Hi there.

DemonicClaymore here (you can just call me Clay). I'm new to the site and, as it states in the subject, I also happen to be new to this kind of role playing.

I have played tabletop DnD with a group of friends once before, but I moved away before things got too interesting. I have done live action roleplays with my lover and some of my friends (mostly improv stuff) and I have roleplayed online in improv prose fiction groups, both one-on-one and in larger groups. However, I have only ever done something similar to online tabletop RPing once, and that experience was cut short as well.

I understand that there is a game master (GM) who runs the RP game and that dice rolls occur at various times similarly as it happens in DnD games. I've also seem some player cards around with all kinds of stat information.

Are there set rules to the character sheets? Game-to-Game or General?

Also, is there a way to tell which games are set up for newbies?

Is there a cheat sheet for any aspect of gaming or the site anywhere?

In addition, what is the best way to communicate with GMs or other players of a game I'm in or want to be in to gather more information or give them alerts about my availability or other such things?

Those are the first questions I have about this site.

As for me,

• I love M and M+(adult content) RPs. I enjoy fantasy, high-fantasy, sci-fi and horror genera the most.
• I really enjoy being able to write out longer (2-6 paragraph) descriptions and actions, but I don't mind shorter posts either. A game where the post size can vary as it becomes appropriate is my preference. I just tend to write a lot and I've had other players get upset with me in the past over it, so I like to warn people ahead of time and look for longer post games.
• I prefer to play male characters but I can easily play females.
• I am very GBLT+ friendly!
• I prefer to play characters between 10-30, but I can play younger or older.
• I can make world maps, floor plans, and character sheets as I am a trained game artist. (Went to school for two years before I had to quit for financial reasons.)I tend to make at least a little fan art for role plays I'm part of that I really like, when I have the time mind you.
• I am male, 24, and self-employed full time as a independent contractor for creative media (a fancy way to say I write and draw for a living). Still, my spouse tends to assist me with edits, so I apologize in advance for any misspellings, grammar boo boos, or general mistakes. I always try to do my best, but I only triple check work for my clients or for publication and I rarely catch everything.
• I do NOT enjoy playing with individuals who do not have at least a general understanding of reading and writing. I ask that my GMs and other players always use full sentences (unless it is a creative fragment for a specific purpose or in dialogue) and that they don't "L33T" speak. I am a simple man and I do not understand most L33T speakers. I just don't. I mean, individuals having personal conversations can do whatever. I just do not enjoy trying to RP with someone who doesn't meet these criteria as it usually takes me far to long to decipher what they are trying to get across. Sorry. ^^; Other than that, I'm not hugely picky about writing styles.
• I do not like playing with pushy players who have to be the center of attention when it is inappropriate, post constantly out of turn, or any of the other annoying things I'm sure I don't have to explain to most individuals on this site.

It's nice to meet you all in advance! Feel free to ask me anything or share anything you think might be useful or interesting. I can't wait to start chatting and maybe getting into a game around here. :)

Thanks for reading!

Hi Clay.

This site comprises some discussion forums (which you have evidently found) and many individual games. You can search for games using the system at the bottom of the Main Menu (aka home page) or you can go to the Players Wanted Forum. If you have an idea that you'd like a GM to run for you, you can go to the GMs Wanted Forum.

Each GM is master of his/her own game, just as in tabletop play. They decide on the rules, the houserules, the plot, and everything else. They also decide whether or not to accept you as a player. When you Request To Join (RTJ) someone's game, you are effectively knocking on their front door and asking to come in and play. If you find that your likes and dislikes are shared (or at least tolerated) by the GM and other players you'll have fun, if not, your only option is to RTJ another game. Eventually you'll settle with a bunch of like-minded players.

There are no Rpol-wide character sheets or anything else. Each game is unique. Rpol is like a gaming convention with many games running on separate tables. Pick a table and ask to join in.

The only way to see if games are accepting of newbies is to RTJ and ask the GM.

Each GM will set up their games in their own way. They may have an absence thread, or an OOC (Out Of Character) chat thread for player-GM or Player-Player communication. All games have a facility for Private Messages.

The main place to get info about the site is the FAQ tab at the top right of your page. Read this carefully, there are many ways to trip up here.

Enjoy.

In reply to icosahedron152 (msg # 2):

Thank you so very much for all of this information. I've been reading through the FAQ and HELP sections of the site and I think I started to pick up on some of these things by doing so, but having your message to reinforce some things and clarify others I feel much more confident to get started already! Thank you.

I think you'll find a good game Clay. RPol has some very well spoken writers on it. Be patient and keep looking until you find want you want!