i’m pretty new to rp on WoW and i was wondering how it’s generally taken for someone to say their character met [insert notable character here]. the best example i can think of is a demon hunter claiming so have seen/met illidan stormrage because they trained directly under him. would that be more or less okay? at what point does it become annoying/less believable? thanks :^)
Demon Hunters almost have a free pass in this regard since canonically most of them were trained directly under Illidan. This because decisively less so once you get into the more ‘common’ classes. A common Alliance foot soldier/knight/warrior would not have been drinking with Varian Wrynn on the weekends.
There are situations where you can get away with it. A high-ranking SI:7 agent would likely know Shaw. But I would heavily, heavily recommend avoiding having canonical characters in your lore outside of idols, hatred, or reverence. For example, its perfectly acceptable to have an Alliance priest at the Battle of Lorderon at their weakest point look up and see Anduin’s sparkle bomb Mass Rez and be motivated to have their faith in the Light be as strong as Anduin’s.
However, I will state what I normally say when people are asking for advice. Your character is a blank canvas for you to paint on. Make it what you will. There are so many RP ‘taboos’ you can break as long as you take the time to properly support such a character.
EDIT: To answer the second part, it starts becoming a major issue when the character is so involved with the lore character that it would start effecting the lore around said canonical person. The more import the canon person is, the faster this becomes an issue. I had a friend on the forums here that started his character as a soldier/guard under a named Horde sergeant back when they were simply just a sergeant at an outpost, but over time, that sergeant kept getting promoted until they were a full minor character to the Horde storyline and at that point they had to stop associating their player character with the canon one even through they had started their story when it was acceptable.
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Generally you’ll want to stay away from interacting. However you can get a pass if the NPC you interact with is a nobody in some random town. Careful though as you have no idea what Blizz plans to do with an NPC. I had an Orc character that regularly interacted with Nazgrim back in Wrath when he was a nobody. However the more important he got the more I had to distance my character from him. Which makes sense in a story but shows that the more important an NPC is, the less your character should be interacting with them.
Edit: Raiku I think that may’ve been me that I asked that question.
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I think Nazgrim was the NPC in question, but the RPer I was referring to is no longer on the forums.
As long as you’re following the ToS, you’re free to play your character as you see fit. However, there are certain guidelines to follow if you’re looking for a desirable result in public RP. Interacting directly with prominent lore figures is generally frowned upon and best kept to a storyline with friends if it’s a route you really want to pursue. Indirect interaction is questionable, but not unlikely.
The general rule of thumb I use is that if it sounds like something the average character of that particular genre could do, then it’s probably okay to do(for example, a death knight executing orders from Darion Mograine, a demon hunter accepting a mission from Illidan, or a worgen listening to a speech from Greymane). Acceptance will also depend on your reasons for writing the event for your character. If you’re doing it because it’s important to the character’s story, then it’s probably fine. If you’re doing it just to be more powerful or get more attention than other characters…that’s not so fine.
Side Note: Interacting with more minor NPCs such as merchants or questgivers is usually okay, though be warned that if Blizzard ever decides to make them important in the story you could catch some flak for it later.
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I’d argue the same as most so far in this thread. On the short hand there is nothing stopping you from interacting with a Lore character be it in-game or in a story of your own creation. What one does need to watch out for is if it conflicts with established lore and by how much. Naturally the more “established” a character is Wyrn vs Mr/s. shopkeeper the more there is to watch out for.
It should also be noted that as an RPer you are free to RP whatever you like, but “that does not mean others have to go along with it”. Or something to that effect.
I have a few characters that have interacted prominently with lore characters on multiple occasions. For example this one has had close connections with the Sentinels and known members there in. This is due in part to his unique backstory and upbringing. Mind you he does not go out flaunting that he has had tea by moonlight with Tyranda or gone on hunts with Malfurion. Though I will tell you that he was not far from the Arch Druid during the cinematic for the Darkshore Warfront. He enjoyed watching every second.
I have a Horde character that actually shares a name with a not-so-well-liked lore character. Not exactly “interacting with” but I get a few questions about if I am trying to RP as them.
This character’s Brother is a member of the King’s Army. As a Knight’s Champion he got orders from King Varian’s Father, King Varian before his death, and now his son Anduin. Throughout his tours he’s answered to several other lore characters. Fought with them, ate with them, shed blood with them. It’s a part of his history but does not define him as a character. The fact he is “bonded to a black dragon” does lol. He is also a brother and a father.
As mentioned there are ways to skirt what is seen as “taboo”. Though the community has grown a bit more lax about such things. Playing as or being related to a lore character still holds strong. Rping as a dragon use to be so frowned upon but now they are everywhere. I have one of my own.
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If it makes sense. Lets say your character is a sentinel - they may have seen or even had orders from Shandris or Tyrande. Same for the Demon Hunter example. Most Demon Hunters have seen or have even been trained by Illidan. If you’re a Void Elf you most definitely saw and/or talked with Umbric. Just don’t make them know lore character they shouldn’t know.
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I do believe the OP was more referring to have a more personal connection to the characters than simply receiving orders or having seen them. Any character that has the luxury of entering Stormwind Keep has seen Anduin/Varian.
Also Demon Hunters are a bad example because most of them canonically know Illidian personally. They get a free pass.
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Above all else, remember the tabooiest of taboos.
Do.
Not.
Romance them.
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I’ll never say its impossible… but there is no feasible way you can ever romance a canonical character and be accepted by the community. Character romance is a huge part of a character, so if you are saying that your character is romancing, say, Anduin, that your character is around the importance of the leader of the Alliance.
Even beyond how it brings your character to a level of importance that is beyond what they should be in the story, you are also committing the taboo of using someones character without their permission.
As someone more or less new myself, I would advise to start small.
I first made a blood elf Death Knight who defended Silvermoon in WC3 and was cut down by Arthas (and I think that’s reasonable enough to have as an interaction with a major character) but I felt overall I was shooting too high. I was uncomfortable and on the edge while RPing all the time.
I soon made another character, a dwarf hunter who works part time with the Explorer’s League and has a grudge against Hemit Nessingwary. Other than, he’s just a wandering hunter without much interaction at all with the big names of Azeroth. It’s a lot simpler and I feel a lot freer to be out and about, not worrying about making a mistake or saying something stupid, or worse, against established lore. (lol)
Definitely start off with something small, I say.
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I don’t know… I’d argue shedding precious blood with a lore character would make one even closer. Saved a lad’s life a time or two.
Also the Demon Hunters are not the only ones who seemingly get some form of pass. As mentioned the Void Elves are a mostly nit group, then you have Death Knights whom were sent to their deaths at Lights Hope.
That’s where this character is at. A Member of the Sentinels during and following the Battle of Mount Hyjal. He may look like a Dwarf but he is all Kaldorei at heart.
It should be noted however that in-game our characters are indeed elevated to a higher standard to be on par with Lore characters. We started out as nobodies looking to seek our fortunes and carve out a spot. Doing odd jobs locally before being sent out to do something for our respective factions. Over time we or someone gains more notoriety as we take our own small forces to Outland, rediscover lost heroes still alive and fighting the good fight.
On that note I think the Alliance have an easier time as they are already aligned with their side. The Horde have to befriend the local Orc population whom may or may not take too kindly to a giant Bolvine, a pale elf, or Troll asking for their aid.
Anyway by Wrath your name is spoken and reaches that of your faction leader whom tasks you to lead a group into Northrend. Then to the lost Pandaren isles, and lastly becoming your own warlord on the savage lands of old Draenor. It is then that You have arrived at the top. Oh but your journey isn’t over yet. The Legion invades as you become not only your faction’s representative but now the most sought after and respected of your class. Who would have thought that fledgling druid who couldn’t burn a twig was now leading the Cenarian Circle, or the Mage whom couldn’t conjure a stall cracker, now leads the most magically powerful group of casters this side of the twisting nether.
This is your story, this is your RP. Live it up. A word of caution to this tale. This is your story… but it is also everyone else’s. This is the taboo. Doesn’t mean you cannot have fun with it. My Shaman may be the World shaman leading the Earthen Ring, but in reality he does not possess the Doomhammer. Oh know he has a different powerful artifact of his own forging. Not a hammer, but an axe.
My Hunter here has his axe blessed by Elune, and a Bow made from a branch of the World Tree. Not the Spear of some long dead hunter, or Whisperwind’s Bow of Epicenes. Why? Because it is my story…
… What’s yours?
It would have been perfect if you had signed off with
“What’s your game?”
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lol, I’ll have to remember that for next time…
Wait, isn’t that the tag line from the old Warcraft Commercials staring Ozzy, Mr. T, Chuck Noris, and alike?
And William (I’m a Shaman) Shatner.