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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gorgon Zee" data-source="post: 9466664" data-attributes="member: 75787"><h3>What Part Does the Role Play in the Role-Playing Game?</h3>Well, for me, usually a significant, but not overwhelming one. It's certainly not the be-all and end-all. For me, the reason I play and run RPGs is because they are fun. So if there was one absolute, top-level rule for me, it would be "be excellent to all the other participants". With respect to role play this means:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I respect the group's desires. Nothing is more annoying than having a group that wants to roll dice, kick down doors and beat up monsters ... and has one player who wants to question the innkeeper about where he sources the spices for his omelettes. Equally annoying is having the one player who keeps interrupting the investigative action to discover who the real owner of the mansion is to go and start shooting people. I haven't seen this mentioned in this thread, but I'd strongly suggest that a good rule would be: Don't be the outlier in the group -- role-play roughly in the amount the rest of the group does. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Roleplay in a way that is enjoyable to others. This is the opposite of the classic annoyance "But my paladin wouldn't do that" or "my kender couldn't resist that" . You are not the only one playing the game -- you are part of a group. If your roleplaying makes it hard for others to enjoy the game, then stop. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Share. Roleplaying a loner is fine, assuming you follow the above rules, but it's better to role-play in a way that builds on and supports the roleplaying of others. Think of ways to play roles that makes others' ability to play roles easier and more rewarding.</li> </ul>I've seen others post about how the game is all about their character behaving in the way they naturally would. That's great as a general rule, but these games are about a group -- my feeling is strongly that the roleplaying aspect is subservient to supporting group dynamics. Where they clash, role-playing should come second not first.In my perfect game, I'd spend maybe 40% of the time roleplaying, 25% in a narrative mode (inventing details and story from an authorial stance), 25% resolving actions and other rule-based stuff and 10% joining in stupid OOC jokes and banter. But I'm happier fitting in with groupthink than making others fit my ideal.</blockquote>

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