Is it considered taboo in the RP world to make certain race-class combinations–or is anything acceptable, as long as you give some backstory for them?
Also, how does the RP community look upon changes to a character’s immutable, physical characteristics? Obviously, WoW allows changes to everything about a character’s appearance; I’m thinking that more drastic changes–e.g., altering permanent skin tone, changing gender, etc.–may not be considered a good thing in RP, though I could be wrong. (Does an attempt at a backstory–no matter how wonky–give an RP’er somewhat of a pass with regard to appearance changes that go beyond a haircut or dye job?)
A lot of folks like to rp classes beyond what is playable in game or as other playable classes that what their character actually is, including those not yet playable with the race, much the same for races as well. Ideally, I’d say this is most acceptable with at least an attempt at strong narrative, but obviously the disposition of others may differ.
I can’t speak much in regard to changes of physical characteristics. Oftentimes you’ll see characters whose profiles note traits or full body types not portrayed in game, and there are some relatively rare cases of characters who are noted to have canonically been of a different race, gender or both than as one presently sees them. I can’t grasp how the latter may be commonly received. My own view of such characters teeters between negative and neutral, though this largely depends on surface level exposure.
In general, as I see it, if it seems feasible and is backed by a logical sounding narrative there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.
I always check the 'at a glance/ic/ooc bits if interacting so that if someone does appear slightly different from their model, I can acknowledge that. Most of the time, changes will be noted in those places.
I love lore. I also see loads of untapped potential in even confirmed lore that isn’t touched due to gatekeepers being overly judgemental. In my opinion, if you can give a good backstory for what you’re doing that doesn’t horribly clash with in-game lore (so like, you probably shouldn’t claim to be a mate to Anduin but dragon breeding means it’s highly likely that yes, if you’re a green dragon, you’re probably brood of Ysera and co. )
Appearance alterations: Again if you can justify it somehow using alchemy, illusions, or even fleshworking if you’re undead (shout out to the Fleshworker RPers, you rock!), go for it.
And honestly, even if someone is violating all of this, if they’re having fun, I say leave them alone. Chances are, somebody else thinks it’s great. I’ve seen some strange things draw a nice little RP crowd of people who just ‘went with the flow’ and had a grand old time.
I most likely wouldn’t have the courage to RP as a non-playable class for my chosen race(s); but I’m not against the idea of playing a race-class combo. that Blizzard currently allows.
My second question likely would prove moot, since I rarely ever change a character’s hair color or hairstyle, even. If anything, I might make a minor tweak and never mention it, except to (quietly) update any pertinent info. in the character’s profile.
My biggest hurdle is that I don’t know the lore very well. (I’ve not read the WoW novels, etc.) That all said, I hope to not botch things too badly when I finally do attempt RP. I do promise, though, never to claim that any of my characters are dating/ married to/ hooking up with any WoW characters.
There are fleshworker RPers? That’s both creepy and cool. I don’t find the Forsaken enjoyable to play, but I’d be interested in observing others RP as fleshworkers.
I wholeheartedly agree.
I laughed when one YouTuber showed a group of four people RPing as Scooby-Doo and the entire gang. (They did a great job of looking their, respective, parts, IMO.) It looked like great fun. I could just imagine getting roped into a murder mystery, with many RPers attempting to help “the gang” locate the culprit.
If you ever want a place to look things up Wowpedia is a decent place; assuming you aren’t already aware of it. It’s not always perfect but, to my knowledge, it’s one of the most reliable places for reading WoW lore besides their original sources.
I definitely could give Wowpedia a look-see. I also will continue watching YouTube videos, though I realize that a number of them are more for amusement than information. (Platinum WoW and Gavinrad the Bookish seem to provide valid lore info.)
I actually wish that I still had the option to buy a new WoW RP book. If there are other good books on RP, in general, that are (or could be) helpful to RPing in the WoW universe, by all means, feel free to share 'em.
I definitely will check out Nobble87, as well as the timeline of events on Wowpedia.
Oh, it’s the Death Knights, specifically? See, there’s so much that I still don’t know for someone who’s played WoW since 2004.
Believe it or not, I do recall that quest, as I’ve created a few Forsaken characters in the past. I never wound up being able to stick with playing that race; something about the hunch and labored breathing distracts me in a bad way, despite the fact that I enjoy watching others play them.
Maybe my undead Dwarf needs to find some of these people as he’s missing 90% of the flesh on his left hand.
Depends on the race and class. There is “lore” and by that I mean somewhere in the game or Books, for just about every Race and class combination. Typically if you can play it in-game, most RPers will be okay with it. Mind you I said RPers, and not their characters. For example, while in character by Dwarf Shaman refuses to interact with Warlocks of any creed. It is very possible that a Kaldorei Mage may look down on one who is a Druid, and vice versa.
Kaldorei/Draenei Warlocks are coming if they are not already here and likely will be looked down upon by both their respective races.
They don’t. At least not in my experience since I started back in BC. while most RPers use addons, not all do. So checking, or otherwise having, an “At a glace” section does not always apply. In this case it is also good to keep track of any descriptive emotes someone uses. /e stepped awkwardly on his/her peg leg as s/he made their way across the tavern…
Indicates they lost part of if not their whole leg for example. Myself I have used both an RP addon and armor in-game to show physical appearance.
An example: My Hunter here is both and Elven Ranger as well as a Primalist with a bestial transformation. In order to show this “transformation” I use either the Furbog rod from an old Teldrasil quest, or one of the animal hide helms.
Thank you so much for this information, which should prove very beneficial, should someone’s character ever snub one of mine.
On the plus side, I won’t be making any warlock characters.
My initial backstory likely will be considerably vanilla, due to my lack of in-depth knowledge of WoW’s lore, despite being a loooong-time player. But I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for others’ “at-a-glance” section, as well as any descriptive emotes that give additional info. about their character.
First and foremost, don’t even kind of worry too much about this. I promise you that a lot of people don’t know all the lore, all that well. The best thing to have, I’ve found, is a positive attitude about something. And don’t be afraid to have a bit of humility, either. Most people want to work with other people, and usually you’ll just get a question (a whisper, if they’re polite), and things can get sorted there.
Here’s some unsolicited advice: Don’t be so hard on yourself, with this.
I can tell you with 100% accuracy that you are going to mess something up. I can tell you that because I can tell you with 100% accuracy that everyone RPing has messed something up.
No one is going to come around and revoke your RP license, or anything.
Towards your questions and comments? People are remarkably accepting and open to new concepts. Something done well or with thought and creativity tends to be received with open arms. As with all kinds of entertainment, there’s a bit of a dearth to three things:
Consistency
Quality
Innovation
Race-class combinations aren’t necessarily as concrete as you might think. A ‘class’ isn’t really a thing in RP, something trying to simulate a kind of life. No one has come up to you, for example, and asked ‘what’s your class?’. They might ask what you do, or what you’re interested in.
As someone else said (in this thread, or another one; it’s late, things are blurring together), don’t lose sight of the fact that your character is a person, not just a draenei mage or a void elf rogue.
You have a lot more leeway than you think. I would recommend that if you get an idea, you might want to give Wowpedia a glance. For broad strokes, I mean; things about draenei or mages in general. You don’t need to do a deep dive into the Council of Tirisfal, or how many Ata’mal crystals there are, or things like that. Get a rough idea, and work from there.
Maybe think of it as a sculpture. You have a general idea of the shape, but your interactions with other people and plots can help you shape it into something you’re proud of and others can also enjoy.
I laughed at the thought of having my RP license revoked. I feel better knowing that everyone’s “messed up” along the way, as shall I.
This makes good sense. (I’m stating the obvious, I realize. )
I long have itched to create either a Tauren or HMT monk. Recently, I saw someone from WrA post on his HMT monk, which reactivated my interest in creating one; that’s what prompted me to make this post, as I figured that a Tauren/ HMT monk may not be considered “legit” on RP realms. I’m glad to know that that’s not so much an issue, as you’ve clarified.
I long have heard that RPers are a “passionate bunch,” and I’m finding out that it’s true; everyone who’s replied to this post has offered such helpful advice! I very much appreciate the time taken to offer me such great pointers.
There’s various shades of RPers out there. There’s some that are strictly lore adherent, and some that go more on ‘lore plausiile’ and still others that are ‘anything goes.’
I am more of a lore plausible type. Personally, I also play a Light using Death Knight who was a Paladin in life. We have ONE example of this happening in lore. However, we also know that while the undead CAN call upon the Light, it is also incredibly painful to them and so most do not choose to do so.
Mine chooses to use the Light, and as a matter of course, he is also unable to use anything from the Unholy school of death knight abilities (ICly. In game mechanics are different) and he is only able to use from the school of Blood to heal himself and other undead allies. He is unrestricted on Frost.
My character is a true multi-classer, as he was not simply trained as a Paladin, but also trained in scouting and subtlety for missions requiring such. I don’t see the reason to shoehorn one’s character into a single class, but that’s just me.
As far as appearance changes are concerned, it is written in my TRP that his lichfire eyes turn gold when he uses the Light. He also has a variety of tattoos and piercings.
If there are other good books on RP, in general, that are (or could be) helpful to RPing in the WoW universe, by all means, feel free to share 'em. 
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