What is a role-playing game?
A role-playing game (RPG) is like storytelling, but it also involves playing a role in a story. As a player in these games, you will not only help tell a story, but you will actually act through it by assuming the role of a central character. It's a lot like theatre, but you make up the lines.
When you come to a role-playing game, you make up what's called a "character concept." That enbodies your new persona - the character you'll play in that evening's story (we call that a "PC" - Player Character). If you want, you can play a character who's big and strong - a real modern mercenary. If that's not your bag, though, create a character who's strong mentally - a thinker. Maybe you play a character who's not incredibly strong or smart, but can get by on her charm and good looks. The running gag at SPRAL is, "If I can pretend that I'm a blood-sucking fiend of the night or a rage-filled werewolf, I can pretend that a four-foot player is actually looking me in the eye." This loosely translates to "play whatever you think will be fun."
There are two types of players in a role-playing game: there are the players and the StoryTeller. It's the Storyteller's job to tell the story to the players, whose characters react accordingly. The Storyteller also takes care of all the "extras" in the game (usually called "NPCs", for Non-Player Characters). The Storyteller is like the narrator of the story, and the players play the characters.
When you find out who your character is, go ahead and get in-character! Try to think like your character thinks. Act like your character acts. If you're playing Clint Buckshot, modern mercenary, stand tall and don't take any crap from anyone! If you're playing Malcolm Walker, the geeky bookworm, you may not want to look anyone in the eye at all. Remember - your character can be any person. It's customary to play a game called "20 Questions" with a Storyteller or Narrator (assistant Storyteller) before you first play your character; it's just a Q&A about your character. Where does he come from? What's her favorite food? Does your character have an accent? A girlfriend? Go to school? Go wild with the details of your character - they're what makes him or her interesting! (don't forget a name, either.)
SPRAL plays a unique type of RPG called a Live-Action Role-Playing (LARP) game. When RPGs got their start, they were played like a board game; dice, paper, and all that. In a LARP, however, you actually get into costume, get in-character, and act out your part! This makes for incredibly dynamic gameplay - it's much easier to feel like your character when you can get into his swagger, or feel her accent roll off your tongue. Of course, when it comes to risky activity (rough housing, stunts, or combat) we compare "character sheets" - a piece of paper that details out all the capabilities of your character.
Every game we play focuses on a particular theme. For example: Vampire: The Masquerade is a game that focuses on the horror of a predator's lost humanity. Werewolf: The Apocalypse centers on the epic struggle to save a dying world. Each of those themes is the heart of the game, but isn't necessarily the game's focus. In other words, there's such a thing as a happy vampire or a weak werewolf. It's all a matter of what you want to play and have fun with.
Go back to the main page