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One of Second Life’s strongest assets is the venue of role-playing. It’s the perfect environment for slipping out of your own skin and into an avatar completely different than yourself, maybe not even human. Want to slip back into medieval times, to ancient Greece, or into the fantasy realm of vampires, orcs or elves? Or maybe you prefer the distant future of sci-fi, possibly a known universe like Star Wars?

Role-playing gives us a chance to leave our in-person roles and act out in ways that differ from our usual daily life and behaviors, safely, and without being inhibited and insecure. At the least it’s fun entertainment, and at the most it can become an obsession. So beware. Role-playing can be addictive.

Second Life provides many, many SIMs for whatever your role-playing needs are. But there are steps and rules you must be aware of, for role-playing, though fun and sometimes magical, is serious business. In order for it to truly be an immersive experience, everyone needs to follow the rules of the genre of the SIM.

Take some time to explore various role-playing SIMs before deciding on how you want to role-play. A list of suggestions can be found below. Next, read the history and story the SIM you choose, and the rules. There are a few things you’ll need in order to role-play:

• A skin for that particular setting. Markets where you can shop are also listed below.
• A HUD or Meter. HUDs provide skills such as those needed for combat or magic.
• A good understanding of the environment you are entering.

When I first explored the idea of role playing, I decided on entering the worlds of Star Wars. I’ve been a long time fan, and have a good understanding the various species, the weapons, and the behaviors of both Jedi and Sith. I entered an apprenticeship as Jedi, then later also got a character as a Sith Witch.

Also understand that although many role-playing SIMs offer combat opportunities, these are not shoot-um-up video games. The idea is not to rush in and kill all you can. Instead, engagement with others is vital, through chatting and story scenarios. Combat or violent magic is always a last resort.

 

To immerse yourself fully in the role, develop a back-story for your character and write it in your profile. Some SIM owners prohibit looking at the back stories of others, while some encourage it, so read the rules. Also, in most SIMs, flying is only allowed if it is natural to your species, or if you have an allowed vehicle of some sort. In Star Wars SIMs you’ll see people flying about in spaceships or land scooters, but in a Medieval SIM you won’t see anything flying except for dragons or some such.

Once you have decided what environment you want to role-play in, and you’ve bought a skin to fit the role, and created a back story for yourself, go to a SIM of choice and read their rules. Next you’ll likely need to purchase whichever HUD or meter they want you to use. Most role-playing SIMs provide the HUD or Meter they want you to use, but sometimes you have to purchase it elsewhere. SIMs vary widely on the use of HUDs and meters, and they are very strict about the rules regarding its use. So read the rules carefully. Breaking rules generally means you get banned from the SIM, and it spoils the fun for everyone else. Don’t be a griefer.

After donning your HUD or Meter, enter the SIM and act out your role. Talk to others and fall into the fun of role-playing. If you’re not sure exactly how to go about this, ask others in out of character (OOC) mode. You do this by typing OCC in the text line along with your questions. Most people are happy to help you, and many SIMs have volunteer mentors.

SIMs that have combat or magic generally also have teachers who can show you the ropes of learning what you need to know. This can be some really fun role-playing. Once you become accomplished at fighting or using magic, you can often get a regular role of guard, healer, or whatever is appropriate to that environment.

If you find you have really taken to a particular role and SIM, you might even be able to rent a place to live on that SIM in your favorite role-playing environment. Most SIMs also have regular events at the local tavern or star gateway. Be sure to check the local main hub in that SIM.

RolePlaying Places to Search for:

• Realm of Valahari
• Serenity Falls
• Little Mos Eisley
• Planet of Taris
• Sector Zero
• Yavin IV
• Binary Star Group
• Avilion
• Egypt City of Thebes
• The Red Dragon Inn
• DarkLife
• Isle of Brenn
• Greece*Athens
• Greece-Macedonia
• Dark Enchantment Medieval Village Roleplay
• World of Sanctuary and Elvindale
• Land of Vampires

Places to Get Skins for RolePlaying

• Avalon Skins
• Atea Avatars
• Midsummer Night Creations
• Mr. Fizzles Sci-fi Super Store
• Furious Star Wars Avatars
• Middle Earth Realms

HUDS and Meters

• XRPS
• DCS
• CCS
• SWRP
• SCS
• FCRS
• KCS