That's right, I'm a newbie.
I live in a pretty desolate area and anyone I know would makes signs of the cross if I even mentioned RPGs - and being 31 doesn't make it comfortable to recruit or be recruited by those under 18. So, what do I do and where do I start? I have no idea how one can learn to do all this and yet play solo? Is that even possible? If not, what are my options? Most online pen-and-paper assume you've played awhile and know what's what. I don't. I'm ignorant (lol).
So, what do you suggest? I don't wanna go back to computer or console rpgs - my goal is to create and grow characters. I want to see them level through actions I've made, not pixels I've punished.
Is there some sort of newbie zone or something? Kinda like a driver's ed course?
Sorry if you've had a bajillion posts like this... I just happened to seize the moment here.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
As likely the best alternative to that, and possibly the best overall option if you can make it work, you could plan to attend a gaming event away from your home community. If there's a decently large city within a few hours of your location, you could try calling around the stores there and look for one with openings for one of the D&D Game Day events. These events are designed to be accessible to new players, and most stores will have people around who will be happy to help you learn to play. Once you have some experience, you'll likely have a much easier time getting into an online game.
I'll note that the next Game Day happens soon (Saturday!), and involves a product that is aimed specifically at new people, making it an excellent opportunity if you can swing it.
t~
edit: also check out this thread if you haven't already. It has some generalized advice for getting started in the hobby.
(See the links in my sig.)And if real life options fail, you can try play-by-post.
Play by Post is horrible. Half the time what you do is not related to what someone else posts the same time as you. The guy with no life posting 30 times a day ruins it for the people with jobs and kids.
I find online table top games to be to slow, specially combat, or to technical. "I'm using Joe Bobs macro" which is just unexplained, or assumes you know how the tale top works like a programmer.
I hear you about being 31, I just hit 31 on the 9th. Finding new players is hard at that age. As you don't go to school/college anymore. Most people in our age group are locked into a group they've played with for a dozen years or more.
You almost HAVE to have a younger brother/cousin/friend that has access to a place where large numbers of people are see school.
Most groups that play encounters have a non encounters group that is full.
Where do you live btw?
is a half decent site for finding groups near you. You can say how far you are willing to drive and everything.
And if real life options fail, you can try play-by-post.
Play by Post is horrible. Half the time what you do is not related to what someone else posts the same time as you. The guy with no life posting 30 times a day ruins it for the people with jobs and kids.
I'm active in several PbP in Real Adventures, and I've yet to encounter either of those problems. Like with almost everything, you just have to find the right people to get a good experience out of it. I actually think that PbP is easier to accommodate with job, kids and so on as you don't have to have a few hours at a time to play, but can just post whenever you have time, even if it's only fifteen minutes. The drawback is of course that the pace is very slow, but at lest you get to play. I also find that the slow pace let's you think more about your character and how he'd respond, and add descriptions to any mechanics used.
Mysteria - what would you suggest for PbP that involves serious character building/leveling/storyweaving? I'm really open to any genre. And do you just jump in on a story or do you start from the beginning?
As for where I live, I don't like to give out that info online, suffice to say I live 100 miles from any MINOR city.
You might be surprised at the interest you get in your area and if anyone balks on religious grounds direct them to this article www.mjyoung.net/dungeon/confess.html . It is a really good rebuttal of the knee jerk reactions among some christians to D&D.
If you do try to recruit younger players I'd talk to their parents. If the town you live in is as small as you say you have to know just about everyone and unless you are a total pariah in the community they should at least listen.
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments folks.
Mysteria - what would you suggest for PbP that involves serious character building/leveling/storyweaving? I'm really open to any genre. And do you just jump in on a story or do you start from the beginning?
As for where I live, I don't like to give out that info online, suffice to say I live 100 miles from any MINOR city.
- Start with the first link in my sig and head over there to take a look at a more roleplaying angled perspective. Take the second link in my sig and go there to take a look at a more levelling/combat angled perspective. I don't know the other places I linkified enough to give you a recommendation on where to start, I suggest you just look into each of them briefly.
- Both jumping into a story (but under some conditions, ask the DM first by PM!) and beginning a story are possible in Real Adventures.
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments folks.
Mysteria - what would you suggest for PbP that involves serious character building/leveling/storyweaving? I'm really open to any genre. And do you just jump in on a story or do you start from the beginning?
As for where I live, I don't like to give out that info online, suffice to say I live 100 miles from any MINOR city.
People are still terrified that some internet hacker with a 30 billion dollar satalites will find them if they say something like "I'm 31, my name is james perry, I live in Gatineau Qubec Canada..." ????? Really?