All,
There has been a large discussion going on about the validity of roleplaying
in Everquest. While I agree that there are a lot of people in the game that
don't really 'roleplay' much, consider this.
I believe that 'roleplaying' has started to gain a definition that is not
due. When I play Devotion on the Povar server, I am ALWAYS in character. I
see through his eyes, I want what he wants, I fight what he fights. That
doesn't mean that Devotion is likely to say "Have at thee, knave!"
Interestingly, saying 'thee' and 'thou' exclusively really doesn't have
anything to do with roleplaying, even in a fantasy setting. One thing to
remember about EQ is that the game DOES NOT OCCUR on Earth, or in any
specific time frame that we have a point of reference for. There is no
reason why a person in the world of Everquest could not say the word 'Cool'
to mean that he likes something, or 'That sucks!' to mean that he doesn't
like something. Roleplaying is all about the individual choices the
character makes about his ethics and morals.
For instance: when I play Devotion, I speak normally. I don't say 'thee'
or 'thou'. Some people do, and when they do, I continue to talk normally to
them. That is THEIR role, not mine. Devotion is not the kind of guy who
would try to speak formally all the time, nor is the DEFINITION of roleplay
formal speaking. Now Devotion WOULD go out of his way to root a monster who
is chasing a player who is in danger of death. He also WOULD offer
assistance to newbies for a period of 5-10 minutes each time he passes under
a city gate. (Those from the Freeport area of the Povar server should be
used to hearing Devotion yelling "Free healing, buffs, food, and water for
newbies". See, it's ok for me to say newbies, and buffs. I'm still
roleplaying. The words 'newbies' and 'buffs' exist in the reality of
Norrath. I still feel that I'm roleplaying.
As to the complaint that a paladin leaves someone to die, etc. etc.
Honestly, in a world full of 1000 paladins (being conservative), I think it
is expecting too much that each of them be honorable, and follow the exact
same code. That may make them a bad paladin within the game's reality, but
that doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't roleplaying. I feel the same
way about druids and rangers killing forest animals. I have met many that
don't, and many that do. It doesn't mean they aren't roleplaying if they
kill a few bears, it just means their faith isn't as strong as it could be.
They will pay the price with decreased faction in their guild. Now if a
paladin is being dishonourable in my presence, I may choose to let him know
that as a priest of Rodcet Nife, he is out of line. If he continues to be
dishonorable, so be it. Rodcet Nife will deal with him when the time comes.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is this. Everquest is a reality unto
itself. It is not feudal Camelot, nor is it AD&D. That may make it less
fun for people who want it to be one of those two things, but it just isn't
going to be that. It's a real world where people live and die every day
fighting monsters. It's a world where quests are available, taverns exist
and sell brews, tailors make patchwork armor, and Dorn eats newbies for
breakfast. Norrath has it's own lore, it's own stories to tell, and it's
own language. That language contains words like OOM, NP, buffs, SBH, and so
on. It also contains language that can help another, like "Go to Unrest at
about lvl 16 to get good exp as a cleric". There is no difference between
asking where a good sword comes from or where to go to get exp and asking a
friend in RL if they know of a company that is hiring. That person is just
asking you where they can go to make progress in the life they have created
in Norrath. Tell them, help them out. Make friends.
I've been lurking on this list for quite a while, and I have seen many
arguments about roleplaying. Roleplaying is what you make it. It's playing
YOUR role, not rules that are enforced for everyone.
That's my 2 cents.
--Devotion
Guildmaster - Clerics of Norrath Povar
_____________________________________________________________________
Now recruiting! All healer classes (paladin, druid, cleric, shaman)
welcome!
Please Visit
http://clericsofnorrath.cjb.net for information about the
guild. This is the main website for the guild and has forums, guides,
members pics etc. The charter and articles of membership are a must read
for all prospective members.