WoW Creed

[Izrail]

Though I had aimed to be asleep by now, a few different things revolving around WoW have compelled me to write this out. First there are three things I would like to say that underline whatever else I might say.

1. I am here to challenge myself and have fun in two major aspects of World of Warcraft: gaming and creativity. These two activities are things I prefer to do with other people, partly because I can better judge my skill by evaluating the responses I get from others and partly because the added element of an unpredictable person (or persons) enriches the experience.

2. World of Warcraft is one aspect of my life and when I prioritize the aspects of my life WoW does not usually come first. Because of this there are times when I go without playing for a few days. WoW still matters to me though. Most of my "alone time" is spent in this weirdly solitary social interaction and I value the friendships made here.

3. I am not my characters.

With those being said... It doesn't bother me if your character hates my character. I will never dislike a player based on in-character interaction. Though I expect the same treatment from others I understand that the lines are blurred for some people. Because of the tendency some people have to take things personally I occasionally hold back in my roleplay. If you are uncomfortable with where a roleplayed encounter with one of my characters is going, tell me as soon as it happens. I'm not here to make people upset. I'm here to have fun and challenge myself. Likewise if you're making me uncomfortable I will tell you. Chances are as long as you're not godmoding my characters we'll be fine.

Additionally, who you are out of character seldom makes a difference to me. Real life statistics don't matter as much as your personality, how good you are at the game, and how believably creative you can be. In the world of online games that's what counts. I don't want anyone to ever think they have to lie to me to gain approval or acceptance. Actions speak louder than words. Be yourself and if you're likable you'll be liked. If you're not then no amount of information, falsified or legit, is going to make a difference.

And finally... If I have something all wrong feel free to correct me. This could be a problem with lore or a mistake I keep making in a particular instance. I still see myself as relatively inexperienced in both roleplay and multiplayer gaming, and if you know more than me I am happy to learn. That's one of the reasons I am doing this in a setting with hundreds of other people. When I want to avoid criticism I'll find a solitary activity to occupy my time.

In short, as long as there is mutual respect and clear communication there is little you can do to make me upset with you. I prefer direct honesty to passive discomfort. This is a game. I suspect we are all playing it for similar reasons.

Thanks for reading and goodnight. ^^

[Tillna]

I'll more or less agree, except the second point..;>>

But yeah...I shoudl be asleep too.

Once again, I agree

[Malorii]

I like you Izrail you're so pink!

[Ninorra]

I am not my characters.

QFT. Seriously.

[Qabian]

And how. Q hates a lot a lot of characters that I really like, with or without the player behind them. It's a damn good thing I'm not him.

And I also like to know when I'm messing up, rather than just being allowed to bumble around like an idiot.

[Visant]

No kidding, I agree with almost everything you said. The recent round of OOC upset about IC actions is bizarre to me, don't get it.

Last time I checked, in the real world I am not a gay male elf nor am I a heterosexual female Tauren, nor any of my other characters. It shouldn't be news to people that I am not in fact my character, but apparently for some this is still a shocker.

The only thing I do not do myself is your acceptance of being corrected on lore. Honestly, there are some people who have an incredibly narrow view of what is okay to RP. Even when you point out their facts are incorrect they will still insist their interpretation of the lore is the only correct one. Because of this I do not give full weight to everyone's opinion on the subject.

I am not trying to be mean or mess with people, I am trying to have fun. If it makes people uncomfortable or somehow ruins their fun, then I can hold back my RP or we can just not play together. There are thousands of people on this server, I am sure others can find someone else to play with and so can I.

[Chikt]

I'm not Diomades, but Dio is me. Or a part of me at least. When I role-play, I let the characters take control. I do not sit there trying to write a book in my head, I let my character write themselves. I sit down with an idea in my mind, like, "I want to make a character that is such-and-such" and let THEM handle the rest.

This is what I mean by my characters being a bart of me. If I created a character that was a real ass, I'd be trying to portray that side of myself that is an ass. Wether or not I actually RP a believable character trait is usually dependant on the kind of person RPing. Somebody that isn't wise is going to have a hard time RPing a wise character without making them sound like a kook. An asshole trying to play a nice character may come across more often than not as being condescending.

I agree with everything you said, and this might only be a personal case for me. I suppose that if you were role-playing somebody completely opposite to who you were, you might start out bad but gain experience and do better. Or take your knowledge of other people and draw inspiration from them. However I find countless characters worth of inspiration in myself, and can draw on that a lot more than I can experiences with others.

[Lovely]

I am a heterosexual female tauren in real life, Visant.

*cries*

[Raziel]

Last time I checked, in the real world I am not a gay male elf nor am I a heterosexual female Tauren,\.


Lies. He's both at once.

[Visant]

I am a heterosexual female tauren in real life, Visant.

*cries*

It is okay I still like you.

*hugs*

*makes mental note to send gift of Nair*

[Malethia]

Funny you post this. The concept of WoW's importance as opposed to the rest of my life has caused me a bit of trouble recently. I've found that even the SUGGESTION that I take my gameplay more seriously makes me less likely to want to play. When I get home from my job, and have to log onto my second job, it's not worth it anymore. Maybe some people are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to be the best, but I'm not one of those people. At least, I'm not in regards to a computer game.

I changed the guild tag over my head less than a week ago. Already, I'm enjoying the game more than I have in months.

[Izrail]

I like you Izrail you're so pink!

Malorii, you remain delightfully confusing.


The only thing I do not do myself is your acceptance of being corrected on lore. Honestly, there are some people who have an incredibly narrow view of what is okay to RP. Even when you point out their facts are incorrect they will still insist their interpretation of the lore is the only correct one. Because of this I do not give full weight to everyone's opinion on the subject.

I don't give full weight to anyone's opinion on the subject. But I have gotten some important lore facts wrong before. When that happens I appreciate being told. I am not a lore Nazi though since I believe that WoW is far too narrow in its scope. Without some embellishments it's two dimensional and kind of bland. But that's another rant.


Funny you post this. The concept of WoW's importance as opposed to the rest of my life has caused me a bit of trouble recently. I've found that even the SUGGESTION that I take my gameplay more seriously makes me less likely to want to play. When I get home from my job, and have to log onto my second job, it's not worth it anymore. Maybe some people are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to be the best, but I'm not one of those people. At least, I'm not in regards to a computer game.

Which is why I will never be a part of a hard core raiding guild.

[Malorii]

wow lore is so jacked up right now .. i was slightly confused before bc came out but then all of a sudden.. " and suddenly this like big spaceship crashed to azeroth but .. like then these half squid.. no HALF squid HALF goat people came out and decided they liekd nature so they did this and became shamen and like then .. and then .. and then.! "

But i've always been an idiot when it comes to lore and history it just dosn't stick. I spent three years thinking george washington was a childeating cannibal thanks to the showtime channel.

[Darkblade]

The only thing I do not do myself is your acceptance of being corrected on lore. Honestly, there are some people who have an incredibly narrow view of what is okay to RP. Even when you point out their facts are incorrect they will still insist their interpretation of the lore is the only correct one. Because of this I do not give full weight to everyone's opinion on the subject.
I don't give full weight to anyone's opinion on the subject. But I have gotten some important lore facts wrong before. When that happens I appreciate being told. I am not a lore Nazi though since I believe that WoW is far too narrow in its scope. Without some embellishments it's two dimensional and kind of bland. But that's another rant.

The only thing I really have problems with is when people just start coming up with off-the-wall crap and then try to affect other people with it (you want to RP a dragon? Fine, whatever. Just do it over there with the other people whom aren't playing World of Warcraft. *points* You want to RP a dragon and breathe fire on me? Well, show me in-game then or else it doesn't happen). There's a reason players aren't allowed to create half-dragon, half-angels (and other similarly-themed thingies) or main NPC-type-characters. This isn't a pen and paper game where the written rules are "suggestions" for the GM.

One thing that I usually don't comment on (externally, though it will cause an eyeroll internally) are the people that either don't pay attention to existing lore, or perhaps simply don't know about it, so they have their 500 year old night elf being born in Teldrassil (which, as we all know, is like 5 years old now) or Orgrimmar or Thunder Bluff (being similarly aged cities).

When I RP, I do try to get into my character(s), and hearing things like that just pulls me back out of it again.

wow lore is so jacked up right now .. i was slightly confused before bc came out but then all of a sudden.. " and suddenly this like big spaceship crashed to azeroth but .. like then these half squid.. no HALF squid HALF goat people came out and decided they liekd nature so they did this and became shamen and like then .. and then .. and then.! "

And unfortunately, as stated here, it's hard for a relative newcomer (only played WoW, for example) to really get shit straight, since the "official" lore seems to change depending on whatshisname's mood.

[Mortica]

While there is nothing "NEW" written here, you put it together rather well and I think it really nails a problem RPers face all too often in separating IC, OOC, and IRL. Or rather, dealing with others who may not have the same priorities or who are incapable of differentiating between characters and players.

I think I just confused myself. Read Izrail's post instead :P

[Raziel]

PRincess What's-Her-Name's brother is Chris Metzen.

[Xaraphyne]

I'm not Diomades, but Dio is me. Or a part of me at least. When I role-play, I let the characters take control. I do not sit there trying to write a book in my head, I let my character write themselves. I sit down with an idea in my mind, like, "I want to make a character that is such-and-such" and let THEM handle the rest.

This is what I mean by my characters being a bart of me. If I created a character that was a real ass, I'd be trying to portray that side of myself that is an ass. Wether or not I actually RP a believable character trait is usually dependant on the kind of person RPing. Somebody that isn't wise is going to have a hard time RPing a wise character without making them sound like a kook. An asshole trying to play a nice character may come across more often than not as being condescending.

I agree with everything you said, and this might only be a personal case for me. I suppose that if you were role-playing somebody completely opposite to who you were, you might start out bad but gain experience and do better. Or take your knowledge of other people and draw inspiration from them. However I find countless characters worth of inspiration in myself, and can draw on that a lot more than I can experiences with others.

This sums up exactly how I feel on the subject of roleplaying.

(I'd've said "QFT" but it wasn't long enough.)

[EnheilRas]

Well, I know how to be a true asshole without being one. I guess I just did too well a job because I'm actually a very nice and sensitive person. Charming too, believe it or not. I've shown a bit of this in terms of some threads such as "Girlspeak" and the stuff I am helping Redemptio with, but a stigma of playing a persona so seriously as I did holds fast, and there are some (Gorvena et. al) that seemingly hold a personal grudge against me for it.

Oooh well. I tend not to take anything seriously anymore anyway, so I'm not all bothered by what internet people type about me.

[Naheal]

I'm not Diomades, but Dio is me. Or a part of me at least. When I role-play, I let the characters take control. I do not sit there trying to write a book in my head, I let my character write themselves. I sit down with an idea in my mind, like, "I want to make a character that is such-and-such" and let THEM handle the rest.

This is what I mean by my characters being a bart of me. If I created a character that was a real ass, I'd be trying to portray that side of myself that is an ass. Wether or not I actually RP a believable character trait is usually dependant on the kind of person RPing. Somebody that isn't wise is going to have a hard time RPing a wise character without making them sound like a kook. An asshole trying to play a nice character may come across more often than not as being condescending.

I agree with everything you said, and this might only be a personal case for me. I suppose that if you were role-playing somebody completely opposite to who you were, you might start out bad but gain experience and do better. Or take your knowledge of other people and draw inspiration from them. However I find countless characters worth of inspiration in myself, and can draw on that a lot more than I can experiences with others.

I agree whole heartedly with that, Dio. I think of each and every character that I make, on WoW or in any tabletop rpg, to be part of myself, only taken to an extreme which people tend to not see ever come out for me. No single one of my characters is me, but each one has some major aspects of who I am IRL.

[Aphraelle]

I'm not Diomades, but Dio is me. Or a part of me at least. When I role-play, I let the characters take control. I do not sit there trying to write a book in my head, I let my character write themselves. I sit down with an idea in my mind, like, "I want to make a character that is such-and-such" and let THEM handle the rest.

So true. I look at RP as a kind of electronic (?) form of improv theatre mixed with writing. In writing classes, they tell you that one of the simplest and best ways to generate plot is to create a character with defined characteristics and then place that character in a situation that violates or goes against one of those characteristics, and then the character will "choose" what actions to take to restore equilibrium.

An example might be a genuinely devout Blood Elf paladin who is horrified at having to steal Light power from the captive Naaru. This violates his/her deeply held principles. Put him/her in that situation, and then he/she will inevitably have to do something to resolve it.


This is what I mean by my characters being a part of me. If I created a character that was a real ass, I'd be trying to portray that side of myself that is an ass. Whether or not I actually RP a believable character trait is usually dependent on the kind of person RPing. Somebody that isn't wise is going to have a hard time RPing a wise character without making them sound like a kook. An asshole trying to play a nice character may come across more often than not as being condescending.

I do model my characters on other fictional characters as well, sometimes, but I blend them and add my own "stuff" to it as well. Aphraelle, for example, is somewhat modelled on the Empress Alixana from Guy Mavriel Kay's Sailing to Sarantium, if the Empress Alixana were a warlock beginning to be corrupted by fel energy.

Like it or not - and I don't much, but it's how I'm wired - I do have a devious streak; that shows up in Aphraelle, who is pleasant and courteous to almost everyone all the time simply because that's been proven to be the easiest way to get what she wants. I'm also paralyzingly literate and a linguist, so Aphraelle is extremely well-spoken.

[Akula]

Dio explained it nicely, except I think Akula has more of a say in what she does more than I do. It sounds odd.. but the best way I can describe it is that I go into 'Akula-mode', a sort of story-board state of mind where no matter how much I think 'I want her to react like this', she will do something no where CLOSE to what I wanted her to do, but what she does ends up being more like her 'personality' than what I had planned for her. Of course this sometimes will frustrate me because Akula has backed herself into a cornor; she gets herself involved in a fight that I KNOW she can't win, nastey bark, but a not so ravenouse bite.

In the case where part of me shows in my characters, yes. Akula says things to the characters in the game that if it were actually ME interacting with these elves, trolls, ect, I could never say it to their faces. And then there are times when I have to fight with myself to not make Akula too compationate towards a character that she ICly hates, and I OOCly absolutely ADORE. Of course there are the few exceptions that Akula can allow her protective, 'I like you so I wont bitch you out, but hug you and ruffle your hair instaed' characters but..

Ahh.. I'm rambling now. I think you get my point.
To simplify, my character very much controls herself, I don't have control over my character. And because of this it is much easier for me to seperate OOC and IC.

[Ellsbeth]

This Covenant reminded me of Izrail's Creed. So I'll post it here to add.



So now I make to you this covenant, and if you agree, you can join in.


I will treat my fellow World of Warcraft players respectfully on an Out-of-Character level even when they don't seem to deserve it. I don't know what sort of day they've had.

I will not respond to immaturity with further immaturity.

I will acknowledge and respect the roleplaying choices of other people, even if I don't understand them. This includes the choice not to roleplay at all. I do reserve the right to respond in-character how my character would normally react, even if that would not be positively, but I will bear no animosity to the player of the other character.

I will offer friendly advice and criticism, but back off if it is not wanted. You just have to tell me to do so.

I will listen to offered advice and consider it. I can't promise to follow it, but I won't dismiss it out-of-hand.

I will name all of my characters appropriately and according to RP realm naming conventions.

I will not use leetspeak, excessive abbreviations, "lol" or the like while in-character, as they could be damaging to other people's roleplaying mood.

I will try not to hold a grudge about loot or PvP. It's only a game. The character on the screen is not me, it's just a video avatar associated with a long string of semi-personalized numbers.

I will not go to another realm's forum and complain about their behavior on the Battlegrounds. I'd like to show some dignity and class so perhaps players from those realms will start treating us the same way.

If I am having a problem that I can't resolve myself, I will ask for help. There is no shame in asking for assistance, and a fresh perspective might be just what is needed.

I will play World of Warcraft to have fun. If I stop having fun, I will stop playing. If it becomes inconvenient to play due to real-life circumstances, I will stop playing. It doesn't necessarily mean that the other players on [Twisting Nether] have done anything wrong. No, you can't have my stuff, I might come back someday. Seriously. Sheesh.

I will respect the time and decisions of the game masters, designers, forum moderators, public relations representatives, and other employees of Blizzard, even if I don't agree with them. These people put a lot of time and effort into making our gaming experience worthwhile for everyone, and are just trying to do their job within the constraints given to them by the company, its parent's company, and the law of the land. If I have an issue which needs to be regarded, I will go through the proper channels.

I will abide by the various terms of use and service that I signed when first installing the game or logging onto the forums. I will remain good to my word.

I reserve the right to add or remove aspects of this covenant, and to respect the decisions of others with regards to the covenant. It must be, and is, a self-regulating code of honor. I will not look down on others for not ascribing to the covenant.

I will encourage roleplay on the forums by bumping, reading, responding to it with positive and helpful attention.

I will go to as many events, run by as many people, as possible. I will invite as many people as I can.

Collected players of [Twisting Nether], thank you for your time.
Sincerely,

The player of Sesobael alias "Simon Bale" known as "High Proctor of the Poor Sages of Lordaeron"

((To see his original covenant here is the link. http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=11471380&sid=1))

[Vardyag'n]

Oh, god I hate leetspeak. I also hate all OOC talk without ((these)) because it confuses my char, but then I always make them forget what the person said, because, well, it was OOC. Or I just reply to it OOC if they were talking to me, or both. Anyways, as to lore, I go with what it says on WoWwiki, and nod along when someone thinks differently about lore. I wish that everyone could agree on the lore. Blizzard, MAKE A LORE SITE!!!!

[Vardyag'n]

I loved this, though. Once I met someone who doesn't RP, but he respected people who do enough to use ((these)) when he talked OOC.