The purpose of this guide is to give newbies, and idiots, some ideas of what role playing on Desolation is like, and also to give the more experienced players something to think about. Although the idea of role-playing a fictional character might seem easy to the more experienced role-players, a lot of newbies tend to get frustrated. We're here to help..

Role-playing, or rping, is when a player role-plays the part of a certain character. On Desolation, there are several roles for your player to assume. From a happy go lucky ranger to a no-good Badlander; or from a deadly mercenary to a fanatic cult member, it is all up to you and your little fantasies!

However, it must be noted that players are not allowed to role-play to characters that are completely out of theme with the rest of the world.. Since this is a mud based on a post-nuclear holocaust desert environment, it is not fitting to have saber-wielding Jedi or someone trying to become the Pokemon Training Master.

As mentioned above, your character should be in theme with the rest of the world. Just in case you have never played it, we will give you a brief run-down of the main types of characters and factions that you can role-play as. You can find more information on these guilds in "The Guilds" section. *

Desert Rangers: The famed Desert Rangers are the "good-guys" who feel compelled to help other survivors of the nuclear holocaust to rebuilt and live in peace.

Badland Originals: The Badlanders are the outcasts of the Desert. They have a lot of fun thrashing towns up.

Association of Irradiated Mercenaries: Soldiers who kill for money. If you want somebody to die, call one.

*There are also other possibilities, like playing as a civilian or as a member of a cult. However, if this is your first time on here, it is advised you to join one of these "main-stream" guilds and learn from the more-experienced players.

After you have chosen the type of character that you wish to role-play as, you should do a rough-sketch of what your character is like. After all, how are you going to role-play if you do not even know your character yourself? There are several things that you should consider.

First of all, what is the goal of your character? Money? Love? Power? Or maybe just food and shelter? Does your character want to climb through the ranks of the rangers' chart quickly, or does he want to become a powerful gangster? Or is your character a pilgrim searching for the truth? These are the simple things that you should consider before you start-off.

Also, you should come up with some personalities or even hobbies. Such as a Ranger that may have a bad temper and like to drink when he is off duty, or that a "bad-ass" Badlander may actually have a good heart deep inside. Or maybe a mercenary is actually a very good musician?

Of course, you may never have to show a certain habit that your character might have, but if you spend the time to "fill the character up", it will merge into your role-playing, making your character seems more alive. As you go on, and as things happen, you will add bits and pieces to your character. For example, chatting with other character might get you to "think on the spot" and reveal parts of your character that you didn't even know were there.

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There are quite a few important things that you should know about when you play your character.

First of all, remember that when you are playing you should always "stay in-character". That means you should not talk about out-of-character things such as football or movies when you are in character. If you really need to talk about such things, use "ooc" or "gossip".

Another important thing is that you should maintain some emotional distance between you and your character. Always note that there is a fine line drawn between virtual reality and actual reality, and that the successes or losses of your character are not yours.

As you play, your character is bound to have setbacks, just like in real life we all have good and bad days. So what happens if your character fails miserably and has his/her life totally destroyed? Well, remember that you are not really your character and have a good laugh at the poor sucker. As a matter of fact, I have seen people who enjoy thrashing the lives of their characters up just for entertainment.

Always remember that whatever you see when you type score are just variables, and that you shouldn't fuss over them. Just role-play your character - and have fun.

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What most people like about role-playing on muds is the interaction between different characters. A good role-playing season is like watching live improvisational theater. You never know what is going to happen next, but you are in control of everything at the same time. Well, not everything… as your buddies will probably have other ideas than you do. So, it is up to all of you to try to push the little scene forward and express yourselves.

Also, when you are interacting with other characters, keep in mind that there are always "real people" behind them - people who are merely role-playing those characters. Always keep in mind that while your character might hate another character with all his guts, you and the person controlling the bastard might actually have a lot in common in real life! Don't take his character's insults too seriously. And just remember, respect other players. If you respect others, they might just respect you!

Also, remember that role-playing sessions do _NOT_ always have to end in bloodshed. True, you might be a Ranger and the punk is a Badlander - but you don't always have to pull your gun out! And one thing: do NOT multi-kill. It is one of the worst role-playing that can ever happen on the mud. If you really feel that it is necessary to kill another character, once is enough.

And what happens if you really need to "settle" something with another player? Well, my advice to you is - take it to "The Pit"

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When they first play on a mud, many newbies complain that they have a hard time trying to fit-in. Everybody else seems so big and well-equipped, and have their noses pointed towards the sky. Well, here's the solution: role-play! A good role-player does not need to wait for an old player to come and use a pick-up line on him/her! They try to create situations instead of wait for them!

Here are some examples of what you could do to attract attention: Make a background up and request some in-character help. Perhaps you are a farm-boy who has come to the Ranger Center to join the mighty Desert Rangers? Or perhaps you are a naïve girl looking for a job? Or maybe you just got robbed and lost all your possessions? The possibilities are endless!

As you play on, you will learn that it is always be good to be provocative. And no, I don't mean you should wear provocative clothing and try to pick everybody up. What I mean is that you should create little scenarios to interact with other players. For example, report to your superiors and ask for an assignment if you are a Ranger, or walk into a bar and play the handsome stud, etc. Just be natural, and before you know it you will be role-playing like a pro! Or something similar.

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(Taken from a post Armrha made on the Ranger board)

First of all, quit killing your families off in your descs. Families are good roleplaying material. You can be working to help your farmer family survive it out in the wastes. Your family doesn't have to be dead, you can still visit them, etc. Just say that's what your doing in those vast periods of time you're quit at, or whatever. Bare in mind not to go have farmer families now because I said this, try to think of interesting things. Now, one other things. You guys never establish any base or anything when entering or seeing someone enter a room. When someone enters a room, telling them where you are in the room should be the first thing you should do. That way, it establishes better player contact. Like, for example:

Cliff enters.

Rynthas is laying in the hammock, sipping water.
Armrha is under an old jalopy in the corner, working.
Treis is holding up the Jalopy for Armrha.

Bear in mind these would only be acceptable if they were in a room where there was a table, a hammock, and a Jalopy. Make what your char is doing specific to the room. Always be thinking about how the mud would correlate to a real life. It may sound like much, but you'll get use to it, or have your brain removed. Not really, but I'll be upset. Remember what I have said, and take heed. By picturing a real scene in your mind, you'll be able to have much more complex situations. Watch, here's another example.

(We are in a Ranger Center hallway)

Ranger Center Foyer
You are standing in the Ranger Center's foyer. There is no furniture. There are no paintings hanging on the concrete walls. There is no receptionist to greet you, although you do spy a few cameras behind clear plexiglass-covered alcoves on the south wall. There are no elaborate light fixtures, only a bare, bright lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. There are, however, two doors leading deeper into the halls of Ranger Center, and a map on the east wall. The north double doors stand below a sign that reads, "Exit." An open elevator shaft beckons you from the west wall. A map of the ground level of Ranger Center can be seen behind bullet-proof glass on the east wall.
An old clock hangs on the wall.
Armrha the Revenant Argent is here.
Rangerdagg the General is here.

Rynthas enters.

(Here, Rynthas emotes his entrance to establish how he came in.)

Rynthas slowly steps into the room, his footsteps echoing throughout the halls.

Armrha is leaning with one arm on the vending machine, chatting with Rangerdagg.
Rangerdagg gesticulating wildly with his hands, as if trying to express something to Armrha.

Armrha says: But the world can't change. Not back to the way it was. There's no chance.
Rangerdagg nods, but continues: But we can do our best to try to bring life back into it. Such a desolate place out there, it drives me crazy!" He yells.
Armrha pauses, thinking, but then says "What will the actions of the few have on the many, though?"

(You see the method of communication? By using emotes to talk, you can fit an action in there to say how or what you are doing when you speak...)

Rynthas stops, quietly watching the discussion from about five feet.
Rangerdagg sighs, and speaks, "If everyone thought that, nothing would ever get done. We have to take the initiative. We may not see the results in our lifetime, but we have to do what's right."
Armrha grumbles, and says, "We have no right to judge what is right or wrong. And if we aren't going to see the result, it ain't worth doing, and your a fool if you think it is." Armrha turns to Rynthas. "What the hell are you staring at?" He remarks rudely.
Rynthas raises his hands in a calming motion. "Just listening. Interesting topic. You rangers frequently discuss philosophy?" He snickers.
Rangerdagg looks exasperated, and walks away...

Anyway, you can see the difference between roleplaying and what you guys normally do. Well, try using my hints, and good luck

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To sum this lengthy guide up, here is a list of some "Do"s and "Don't"s for you:

DO NOT:

DO:

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