Breakfast Topic: Do you do RPish things on a non-RP realm?
by Chuck Gaskill 
Feb 23rd 2011 at 8:00AM
I've been playing WoW for about four years now (holy crap!). It fills that need in me to play a hero -- someone who helps the little guy, rights the wrongs, etc. Quite often, I find that I /bow or /salute the quest givers I encounter in my journeys. I've even been known to go to the Lower City in Shattrath and /hug the orphan you escort during Children's Week (okay, well, it's not the orphan -- but it looks like her!); I need to get back to Shatt; it's been a while since I've seen little Dornaa. Whenever I happen to be passing through Theramore, I always stop by the graveyard just outside of town and /kneel, /stand, /bow and /salute (in that order) the gravestone of the woman and child who were killed at The Shady Rest Inn.
Now, this would all be normal behavior for someone on a roleplaying server, right? I currently have my character on the Azuremyst (US) realm, which is not a roleplaying server. My son is always telling me that I should be on a RP realm.
What sorts of shenanigans do you do that have your friends or family telling you that you should be on a roleplaying server?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
MattKrotzer Feb 23rd 2011 8:05AM
I've done non-RPish things on my RP server... but not the other way around.
MattKrotzer Feb 23rd 2011 10:43AM
The problem is, Blizzard takes a mostly hands-off "police yourselves" stance on RP server rules enforcement. After several years, this has driven off most RP, as we just get frustrated with the lack of support for our playstyle.
Golis Feb 23rd 2011 12:17PM
I live on an RP server (Shadow Council -A) and while most people don't make open attempts to RP (trade gets filled with "RP -- LOL" comments daily), there are a lot of little RP moments you see.
People who sit at the chairs in the Inn to take a drink before logging off at night
A gathering of (semi-)naked folks at the Trade Prince's pool (yes, I was the fully clothed Dwarf who simply looked and then flew away... I felt unwelcome there).
I even had a guild member (back before you could fly everywhere) who would never ride a boat all the way to the docks... instead he had an emote saying, "Mossrag jumps off the boat and swims for shore to avoid customs searches."
RP is there, just don't confuse RP with faux Shakespeare-esque nonsense.
Ryan Feb 24th 2011 1:58AM
I found myself in Orgrimmar updating our "Warchief" on my progress when a goblin, walked into the throne room and bowed before Garrosh before calmly walking out and heading along his way.
The part that blew my mind was that he walked. That seemed to add another level to his brief RP gesture.
Blazenwing Feb 23rd 2011 8:07AM
I'm on Cenarion Circle, one of the oldest pure RP realms as far as I know, and despite a few events here and there and a couple of guilds that kick ass with RP events (mostly Horde side, it seems), RP is all but dead. I've been made fun of for RPing before... that doesn't seem right given that it's an RP server, but alas, I have too many friends to leave for the sake of roleplaying.
Roguesan Feb 23rd 2011 8:11AM
In much the same way as you, I would always target and /kneel when entering the chamber to fight Keristrasza in the Nexus - a mark of respect and adoration.
I played out that whole storyline before I entered the Nexus for the first time and for whatever reason, it really got to me personally. I felt some sort of bond with her; we'd fought side by side and I'd had to stand by powerless to help as she was taken.
When I fought my way through to her in the Nexus and realised what I was about to have to do, I felt completely overcome with emotion. I'm at a loss as to explain why. There are loads of emotion-heavy storylines and events throughout WoW; I recognise them for what they are, but don't have any kind of 'real' emotional reaction to them. This one was different.
Roguesan Feb 23rd 2011 8:15AM
Also just happened to notice you said you were on Azuremyst (US). I'm on Azuremyst (EU). Maybe it's a blue isle thing? =P
donatilh Feb 23rd 2011 10:25AM
I am in total agreement with you Roguesan! That Keristrasza quest line gets to me too (and it's with great fury that I will always go and kick the crap out of Malygos whenever I get the chance). Also the dragon questlines in the Twilight Highland and Feralas do that to me as well... guess I have a soft spot for the dragons.
I routinely /salute, /bow some of my favorite NPCs (I miss Carine terribly). Hell I even carry my Lounging Clothes with me (Giant-Friend Kilt, Knitted Sandals and Master Builder's Shirt). That way I can quickly change and relax at the bar after a long day of raiding.
fallenphoenix Feb 23rd 2011 12:19PM
I always give Keri a hug after the fight. Dammit Blizz... don't make me fight red dragons! I heart them!
Konni Feb 24th 2011 9:17AM
I am not on an RP server (tried it a few times, didn't see the point) but all my friends say I'm a "closet RPer". I also get really emotional over the stories, kneel before faction leaders, sit in the inn and have a drink before logging off, etc. I RP everyday...I just dont' really participate in "RP events".
For me, RP has more to do with my mindset while playing than it does with HOW I'm playing. There are quest strings I never skip while leveling because I love the story and want each character to do them, there are ones I avoid because the quest-giver doesn't deserve the help! (It only took me once of visiting Staghelm to NEVER take him Morrowgrain again...he was an ass.)
RP isn't restricted to RP servers anymore than RP servers are restricted to RP activities. If you want to RP, RP. ;) Eventually, you'll find friends to whom you can admit what you're doing and you may be surprised how many join in. ;)
Sleutel Feb 23rd 2011 8:16AM
Sometimes, if I find a quest particularly touching, I'll /salute. ... But I usually take a sneaky look around to make sure no one's watching, first. :D
Nawaf Feb 23rd 2011 9:47AM
Everytime I see a character I really like, I'll bow/salute/kneel.
Prelimar Feb 23rd 2011 10:00AM
i always /salute general marcus jonathan when i go in or out of stormwind (partly because he salutes back), and because i'm a mage, i also salute khadgar whenever i'm in shatt -- which isn't that often these days.
also, i'm don't play horde at all, but whenever i'm in the area, i stop and /kneel at elder ezra wheathoof. :' (
Aaron Feb 23rd 2011 11:06AM
@Prelimar even on my dorf when I'm grinding my Arch in Kalimdor and I'm routed over toward Thunderbluff I make sure to swoop down and /wave at Ahab and I always /pat his dog.
:*)
Oni Stardust Feb 23rd 2011 1:19PM
I also have a tendency to emote at npcs I like. I almost always bow to Varian and Tyrande, for example.
Also, all of my Worgen have /cryed, /bowed, and /saluted Liam Greymane after the battle with Sylvanas.
For that matter, ever since I went Worgen, I've always /spit on Sylvanas.
Namy Feb 23rd 2011 3:53PM
I always /salute Tirion Fordring and /bow to Velen. Velen is freaking awesome!!
I also visit Uther's grave everytime I'm in EPL. How sad is that?! I bloody love it ;) I have to give Pamela a /hug and I'm so happy to have her following me around in EPL when I go there these days :)
Shadowwind Feb 23rd 2011 3:58PM
Same here! I ALWAYS either /bow or /kneel before a faction leader (which one depending on the faction leader), and during the Love is in the Air events, I found out to my amusement that my priest has a crush on Muradin Bronzebeard. /accept Charm Bracelet quest, /walk into throne room and up to Muradin, /bow, /blush, /hand in quest, /flee in embarrassed confusion.
As for the orphan thing, my big one is my shaman's connection to Pamela Redpath. Shadow first ran into Pamela wayyy back in Vanilla (and was unable to complete the very last quest, so for her, Pamela is still forever 'living' in that ruined house in the dead village), and she's made a point of stopping by every so often. Her first Lich King kill was even made in Pamela's name! While I don't like how much the Darrowshire quest has been shortened, I DO like that you can now have Pamela follow you around while you quest in EPL. I finally get to see Pamela and Shadow roaming around together, like I've imagined them doing for over 5 years.
Noyou Feb 23rd 2011 4:28PM
Not afraid at throwing down some RP on my non RP server at all. After all, that's why we are all here. To play characters we could not be in RL. To what extent you take it is totally up to you. When turning in quests to the Kings/Lords I often /salute /bow or /kneel it's just polite :) Even when turning in hundreds of lovely charm bracelets I broke out a /bow or /kneel. Although I slacked off on it most of the time. As an ally player how could you not want to /hug Tyrande? She's sooo....yeah. But seriously I feel bad that people are ever given crap about RP (okay the ERP is different). I can see if you are going around pretending your toon is from a twilight movie but bottom line is you are entitled to have your fun. Go have it. You pay for it :)
Rhu Feb 23rd 2011 8:19AM
I think it is the little RP things that count. On my druid and your looking for me, check a tree for a sitting bird. On my gnome engineer in H deadmines and you want to know if I can use the bot, I start going on about how I love to tinker.
Dreamfiller Feb 23rd 2011 8:32AM
Interesting story that does not really connect to this straight.
When i was playing my orc warrior on Saurfang (EU), not rp realm. I was leveling through Outland, which i didnt find so horrible back then (didnt knew anything better), and i got to Nagrand and Mag'har part. I love the orc lore and because of that reason and how awesome i found Grommash, I decided to grind to exalted with Mag'har cos i felt it was my chars duty to honor them and help them. I got the talbuk and tabard and i thought all that was worth it.
No i dont but, Grommah FTw!