Playing Your Cards

Alright, you have a backstory - an origin of your character for role-playing. Small “cards” of information to use in your journey. This has alot of potential as you meet and interact with other players.

Don’t show your hand just yet…

Avoid telling everything to everyone and do not give your entire history at one sitting. Just like in movies, books and tv - not everything is known at the beginning. This creates depth, mystery and healthy drama. There may be things your character may not want everyone to know. Telling too much can leave you without material later to use and to interact with. “Winging it” can be fun and preferred, just be able to keep up.

Take a hint from acting and storytelling. Let the “cards” fall slow and naturally as you role-play and grow as you interact with people over time. Good characters let this unfold via time. Chances are if you feel you are forcing, you are and need to slow down. mannerisms, dialogue and interactions play into the overall depth of your alter-ego.

Don’t assume everyone knows “you”. People meeting you for the first time -should- have no idea who you are. If you use a RP Addon like ImmersionRP or flagRSP2, a lengthy “history” and such will only be seen by those who have the program. The history is just a wall of text most will not take the time to read. Besides, you have to remember if they have just met you - how would they know any of this. So don’t get ill if someone does not call you by your title, or know that you have a 3″ scar on your backside in the shape of a murloc. *grin* Descriptions should be descriptions - not a encyclopedia entry.

Want people to know more about you? Get social, talk to people. Attend events in what manner your character would and act accordingly. Let you actions and words speak for you, not your Addon.

A good conversation is like a multi-course meal. Appetizer - Main Course - Dessert. Not all will fall into this, but in long conversations it’s good to think ahead. Just in eveyrday life, you can get interrupted, side-tracked or derailed.

Remember also that there are others to consider as well. One-sided conversations are just as bad in role-play as it is in the everyday life. Think of others and actually have a conversation. with the other person or group. It’s not all about you and be willing to share the “spotlight”. RP is not stage acting per se. It’s impromtu role-play.

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