How to RP in the Catacombs. [WIP]

[Nexi]

Yesterday, just before the raid, I was asked to create a guide on how to RP successfully in the Catacombs area. I've little to say that hasn't already been said elsewhere.

Namely:

What Lurks in the Shadows: A Guide to Intrigue and Villainy - Vrahn

Disguises 'n imitation: A common sense guide. - Azheron

The Top 100 Things I'd Do If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord - Peter Anspach

There's simply no getting around having to read these.

Now for what I can give you:

First and foremost, right when you click the portal in GMI to RP there, it's a character warning. Right off the bat. If you don't like the idea of losing your character, don't come down here. I see people doing absolutely ridiculous things and thinking they can get away with it just because there isn't a GM to puppet the guards at the time. Just like you don't need a character warning to get killed ICly in a major city if you commit a crime right in front of a guard, you don't need one in the crypts. If I or someone else catches you breaking one of our IC rules, you're dead. End of story.

The way the crypts are set up, it's very much like a city. As such, we do have guards made up of all types of NPCs. One thing I should note is that just because you see few NPCs in the area, that doesn't mean that's all there is. Thinking otherwise is like saying the IC population of Stormwind is equal to the amount of NPCs we've spawned there.

Some of Azeroth's worst scumbags make the crypts their home, but we do have laws there. If we didn't, we'd all have killed each other off by now. When in doubt, ask yourself: "Would I get away with this in a major city?" With the exception of a few obvious things like walking around with minions, brewing poisons, killing prisoners, etc.

We have a strict code of silence and anyone suspected of breaking it, or committing -any- form of treachery, will be hunted down and killed. You can hardly expect to cross such people and not end up hunted down for it. And I don't mean by just your former guild mates.

Prisoners, stop antagonizing the jailers. They don't care about you and wouldn't hesitate to kill you where you stand, regardless of who you "belong" to. And I'd prefer it if you'd stop arguing with me about escaping. <.<

Citizens of the Crypts, stop antagonizing the jailers too. They don't care about you, either, and are only doing their jobs. Show some respect or end up joining the prisoners.

And while we're on the topic of prisoners, stop releasing them! The jailor would be slaughtered if they let a prisoner leave the cell. They're instructed to let no such thing happen, hence they're flanked by guards.

I'm constantly seeing people go in and out of the prison cell like it's going out of style, passing around handcuff keys and other items. Realism folks. Do you think any of us could walk into our local County Jail, walk into a cell and pass off items? I am positive the guards and jailors would be watching who goes in and watching closely what happens in the cell.

Another thing I wanted to mention is ff you don't -need- to be OOC somewhere, don't. I see lots of people purposely going places OOC to listen in on stuff... this places IC information into your head while your character wouldn't even be there. If you -do- need to be OOC somewhere, be respectful of those IC... don't disrupt. Nobody wants to be sitting somewhere and have somebody with /DND on to come in and start jumping up and down on a table. This dampens realism and the RP.

Also, when OOC don't emote to people who are IC or if you are IC, don't make OOC emotes. That should be common sense as it too disrupts RP and dampens realism.

You may have noticed the Eyes of Kilrogg patrolling up and down the halls and spinning purple diamonds in the air of most rooms. Yeah, we're all being watched very closely now. Watch what you say and do.

Space, regrettably, is limited. While I do try to design a room to suit the needs of a specific guild, that doesn't mean they -own- the room. Like any RP spot, if it's empty, you can RP owning it. Once you leave, it's up for grabs.

One last thing I'd like to add is regarding metagaming. No one likes to be the victim of it, so here are a few tips on how to avoid it:

First and foremost, remember this one rule: Do not give them the opportunity!

This means:

- If you are speaking and only one or two people are supposed to be able to hear it ICly, literally whisper them. None of this [Low] stuff. Join a party or raid with them and speak ICly in it.

- If no one is around to be able to see what you are doing ICly, don't emote it. If only one or two people are able to see what you are doing, again, join a party or raid and make your emotes in party or raid chat.

- Never, under any circumstance, give IC information OOCly. This includes broadcasting over Chat/Barrens/LFG/etc. Let them find out ICly!

I'll probably add more to this as new ideas come to mind, or anyone else has something to add.

[aroes]

So how would you say that the general reaction to people is, if you walk in there the guards kind of expect you to belong there, assuming you don't make yourself look suspicious?

[Nexi]

So how would you say that the general reaction to people is, if you walk in there the guards kind of expect you to belong there, assuming you don't make yourself look suspicious?

Exactly. It's not now, nor has it ever been, my intention to not let certain people enter. What bothers me is how unsubtle a lot of those who frequent it are. It's not like we can smell a Light-user or any other "good-aligned" person a mile away and vice-versa ( with the exception of Falathorei vs Fel-users ). We just figure that if you're down here, someone down here trusts you enough to have told you, and that person was told by someone else who trusted them, and so on until you get to the tip of the pyramid, which isn't Kimee like a lot of folks seem to think.

If you play your cards properly, we'd never discover the truth.

[aroes]

Okay I was planning to have Aroes do some deep cover stuff seeing as he hasn't really been a major player in the happenings of the Circus or Blades, so I doubt anyone would really remember him ICly. Plus that lab has everything he could ever need. Could even lead to an interesting confrontation with edgar barlton.

[Etmosril]

I'm very glad to see this WIP, Nexi. It should improve the quality and fun in Catacombs rp, and help keep secret things secret.

And as was already mentioned, slipping through the cracks is definitely underused as a means of infiltration. It'd be fun to see this used more frequently. I know I'm going to enjoy having Kenarith do it.

[SpiralLateralus]

This is win. I have a question.

Can I /flirt with the Acherus Necromancer's?

[BountyHunter]

I believe people underestimate the Catacombs too much, this guide should help stop that. I remember once some time ago where someone was talking about it in the open and asking for someone to guide them there. I was on my Troll who once was situated inside the Catacombs and he was getting close to punching the man for both talking about it in the open and thinking he could waltz in there to 'map it out' and not die.

Frankly, if you go there and do something you shouldn't you'd die. They're like bandits only more lawful and deadly.

[Mayson]

I'm very glad to see this WIP, Nexi. It should improve the quality and fun in Catacombs rp, and help keep secret things secret.

And as was already mentioned, slipping through the cracks is definitely underused as a means of infiltration. It'd be fun to see this used more frequently. I know I'm going to enjoy having Kenarith do it.

There were actually a lot of people, who tried it. At least with the Circus. *grin*

[Wuvvums]

"Prisoners, stop antagonizing the jailers. They don't care about you and wouldn't hesitate to kill you where you stand, regardless of who you "belong" to. And I'd prefer it if you'd stop arguing with me about escaping. <.<"

This is exactly why I asked some people OOCly if they were sure about being captured. I remember people who forced their way into a prisoner rp and then complained about how boring it was to be in jail for days. Either way, don't plan on getting your character imprisoned with the idea that s/he may escape. If you want a character tied up in prisoner rp then consider whether you want it to be your main or something throw-away. :B

[Azheron]

My guide! Woo!

... *Cough*

Carry on.

[Nexi]

This is win. I have a question.

Can I /flirt with the Acherus Necromancer's?

Sure. There are times when, out of boredom, I do some silly things with the NPCs. Just ask Kaylyn. Poor girl.

We villains need our comic relief too, you know! ^^

And I've added a bit to the guide. What's new is in green.

[teege]

And while we're on the topic of prisoners, stop releasing them! The jailor would be slaughtered if they let a prisoner leave the cell. They're instructed to let no such thing happen, hence they're flanked by guards.


The way the crypts are set up, it's very much like a city. As such, we do have guards made up of all types of NPCs. One thing I should note is that just because you see few NPCs in the area, that doesn't mean that's all there is. Thinking otherwise is like saying the IC population of Stormwind is equal to the amount of NPCs we've spawned there.

Cannot be mentioned enough. I'm constantly seeing people go in and out of the prison cell like it's going out of style, passing around handcuff keys and other items. Realism folks. Do you think any of us could walk into our local County Jail, walk into a cell and pass off items? I am positive the guards and jailors would be watching who goes in and watching closely what happens in the cell. Perhaps a crystal or something needs to be placed in that cell? Again, not saying it is impossible, but it's happening -far- too often.

Another thing I wanted to mention (so no GMs have to take heat for saying it) is: If you don't -need- to be OOC somewhere, don't. I see lots of people purposely going places OOC to listen in on stuff... this places IC information into your head while your character wouldn't even be there. If you -do- need to be OOC somewhere, be respectful of those IC... don't disrupt. Nobody wants to be sitting somewhere and have somebody with /DND on to come in and start jumping up and down on a table. This dampens realism and the RP.

Also, when OOC don't emote to people who are IC or if you are IC, don't make OOC emotes. That should be common sense as it too disrupts RP and dampens realism. I could also mention how people magically go from Catacombs, to Stormwind, to Shatt, to Booty Bay within thirty minutes but that's another story for another day. Happy RPing and remember, evil shall prevail... as long as there's money in it for me.

[Piroska]

Also, when OOC don't emote to people who are IC or if you are IC, don't make OOC emotes. That should be common sense as it too disrupts RP and dampens realism.

I don't have much to say regarding the entirety of this conversation, but I did wish to comment about this particular quote. We do not allow people to be disruptive OOC -- ever. If you would like to watch some others OOCly, you should first confirm with those present that this is okay. It's part of being considerate.

Furthermore, if people are disruptive they will be warned and may have sanctions placed against them. Having fun and being silly is all well and good, but there's a place and time for such tomfoolery and it is never at the expense of people trying to roleplay.