[raisedwilde]

I am pleased we now have a decent turn out.

To date I have brought 4 new members to Erewake and I'm concerned nobody makes them welcome - all 4 have commented on this.

Apart from Chris not a soul has even asked who they are!

In order to persuade them to return can we try to be more freindly?

 

[Phil]

I can see the point, but from an IC perspective, why should we care who they are? Its a pub, people pass through all the time. Maybe instead of sitting in the corner talking amongst themselves they could come talk to other people, make their introductions. I dont know which one i was talking to but someone came outside and asked me if i would make him a sword. Thats what they should be doing.

[The Darklord]

I cannot comment on this specific situation cos I havent been around and met the new players but the cardinal rule of lrp is you have to push yourself a little bit - the plot rarely falls into your lap (well sometimes it does but you cannot rely on it). On the other hand the 'old hands' really should try and make a bit of an effort with 1st timers - sure you may not have a massive in charecter reason to talk to them but looking at it out of charecter you want new people to stay right?

[raisedwilde]

thank you Dark lord, my point entirely. For example my character is a fastiduous chess player who invites strangers to a game.

from the POV of my recruits they arrive and sit for over an hour and nobody explains anything to them OC how the game works or anything. As I said Chris cant do everything.  

[Scaryfatmaniffer]

Nor should I - if you bring recruits - you are the one that needs to explain the basics to them. You have been roleplaying long enough now to be able to brief people on the hobby concisely and accurately.
If you do not feel confident to do this then either arrange a time to meet with myself or Ross, Tommy, Gary or whoever in a non roleplay environment - the public house is often excellent for this - where the plot can be discussed over a pint or two.
Thursday nights is a roleplay evening, not talking about roleplay but about actually roleplaying. I frown on people talking about the rules and what the game is about as much as I do about discussing sex,politics and football.
Let me reiterate - Thursday nights are in character - until time out at 9.30ish. If you wish to stay later on occassion I will then discuss but I am far too busy beforehand.
New people need to design a charcater beforehand (not statted , but outlined) and know what they are about. We only have 2 hours a week to play we don't want to be explaining things in this time.
Raisedwildes idea for chess is a good icebreaker, but people need to try and think of others , other games, a character who is a storyteller, a gossip, a braggart, whatever that allows you to interact. I see what raisedwilde, Phil and Gary are saying and they all have valid points. We need to make newcomers more welcome I agree, but equally how often do you sit down in a real pub and talk to someone you have never met before (unless you are Ratty or Jane) - there is a realism issue - and often when people have tried they are met with difficulties because they have not fully developed charcaters beforehand. New people need not know the rules - but with guidance anyone can write a character and background. Perhaps Nick as you are bringing quite a few people you need to concentrate yourself on learning about the world, its history and finding out more of the plot so you can pass this on to newcomers.
 

[raisedwilde]

IC my character knows little of the country as hes has spent most of is life abroad.

 

[Scaryfatmaniffer]

No what I mean is Out of character you can explain fully how the system works.

[raisedwilde]

Obviously I try my best to give them an idea of whats going on, but there is allways stuff that I cant explain for example not knowing the stats for my bodyguard.

Not that you will be seeing him again as I have advised him to leave this country before I slot him. And thats out of character.

I might and its only a might, be bringing another 3 with me this week. If I can bring Heather back can we fit her into the plot?

Beonulfs youngest cousin is almost certain to make an appearance.

 

[Phil]

I think Chris' point is that you can explain what stats are and how they work by using your imagination and randomly creating values for them, rather than having to know what they are.

His point is that without being overly specific you can explain the background of the inn, that we are near the Erewake border on the Alabrakian side, and we know that on the night of Shekka's moon the Covent of Midnight plan to use the Black Grimoire to open the Demiforge. You can explain the system by telling them the rules, teaching them the calls and their meanings, IE - smash/break/through. Things like that.

Basically explain to them what role-playing is. How you take on the character and attributes, personality traits etc of a certain other being, and play them out as you would think they would.

Its not overly difficult to explain a system of rules, but if you do find yourself struggling, Legends is open on Thursdays i believe, until around 6pm before the weekly session starts at Chris', and they sell copies of Volume one, Character generation for £5.00. You could probably use this to look at between yourselves and learn the rules. A given point is that Chris did write a lot of bollocks in it, but some of it might just have something to do with the world in which we play.

Hopefully this will have helped out, if you are not too far past the point of being helpless already.

[The Darklord]

You do have kind of a responsibility if you are bringing someone along to make sure they know what they are getting into and that if nothing else they know basic  calls such as time in/out/freeze and man down. Rule specifics should be explained at least at a basic level - people need to know how to react to being hit with a padded weapon.  I can remember one incident years ago where a poor woman who had done a few murder party type things so was into the idea of playing a character had no idea that someone may incharecter attack her and sat there stunned when someone did.  If you are not sure what these rules are then follow phils advice and get your hands on some rules as you need to know them yourself.

[raisedwilde]

Have both rule books buts its remarkable how they only make sense once you actually start playing.

Almost certainly next week I will be bringing Beonulfs Nephew, Daughter Mother and possibly Aunt if thats OK? (2 have been before)



 

[The Darklord]

True the rules dont make much sense until you are 'into' the roleplay but that is why i stated BASICS!  Like it or not people have to have some idea of what they can and cannot do and how to behave in and out of character.

"Turn up with padded weapons and fight" is a description of what could go on in a basic adventure but it mentions nothing about charecterisation, safety ect.  Equally "Come to a medieval inn and pretend to be someone" is not good enough for someone with no roleplay  experience.

Maybe I am not making any sense? somebody help please?

[raisedwilde]

I understand you entirely the point surely is how to bring it across to those who dont!

 

 

[Phil]

Method for talking to people:

1 - Open Gob.
2 - Exhale, using the air to vibrate vocal chords.
3 - Use the above technique to speak words and whole sentances.

Im sure the above recipe will assist you in telling your friends how roleplay works.

[raisedwilde]

Things seemed to work better last night.