What is Roleplay? Episode Seven

Role-playing is not optional on a RP-PVP server.

Like many I was caught up in this weekends post-patch fervour to grind Emblems of Conquest. We ran a massive slew of Heroics to that purpose. After which I put on my favourite robe and waited in Elwynn Forest for the chance to kick someone’s ass.

While I was sitting on the fence, like Elves do for reasons known only to us, another 80th level character came strolling along, bristling with armour and weapons.

One of the aspiring heroes ran up and told him; ‘Good evening!’

To which he replied; ‘Fag’. And then rode off.

A few minutes later this same arrogant person put out a message on the general channel:

‘Anyone want any help with Hogger while I am here?’

I couldn’t resist replying; ‘You and what army?’

This bought some sniggers on the general channel and the angry reply:

‘F****king roleplayers! I won’t be laughed at by some kid who thinks he is his character!’

I might usefully add that the speaker was from a guild once considered the elite of our server. But in those days elite also meant friendly and helpful.

If you’ve been following this blog, you will have noticed a broad and encouraging attitude to defining role-play. Thus far I have:

Looked at role-play in terms of developing character.

Encouraged people not to break character for the purposes of arguing about role-play in game.

Invited everyone to consider themselves as role-players. You don't have to sit in the tavern chewing over the old days. But you should try to stay in character.

You may or may not agree with my definitions. However, role-playing is not optional on a RP or RP-PVP Server.

Some confusion exists about the definition of RP-PVP. I will make it very, very simple to understand. A RP-PVP server is a RP server. With PVP active.

Anyone who disagrees and thinks it is either/or can try two experiments to check:

Read Blizzards own definition. It is very clear.

Go and stand outside an enemy city.

It will soon become clear that neither RP nor PVP are optional.