How to start roleplaying on Waterdeep MUD

If you've got your character and description done, it's time for some roleplay action! But where to find it?


Read chat notes
Are there any chat notes on the board that indicate people are currently seeking roleplay? If yes, approach those people by tell. If not, check the 'who' list.

Check the 'who' list
Anyone with a "R" in their bracket is live-roleplaying or seeking roleplay (some announce it on OOC only and do not post a note). Politely send a tell to people to ask whether they are interested in roleplaying with you.

Send a chat note
If current live-roleplayers have a private/non-open session, or there's nobody seeking roleplay or with a roleplayer (R) flag on at all, it's time write a chat note stating that you seek roleplay. Settle yourself at a location (for example: Phil's bar) and wait. Usually you want to quest in between, so make sure you mention that in your chat note.

Time to roleplay? Switch that flag on!
When you are about to roleplay or it has just started, switch the roleplay flag on by typing 'config roleplayer'.

If you never roleplayed before, you need to type the following:

• wiznet (turns wiznet on)
• wiznet show (shows wiznet options)
• wiznet prefix (add a prefix before notifications)
• wiznet rp (switch on roleplayer notifications)
• roleplayers (join the roleplayers, this also auto-switches the flag on the first time)

When you're done roleplaying, or you no longer seek roleplay, remove your chat note from the noteboard with 'chat remove #', with # being the number of your note listed on 'chat list'. Then type 'config roleplayer' again to turn off your roleplay flag.

That is all!

How to join a Clan

At one point, you might want to join a clan. You've perhaps seen other people who were members of one, perhaps you've heard them talk and roleplay about it, maybe you are simply looking for a group of like minded people who have the resources to further your position in the game. Whatever the reason, if you want to join a clan, you have to prepare.

How to join a clan .... in 5 steps:


Step 1 - Know your character
Your character is your basis. You need to know who your character is, what he/she does, acts, comes from etc. Having a description is a must. Most roleplayers have this pat down, but if you are still working on this, it might be interesting to read this and this.

Step 2 - Know your roleplay
A new character is like a new pair of shoes. They fit terribly. You need to wear and walk around with them for a while before they become more comfortable. The same goes for characters. Roleplaying with your character will help you work out some details and file down those rough edges you will find won't work. It will make your character come alive and you'll feel more confident roleplaying them if you have some experience. (Practice makes perfect.)

Step 3 - Know your clan of choice
Read the helpfiles on the clans and pick the one that you think fits your character best. Or roleplay with the clan's members to see what they're like. You need to figure out what they're about, what they're like and whether you'll enjoy hanging out with them. Often the helpfile also contains details that can help you out with writing your application!

Step 4 - Apply
Write an IC note where you introduce yourself and apply for membership of a clan. It should be clear as to why you want to join the clan, so explain your motivation for approaching them.

Step 5 - After application
When leadership is interested, they or other clan members will contact you for IC talks, roleplay. Eventually you will be interviewed and this will separate the well-prepared from those that are not. Interviews are usually with at least one leader present, often more, and possibly a few members. They will question you and in some cases also ask OOC questions since certain clans have alt restrictions. Eventually a decision will be made and you will hear whether you become part of the clan or not.

Last but not least, unless you dig betrayal, a clan is for life. So weigh your options down well before applying. Keep in mind that although well-fitted answers can patch up a sloppy first three steps during the interview, it does not patch up your future within that clan.

Good luck!

How to build your roleplay character: a light tutorial

Adapted from the old Apostles of the Crypt website entry on roleplay posted by Landor (RIP).

Roleplaying is one of the most fun things in Waterdeep but its not easy and it doesn't come without hard work. Therefore this light tutorial allows a swift look at the things needed to roleplay. There are many ways to roleplay and this tutorial does not cover them all, but you do not have to be elite to roleplay. All it requires is some imagination.

Step 1
At first, try to visualise your character. Then, try to describe the way he/she looks like and put that in your description. If you have a hard time doing this, it may help thinking of fantasy creatures or movies such as 'Lord of the Rings' for inspiration. Try to feel your character inside you, as in try to become your character emotionally. In a a way it is like acting, except you are the director, producer and actors all at once as you tell your own tale.

Step 2

• Is the character evil, good or neutral. Is the character aggressive or defensive, scared or scary? And so on, and so on. Think of the characters attitude and keep in mind why the character is that way.
• Where and when was the character born or created?
• Who was his/her family and were they important? And if so, why?
• Where did your character spend its youth?
• Why did your character spend its youth there?
• Is the character in a clan? (See the clan help for roleplay tips) Why did your character join this clan?
• Any plans for the future and if so, what are they?
• Does your character like ice cream? Does your character swim of have fun? These small things are the things that makes one character different from others.
• Does your characters have friends or enemies, and why are they enemies or friends?

Step 3
More personal stuff:

• How does your character react on things that happen in the Realms? Examples: the news, accusations, gossip, etc. 
• Is (s)he always out for fights?
• Is (s)he always out for money? For their own benefit?
• Is (s)he greedy?
• Is (s)he seductive?
• Is (s)he a born leader?
• Is (s)he respectful?
• Is (s)he the kind of person that shares what he/she has?
• Is (s)he selfish?
• What kind of language does (s)he use?
• What is your characters age? Does the appearance of your character fit the age?

Although this is not a complete list to build a character's personality, it is a start. Success and good luck!

How to write a Character Description

If you never roleplayed before and you want to roleplay, where do you start? In this post an example will be given on how to build a character from nothing simply by asking yourself a few basic questions and following logic.

A who or a what? A who
A male or a female? A male
A human or something else? Something else
What race then? A dwarf
Age? Middle-aged (note: no numbers yet)
Height? A bit above dwarf average (note: once again no numbers yet)
Weight? Average dwarf weight
Chubby or muscular? Muscular
Why muscular? Because of his profession
What is his profession? He is a blacksmith
Does he dress like a blacksmith? Not anymore
Why not? Because he is an adventurer now
What does he wear then? More armour worthy of a soldier. And he is a dwarf, so chainmail!
Does he use a weapon? Yes
What kind of weapon? A hammer
What kind of hammer? A large warhammer
Any special clothing or jewellery? He wears a broad belt with a gold buckle over his armour

So, what skin type underneath all that armour? A light skin type
Any scars? None
Anything else about the skin (pocks, sweaty, rosy, whatever)? Ordinary
Colour of the hair? Red
Bald? No
Facial hair? Yes, a beard!
What kind of beard? A big one, trimmed into a point with tassels at the end
Any companion animals? None

And that should give enough information to write a description on your very first character:

A red-haired dwarf with a big beard that's neatly trimmed into a point with tassels is dressed in chainmail with large armour plating. A broad belt with golden buckle is set across his waste and on his back he carries a large warhammer. The muscular build of this above average sized dwarf allows him to carry the combined weight of his armour and hammer. 

See that nothing was mentioned about him being a blacksmith? That's because you can't see that when you look at a person. Unless there was a detail to give it away. For instance:

A red-haired dwarf with a big beard that's neatly trimmed into a point with tassels is dressed in chainmail with large armour plating. A broad belt with golden buckle is set across his waste and on his back he carries a large warhammer. The muscular build of this above average sized dwarf allows him to carry the combined weight of his armour and hammer. The callous palms of his hands have the scars of blisters on them.

Nice! Furthermore, although no scars or skin specifics were thought up when writing the description, for a reference to his period as blacksmith it was a subtle addition. This is a demonstration of how a description grows slowly along with the background of the character until it makes sense logically.

With the description done, specific traits such as actual height, weight or age can be worked out. Either by guessing the right figures or by looking the averages up online. Then again, there's nothing against keeping traits such as age, height and weight descriptive as they were in the first outline!