Greetings!  I'm completely new to RPGs but have really been itching for something more immersive and serious than board games, card games, and miniatures games.

The thing is, I don't quite understand how these games are played.  I have looked through some of the Help topics and FAQs, but I don't understand how actual gameplay takes place.

I looked through some other posts from newcomers and there were some nice replied about people here being happy to help out the new folks.

So!!!  Would playing in these games require that I pick up some rule books to understand the particular system being used?  I have applied for access to a couple games and stated that the GM would need to be willing to help bring me along.

I'm 33 years old, love gaming, have no brothers or sons (2 daughters though) and have been a bit of a loner gamer most of my life.  Most of my game enjoyment these days comes from solo board games, or adapting board games to be played solo, or playing chess online.  I have always loved Warhammer Fantasy and really enjoyed the old Star Wars CCG from Decipher back in the day.  And for long, drawn-out, complex games I have enjoyed playing VGA planets.

Cheers!

In reply to Vase (msg # 1):

It depends on the GM, some GMs require you to know about the system and have your own books right off the bat, others will hand-hold you through what you need doing (although that is rarer).

Some games don't need books, free-form has either no or minimal rules and involves more RP without as much on the mechanics side.  Some games sit between free-form and mechanical, like the God Games here on RPoL that have a more open narrative, but still rely on rules to work (but the rules are posted in the game itself and anyone could pick them up).

In reply to Vase (msg # 1):

Hiya Vase, and welcome to RPol.

The answer to your question is almost as complex as the question itself, but I'll give it a shot.

TTRPGs (Tabletop Rolplaying Games) are played in one of two ways: With a mechanics system or without.

The "with" versions are things like DnD, FATE, Call of Cthulu, Anima, etc. and tend to be classified as either 'Dice Systems,' where at least a portion of the game calls for rolling dice in varying numbers (like 7 six-sided dice, abbreviated 7d6), or diceless, where there are specific rules and perhaps even stats, but no dice are actually rolled (Amber is the only example I know of).

The "without" are typically called 'Free-form.' Free-form simply means there are no established stats, and typically only the bare minimum of rules (things like: you can't post the actions or reactions of another player; you may not change the weather; etc.).

On RPol (or at least form what I've seen) there's a healthy mix of the two available.

If you're looking for the 'traditional' tabletop experience (a.k.a. Dungeons & Dragons) then you'll need rulebooks, and typically someone to help you out with the system (and there is a lot of help available here ;), no worries about that). If you prefer free-form, then all you need are the rules of the game.

tl;dr: If the game is using a particular system, then yes, you should get the books and do yourself (and your GM) a favor. ^_^

Many systems have a 'Players' Handbook' of some sort that will suffice to play in someone else's game, or a single rulebook with everything you need to play. A lot of systems these days are available as pdf's (ideal for saving shelf space and/or hiding the amount of your purchases from the spouse ;p). E-versions are almost always cheaper than print as well.

There are increasing numbers of distaff participants in the hobby these days (Thank God), so keep your daughters and wife in mind if you get the itch to run something. My daughter (after watching my group play for several years) wanted to play. I started her and her friends in a regular group at about ten, by 13 she was going to the Origins Games Fair with me, and by 16 she was running her own table at the convention. She's almost 30 now and we're planning this year's trip.

Have fun!

I'm also very new to rpgs. I came on this site, around a month ago to try and find Dungeon & Dragons 5th edition games but then I got introduced to Pathfinder. You could check it out. Its one of the most popular rpg systems AND its open source. All the rules, everything you need to play it is freely available on the internet. All you have to do is take some time to learn the system. Check the links

Here;
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/gettingStarted.html

And here;
http://www.d20pfsrd.com

And heres a Video Tutorial Series for newbies to rpgs like you and me: https://youtu.be/77nb34DB6Gs