K
KodozPGoH
Guest
Hello. I am Emeritus Kodoz Tiberius, and I'm a roleplayer. I've been one for more than a decade here on UO, and a bit longer outside of it. I've seen this game through all the times since, harsh and dark, good and glorious, through evil's reign and good's return. And through it all, I've been a roleplayer within PGoH.
It makes me exceedingly pleased that many of you are now interested in joining the roleplaying world. This is the kind of thing that makes those of us in the RP community excited, it stokes us, and it brings us new life. However, of late, people are trying to put all kinds of absurdity onto those wishing to join. You may be thinking 'Ugh, there's all these different RBG things, and then there's these PGoH, CoD, UP, and V^A people, and I just have no idea what's going on.'
There is good news, however. We are here to help. We want you to join the roleplaying community. And here's the best news; There are no requirements to roleplaying other than doing your best to stay in character. That's it. There are PKers who roleplay, there are champ spawners that roleplay, crafters, hunters, pvpers, pvmers, treasure seekers, tamers, warriors, mages, archers...any playstyle that exists in UO exists in roleplay. It's all about staying in character. And you don't need to be in any guild to do it. Not any of them, from the various RBGs all the way through PGoH. All of these guilds should exist for the same reasons that any other guild exists in Ultima; So you can join like-minded players who enjoy the activities you do to have friends to hunt with. And just like any other guild in UO, If you want to make your own, there are no rules about how you do it. This means any guild you want to create, is free for you to create. Noone can lay claim to a theme or idea. Just as PGoH cannot tell another guild who wants to base their lore on the virtue of Honor no, nor can anyone tell any other guild not to make one based on a similar concept or theme. If you agree with a guild's outlook and theme and setup that's already there, by all means, apply for membership with them. If you don't, then feel free to start your own.
"Well what's all this about official recognition, or RoE's, or any of that?"
If you mean the EM recognition, let me state clearly here; As Mesanna said, and as the EM's repeated, there will never be any favoritism. This 'recognition' only exists to be another opportunity for you to roleplay something extra. What is an ROE? An RoE is a standard rules of engagement list that roleplaying guilds adopt if they plan to be warring guilds. If you do not plan to be a warring guild, you don't have to worry about it at all!
"Why is it that people are trying to tell me to pick their side or someone elses?"
This strikes to the heart of the recent conflict that is going on, but, allow me to try and explain. In any situation, there will be conflicts of interest, personality, and viewpoints. Often these are argued vehemently, and noone is immune to hyperbole in their statements, or exaggeration. However, I would advise you one thing; Always, always, always do your research. If you are ever going to a debate, you should do your research on both sides. Just the same, if you want to learn about a situation, you should ask those involved on both sides and do your best to make a judgement from there.
"Wait, why aren't you trying to tell us you're right or they're wrong?"
Because it's not conducive to what we should be striving for, which is a community based on respect and fun. Noone in this situation is blameless, including myself. To some extent, we have all had a hand in causing this situation as it exists now. I also won't tell you anything about these things because I want you to make up your own mind. In the end, the only person you're TRULY accountable to is yourself; You are the one who has to live with the decision you make in the end. Not anyone else.
"So what do you want to tell us?"
I want to tell you that Roleplaying is fun. It's a great way to expand your time in UO, to play as part of the world instead of merely a visitor, and to effect things on a larger scale than you might otherwise. It's a way to give your conflicts and struggles meaning, to help define WHY you do things, and to do something that many people aspire to; Be an actor, a writer, a player on the stage. It's fun, It's intriguing, It's interesting, and it's great.
"So you're saying that noone can tell me what to do?"
Exactly. But, there's an interesting second half to that; You can't force people to do what you want either. That's why the biggest rule aside from staying in character is, Treat People With Respect. If you wouldn't want people to treat you the way you're treating them, you should adjust your behavior.
"Well, I don't know...It all sounds complicated to me...that's a lot of stuff to read."
Fear not. I'll summarize. Roleplaying is fun, inventive, and a great way to expand your gameplaying. You are not required to be in anyones guild, worry about any requirements, 'official' status, or RoE's. You do not have to do what anyone tells you. Noone has to do what you tell them, either. So stay in character, Respect other players as you want to be respected, and HAVE FUN.
"Anything else?"
Yes. If you have any further questions, my ICQ is in my signature. Feel free to add me and ask anything you want there.
Thank you for your time, and May Honor Guide and Bind Thee!
It makes me exceedingly pleased that many of you are now interested in joining the roleplaying world. This is the kind of thing that makes those of us in the RP community excited, it stokes us, and it brings us new life. However, of late, people are trying to put all kinds of absurdity onto those wishing to join. You may be thinking 'Ugh, there's all these different RBG things, and then there's these PGoH, CoD, UP, and V^A people, and I just have no idea what's going on.'
There is good news, however. We are here to help. We want you to join the roleplaying community. And here's the best news; There are no requirements to roleplaying other than doing your best to stay in character. That's it. There are PKers who roleplay, there are champ spawners that roleplay, crafters, hunters, pvpers, pvmers, treasure seekers, tamers, warriors, mages, archers...any playstyle that exists in UO exists in roleplay. It's all about staying in character. And you don't need to be in any guild to do it. Not any of them, from the various RBGs all the way through PGoH. All of these guilds should exist for the same reasons that any other guild exists in Ultima; So you can join like-minded players who enjoy the activities you do to have friends to hunt with. And just like any other guild in UO, If you want to make your own, there are no rules about how you do it. This means any guild you want to create, is free for you to create. Noone can lay claim to a theme or idea. Just as PGoH cannot tell another guild who wants to base their lore on the virtue of Honor no, nor can anyone tell any other guild not to make one based on a similar concept or theme. If you agree with a guild's outlook and theme and setup that's already there, by all means, apply for membership with them. If you don't, then feel free to start your own.
"Well what's all this about official recognition, or RoE's, or any of that?"
If you mean the EM recognition, let me state clearly here; As Mesanna said, and as the EM's repeated, there will never be any favoritism. This 'recognition' only exists to be another opportunity for you to roleplay something extra. What is an ROE? An RoE is a standard rules of engagement list that roleplaying guilds adopt if they plan to be warring guilds. If you do not plan to be a warring guild, you don't have to worry about it at all!
"Why is it that people are trying to tell me to pick their side or someone elses?"
This strikes to the heart of the recent conflict that is going on, but, allow me to try and explain. In any situation, there will be conflicts of interest, personality, and viewpoints. Often these are argued vehemently, and noone is immune to hyperbole in their statements, or exaggeration. However, I would advise you one thing; Always, always, always do your research. If you are ever going to a debate, you should do your research on both sides. Just the same, if you want to learn about a situation, you should ask those involved on both sides and do your best to make a judgement from there.
"Wait, why aren't you trying to tell us you're right or they're wrong?"
Because it's not conducive to what we should be striving for, which is a community based on respect and fun. Noone in this situation is blameless, including myself. To some extent, we have all had a hand in causing this situation as it exists now. I also won't tell you anything about these things because I want you to make up your own mind. In the end, the only person you're TRULY accountable to is yourself; You are the one who has to live with the decision you make in the end. Not anyone else.
"So what do you want to tell us?"
I want to tell you that Roleplaying is fun. It's a great way to expand your time in UO, to play as part of the world instead of merely a visitor, and to effect things on a larger scale than you might otherwise. It's a way to give your conflicts and struggles meaning, to help define WHY you do things, and to do something that many people aspire to; Be an actor, a writer, a player on the stage. It's fun, It's intriguing, It's interesting, and it's great.
"So you're saying that noone can tell me what to do?"
Exactly. But, there's an interesting second half to that; You can't force people to do what you want either. That's why the biggest rule aside from staying in character is, Treat People With Respect. If you wouldn't want people to treat you the way you're treating them, you should adjust your behavior.
"Well, I don't know...It all sounds complicated to me...that's a lot of stuff to read."
Fear not. I'll summarize. Roleplaying is fun, inventive, and a great way to expand your gameplaying. You are not required to be in anyones guild, worry about any requirements, 'official' status, or RoE's. You do not have to do what anyone tells you. Noone has to do what you tell them, either. So stay in character, Respect other players as you want to be respected, and HAVE FUN.
"Anything else?"
Yes. If you have any further questions, my ICQ is in my signature. Feel free to add me and ask anything you want there.
Thank you for your time, and May Honor Guide and Bind Thee!
