New Roleplayer Looking For Guidance

Pandanigans

Hi there!

I am looking into getting into roleplaying within ESO.

What would be some good material to read up on how to properly role-play?

For example, is there good resources for drafting a character story? Is it just whatever you make it? Are there certain rules that you have to follow? Any good guilds to recommend?

Soarora

If you need lore background, I'd suggest UESP. It's much like Wikipedia but for Elder Scrolls lore. I've not roleplayed much so I can't tell you much else, except never try to control someone else's character and being overpowered or special is generally frowned upon (like, don't run around all "I'm a vampire lord and I am 100000 years old and I am also Mannimarco's brother and all of you are terrified and cowering in fear"). If you're on PC/NA there's one spot I vaguely know of where roleplayers roam.

Dramallama

Another good thing to think of while roleplaying is how to play well with others. You can have a powerful character, or even one who's an ass. But if you don't have experience with it, it wont go well. Try not to go in swinging by insulting characters you don't know, or make them feel inferior, because the person rping them is gonna be put off and not want to interact with you.

I'd start off with an approachable, cookie cutter character, and then develop them from there. Just to get some practice and figure out what you want from rp.

Though honestly for character story, do whatever you like. Elder scrolls lore is so weird, and also inconsistent in many areas, that you could do literally anything and find some creative way to justify it. I could probably give a character a tank and say something like 'yeah its an old lost dwemer prototype weapon' and no one could say I'm wrong.

Most guilds though want to keep characters and lore in a specific fantasy aesthetic though, so I'd check with whoever you decide to rp with. As a general rule though, keep within the medieval fantasy vibe and playable races.

There's usually some kind of public rp going on in the inn in Evermore I think. Otherwise, browse the rp section of the guild finder. You'll probably find a nice group to rp with, I found mine first try.

Idelise

What might be helpful is simply reaching out to RP Discords and asking people directly! You will find a lot of lore nerds there - so if you have more precise questions, they will be happy to answer!
Plus, Discords like these let you find rp pretty easily.

Calastir

I'd suggest joining a RP Guild.
I find only a few players actually roleplay in this game, it's mostly mute combat.

Thee_Cheshire_Cat

Someone came to my site and asked how they should get into ESO RP.

The answer may be of interest to you.

https://thecheshirecatseso.proboards.com/thread/275/never-played-rp-mmorpg-before

Additionally, there is an RP Tips and Tricks area for those looking to pick up new RP techniques, or brush up on what they already know.

https://thecheshirecatseso.proboards.com/board/10/rp-tips-tricks

Should you wish any further help, please reach out.

Daoin

many years ago i joined a great RP guild even though i could not RP at the time and it was great, after doing other things and returning to ESO i found this guild and nearly all other RP guilds had become a thing of the past. I think there maybe a couple of RP guilds listed in the guild finder now that maybe worth taking a look at. you could just apply and check out the scenery then decide if it's what your looking for.

Idelise

https://discord.gg/eso-rp - that's the ESO RP Discord, which is mainly NA-focused but you will find link to EU side too, if you are interested (Legacies of Nirn) there.

Mrrshaw

I'd be even more basic - make sure to be approachable (while roleplaying and outside of roleplaying). I'd also advice you to begin with listening in, see how other people roleplay in the game - not that always means you will see "good" roleplay but it helps with a genereal setting of the world. Personally, I also like to do some roleplay while being alone in a tavern or even so a more secluded area, getting the emotes right and just feel comfortable to go "in-character".

As others mentioned I'd also recommend Discord for RP communities.