I'm New to Role Play

Here are some general tips as to what to do when you are new to a new land (SIM) and/or new to Role Play (RP).

Think of RP as a combination of who you really are (your true character) and pretending to be in a different time, or place or situation than you normally are in. (Being in Second Life is all about that in many ways for you can "recreate" your outer appearance, your clothing, your status, your level of success or wealth.)

Be Yourself

But you always remain you. The words you write (sometimes speak) the way you move close to or away from others, the areas you frequent are all about your true character. So that is the most important thing to keep in mind. Even if you find you choose to be a Dragon or a Balrog or a hot beach bum, you are always going to maintain your true essence.

Pretend

Second about pretending. Almost everyone I've ever known can remember a childhood of wonder where you could be cowboys or Indians or fairy princesses or just grown ups (thinking it might be better if only we could tell little kids what to do too.)

Your First Time

When people enter Valimar for the first time they will find something quite unique there and that is that Valimar is a dynamic "play" of sorts that is based directly on the writing of JRR Tolkien and specifically on the First Age of Middle Earth as we find primarily in The Silmarillion.

There are assigned roles (such as the Valar and the Maiar, Dwarves and Elves, etc.). These roles are played by people specifically chosen for their essential character attributes and many other details about them.

These characters do not change and are carefully maintained by the people in those roles. If you are assigned a particular role or even enter for the first time this role play world depends on your joining in the role play.

So first, consider your clothing.

Careful attention has been paid to ensuring you have free clothing to use when you come in, so you fit into the theme of the SIM, so please dress to fit in.

Second, listen.

My father always said we were born with two ears and one mouth and we should keep that in mind and speak half as much as we listen. (If you meet me you will know I haven't yet figured out that balance, but I do try to work on it!)

But if you are new, don't start talking other than to say something like: "Greetings. I am new to Valimar. What can you tell me about this world?"

Then listen to the answer.

It may be you've asked someone who is also new, so together find someone to help show you around. Listen to the way they speak and interact with those they meet. Begin to consider how you may match your speech to the "general speech themes" you observe.

Also, there is a difference between what you say in “Open Chat” and in IM (Internal messaging). IM is private and does not disrupt the flow of open conversation. So it is best to ask OOC (out of character) questions directly with someone in IM.

United Nations of Languages

Valimar is like a United Nations when it comes to nationalities, so here is another hint. Although there will be phrases we may use that are authentically Elven, we also must be very careful of the words we use when speaking with someone who does not speak English as their first language.

Out of courtesy we need to keep our language and our sentences clean and clear. So this means not using words that have no meaning in many languages (unless the person is a classical literature scholar).

So eliminate words such as: thee, thou, makest, shalt, beknownst, aye; even words like m'lady or m'lord or milady or milord are difficult for even some English speakers to figure out.

If you know phrases in an Elven tongue and use them, be sure to follow it up with the translation, such as: “Diola lle arwenamin” (Thank you). We are not in Valimar to try to impress one another or visitors with our great stores of knowledge, but to help others appreciate the value of Tolkien's works, the beauty of Valimar and to help others learn. (remember we are dedicated to education.)

Role Play Classes About to Begin

In the very near future we will begin holding weekly Role Play classes. I encourage you to take as many as you can (and do all the homework assigned!). Until then I hope these simple suggestions have helped you enjoy Valimar even more!

And if you have questions, contact Sheridanne Kelley or one of the Valimar Role Play Council members; or just ask someone with an assigned role, they will be delighted to help you.

Valimar Sim FAQs

(This is not set in stone yet! Please share your comments and ideas. I'll gather and incorporate them into a new edition around 2007-10-10. Love, Arth.)

Q. What is this Valimar sim supposed to look like?

A. "A smiling cluster of buildings on a plain, the City of Bells, Valimar." The ground is gentle slopes, running water, fountains and lawns, pleasant in every way. We want every building and items to be original and exceptional in design and construction, and fit in beautifully with the surroundings. JRR Tolkien mentions gold, silver, brass, green grass, fountains, and bells as prominent, over and over. Then he goes on to say ALL the richest substances are used.

Q. So what all goes in Valimar?

A. Second Life policy requires an information center about our non-profit fund-raising purposes promenently. Logic dictates we put a gathering place & information center regarding our sim and role-play. JRR Tolkien requires: city walls of gold, (thanks for them, Rahan, and the textures, Arianwen) domes and floors of silver, doors of brass, gentle paths, ever-green lawns, Orome's place (think master hunters' pub), Tulkas' place (think elvish sports center), Osse & Uniens place (think city home for sea gods) Aule's place (think crazy inventors' campus with Yavanna's magical orchard) and Melkor's place (think house-arrest home), and obviously, enough other buildings so that the sim looks like a cluster of buildings.

Q. What about the other levels in Valimar?

A. We will in all likelihood be renting out sylistically appropriate shops and residential plots, too, to raise money for the sim on all levels. The other two plats are becoming our "neighborhoods" in Valimar: Currently 600 level is work space and some residences. On the 400 level is "the Forge" with class rooms, display rooms, work rooms, libraries, etc., and Valar "town-mansion" district. On the 200 level is a Maia districts, and homes for the Elves (Noldor & Vanyar) not content to live in Tirion-on-Tùna.

Q. Why are we floating levels at all?

A. Sure, is causes design problems all over the place, but it opens the sim up for wide open plains & uncramped content. To preserve an illusion onf connectedness, we will line the edges of the upper platforms with barriers: backs of buildings, garden walls, impassable hedges, sculpty mountains, rockworks, etc. making the upper levels appear to be walled neighborhoods inside the prime level city, and teleport stations (Thanks, Khyathtu!) Sure, an av can fly over, ending all illusion right then.

Q. So we can fly here?

A. Not everyone. Valar and Maia (mostly spiritual beings) and flying types of animals and that might cross the sim would natually take to the air. Non-flying types are, well, non-flying types.

Q. What about teleports and landmarks?

A. We have only one main entry point, so new visitors will get the Sim guides, a change of clothes. and the main data. Landmarks are generally disabled. We will have teleport devices of various types in various places to get around the sim. You can still give someone a teleport to anywhere you are.

Q. Are there other sims nearby?

A. Yes - Valimar is on a large plain. On the sim north-west is the highest mountain in creation, Tanequetil. In the next sim north, the gigantic Two Trees are shining on their hill. West and South, the plains of Aman continue with their own points of interest and Valar places. On the sim to the east is a pass througth the incredibly rugged Pelori Mountians to the next sim of Tirion-on-Tuna.

Q. Tirion-on-Tuna?

A. Through the eastern mountain pass, on the hill called Tùna, overlooking the sea, it the city Tirion, home of the blessed Vanyar and Noldor Elves live. For now, they are in Valimar as welcome long-term visitors, but we may acquire and begin Tirion any time now (thanks, for that news, Phoenix!)

Q, Where do I learn more?

A. There is data being added to our build library on 200 level almost every day. As city design, descriptions and specs are generated (yes, we are backlogged in this currently) builds and projects will come up ready to be finally, permanently made!

Q. How do I help? Who do I talk to?

A. Look in your Builders of Valimar Group listing in SL: each group role has a leader and description. If you have a group role other than "everyone" already, talk to your leader. If you don't have one, choose one that looks fun to you and talk to the role-leader for guidance .

Love, Arth Karas 2007-09-29 for Builders-of Valimar