Role-playing Games
Created By: kinet
Last Modified: 11/11/05
Summary: Everyone has their hobbies... be it bug collecting, windsurfing, drawing, skateboarding, or role-playing. Made popular in the early 1970s with the original addition of 'Dungeons 'n' Dragons' (DnD), role playing has come a long way since then. There are a lot of stereo-types associated with role-playing, some of them are true. Some are not. The vast majority of role-players do not worship the Devil. However, the vast majority of role-players are extrodinaryily creative and imaginative, often spending hours creating historys for their characters.
Jetpak: Second Life
http://www.jeteye.com/jetpak/e20875d0-3b33-1029-86c1-00304880af2fJetpak: Character Pictures
http://www.jeteye.com/jetpak/e211b3de-3b33-1029-86c1-00304880af2fSummary: I've always had trouble looking for a good picture for my character. So here are a bunch of resources that I hope help you out with your search. Good luck and let me know if you find something interesting! A variety of pictures and picture links.
Link: RPG Diaspora: Squidoo Lens
Summary: Game playing theory, evolution
Jetpak: RPG Resources
http://www.jeteye.com/jetpak/e2166690-3b33-1029-86c1-00304880af2fSummary: Resources for rpgers from other rpgers.
Link: Resource for Traditional RPGs
Summary: A good resource for those who know about gaming, and are interested in some GM tips, player tips or specific information on Amber, Deadlands, Paranoia, Shadowrun or Dungeons'n'Dragons.
Link: Wikipedia on Role Playing Games
Summary: Wikipedia's definition of Role-playing. It leaves out all the negative and positive stereo-types but is very complete in its definition of the terminology for those who want need a RP 101. For those experienced gamers, there are some useful links and recommended authors at the bottom of the page.
Link: RP Quiz
Summary: Find your role-playing stereotype. If you have never rped before, I recommend taking it anyway just for the amusement value.
Link: The Lord of the Rings On-line
Summary: LoTR on line is a multi-player on-line rpg set up in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Players from across the globe will be able to experience Middle Earth and shape their path in the War of the Ring. Players can choose from one of the four races of the old Alliance: Dwarf, Human, Elf or Hobbit. It is scheduled for release in 2006. This site also links to the home page.
Jetpak: Recommended Rpg Sites
http://www.jeteye.com/jetpak/e20c4db8-3b33-1029-86c1-00304880af2fSummary: Herein are some cool links to the role playing sites and forums, some of which I am involved in. There are some great extras too, after all who can resist the musings of a teenage Elf? These are either sites that I role play on or have been recommended to me. I hope you enjoy them, and please come and join. Chances are, they are looking for new players.
Dice
Summary: A set of dice typical to table-top role -players. Many players are superstious about their dice, and it is considered bad manners to pick up or touch someone else's dice without their permission first.
From: http://lotr.ogaming.com/gallery/albums.phpLARP
Summary: Some people believe that role-playing... or at least DnD .. and most certianlly LARPing such creatures as vampires and werewolves is a certain sign of Devil worship. Or as this article explains, violent tendencies. Sadly, in this case it was true as 'Hubert' who was an accused murderer was also an avid LARPer.
From: http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/clara_schwartz/4.htmlTable-top
Summary: DnD around a table, using multi-sided dice with odd shapes that can roll up to 100 or more. This picture takes place between rounds at a chess tourenment.
From: http://www.dallaschess.com/Insanity02/Quick termology reference:
- NPC : Non-player character. Generally this is a character who is played by the person running the adventure through which the other players go.
- Narrator: Or story-teller, or for older versions the Dungeon Master. This is the person who creates and/or runs the adventures through which the players go. They play NPCs, and describe the scenery, and challenges that the adventurers face. Theirs is the job of creating the world for the characters to interact with.
As far as the gaming world goes, there are many different types of role-playing. Here are an example of three kinds.
- 'Table top' is your classical DnD type adventures where the players have characters sheets and dice. Anyone who has played a video game with characters that have skills will know what's on a sit-down role playing character sheet.
- 'LARP' or Live Action Role Play is akin to improv street theatre, where the actors make up their characters and there are no directors. There are 'narrators' who create the storyline and then sit back and allow the players to interact with one another as they see fit. Narrators are there to settle disputes and play NPCs
- 'Reenactments'. Another type of LARP that people tend to be more familiar with. These are the role-players who become a character in the Ren. Faire, or Dickens Faire (popular around the holidays). The reenactments of the civil, Revolutionary and other wars or battles would also easily fall into this category.
Jetpak: Digital Music
http://www.jeteye.com/jetpak/e20bcd66-3b33-1029-86c1-00304880af2fSummary: Digital Age.... digital music. Computer generated music at its best. Wow!
Jetpak: RPG Forums
http://www.jeteye.com/jetpak/e20bae08-3b33-1029-86c1-00304880af2fSummary: Forums for rpgs. From LOTR to a general site known as avidgamers, these forums are great starting points to create your own adventure, meet new allies, and have lots of on-line fun for hours.
