Hello everyone,

Apart from some very limited Star Trek collaborative writing a decade and a half ago, my only RPing experience is in Efeds.
I am of course aware that there this thing called D&D but I know next to nothing about it.

So ... could someone show me the ropes a bit. It seems, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the free form games are pretty much collaborative writing games.
Not sure that's my cup of tea/hipflask of vodka right now.

I'd actually like to get into something a bit more structured, like the aforementioned D&D. What would be a good way to start ... I guess jump right in would just piss people off ... so, how?

thanks in advance

Fiji

Generally, we just jump right in.

There are a ton of different systems, many with various editions. Some are very complex, others rather simple.

You might want to surf the interwebs for some quickstart rules or an srd for any system that looks intriguing. That would give you some idea of the jargon, etc. Wikis about the system would also provide some background.

Many GMs here welcome beginners and are happy to help and teach. Some do not. A GM running a less popular system (not DnD) may have more inclination to include a newbie. Be up front about your skill level and you should find a game soon.

Welcome, Fiji!

There are lots and lots of different game systems for roleplaying.  Don't let that scare ya - most of them are easy enough to get your head around enough to play.  Sooner or later you'll find what does it for ya, and off you'll go.



The ropes?  I burned myself on those when I first started out.  Sure, I can show ya around.

Start Here:

RPoL Help (more especially those topics relating to Site Policies...)  That information helps you get acquainted with how the rules and the tools work.  RPoL has one of the best roleplaying toolkits anywhere.

If you eventually decide to play or run a game as Game Master/Dungeon Master/Referee/Grand Imperial Poobah, then the help for Games is must-read material.

Please pay attention in Site Policies to Adult and Mature Games policies, and the Multiple Account Policy (short version:  don't do this ever.  Multiple accounts can get you in trouble double-quick.)



D & D is more fantasy RP than, say, Star Trek, but that's your call entirely.  There's lots to see and do here.

My advice?  Hang out in Community Chat for a while (after reading the Notices there first) and just read a few topics.  Get a feel for the flow, and post after you are more comfortable with things.  There's no rush.

When you're up to speed and voltage, and ready to try playing, look for games in:

Wanted - Players (where GMs advertise their games to players)

Wanted - GMs     (where players advertise for GMs willing to run games they want to play.)

Game Proposals, Input, and Advice - this forum is for folks intending to run games to gauge interest, and get input and advice on how to start their new game.  It's a great place to get in on the ground floor of a new game's development phase.

As with any other forums here at RPoL, it's a good idea to read any Notices before posting because each forum has its own particular rules suited to a well-defined purpose.

You know - do all the things I failed to do when starting out. (Don't worry, I took my lumps and learned, knothead that I am.)  I'm sure you won't make nearly as many errors starting out as I did.

Trying my hand at a walking dead RPG as we speak/write!




Yeah, I noticed a few ... what's it called ... Marvel Heroes games looking for players. But it's the current batch of copycat heroes. I rather prefer the old batch ... Spiderman, Wolverine, the savage version of the Hulk, Thor, Kitty Pride, ...

Still, baby steps, what!

So many rules! Lighten up, people!
Nah, it's ok, I've seen more than one forum/site ripped apart by people who felt entitled to more than the others. That never goes well.



Aye, I'm old enough to remember the D&D cartoons (even if that was only tangentially related to the game ... but it served as a sample of the sort of game D&D is)
Hell, I'm old enough to remember the satanic panic ... so, yeah, I know the sort of setting D&D plays in.



Oh, I don't know ... I'm quite the dunderhead, rest assured. There a reason my main character in the efed has "dumber than most plant life" as a tagline.

thanks for the info!