Full Xargon transcript
Xargon Guurn 1: Ah, welcome to you and correct. I am going to instruct you on what makes PlaneShift different from many other online games. Are you ready?
Xargon Guurn 2: PlaneShift is a game meant for IN CHARACTER interactions, by Roleplaying your character's personality and relationships with other characters. [Xargon nods.] The players and developers of PlaneShift are working to create an immersive fantasy Roleplaying world where the player's character comes to life, instead of merely another place to rank up power and items while the player chats about TV or Real Life stuff, PlaneShift offers the player the chance to Roleplay their character, to live in and move through a world that is not ours. [Xargon pauses.] Have you played any other Roleplaying games?
Xargon Guurn 3: Ah, that's good so you'll know most of this but here are some general things you may use when you are roleplaying. [Xargon carefully rubs his wing with the back of his axe.] First, you should have a general idea of what your character is. This will allow you to pick a general tone for your character, and maybe even a way of speaking. As an example, a farm worker will have a different outlook on life than a wealthy merchant or a mercenary fighter. Your character might also have a lisp, a wandering eye, an odd habit, a love of rich foods, or a passion for riddles. These are all things that you can decide as your character develops. [Xargon chuckles.] Which one of the above sounds the most interesting to you?
Xargon Guurn 4: Ah, that's good so you'll have no preconceptions well here are some general things you may use when you are roleplaying. [Xargon carefully rubs his wing with the back of his axe.] First, you should have a general idea of what your character is. This will allow you to pick a general tone for your character, and maybe even a way of speaking. As an example, a farm worker will have a different outlook on life than a wealthy merchant or a mercenary fighter. Your character might also have a lisp, a wandering eye, an odd habit, a love of rich foods, or a passion for riddles. These are all things that you can decide as your character develops. [Xargon chuckles.] Which one of the above sounds the most interesting to you?
Xargon Guurn 5: A lisp? Very good, perhaps that will become part of your character's nature! Let's continue: second, you must be able to keep what you, the player, know separate from what your character knows. As a very simple example, the game displays the names of other players you encounter above their heads, so, you, the player, know it. However, your character cannot see a name floating in the air, so this person's name is unknown to your character until introductions are made. [Xargon bows to you.] Greetings, stranger, and welcome to the city of Hydlaa. Lovely weather we're having, aye?
Xargon Guurn 6: Well cooking may be a skill you'll like, perhaps that will become part of your character's abilites Let's continue: second, you must be able to keep what you, the player, know separate from what your character knows. As a very simple example, the game displays the names of other players you encounter above their heads, so, you, the player, know it. However, your character cannot see a name floating in the air, so this person's name is unknown to your character until introductions are made. [Xargon bows to you.] Greetings, stranger, and welcome to the city of Hydlaa. Lovely weather we're having, aye?
Xargon Guurn 7: A soldier of fortune heh? Very good, perhaps that will become part of your character's nature! Let's continue: second, you must be able to keep what you, the player, know separate from what your character knows. As a very simple example, the game displays the names of other players you encounter above their heads, so, you, the player, know it. However, your character cannot see a name floating in the air, so this person's name is unknown to your character until introductions are made. [Xargon bows to you.] Greetings, stranger, and welcome to the city of Hydlaa. Lovely weather we're having, aye?
Xargon Guurn 8: So Willem will have some competition? Let's continue: second, you must be able to keep what you, the player, know separate from what your character knows. As a very simple example, the game displays the names of other players you encounter above their heads, so, you, the player, know it. However, your character cannot see a name floating in the air, so this person's name is unknown to your character until introductions are made. [Xargon bows to you.] Greetings, stranger, and welcome to the city of Hydlaa. Lovely weather we're having, aye?
Xargon Guurn 9: [Xargon grins.] Ah yes, third: don't be afraid to let your character change! As in real life, your character's actions in the PlaneShift world will shape their character. When you first start playing, your character may be an idealistic hunter who believes that they are undefeatable in combat, but after a few trips through the Death Realm, they may take on a more cautious tone, as they will have learned that they can be defeated, be careful as the Death Realm can be a very tricky place, there are penalties for going there. Tell me to continue if you are ready to learn about more about PlaneShift and Roleplay.
Xargon Guurn 10: [Xargon grins.] Ah yes a bit of rain can be nice on the wings, third: don't be afraid to let your character change! As in real life, your character's actions in the PlaneShift world will shape their character. When you first start playing, your character may be an idealistic hunter who believes that they are undefeatable in combat, but after a few trips through the Death Realm, they may take on a more cautious tone, as they will have learned that they can be defeated, be careful as the Death Realm can be a very tricky place, there are penalties for going there. Tell me to continue if you are ready to learn about more about PlaneShift and Roleplay.
Xargon Guurn 11: While talking is a very useful tool when roleplaying, you also have to be able to express yourself in other fashions, eh? Facial expressions for example. [Xargon grins.] Or even more complicated actions. [Xargon kicks at the ground, stirring up some dust.] The way to do these things is to use the /me command. For example, if you typed '/me sneezes.,' everybody around you would see ' $playername sneezes.' Go ahead and try it, and then tell me... [Xargon sneezes.] Ah, tell me 'may Talad bless you' when you are ready for more. [Xargon sniffs.]
Xargon Guurn 12: Thanks! To learn more about roleplay, there is a guide on the PlaneShift website you should read. You can find it at www.planeshift.it/roleplay.html - it is well-written, I hope that you will give it a few minutes of your time. Go ahead and write down the address and let me know when you are ready.
Xargon Guurn 13: Very good, we continue! Of course, things in a complex game don't always go smoothly, and sometimes you need to ask for help in an out of character fashion. We've thought of a way to take care of that as well! On the left side of your chat window, you should see a 'Help' button. There are a number of players who have volunteered to answer out of character questions, and they listen there for them. This means that they may not tell you how to solve a quest, or where something is, but they will help you if you get stuck, and you can't move, or if you can't remember how to use the furnace. [Xargon smiles and looks at you in evaluation.] Let's see if you are paying attention... If you use the help channel to ask how to use the furnace, is that an in character or out of character action?
Xargon Guurn 14: No, that is not right. Scroll up and please have a look at that again.
Xargon Guurn 15: Exactly, because it is not your character, but the -player- who is asking for help. Just type your question in the help tab and someone should be able to answer it. Please be patient though, as players have volunteered to help but are still trying to play the game themselves. You can also click on the Help button on the toolbar to bring up the help documents. These documents will explain all of the different commands you can use. Have you thought of playing an evil character or a good character, or someone who is an interesting mix of both?
Xargon Guurn 15: [Xargon nods.] I see. Well be aware that some players do play evil characters and are not necessarily being nasty to you as a player. Sometimes it is necessary to do things your character might not, especially to help out new players and to help assure that all players enjoy the game. Now, we are nearly done at last, make yourself ready, my good $sir! Will you do your best to play fairly, without troubling other players, speaking politely and being friendly as much as your character background allows you?
Xargon Guurn 16: [Xargon nods.] I see. When interacting with others, please be a nice - player- even though you may have an evil -character-. This of course doesn't mean giving handfuls of coins to everybody that asks, but it does mean that you should be willing to give directions to new players that ask politely. Sometimes it is necessary to do things your character might not, especially to help out new players and to help assure that all players enjoy the game. Now, we are nearly done at last, make yourself ready, my good $sir! Will you do your best to play fairly, without troubling other players, speaking politely and being friendly as much as your character background allows you?
Xargon Guurn 17: [Xargon nods.] I see. When interacting with others, please be a nice - player- even though you may have an evil -character-. This of course doesn't mean giving handfuls of coins to everybody that asks, but it does mean that you should be willing to give directions to new players that ask politely. Sometimes it is necessary to do things your character might not, especially to help out new players and to help assure that all players enjoy the game. Now, we are nearly done at last, make yourself ready, my good $sir! Will you do your best to play fairly, without troubling other players, speaking politely and being friendly as much as your character background allows you?
Xargon Guurn 18: No, eh? Perhaps PlaneShift is not the sort of place you are seeking, or you are just joking about it. Consider that we have Game Masters helping our players to maintain an enjoyable in game experience. Will you want to have other players bothering you while you are enjoying the game, or insulting you for no reason? Please reconsider your answer. Will you do your best to play fairly, without troubling other players, speaking politely and being friendly as much as your character background allows you?
Xargon Guurn 19: Excellent! Please remember to act in character when talking to others. We are all working towards a roleplayed atmosphere in PlaneShift. OOC -Out Of Character- text should be designated with parentheses or brackets. Remember your character knows nothing about computers, video games, the internet, or Picasso. You are familiar with Picasso, aren't you?
Xargon Guurn 20: Well you know he was one of the more famous artists of the last century. But one's character has never heard of this person, nor have they heard of dragons, or Germany. Read the Settings portion of the PlaneShift website for official information about the world your character belongs to: www.planeshift.it/history.html is a good place to begin. Keep within the medieval fantasy atmosphere as much as you can. Roleplay is vital here, so let your imagination run free -within reason, of course!- and have fun with your alter ego! [Xargon grins and then opens a sack and offers you an item from the contents.] Here is your reward, $sir. Please choose the one you think you might get the most use out of! [Xargon waits for you to choose one.](/planeshift/data/voice/Playing Your Role/Playing Your Role23.spx)
Xargon Guurn 21: One of the more famous artists of the last century, he was. But one's character has never heard of this person, nor have they heard of dragons, or Germany. Read the Settings portion of the PlaneShift website for official information about the world your character belongs to: www.planeshift.it/history.html is a good place to begin. Keep within the medieval fantasy atmosphere as much as you can. Roleplay is vital here, so let your imagination run free -within reason, of course!- and have fun with your alter ego! [Xargon grins and then opens a sack and offers you an item from the contents.] Here is your reward, $sir. Please choose the one you think you might get the most use out of! [Xargon waits for you to choose one.]
Xargon Guurn 22: My pleasure $sir. Now, there is more to be learned here in the tutorial area. If you wish to continue learning, just explore. [Xargon makes a graceful bow, his wings held high.] If you prefer to simply move along and enter the game, you may also do that. Just go back to the gate that is in front of Abelia and speak with Xenak. [Xargon bows and hands you a torch.] May Laanx frighten the shadow from thy path.