Thelanis Thursdays

[Merlask]

Thelanis Thursdays
The Night When RPers Reign

I thought this might help out the players to have an 'organized' roleplaying night. A scheduled/set night that covers the following bases:

• RPing guilds looking to fill out their in-character groups/raids
• Help new roleplaying arrivals to the server connect with other roleplayers for in-character fun in the dungeons and around the city
• Existing unguilded RPers to satisfy their roleplaying itch
• Players who typically are OOC in game to try out roleplaying in the game
• Players who are in non-roleplaying guilds to go take a spin in in-characterness for a 'break' from all that power gaming and grinding

HOW DOES IT WORK


Step 1 - On Thursday nights (Get it... Thelanis Thursdays?), log into a character that you plan on roleplaying with. Some folks maintain one character they RP with, and one they don't. Others just have nights they RP and don't with one character or many. However you do it, load in that character.

Step 2 - Either
A) Make a group and in your LFM message put "Roleplaying - In Character Run Only" or something of that nature so that other players KNOW up front that you are roleplaying that night.
or
B) Put a note on your /who that lets people know you want to Roleplay that night

Step 3 - If you're not yet in the dungeon or in group, interact with others around the city. Don't get down if another player doesn't take well to your rping with them... they might be new to the game or not in the mood to roleplay. Just move on to interact with the next player.

Optional Step 4 - Permanently or Temporarily modify your Bio to include the word (Roleplayer) in your bio so that when people inspect you, they can readily see that you are someone who will interact with them in character. This will help you as well, when you walk up to another player and inspect them, you can check their bio for the word 'roleplayer' to get an idea ahead of time if they'll be receptive to your in-character fun.

Step 5 - On your downtime between quests, grouped or ungrouped, visit the RPing hot beds:
The Phoenix Tavern (located in the market next to the bank)
The Market
The Harbor

The Phoenix has started to become a popular 'hang out' for the roleplayers, but be warned, there IS a PVP arena within it, and be prepaired for a certain amount of rowdy behavior revolving around that by non-rpers. Not in the mood to put up with the PVP antics? A nice back up tavern to roleplay in is the Rusty Nail, also located in the Market.

Step 6 - Enjoy the storytelling, the character development, meeting new roleplayers, and all the fun antics!

TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR THELANIS THURSDAY


Group Leaders:
- Just because you put a message in your LFM doesn't mean everyone always bothers to read it. There are players who just want ANY group they can get. When a name pops up in your que as someone who wants to join your group/raid, send them a tell first and try to interact with them in character, or at least speak with them out of character and let them know: this will be a roleplaying run. If one doesn't stay in character, you will drop them from the party. You don't have to be mean about it, just make the player aware. If the reaction you get is 'huh what are you talking about?' then they probably aren't going to mesh well with your rping group. Some players can be in character 'enough' to not detract from your experience, and that is all that is needed. Let them be warned that if they 'zerg,' if they spend all their time talking ooc or giving spoilers, etc, you will not tolerate it, and you are not afraid to reform the party.

- Have an idea of what you want to do when you start your quest. You might not know the specific quest, but at least be aware if you were planning to get XP, favor, loot or all three. Maybe you're flagging for the dragon? Maybe you just want to explore new content. All of this can be done, and in character, but it will go a LOT easier for you if you start your rping group with a game plan in mind ahead of time!

- Don't discredit 'odd' group combinations. Just because you don't have a cleric doesn't mean you can't pull off a quest/raid. Try combinations like:

• Multiple bards or healing spec bards
• Groups with a LOT of crowd control
• Groups with a high damage-per-second
• Try doing those quests on normal or hard instead of elite
• Try doing a quest that the entire party is very familiar with (you'd be surprised how much fun those 'old' quests are when suddenly you must present them in a very in-character way)

- Try to stay in character from the get go as you invite new members into your party. You will have much better results if you set a good example

- Check for players of the RPing guilds. Just because you don't see the appropriate level range logged in at the moment doesn't mean they don't have an alt that might not match what you're looking for! The following guilds are noted as having players readily available to RP with, and at all ends of the level spectrem:

Fellowship of the Golden Night
Crimson Nexus
Order of the Sword & Rose

as well as some role players lurking in

The Warforged Union
Order of the Wolf
The Sublime Permadeath Guild
Infamous Flaming Vagabonds
Umber Hulks
The Exploration Society
Blue Line
and I'm sure many more who hide their inner rper for fear of gettin called names by the other power gamers (and I would appriciate a response from guild leaders of guilds who have pockets of rpers within them who would be interested in participating)

Players:
- Keep a message in your bio that you are ready to roleplay. If you're not anon, put a player note on your /who that you are roleplaying that night. Look for groups with 'RPing' and 'Roleplaying' in the LFM.

- I realize Thursdays seem to be a popular night to do raids on server. Remember that raids can also be done in character, and in a way, are even more challenging. Imagine trying to explain to someone IN CHARACTER about how to 'run the bases' in the dragon raid. Raids have been beaten entirely in character by full roleplaying raids, so don't think because you're roleplaying that it can't be done!

- Don't expect all of the players to have voice chat to roleplay with. Some people are too shy to act out their character over the head set. Also, don't expect everyone to NOT use voice chat to roleplay. Some of us really enjoy rping over head set. It's a lot of fun to describe how you throw yourself in the path of a foe and another player etc, a type of rping that typing alone does not alot in the heat of battle. Don't discredit great story interaction that happens over headset. Just get a good consensus from the group on whether or not voice-chat rping will be or won't be ok.

- Be patient if you've never tried in game rping before. Runs take more time because you're bothering to interact with one another. I find voice-chat rping groups move pretty fast because you don't bother to stop and type everything, but in groups where you're not able to do that, you must be patient. Not everyone types 90 words per minute.

- Interact with the players and the world. The more into it you are, the more fun you will have, and the more other players will add to that fun! How boring is it to simply say 'I am tired, now I must rest. I have rested, now we must move on. There is a trap' compaired to the cool interactions you can have such as pondering what it is that those trolls are cooking, or why someone is terrified of water, or other interesting tidbits.

- Be careful with your interaction! You might think it is the coolest thing ever to make a Barbarian who, when they rage, charges ahead and screams into the headset mic, then is required to sit down to recover from fatigue. Not every player is going to be tolerant of that (though a good rp group will roll with it and interact with each other on the down time). So just be weary of interaction that might purposefully slow down your group unless they're ok with it.

- Be sure you clarify when you are speaking in and out of character. When typing, it is traditional to bracket anything spoken out of character between parinthesis. If using voice chat, simply say 'out of character' before you say what you were going to

- When in doubt: ask. You wont know if something is ok until you ask your fellow players. I know it 'breaks the atmosphere' to as a question out of character, but it will save you a LOT of headache down the road!

- ALWAYS remember to not mix up what is in character and out of character. If you're going to make a character who is a jerk, or has a short temper, or is bias against drow, etc MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR throughout the run that that is only your character, not you. On the opposite end of the table, make sure you regard the actions of other characters as the CHARACTER, not the player personally.

- If you find the roleplaying is going in a direction you are not comfortable with, just be certain to address it as it is happening, don't wait until 3/4ths of the dungeon later to suddenly say 'hey I don't like it that you blah blah blah'

- Keep the maturity level of your group in mind. Remember that there ARE children and teens who play this game, and some talk in rping is probably not appropriate for them. If you're going to joke around with adult subject matter in the roleplaying - be it ic or ooc - make sure you KNOW your group before just tossing that out among other players.

THE FUTURE OF THELANIS THURSDAYS


Check back with this thread often for tips, updates, news, and other tidbits for the roleplayers on server. For the benefit of new and old roleplayers alike, I have added a running list of the DDO Podcast episodes that include advice about roleplaying, and a description on what that advice was.

RPING ADVICE ON THE DDO PODCAST

Visit www.ddocast.com to find the roleplay advice weekly segments of 'Ask Mer'lask.' If you're not interested in hearing the entire podcast episode (though they are a blast) to skip around to the 'Ask Mer'lask' segment, click on the 'download' rather than the 'listen' option so you can move forward and backwards in the episode.

Episode 4 - (Clip occurs about a 3rd of the way in after the commercials)
Advice concerning using vs not using voicechat in game for roleplaying.

Episode 5 - (Clip occurs a little under halfway through)
Running 'love stories' in game

Episode 6 - (Clip occurs halfway through after "Tips with Marek")
Roleplaying 'lingo' for beginners and definition of 'heavy' and 'light' rping

Episode 7 - (Clip occurs a little over 1/3 the way in after the commercials)
Advice on making evil characters in game as well as 'the originality' of characters and story ideas

Episode 8 - (Clip occurs halfway in after commercials)
How to form effective rping groups

Episode 9 - (Clip occurs 1/3 the way in after commercials)
Death in roleplaying

Episode 10 - (Clip occurs 1/3 the way in after commercials)
Dealing with players who try to force stories in a direction

Episode 11 - Non-roleplaying related

Episode 12 - (Clip occurs a little over 1/3, under halfway, after Xilo's quick tip and commercials)
Young roleplayers vs older roleplayers

Episode 13 - Non-roleplaying related

Episode 14 - No segment in this episode

Episode 15 - (Clip occurs 3/4 of the way through the cast)
Playing characters who are the opposite of your real life gender

Episode 16 - (Clip occurs a little under 3/4 of the way through the cast)
Developing character backgrounds based on the setting

Episode 17 - (Clip occurs 3/4 of the way through the cast)
Tips on doing 'good' accents for voicechat rping.

Episode 18 - Non-roleplaying related

Episode 19 - (Clip occurs 1/3 of the way through cast after commercials)
A "FAST Crash Course" in Eberron race settings, as well as where to find Eberron source material for your stories/characters

Episode 20 - No segment in this episode

Episode 21 - (Clip occurs 3/4 of the way through cast after commercials)
Picking the 'right' server for you (pre merge) and tips on getting more into the game

Episode 22 - non-roleplaying related

Episode 23 - (Clip occurs under 3/4 of the way through cast after commercials)
Roleplaying more than one character at one time, and against yourself even

Episode 24
Tips on how to make the most of your time in DDO

Episode 25
The Seven Deadly Sins - things you need to avoid doing in order to avoid killing your roleplaying experience

Episode 26
How to deal with 'god mode' and 'forceplay' players

Episode 27
A two part section about the server merger, and the definition/explaination of what roleplaying in-game is

Episode 28 - Non-roleplaying related

Episode 29
How to deal with players who grief you when you're roleplaying

Episode 30
Final words of advice to roleplayers

[Ardanroth]

cant seem to post replies to the Fall Festival in the events forum but im hoping to be there for the start !!

[Ardanroth]

See you there !!!

[RogueDM]

::Smiles to herself as she beds down in her rented rooms for the evening. Her mind abuzz with the joy and commeradere she felt this eve.. Remembering the names of those she met, those she half met before they vanishes into the ether of Eberron. and those she felt she would meet as time went by::

((Thankd you once again for a wonderful roleplay evening.. I cannot say it enough, tis what I missed when this game launched.. but now am happy to find on Thursdays. btw.. Eil'dre Hal'Eruil means Azure Charm Free Merchant in elven, very descriptive name in the elven language )

[Uamhas]

We had a scavenger hunt, a round of riddles, and a sudden-death-hide-and-seek event. Special Thank yous from me to Saffire (riddlemaster and cohort) Valianna (rabbit and cohort), Valestor (gopher and cohort), and Trazden for indispensible moral support and some quite crafty clue questions, as well as some very tasty rewards!

Our winners and participants

Scavenger Hunt:
Eildre
Skuu
Blephe
Nuveah

Riddlers:
Blephe
Scrye
Skuu
Nuveah
Thradin
Eildre

Hide-&-Seeker extraordinaire:
Blephe

For those of you that couldn't make it... Wish you were there!

[Ministry]

Even seeing the posts for RP'er teams makes my stomach turn... Don't know what the allure is and I avoid it like the plague. TG for freedom of choice.

But, even though I can't stand the concept...

HATS OFF TO YA Merlask... at least I have a bit more of an understanding about what it's all about now.

Thanks and cute RL pic btw... (from one of the other threads)

But, until the word Xoriat no longer exists I would rather be playing the SIMS then ever RP... (shaking with nausea)

[Uamhas]

You made a wrong turn, there Ministry. The Hate thread is there.

[Uamhas]

Yes, I'm a slacker, but occasionally I get off my duff and do... something. This time, it was another scavenger hunt.
This particular event was a last-minute thing.... meaning that right after I wrote it up, I logged in to game to implement it *mischievous grin*! It was a fine time, imho, and Jinna shined as riddle-loremistress! (Jinna you are so very clever)
Kudos absolutely must go also to Kristyna for being a willing gopher and helping keep track of names, and Melindo/Salvitor for acting as chief cook and helping keep track of names. Any mistakes made in missing anyone that participated are due to my own forgetful nature, and not to any of their excellent support.
The scavenger hunt was a series of tasks consisting of: in-game knowledge questions (what was that about PvP?), actual tasks (including emotes), and riddles (as provided by Jinna).
We even had an appearance by the ubiquitous mad buffer(s?)! He/she buzzed by and bestowed upon us all several castings worth of group/mass buffs while we emoted.
Prizes included but were not limited to random confectionary treats hoarded from a certain fat, red-clad dwarf that appeared at whim, stayed for lunch, and disappeared on short notice. For anyone curious that missed it, keep your eyes peeled for a repeat, I'll be trying to get this or something like it out there a little more frequently. For anyone wishing to participate, but unable to attend the actual Thelanis Thursday, YOU CAN! Simply mail to me those questions/tasks/riddles you feel would be suitable to add to the next scavenger hunt, and I'll do my best to integrate them if they are appropriate (along with the possible mention of your name so you can at least be there in spirit *wink*) Hate mail you can send directly to Uma, instead. She's got thicker skin.
My thanks to the people that came out to my modest little event:

Icyou
Jaggie
Puddle
Lorek
Points
Deriaz
Zoltando
Lyricca
Landau
Kristyna
Versatillas
Valianna
Salvitor
Saskuke
Maladash
Melindo
Jinna

(Apologies if I missed anyone!)

-Avuna

[Jaggie]

*Takes a broom to beat all the dust off of this thread*

We're ALIVE!
I swear it.
We just haven't been talking much on the forums, but we're still out there.
Roleplaying in the Phoenix Tavern. Exploring new and old quests alike. Singing and go'n, and having a grand old time in our adventures.

This week, in regards to Sir Gary(Lawrence) being spotted in the Subterranean.... We're going after him... I wait to hear the songs sung after this one.

[Jaggie]

Happy New YEAR!

and with that... ummm.. I think we rpers are up to something tonight. Maybe having a party or some'n. umm... chow. *flees to party*

[Hope_of-the-Lady]

Happy New Year to you too Jaggie, maybe I'll see you Thursdays

[iscifi]

I don't mean this as a pun, but I 'hope' to see you there as well.

[enigma1122]

((Hello. I have been planning this for a while, and have recently had my butt kicked into starting. The Fellowship of the Golden Night, and their allied guilds are in the middle of a big story. We don't want to alienate anyone though, so when we are aware that most the RP going on in the Phoenix will be about a particular subject, we will post a primer. Hope to see more of you all playing.

Nklos Widefoot, Ambassador of the Fellowship of the Golden Night.))


Last week an officer of the Fellowship of the Golden Night was murdered by a mysterious serial killer. Have information? Have one of your friends died, or vanished mysteriously? Want to volunteer to help the city guards. Come to the Phoenix.

[enigma1122]

Nklos, officer and Ambassador of the Fellowship was killed last week, apparently by Points.


What on earth can happen this Thursday. Come to the Phoenix and find out.

[iscifi]

Welcome!

You are obviously reading this because you are curious what is happening with this role-play thing. Well quite a bit actually. There are currently (at least) two long term stories going on here in Thelanis. Everyone is welcome to come and join in and share the experience with us.

If you would like to participate, please come to the Phoenix tavern around 9pm Eastern time and find one of the Guild members of the 'Fellowship of the Golden Night'. We or any of our allied guilds will gladly help catch you up and help introduce you around.

I hope to see you in there...

-Points d'Eberron

AKA Points DeWay

[iscifi]

Two weeks ago…
The Harbor Murderer claimed two more victims.
Praut Ektor Paladin and Nklos Widefoot, Ambassador of the Fellowship of the Golden Night was viciously slain in the public room by his friend Points d’Eberron. Both murders took place in front of witnesses. A ghostly Warforged, Nineteen began appearing in public, trying to find its body.

Last Week…
Points d’Eberron was arrested for the murder of his friend despite many protests.

Next Week…
Points d’Eberron will answer for his crimes at a public trial.

This week…

The familiar voice of Capshaw the Crier reaches you as you are passing through town. “…trial, next Zor with execution on Sar.” There is a pause as he takes a sip of something and then begins to repeat the announcement.
“Hear ye, Hear ye! All citizens of Stormreach, rejoice! The Coin Lords are proud to announce the capture of the Harbor Murderer! “

“Infamous Rogue Points d’Eberron, also known as Points DeWay former adventurer and all around n’ere-do-well has been arrested and will be tried for his latest crime the murder of the Halfling known as Nklos Widefoot and if convicted will be held to account for all the murders attributed to the Harbor Murderer. “

“Eyewitnesses claim to have seen the murderer slay Nklos Widefoot in broad daylight in the public room of the Phoenix tavern two weeks ago. His brazen murder of this and all other citizens of Stormreach and numerous members of the town guard must have been to cover up his illegal gambling ring, or to intimidate others to keep their silence.”

“The honorable scrict but fair Magistrate Omalia Truman will preside in the Harbormaster’s Square over his trial, next Zor (Thursday night 9PM EST) with execution to follow on Sar (Saturday) per local custom.”

Capshaw moves on and begins to repeat his announcement.


(Will you let this happen? Will you join with those who wish to see Points free or those who want him hanged? Where is Points being held? Who is the Harbor Murderer? Join in this week’s Thelanis Thursday and see which of these questions you can answer…)

[iscifi]

This week…

The familiar voice of Capshaw the Crier reaches you as you are passing through town. “Hear ye, Hear ye! All citizens of Stormreach, rejoice! The Coin Lords are proud to announce the capture and trial of the Harbor Murderer!"

“Infamous Rogue Points d’Eberron, also known as Points DeWay former adventurer and all around n’ere-do-well has been arrested and will be tried tonight for the murder of the Halfling known as Nklos Widefoot and if convicted will be held to account for all the murders attributed to the Harbor Murderer."

“Eyewitnesses claim to have seen the murderer slay Nklos Widefoot in broad daylight in the public room of the Phoenix tavern two weeks ago. His brazen murder of this and all other citizens of Stormreach and numerous members of the town guard must have been to cover up his illegal gambling ring, or to intimidate others to keep their silence.”

“The honorable scrict but fair Magistrate Omalia Truman will preside in the Harbormaster’s Square over his trial, this night (Thursday night 9PM EST) with execution to follow on Sar (Saturday) per local custom.”

Capshaw moves on and begins to repeat his announcement.

((Please join us tonight for a special roleplay trial in the Harbormaster's Square. To join in the fun, join the trial chat channel (/joinchannel trial), be in attendance in the Harbormaster's Square at 9 pm EST and send a tell to Points to let him know you would like to participate.

This is part of our ongoing 'Harbor Murders' plotline, but everyone is welcome to join in the role-play and participate in this and all future Thelanis Thursday events.

I hope to see you there...))

[enigma1122]

The harbor murderer has been captured.

The lord of blades is not knocking.

I don't think any of our friends are devils in disguise.

Things are quiet in the RP world right now. That means its the perfect time for you to come and try out some role playing. Just have a beer in the bar with the local citizens. Tell us your tale. Who knows, maybe your character lost a bet to a rakshasa and you need some help? Come tell us, we are always looking for something to do.

[8_BitBlackmage]

Rumors circle around the Orchard of Macabre

Strange messengers travel the streets after dark

A necromantic enclave with ties to the plane of battle

What could be afoot in the necropolis these days.

[enigma1122]

Figured I would do a little bump here in the Thelanis Thursday thread. No big stories really going on, but still lots of fun. Anyone interested in RP should come by on a Thursday Night.