Getting into Pen & Paper RPGs

Dr Snofeld

Not certain if this is the right subforum. I'm asking about role-playing games, which would make it a Critical Failures issue, but I'm asking for advice, which would fit here on H&A. If I've posted in the wrong subforum it would be nice if it could be moved to the correct one. Anyway.

RPGs. Specifically, the pen and paper variety. I'd really like to get into that. "Not a problem," you might say, "just find a local group." Unfortunately, my Google-fu shows up only one group in my local area who's website hasn't updated since '05.

So really my only choice is to play online. But I don't know how I'd go about that, what software I'd need, yadda yadda yadda. And even though there are games going on in Critical Failures my worries are that they're too far into storylines to accept complete newbies, which is understandable. And since I'm in the UK I'm in a different timezone to the US-based games. Staying up to 6am to play might be fine now, but in a month and a half when uni starts again, not so good.

Games I'd like to play in order of preference:

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Ed.: The classic, and the one which apparently makes for the best stories and interaction, which is really what I'd be playing for.
GURPS Discworld: Never really heard of GURPS but I know the Discworld setting like the back of my hand and could very easily manage to act in character I think.
Vampire: the Requiem: Played VtM: Bloodlines, liked the setting, bought the Requiem and nWoD books, found out that the new setting was kinda dire in comparison. Still, with a good DM (or whatever the nWoD equivelent is) that could be negated.

So I ask, what do I need, who can I play with, how should I prepare to play, what is good gaming etiquette, etc.?

LaOs

This thread, here is an active Euro group. The title says slots open, but it may be outdated. At the very least, lurk the thread and see how it's going? You could even PM the players, or at least the DM, and find out if they're cool with a new player or someone joining at the point they're at.

There's also the D&D 4E Recruiting thread, here that you can pop in and say basically what you said here, except focusing on the D&D bit--you're new to the system, looking for a group to play with/join, and would prefer a Euro timezone. I would think someone would be able to push you in the right direction.

Other than that, try asking any of your friends if they'd be interested in trying a Pen and Paper system. Even ask those friends of yours you're "sure" would not want to play--you'd be surprised who's up for tabletop gaming, especially if most everyone playing is going to be on the same level (new) so there's no reason to be scared.

Good luck?

Judge-Z

Another option if you'd prefer to play in person that you may not have thought of is that if you have a university nearby, they nearly always have a gaming group. I'd say almost half of the members of my alma mater's club are "locals" as opposed to students.

If there aren't any universities in your area, see if there might be any game stores within commuting distance (or hobby or comic shops that sell games) as they will often have in-house gaming groups or bulletin boards for people to find groups. honestly, the system you play is less important than the people you play with, so don't be afraid to jump in with any setting that piques your interest even remotely. Don't worry so much about knowing the system or setting - most of us tabletop players are so eager to get new players in the hobby because we love it so (or socially awkward and desperate for new friends who want to hear about our characters) that they'll help you fit in.

Dr Snofeld

Judge-Z wrote: »

Another option if you'd prefer to play in person that you may not have thought of is that if you have a university nearby, they nearly always have a gaming group. I'd say almost half of the members of my alma mater's club are "locals" as opposed to students.

If there aren't any universities in your area, see if there might be any game stores within commuting distance (or hobby or comic shops that sell games) as they will often have in-house gaming groups or bulletin boards for people to find groups. honestly, the system you play is less important than the people you play with, so don't be afraid to jump in with any setting that piques your interest even remotely. Don't worry so much about knowing the system or setting - most of us tabletop players are so eager to get new players in the hobby because we love it so (or socially awkward and desperate for new friends who want to hear about our characters) that they'll help you fit in.

Unfortunately the gaming group at my university is the aforementioned defunct group, and I don't really know of any game stores in Dundee that aren't Games Workshop. But I'll have a look.

Trowizilla

Well, do you have friends? And are they either already geeky or open-minded? Start your own game! There's some free modules available if you don't feel confident enough to make up your own stories at first. Expect lots of joking around and silliness, but if you can get your friends into it, you'll have a group right there.

As for how to run it: don't be afraid to simplify instead of looking something up. For D&D, the general rule is to roll a d20 (20-sided die) and add whatever modifiers apply. The higher the final number, the better. Don't be afraid to guess which modifiers you use; you can always look things up after the game, but a stalled game where people are digging through the book to figure out what numbers to use isn't fun for anybody.

Don't be afraid to improvise wildly. That monster that was supposed to be your climactic battle gets KO'd in one shot by the party? Let them have their victory, but obviously the monster was just being controlled by the evil wizard, or is just the baby of the bigger, nastier monster!

Don't be afraid to lie. It's not fun for everyone if their character gets critical hit by a goblin five minutes into the first session. Roll your dice where only you can see them and lie when you need to to keep the game fun for the players. Don't lie to screw them over, and don't lie where they can catch you!

Judge-Z

From the Wizards of the Coast store locator thingee...

Highlander Games
98 Annfield Road DD1 5JH
Dundee
01382 666 315

Good luck. Here's the store's webpage... (I love Google Earth!)

Highlander Games