Welcome to RPoL. :)
Take a look at the
FAQs and
Help links in the top right of each screen first. Both contain useful information about how to use the site.
If you still have any specific things you're not sure of, then come back here and ask (it's easier for people to help if they know exactly what you need help with).
If you want to find a game, go here:
link to "Wanted - Players" That is where GMs advertise their games. At the top of the ad will be an information box containing the name of the game (which acts as a link), the categories it is listed under, when the last post was made in it, and it's rating, if it has one (only applies to Adult or Mature rated games).
Or you could try placing an ad of your own here:
link to "Wanted - GMs", which is where players advertise for games they'd like to join. Even if your ideal game doesn't exist, an ad here might persuade somebody to create it.
When you find a game that you like the look of, then go check it out, paying attention to any threads that explain how to join or how to create a character. In the top part of the screen, within a game, you'll find a link saying
Request Access (right next to the RPoL logo). Click on that and sell yourself to the GM: tell him you want to join, explain your character idea, tell him what experience you have of gaming. And be polite. :)
You will find that many GMs are happy to help beginners out when they join a game, both with game rules, and with using site functions
Meanwhile, if you just want to chat while you get a feel for the site, there is this place:
link to "Community Chat"- a board similar to this one, where people just go to talk about (almost) anything.
Note that at the top of most of the public forums, there is a Notice thread, containing the rules of that particular forum. It's a good idea to read these, as it may save problems later.
Hope this helps you get started. Good luck.
