The Quill and You

If you are reading this page, you’ve likely stumbled upon the blog somehow. Likely through a link that I’ve posted somewhere, but perhaps through some other method. If you were linked here somehow, you already know who I am. But in the off chance that you do not, allow me to introduce myself. On this particular site, I operate under the pseudonym of The Raven. I am a high school student, going into my senior year (for those of you not from America, that means it’s my final year of public schooling). From a young age, I’ve been very interested books, writing, poetry, and various forms of story-telling. It was only natural, then, that I found roleplaying, either in the medium of tabletop games (Everything from Dungeons and Dragons to New World of Darkness), internet forums, or online games to be one of my hobbies.

So then, why am I blogging? Simply put, because I have a lot of ideas rattling around my head and need somewhere to put them. I also have a lot of stories I want to tell, and various things I would like to talk about. In the age of the internet, what better place to do so than on a blog? For that reason, I am blogging. I also am starting this blog, though, because I am someone with strong convictions in a variety of areas. Many would argue that some of these are quite pointless (I am more than willing to write a five page paper on why Mint Chocolate Chip is forever and always a better flavor of ice cream than straight up chocolate), and I would have to agree. I am also starting this blog solely to speak my mind, both on topics that do not really matter and on topics that do.

That being said, this blog will look at a variety of topics. For the most part, it will focus on roleplaying and writing. Of course, I also reserve the right to talk about other things not related to those two topics, and I intend to fully exercise that right. But one should expect, at the very least, articles on those two subjects. These articles could range from a discussion of writing or GMing styles that I enjoy, play logs of games that I have run, a discussion of the creation of a campaign world, or even a review of a book that I have recently read. The sky is literally the limit. Since I will be espousing my thoughts on a variety of subjects, I want to hear what you have to say as well. Feedback, comments, and responses are appreciated, and there is a comment section at the bottom of each post.

Since the subject of roleplaying will be taking a major theme, I thought it best that in my first post I answer the question “What is roleplay?” According to dictionary.com, roleplaying is defined as assuming “the attitudes, actions, and discourse (of another), esp. in a make-believe situation.” This definition is correct, to be certain, but it is not nearly precise enough. For some people, roleplay is a game, and for others it is an art. For many, it is both. When a person roleplays, they create a character or persona, and take on the role of said character, either in a fictional world or a world much like our own.
There are many avenues for roleplaying. On an internet forum, a roleplayer will create a character (in some places, multiple characters) and participate in a specific story or instance, collaborating with other players to tell a story in which each character (or at least one character) they control is a main character of some sort. Sometimes, such as in the Schola Draiochta, the characters may be involved in multiple story-lines as well as a single ‘metaplot’ that is central to the roleplay and the location in which the story takes place.
When roleplaying through a tabletop RPG, the players will still each create a single character to control, however one player will control every other character in the world (Known as Non-player Characters or Non-playable Characters or NPCs) and take control of the central story. In most tabletop RPGs, there is a rule system in place to decide the outcome of various actions, and character creation takes on a different form, as the same amount of thought, or more, may be put into allocating skill points as in creating personalities and backstories. An example of such a game can be found in White Wolf’s New World of Darkness.
Finally, some people RP through games on the internet. In such an instance, the aspects of a tabletop RPG and a forum roleplay blend. There may or may not be mechanics in place, and there may or may not be more emphasis on an overarching story. NPCs may or may not be controlled by a single person (or group of peoples). An example of such a game is the upcoming Dark Novel, which looks to be very promising.

All in all, roleplaying is about telling a story with a group of friends, and becoming someone else for a time. It is about escaping the real world, or gaining a better understanding of it. I roleplay to tell a story, have fun with friends, and explore another world. Why do you roleplay? Let me know in the comments section.