INTRODUCTION

DragonRealms is a role-playing game with players from across the world. It is a text based (English) multi-player fantasy based game. To sum it up, it's a cross between Dungeons & Dragons, Greek Mythology, and Medieval times. The world is Elanthia, and there are four Provinces, with many cities. (Therenborough, El Bain's Stop, Langenfirth, Riverhaven, Dirge, Stone Clan, Kaerna Village, Arthe Dale, The Crossing, Tiger Clan, Wolf Clan, Knife Clan, Leth Deriel, Shard, Steel Claw Clan, Horse Clan, Ratha, Aesry Surlaenis'a, Hara'jaal, M'riss, Mer'kresh, Hvaral, and Muspar'i.) The world is continually expanding with new Provinces, Cities, and hunting areas. It has its own religion, economy, politics, plots, and sub plots. The world has many hidden areas and puzzles to keep you entertained. Simutronics provides major quests (for an additional cost) that you can participate in and receive rare items as well as puzzle solving and combat thrill. There are also in game mini-quests, invasions, etc... to keep players interested.

The game has written policies which should be followed to maintain the playing enjoyment of others. Those can be found on the DragonRealms site from the "Policy" link on the left side of their page. Basically, you must role-play your character within the DragonRealms setting. Meaning do not discuss your life (RL = real life) issues in the game unless it is in whispers. You are expected to behave, think, and talk as if you lived in that fantasy world. TVs do not exist, and telling someone out loud that your mother is yelling at you to get off the computer is considered "Out of Character" (OOC) and is not acceptable in the game. Despite the attempts to keep players "In Character" (IC) to preserve the mood of the game, there will still be slip ups. For instance, a player states "afkbfam" ... that means Away From Key Board For A Minute... which is OOC. Some will say, "meditating for a moment" which means the same thing but is still IC rather than OOC.

Here is an example of 'moderate' role-playing....

Micwolf just arrived.
Micwolf bows to Stram.
Stram smiles at Micwolf.
Stram says, "Hello Mic, how are you?"
Micwolf stretches.
Micwolf smiles at Stram.
Micwolf says, "I've been better. Those Spirits beyond the fence clawed a trail up my backside"
Micwolf points to the fence.
Micwolf sheathes his bastard sword.
Stram winces.
Stram says, "I bet. I was in there earlier and they were swarming."
Micwolf says, "Pardon me for a few moments while I pay thanks to my gods"

Now Lets take a look at it again with more role-playing involved....

Micwolf just arrived.
A pained expression crosses Micwolf's face.
Micwolf groans.
Micwolf smiles and bows to Stram, somewhat gingerly.
Stram looks with concern at Micwolf.
Stram says, "Hello Mic, how are you?"
Micwolf stretches.
Micwolf looks a bit weak in the knees.
Micwolf smiles weakly at Stram.
Micwolf painfully says, "I've been better. Those Spirits beyond the fence clawed a trail up my backside"
Micwolf points to the fence.
Micwolf sheathes his bastard sword.
Stram winces.
Stram empathetically says, "I was in there earlier and the spirits were vicious."
Micwolf kneels.
Micwolf says, "Pardon me for a few moments while I pay thanks to my gods."
Micwolf bows his head and begins to pray.

Here is an example of OOC....

Micwolf just arrived.
Stram says, "Hello Mic, how are you?"
Micwolf says, "Those DS kicked my arse severely. Just about bit the big one and got struck down. I swear they must have been tweaked up"
Micwolf sheathes his bastard sword.
Stram says, "I bet. I was in there earlier and they were generating like crazy."
Micwolf says, "afk, gotta get a drink"

Now, I am by no means an expert on role-playing and I do let things slip on occasion. I know there are times when you want to talk to your close friends in an OOC manner. I would suggest if you are around others to whisper to them or take it to a closed room. I have taken my DragonRealms wife to very low traffic areas in the game to briefly talk about OOC issues like.. are ya gonna be here tomorrow?... what time? etc.. etc.. However, even that is not a good thing to do. Passers by may catch OOC comments from you which could ruin the mood of the game for them. You can and probably will receive warnings from GameMasters (GMs) for OOC activities. If you find typing "whisper to" persons-name over and over annoying, then I suggest you macro it.

INTRODUCTION

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