26/2012, 12:04 PM - view

Be very careful with such random contributions. Do it only if you are sure they try to make some random RP, and its not planned event.

Random RPers that had no idea about RP event and what is all about were plague in WOW. They were noticed but usually ignored, most notorious could not get into any decent RP guild for some unknown reasons.

My point is even if you are honest and want join RP, make sure you not ruining somebody's else event.

This is a really nice thread. It is sort of a tough subject, as well. There have been plenty of times where I've been intrigued by someone's RP and would have really liked to have joined in. It also doesn't help I RP a shy character lol...I feel like I spend a lot of time in Velika just sort of running in circles. I do miss the RP adds from WoW, they made it much easier to convey the person's needs.

I have had a lot of random walkups on Celestial Hills. Most of them I have enjoyed and welcomed. If I am RPing in say, it's probably nothing too serious, and it's almost an invitation in and of itself to join. I haven't really walked up to anyone myself, though, to be honest. I do understand not being rude, but I have one gripe...

If you're going to stand in the middle of Velika and talk in SAY on an RP SERVER, do NOT get snitty when people listen/try to join in. What do you expect? -facepalm- I have seen people blatantly ignored, even if the joining party kept the mood of the conversation, and was entirely appropriate. It doesn't bolster a good community. In a way, it also destroys your immersion. Would your snooty, etiquette-nazi elf really just ignore someone? OOC, dawg.

As far as guilds? It's easier said than done. I'd love to find a group of friends around the same level to dungeon/RP with. :( Y'all are welcome to say hi to Asnee, a super clumsy human priestess.