Hi, I'm Landon and Id like to get into role playing. I think I have the general idea of what role playing is but I don't know how to do it. I don't know things like what I will need to join a game, how the different systems work, and how are the games structured.

The primary thing you need is imagination.  You will put yourself into a character and decide what actions you believe the character would make in given situations.  Look for games that are in genres that you read or like to watch.  Most of the GMs will be glad to help you thru the beginning process.

Hello Landon and welcome to our community. Make sure you read the FAQs so you know the rules and customs, but don't fear the moderators, they're here to make things run smoothly.

Roleplaying in essence is exactly what Nazid said, assuming a character appropriate to the setting and describing the character's actions. Around a table, it's done verbally, but here we do it in written posts. In free-form games that's all there is to it. The outcome of each player character's actions is determined by the GM or sometimes by consensus.

Formalized game mechanics can be very simple or very complicated, but mostly somewhere between. There are dozens of different rule sets or systems, each with its own ins and outs. Most are available for purchase in pdf form and many have free sets of rules, often just the basics, but sometimes an entire book. Some systems require just a single book, others have dozens. Some exist in a single edition, others have had successive iterations. Many have a basic set of rules with many supplements for various settings. Sometimes GMs are willing to instruct you from their own set, but it's usually good to have your own.

Every game on Rpol is run by a GM (or two or more) and it is up to the GM whether you are accepted into a game. This is achieved by the RtJ (Request to Join) process, which is different for every game. You need to find a game or two that looks like fun and follow the GM's RtJ to try to get on board.

Have fun!

Freeform games are just like the games of make-believe you played as a kid - cowboys and indians, cops and robbers, princes and princesses, etc. You simply agree what happens.

Dice based games are like the structured games you played as a kid - Monopoly, Risk, Snakes and ladders, or tabletop wargames. You'll have a set of rules to learn, but the Game Master (GM) will show you the ropes. The outcome depends partly on your wishes and partly on the luck of the dice.

Yep, we're all still kids here - long may it last. :)