Role-playing in Amtgard Made Easy

General Tips

Make sure you are having fun: If you aren’t having fun, you’re doing it wrong. Role-play should contribute positively to the Amtgard experience of everyone involved.

Be realistic: Interest in role-playing differs greatly among Amtgard players. Don’t try to role-play with people who obviously are not going to join. Move on to those that want to be part of it.

Don’t hide: Don’t hide behind the excuse of role-playing. There is a fair level of treatment that one should expect when role-playing. It is inexcusable to hide the mistreatment of others behind role-playing or use role-playing as an opportunity to strike out at someone.

Take responsibility: Don’t expect anyone else to introduce role-play into your games. If you want to role-play, do so. Other interested players will join in and some won’t.

Character Development

Keep it relevant: Develop a character that supports the medieval-fantasy atmosphere of Amtgard.

Keep it short: Play a character you can sum up in 25 words or less. If people want to hear more, they’ll ask. Better yet, introduce it through role-play. Role-play is about the experience, not the story telling.

Keep it humble: It’s hard to explain why you are the greatest warrior in the land if you are still learning the rules. Take time to hone your skills and play the game. You will have stories to share with friends that will be better than any story you can dream up.

Don’t limit yourself: Ignore the class name. Think of the abilities that you want your character to have and select that class. You do not have to play Paladin to play a Holy Warrior. Warrior, Barbarian, Scout and Healer all offer abilities that could support that. Want to be a Pirate? Check out Wizard or Scout. Let your character define the class; don’t let the class define your character.

Keep it simple: If you role-play some horrifically powerful were-vamp-dragon hybrid, it will send the wrong message and likely discourage interest in involving you in role-play. Instead, find a way to tone it down and let your character’s story develop on its own. Remember you are only a star in your own story. To everyone else, you are supporting cast.

Group Role-play

Teamwork is the key; Amtgard groups consist of players with a range of interests. Opportunities should be made for those interested in role-playing and those who aren’t interested. This allows everyone to enjoy their time at Amtgard. Keeping Amtgard diverse is a key to keeping it strong.

Likewise, selecting someone to play a monster who is not interested in role-playing can give false hope to the role-players involved and be counter-productive. Get people who are willing to role-play to play Non-Player Characters and Monsters in quests.

Rulebook 8.6.3