Heya Stormtrooper 1026,
My explanation of role-playing will undoubtedly seem very tedious, boring and complex, but hopefully some other individuals who have played in a RPG before will provide you with more efficient definitions later on.
Role-Playing (RP) is essentially what you are doing right now in the Vast Empire. You are simulating that you are another person (in your case, an Imperial stormtrooper) who is in another time and in another universe (Star Wars galaxy). You are acting out, or as motion picture actors would be say "playing the role of", a fictional character. You may be thinking right now, "But don't we already do that on the StoryNet?" The answer to that question is no. The primary difference between simulating your fictional Star Wars character in a Vast Empire Role-Playing Game and writing about his/her deeds on the VE StoryNet is that the VE RPG is conducted in a real-time mIRC enviroment using a pre-defined turn-based system instead of in a continuous non-regulated episodic forum thread. Also, the level of creativity by the players/contributors on the VE Storynet is severely decreased at the beginning of the VE RP game/scenario. On the StoryNet, you decide basically where your character is, what he/she is wearing, he/she feels and what items he/she are equipped with. In a Vast Empire Role-Playing Game on mIRC, the Game Master (Sesswanna or myself), decides all the latter variables at the beginning of the game. We specify where you are at the start of a game, how you feel, what you are equipped with, etc. As the game progresses, you slowly assume more control over these factors based on the decisions you make (i.e. If you decide to have your character engage in a Tatooine cantina brawl with a Dug, chances are you will not be feeling too good afterwards and your attire may be torn or ripped).
Here is a modified excerpt from the "Star Wars Role Playing Game" sourcebook by Wizards of the Coast on what RPG'ing is: "It [a role-playing game] is a game of your imagination, where you tell stories through the use of pre-determined rules and assume roles of main characters in the story. The story is like a movie, except all the action occurs within your imagination. There is no script to the movie except a rough outline used by the Game Master. The Game Master is the director and special effects designer, deciding what the story is about and taking on the roles of all the other characters whom the human players do not control -- the villains, the extras, the special guest stars. The Game Master also keeps track of the rules, interprets the outcome of the action and describes what happens. Together, the players and the Game Master create a story and everybody has a great time."
Now, what all that optimistic claptrap boils down to is basically this: Several members of the Vast Empire log onto #VE_RPG located on the irc.nassery.org server using mIRC. The Game Master (Sesswanna or myself) sets up a scenario. Using this scenario, each VE member who is particpating in the game is allowed one turn to perform certain actions with his character.
A sample of the mIRC text during a game/scenario would look like this:
<`Game-Master> Colonel Anakin and Major Talon were captured by Rebel troops who assaulted a Lambda-class shuttle that they were aboard. They now are are in a filthy prison cell on an unknown planet. Their goal is to overpower their guards, escape and return to the Vast Empire capital planet.
<`Game-Master> ANAKIN >>
<`Anakin> How far am I from Talon?
<`Game-Master> Despite your cell being dimly lit, you are able to see Talon three feet away from you. Both of you are bound and gagged.
<`Anakin> Do I have anything in my pockets?
<`Game-Master> Before you were rendered unconscious by a Rebel trooper, you had a copy of the Galactic Penthouse magazine in the inner-breast pocket of your uniform and a hydrospanner in the back pocket of your trousers.
<`Game-Master> TALON >>
<`Talon> Do I hear any guards nearby?
As the story unfolds, the outcome is determined by --
1) your decisions regarding your fictional character within the scenario
2) the skills/attributes of your fictional character (which is determined by his/her rank/position within the VE)
3) The Wizards of the Coast d20 RPG rules
4) a simple mIRC dice script which is rolled to decide events
You may also eventually want to have certain items/equipment that you fictional character may always use at the start of a VE Role-Playing Game. You may do choose these items by buying them from Imperial Center store which Fury runs.
I know my drawn-out explanation is hardly a complete one, but if you are still confused -- perhaps even more so after reading my rambling reply -- I recommend you visit the
What is Role-Playing? d20 defintion webpage and the
Wizards of the Coast website.
I shall ask Sesswanna to reply to this thread as soon as possible since he has been role-playing for over a decade and will give you a much clearer explanation than I may ever hope to provide.
[This message has been edited by
Spartacus
(edited September 15, 2001
7:30:50 PM)]
[This message has been edited by
Spartacus
(edited September 15, 2001
7:30:50 PM)]
[This message has been edited by
Spartacus
(edited September 15, 2001
7:30:50 PM)]
[This message has been edited by
Spartacus
(edited September 15, 2001
7:30:50 PM)]
