Can I RP while also playing with a non RP buddy

[Ibrahim]

I found your guild while scrolling on one ESO forum or another, and it appeals to me because I enjoy heavy roleplay and especially forum roleplay. I posted my character profile so you guys can see what I have in mind to play, but I have a couple concerns I wanted to ask about before proceeding any further. I apologize if this is in the wrong place.

One, I'm aware that this is a 100% IC RP guild and I'm okay with that... and here's the but... I'm playing ESO in a duo with someone I know in real life who is not a roleplayer. I'm happy to keep fully IC in guild chat and whispers, but if I'm teamed up with my duo partner I may not be available for face-to-face. When I'm not teamed up I would of course be available to hang out and RP "in the flesh." Will this be an issue?

Two, I'm brand spanking new to ESO and so I'm not fully up to speed on the lore quite yet. I'm absolutely open to hearing lore-appropriate alternatives to any mistakes I may make, I just want to avoid 'lore lawyering' as a first experience here. Teach don't preach, and all that

TIA and have a great evening!

[Cillian]

So while you are logged on if you are a member of the Cats, you are to be IC 100% of the time! So even teamed up with a non-Rper you are expected to still be your character (at least in any visible chats, /s, /g, etc.) which is actually very easy to do while mingling with non-Rpers. Whispering, or an OOC channel with your Non-Rp partner would be the way around that.

As far as the lore, well many of us are still new to it! I am not... been playing Elder Scrolls games in one form or another for years, but the currently lore in ESO is a bit new as we've only made the change a few months ago. So I'd say you're in good company and we can learn and experience the lore together!

[@sylverdubs]

Hey there, welcome.

So first off, the IC all the time aspect is something for you to decide. Back in WoW where this group of friends first started, we had guild tags over our character names and tabards to identify us. Being IC all the time showed our commitment and basically was thought to be a given if you saw the guild name or tabard. You’d know we roleplay and could accost our characters ICly.

In ESO with people allowed to be in 5 guilds at a time, it’s not as simple. No guild tag and no tabard (so far) diminishes the value of being IC all the time. With just one server, roleplayers are a minority and tend to rp in private homes now. Nobody can police you while you’re playing in the vast world.

With your non-rp friend, if they don’t rp I don’t see how being IC would change anything. Technically as a non-roleplayer they aren’t there for your -character- to speak or respond to. So aside from talking to yourself or commenting out loud about some strange thing your character sees… who’s to say you’re not IC?

Lore. It can be a tool or a shackle. I wouldn’t get too caught up on it. We’ll correct you, constructively, if required. For the rest, ESO is like any other world. Your character will evolve in locations similar to other games. A city, a port, a shop, a tavern etc. You fight with blades or magic and wear armor. Play the quests and you’ll quickly know just enough to blend in.

Things aren’t as cemented in Elder scrolls. You can cast spells in heavy armor. Play a nightblade that wields a staff. Break into homes and steal or murder. There are the normal gods but demon too (Daedric Princes). My advice here is to imagine your character concept any way you like while staying reasonable.

[Ibrahim]

Thanks so much for the replies guys. I have some thinking to do here.

Apr 3, 2022 20:51:45 GMT -4 Cillian said:

So while you are logged on if you are a member of the Cats, you are to be IC 100% of the time! So even teamed up with a non-Rper you are expected to still be your character (at least in any visible chats, /s, /g, etc.) which is actually very easy to do while mingling with non-Rpers. Whispering, or an OOC channel with your Non-Rp partner would be the way around that.

Can you give me a bit of example for this if you have the time? I just can't imagine my real life friend is going to have the patience for me to walk through towns -- or is that not expected? In my mind I'm thinking I need to walk everywhere, 'barter' with every NPC merchant etc. I may be overthinking how IC I need to be.

[Ibrahim]

Thanks for the back history of the guild, that explains a lot and I respect what you did/are trying to do here.

Apr 3, 2022 22:55:00 GMT -4 @sylverdubs said:

With your non-rp friend, if they don’t rp I don’t see how being IC would change anything. Technically as a non-roleplayer they aren’t there for your -character- to speak or respond to. So aside from talking to yourself or commenting out loud about some strange thing your character sees… who’s to say you’re not IC?

Lore. It can be a tool or a shackle. I wouldn’t get too caught up on it. We’ll correct you, constructively, if required. For the rest, ESO is like any other world. Your character will evolve in locations similar to other games. A city, a port, a shop, a tavern etc. You fight with blades or magic and wear armor. Play the quests and you’ll quickly know just enough to blend in.

Good point of view about the IC with a non-RPer. I plan to talk to my non-RP buddy and make sure they'll be okay if I veer off into RP at times. I love roleplay and storytelling, but I also love to keep my friends happy. Wish me luck.

"It can be a tool or a shackle." Totally agreed. I just hoped for some leeway if I didn't know deities offhand, or places or dates. The lore is here is a lot to take in, and I've had so very little time to do so. It'll come in time.

Appreciate your time.

[@sylverdubs]

I’ll pitch in on your question for Cillian. I’m sure he won’t mind.

Last Rps I had in ESO, it was in an rp server. Walking in a city was normal though it’s also possible you’re character is in a rush and you’re allowed to ride in a city so why always walk?

The blending of servers kinda screwed all of that up to a point where I was surprised, nay -shocked- to see a handful of people rp in a tavern. All the while they were getting trolled, people jumping around, casting noisy spells, talking over them. That kind of disrespect is expected now, this being the internet and all.

Personally my new take for rp in ESO is to rp in player homes (which are just AWESOME! Go see what Kat did with hers!) or in remote and interesting locations.

I don’t feel as though being IC all the time is feasible in this game, because of the lack of dedicated servers. For that reason (and a few others) Kat and I agreed that I wouldn’t be an official member of her gang. Which is fine. We’re very good friends and she graciously allows me to pitch in on her forums My characters just won’t be in the guild’s mental (IC channel), sadly. That channel is an amazing rp boost! Of course I’ll be around to rp with you guys, should I eventually settle on a character to rp with.

Beyond that, I know Kat makes it work. No internet troll will chase her away (lots have tried and she’s still here over 17 years later). So it’s not impossible to be IC all the time too. It just takes a bit more commitment. Remember that part as it’s really the thing she wants to see in members. Commitment to make it work and be awesome.

[Frozen]

Your handle will make you known as one of the guild, it will be listed here.

As others have said, you can still appear IC, even with your buddies. Talk to them normally in a party or whisper, try to keep blatant OOC stuff there, I'd think.

Have an alt specifically to play when you are with your buddies. On that character, turn OFF the guild channel, both the IC and OOC one. (You can do that in settings). Then you are free of the guild and any responsibilities while on your non guild character.

While on your guild character, however, not responding to guild mates, helping them etc, because you are off with your buddies will not/would not look good. Something to think about, why having a non RP alt just for your buddies would be advisable. But, what do I know, just a suggestion.

Lore isn't something one has to be a master at. What average person on the street knows history backward and forward? Knows even 'recent' history happening in another city? Not many. My suggestion, would be just get to know your character. Focus on what he would know, and only that for now. Let the rest come naturally. Learn it as he does through questing and the like.

Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.

[Ibrahim]

Thanks for your input Frozen. I did briefly consider making another character, but ultimately I think one or the other would be neglected as I'm firmly in the casual player category with never enough time to game as I'd like. Playing ESO on one character is best in my case, and for anyone else I play with too.

I did talk to my friend about roleplaying and was told it's okay. However, thinking on all the honest opinions here it sounds like I'll be continually divided and thus not really suitable for this level of immersion. Perhaps in the future. I thank you all for your time, you're a good bunch and maybe I'll stumble across one of you in the wild.