It happens that reality seems too dull and boring, and I want to escape to a fantasy world. Probably everybody had such a feeling at least once. However, there are people who have turned their fantasies and creative energy into a serious hobby. Let's try to figure out who the role-player is, what he does and what rules exist in this seemingly easy task.
What is a roleplayer?
Perhaps, the representatives of this movement themselves can best tell about what a role player means. For them, it is rather a way of life, a way of thinking, than something else. If you ask an avid roleplayer why he is engaged in this seemingly frivolous affair, this person will be very surprised and may even be offended, because for him everything that lives in the imagination is no less real than everyday life.
The main thing that distinguishes real roleplayers is their love for stories, legends, and especially for reading. But just to see on the pages what someone else came up with is not enough for them. Gathered together, like-minded people try, if possible, to translate the stories invented by themselves into reality, to feel like characters.
If you also would like to plunge into the world of fantasy and are wondering “how to become a role player”, you need to remember: this is not an easy task and requires a lot of expenses (both time and financial resources). If you are not ready to devote yourself entirely to the Game, then you will not succeed in becoming a true role player, but you can at least try it first.
How did the role movement appear?
The movement of roleviks originated at the sunset of the USSR. It was 1989, and at one of its congresses, science fiction writers decided at that time to discuss the almost unknown to Russians, but the cult novel in the West by J. R. R. Tolkien, entitled The Lord of the Rings. The congress participants liked this work so much that it was decided to beat some events in the book in the form of a costume show.
Writers set to work with all the creativity and energy that is inherent in the people of this profession. The idea was successful, and therefore it was decided: why not repeat it the next year? But science fiction writers could not stop there, infecting their friends and associates with the idea of winning back book events. So the role movement of an avalanche spread throughout the country, and its participants began to be called Tolkienists.
If the inhabitants of that time were asked who the role-player or the Tolkienist was, most of them would have twisted their fingers at the temple and told about strange young guys running through forests and groves in obscure clothes and hobbling with sticks. And the whole thing was the widespread poverty of the people and the inability to make high-quality costumes and props. Over time, the situation has changed, and now there are many role-playing clubs, in which they seriously engage in this fun, even attract sponsors and professionals (trainers, sewing and gunmaking craftsmen).
Field role-playing games
The first thing that comes to mind when answering the question "who is a role player" is a man in armor / costume of an elf / gnome / orc / other evil spirits, with a sword or bow in his hands, somewhere in the country forest, playing like-minded people for several days selected character. This is where role-playing games began and what captivates many in our time.
Having decided to participate in field roles, you need to understand very clearly what exactly you are subscribing to. Each such game is a whole event for which you may have to prepare for at least six months. What does it cost only to make a realistic costume that meets the canons of the story being played (be it a fantasy game based on the works of Tolkien, or a reconstruction of real historical events). And if your character is a warrior, then it is advisable to also make realistic weapons.
Usually role-playing games are held for several days and most often outside the city, so participants need to be able to allocate a certain amount of time for this. But all costs are offset by the opportunity to feel like a real participant in the recouped events. For the sake of the emotions received from this, many people are ready to become role-players.
Text role-playing games
It happens that a person does not have the desire or ability to join people who can be described as a “typical role-player,” but he still would like to plunge into an imaginary world. With the spread of the Internet, and in particular forums, these couch potatoes have a chance to fulfill their dream.
Forum, or text, role-playing games - this is a roleplay of the selected plot not in a real situation, but in the form of text. Players seem to write their own book, in which each of them is a certain character.
Before starting a text role, everyone wants to choose a character (existing or their own) for themselves and fill out a questionnaire on it (usually it consists of questions about the name, appearance, character of the character and test post so that the organizer can evaluate the player’s potential).
When roles are distributed, the game itself begins. Participants describe the actions of their heroes, improvise and interact with other players, move the story forward with their actions. If the plot reaches a tipping point or disputes arise, the organizer directs the situation in a certain direction.
Roles "VKontakte"
Now it’s hard to find a person who has not heard about social networks or is not registered in one of them. One of the most widespread in Russia was the VKontakte platform, and the role movement could not ignore this fact.
Who is the roleplayer VKontakte? This is a person who, using a popular social network, is looking for like-minded people. In any of the many groups, you can throw a cry about finding partners for future games or just chat with those who do not need to explain what a role player is. In contact with such people you can always have a good time.
Tips for Beginners
What should I do if I couldn’t find a suitable role for myself, but I want to feel like a hero of a fairy tale? There is only one way out - to create your own game. This is not difficult to do if you follow a few tips.
1. Find a source of inspiration. The simplest thing is to re-read old classic tales or myths.
2. Give the players a maneuver for action, because role-playing is not a spectacle, and all its charm is improvisation. Let the participants agree among themselves, and if disputes arise, act decisively.
3. Invent players to unexpected obstacles. Role-players are people with imagination, and therefore it will be interesting for them to get out of unexpected situations.
How to make your role play popular?
So, now, having figured out who the role player is, and having come up with a story that I would like to play, you need to interest others in your idea and support the game for as long as possible. How to do it?
1. Find the original story, according to which there are not too many role-playing games. Then more players will be able to join you.
2. Give participants the opportunity to invent their own characters. After all, it often happens that the most interesting are occupied immediately, and no one wants to take on the role of secondary ones.
3. Often move the plot forward so that the game does not turn into a stagnant swamp.