What's a Role Playing Game (RPG)
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We will attempt to show some of the interests and activities of our members and fellow gamers.
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Pole Playing Background
Role playing games are played around a table with paper, pencil and dice.
For visual affects, miniatures and game terrain may be used.
There can be from two to eight players and one story teller.
Each player in the game creates a character that they portray in the game.
It could be an explorer, scientist, soldier, merchant or magician based on the type of game.
You could be a male or female and anything from an elf to an alien.
RPG's exist for every theme, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Gothic Horror, History and even Super Heroes.
Each game system provides the rules to create a character and guidelines to create the world or setting the game takes place in.
The startup cost is minimal for this type of game as you will only need a rule book and some dice.
These games require an additional person to run and organize the game as a sort of referee.
This individual can be called the gamemaster, rolemaster, dungeon master or story teller.
They provide the story line and activities the players characters will experience.
They use their imagination to create a story and tell it to the players.
Many of these games are based on books or movies with the players becoming characters in those stories.
Others are individually created and designed by the gamemaster.
A game will usually center around a mission that the group of players must achieve.
The gamemaster verbally tells a story and the players tell the gamemaster what actions their character will perform.
The gamemaster runs all of the supporting characters such as the villains and monsters.
Through rolls of dice and the spoken actions of the gamers the game procede as the story (adventure) unfolds.
The game and the story will evolve and continue from game session to session.
These games have no specific winner, the group or party tries to improve each of their characters skills and abilities.
The players may acquire money or fame that can be used to purchase or obtain items in the game world.
They then use this to increase the level of skills becoming faster, stronger or smarter.
The game itself might never end, if a character is killed, the player can create a new one.
All members must work as a team for their character to survive each new adventure (a little like life).
Fighting the bad guys and saving the day are the main principles.
These games help build independent thought, creativity and ingenuity.
Which some people can find threatening.
They also teach social skills such as teamwork and encourage public speaking.
If you are unimaginative or must play a game to win, you might not enjoy this type of game.
However, if you have an imagination and like to be part of a group that accomplishes something
(albeit only in a game) you will find these games to be alot of fun.
Contrary to popular myth, players of these games are NOT cultists.
Players are aware that the game is imaginary not reality.
They are only games, and as such are a way to enjoy ones self without being to serious.
They are similar to acting or playing a part.
However there are some games and gamemasters that adopt very dark themes.
These groups often affect other non gamers opinions of the hobby as a whole.
Like everything in life, one person can often ruin things for others unfairly.
If the game becomes too mentally intense, find another group or game that suit your likes.
You can always find others who enjoy the same game style as you.
If not, you can always create your own campaign and run a game yourself.
The games provide the rules for creating characters, conducting movement and combat.
Some also provide aids to help construct the world in which the game takes place.
It is left up to the the gamemaster to create the situations and enemies the players encounter.
If you do not like the world that is created in the game then use your own.
Just use the rules to handle running the game (the game mechanics).
The best part of playing is that it is only limited by your imagination and creativity.
If you lack the time or imagination to create a campaign world, most game manufacturers
also sell game suppliments or modules that are complete preplanned games.
So they have already done the work for you.
If the mundane world doesn't provide you enough excitement try a role playing game!
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