RP Made Simple

Doora (The Explorer)

Section: Gaming Culture | No Comments »

Doora: Night Elf. Sans Mohawk.

Normally, I have the General Chat Channel on Earthen Ring far, far (did I say far?) away from my chat tab. I’ll pop it on if I am actually in a city or just bored for a few – never know if someone may need help.

I didn’t expect to see this:

“You see a small, nimble elf girl wander past you, smiling prettily as she gets into trouble. She bears no weapons, never engaging in combat – a pacifist! How far will she get? Will you help her? Track her progress at http://dooraexploring.blogspot.com.”

I thought, “Ok… good use of English, not spamming gold – so not a gold seller.” (For some reason I thought goldies were that clever… that soon wore off. *snicker*)

“Maybe this is something cool?” So… I took the bait:

Doora’s goal: To get to 30 without combat in World of Warcraft. Part challenge, part travelogue, part social experiment. A daunting task in a mmorpg. “But being a pacifist you say? How and why would you try that?”

Here’s an exerpt explaining “why?” from Doora’s journal:
http://dooraexploring.blogspot.com

“I always did love to travel.

Well, okay. One can hardly call roaming a game server travel in the conventional sense, but the novelty’s still there. Have you ever dreamed of exotic lands? Salivated at foreign cultures? Flummoxed at your bank account’s limitations? Then the World of Warcraft welcomes you with open arms.

For a puny fifteen bucks a month, you get to dive headfirst into the land of imagination, replete with magic, mystery, and space-goats. Climb the tallest mountain. Chart the ancient jungle. Assault the frosty citadels (This last one forthcoming). Unleashed from such puny things as social niceties, you can wander to your heart’s content.

Or until the wonder dries up.

Your level 70 Affliction-specced Warlock is decked out in full Burning Crusade T6. If you’ve got no idea what the technical jargon says, reader – this means you can destroy anything that so much as looks at you funny. The challenge loses its appeal. The game is in danger of becoming just a game (and not the epicenter of your life.) You’re bored.

Fear not, brave soul. There are still ways to recapture the enchantment. Start a naked disco party. Organize a gnome-punting contest. Or, level a pacifist character.

See how far you can get without swinging a blade or casting a spell. It’s not easy, is it? Good. You’re looking for the ultimate handicap. You’re looking for Doora, an explorer. And like her famous namesake, she’ll guide you throughout the land, though without the annoying monkey. She’ll show you how to level by virtue of exploration XP alone.

It’s a long, lonely path. Fraught with peril and frustration. Do you have what it takes?

(You’re advised to roll a Night Elf, for corpse runs alone.)”

Interesting idea, yes? I spoke to Doora in brief, not wanting to bother her too much on her journey. Speaking to her OOCly, I learned she had just ventured in from across the “Big Tree” and exploring in the Dwarven lands. Being level 2 in Dun Morogh can be a royal pain… even more if you are a pacifist. Those Frostmane trolls really, really do not like tourists. *grin*

Overall it was a very pleasant conversation. Glad I was looking at my General tab today! Personally, I think it’s a very interesting project, I will her well on her journey. Good luck!

Check out her site as you can for updates. She has a checklist of the quests and where she has been, including commentary in her posts as she edges to 30. She is also accepting donations, so if you have any wayward items that may aid her – let her know!

Will she make it? Want to help? Stay tuned! – http://dooraexploring.blogspot.com