# Anyone up for an online role-playing game? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798 "2005-01-26T18:38:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/21 "2005-01-27T16:11:20Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > Is this going to be focused on the board itself? I can ask some other online friends if they might be interested but they aren’t Dopers. Like I said before, I imagined that the roundtable discussions would be on the boards, but I’m flexible on that point. We could try to do everything via e-mail. I’m open to opinions on this. The one requirement is that both councils be public and open to all. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/22 "2005-01-27T16:31:22Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > Um … I might have to be a bastard daughter. Or, whatever. Just in case that detail is important. (I’m willing to play a guy, just wanted to make sure you knew I was a “she” if it matters.) Oops, sorry – sometimes it’s really hard to tell a person’s gender by screen name. There’s always the young and lovely Thilisa Meleken. Or the cunning and cruel Chesalyne the Elder. Or the sexy yet opportunistic Erila Kaphin. All excellent characters. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/23 "2005-01-27T17:00:49Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Oops, sorry – sometimes it’s really hard to tell a person’s gender by screen name. > > There’s always the young and lovely Thilisa Meleken. Or the cunning and cruel Chesalyne the Elder. Or the sexy yet opportunistic Erila Kaphin. All excellent characters. No problem, just wanted to let you know. Like I said, I don’t care if you want me to be a boy – I would just like for my character to have shoes. Not so much to ask for, is it? By the way – who assigns characters? Do we pick them ourselves? How do we call dibs on a character we like? (Remember, I’m a newbie – last time I did an RPG of any kind, I created my own character and I died in 10 minutes.) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/24 "2005-01-27T17:35:09Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > No problem, just wanted to let you know. Like I said, I don’t care if you want me to be a boy – I would just like for my character to have shoes. Not so much to ask for, is it?. Normally I don’t like it when people play characters across genders, but that’s generally because I haven’t met many who can do it well. But I think in this scenario no real harm could come of it, so it’s up to you. But I just listed three women who are major players in this, so they should be played by somebody. [/QUOTE] By the way – who assigns characters? Do we pick them ourselves? How do we call dibs on a character we like? (Remember, I’m a newbie – last time I did an RPG of any kind, I created my own character and I died in 10 minutes.) [/QUOTE] I don’t know. I was going to assign roles randomly, but within gender boundaries. I could let people choose their own on a first come first serve basis, but I’m afraid that would discourage people signing up at the last minute, as they may not want the “crappy leftover” characters. Also, if we don’t fill the 33 player requirement, then we have to fill certain roles before others. As it stands with only 6 players, we’d have to at least cast 1 bastard son, two Elendsas, Cheselyne, and two tenants-in chief. And that would make for a pretty piss-poor game. I suppose if we don’t fill the ranks then I could play one character myself, but I could hardly be neutral then. I was already planning to play something like Marshall of the Guard or Herald Royal, just so I could run the game in character. As for creating your own character, there’s not much to create. Just read a description and start playing. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/25 "2005-01-27T18:16:11Z")
OK, so you’re sort of the moderator then, right? (I’d say dungeonmaster but I don’t know if that’s the right word here.) Works for me. If we get to pick characters I know who I would like to be, but I’m OK with being randomly assigned, too. Whatever. I’m pretty darned flexible. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/26 "2005-01-27T18:20:11Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > OK, so you’re sort of the moderator then, right? (I’d say dungeonmaster but I don’t know if that’s the right word here.) Works for me. If we get to pick characters I know who I would like to be, but I’m OK with being randomly assigned, too. Whatever. I’m pretty darned flexible. Who? (For curiosity sake.) ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/27 "2005-01-27T19:26:50Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Who? (For curiosity sake.) Meliem Elendsa. Seems a fascinating woman, not unlike the characters I tend to love in smutty historical romance novels. She does not appear to be someone to be trifled with. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/28 "2005-01-27T19:47:17Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > Meliem Elendsa. Seems a fascinating woman, not unlike the characters I tend to love in smutty historical romance novels. She does not appear to be someone to be trifled with. Ah, interesting! I wonder how she gets along with her older sister. While Meliem is a true longshot to be queen, she probably has quite a bit of influence in the family. If you truly want this character, I’m sure a random assignment could be weighted in your favor. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/29 "2005-01-27T20:44:13Z")
Really? Take my bribe, please! 😉 But if there are other roles that need filling, like I said, I’m flexible. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/30 "2005-01-27T21:01:03Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > Really? Take my bribe, please! 😉 But if there are other roles that need filling, like I said, I’m flexible. As long as we get enough players – and we’re nowhere near – you’re good to go. BTW, can you link to to information on Meliem that you found? I don’t know a great deal about her, and I’m wondering if what you found is canon or fan material. ---
**Author:** ![Priam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/77aa72/32.png) [@Priam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Priam)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/31 "2005-01-27T21:09:44Z")
I’m in tentatively. Still need to check out your background links. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/32 "2005-01-27T21:39:50Z")
> [@Priam](#): > > I’m in tentatively. Still need to check out your background links. I hope you’re in. I’ve been trolling over at snopes for more players, so if you’re in, we’ll have nine. That’s just two short of a third of what we need! ---
**Author:** ![Priam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/77aa72/32.png) [@Priam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Priam)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/33 "2005-01-27T21:51:20Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I hope you’re in. I’ve been trolling over at snopes for more players, so if you’re in, we’ll have nine. That’s just two short of a third of what we need! I’m not completely sure I understand who all the characters available are, but yeah I’m in. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/34 "2005-01-27T22:04:11Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > BTW, can you link to to information on Meliem that you found? I don’t know a great deal about her, and I’m wondering if what you found is canon or fan material. All I know about Meliem I got from your links above. It never ever occurred to me to, like, Google her or anything, but I might do that later. The only things I know came from the links you provided, so I hope it’s the real deal! Still think she’s the one I want to be, though. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/35 "2005-01-27T22:16:19Z")
> [@Priam](#): > > I’m not completely sure I understand who all the characters available are, but yeah I’m in. Cool. 🙂 I haven’t listed all the characters yet, but if you go to the “Elendsa” link above and look at the geneology, I think (not positive) that everyone in a red box is a character. Some of the more prominent characters are: Maldan Harabor, bastard son of the king, Sheriff of ?(can’t remember) Koris Harabor, bastard son of the king Tulath Kaphin, bastard son of the king Troda Dariune, an earl – arguably the most powerful man in the kingdom Cheslyne Elendsa – cousin of the king, a crafty and cunning woman, currently arranging the marriage of her daughter and Troda’s son Conwan Elendsa – cousin of the king, very favored for the throne Thilisa Meleken – ruling an earldom while her husband is missing Earl Caldeth – Thilisa’s father Earl Curo – a corpulent, drunken letch. With a lot of power. Orsin Firith – cousin, also very well favored Edine Kynn – the archbishop Erila Kaphin – King’s girlfriend, Lord Privy Seal, mother of Tulath There are many more, of course, but those are all I can think of, and they are the most important. That’s 12, and though I’d like to have 33 players, I think we could play just by filling those roles. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/36 "2005-01-27T23:01:21Z")
Do you have space for a mad hermit? I’ve tried online role-playing but never got very far, mainly because it was done through message boards and email. If there are specific times and guidelines to follow, I’d like to try a chat or IM format. I think the mad hermit role has appeal- I don’t necessarily fit in, but I can relate by bringing dire warnings or obscure information to the plot. ---
**Author:** ![sweetfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@sweetfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweetfreak)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/37 "2005-01-27T23:07:06Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > IHere is the scenario: The king is dead and named no heir to the throne. Wooooo Hooooo! Finally! I didn’t vote for him…errrr…oh yeah. You don’t vote for a king! Anarchists…UNITE! or is that an oxymoron? :smack: 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/38 "2005-01-27T23:10:01Z")
> [@sweetfreak](#): > > Wooooo Hooooo! Finally! I didn’t vote for him…errrr…oh yeah. You don’t vote for a king! The ironing is delicious – the new king will selected by vote! Of course, those that don’t vote for him might end up with their heads on pikes… ---
**Author:** ![sweetfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@sweetfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweetfreak)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/39 "2005-01-27T23:20:20Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The ironing is delicious – the new king will selected by vote! Of course, those that don’t vote for him might end up with their heads on pikes… Okay then! After I have decapitated everyone else, placed their heads on pikes, I will then become the new king…errr…QUEEN. 😃 I may spare one man’s life, though. After all, what’s a queen without at least one servant? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798/40 "2005-01-27T23:43:32Z")
> [@sweetfreak](#): > > Okay then! After I have decapitated everyone else, placed their heads on pikes, I will then become the new king…errr…QUEEN. 😃 > I may spare one man’s life, though. After all, what’s a queen without at least one servant? 😉 So, are you saying you want to play Cheselyne? 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-an-online-role-playing-game/286798.md?page=3)