Lord of the Rings Online

Hello -

I'm looking to get back into gaming after time away for a few years (I previously played a MUD exclusively).  I love the idea of Lord of the Rings Online, but I'm curious about the extent and quality of roleplay going on in the game.  I've heard word of an "unofficial" RP server, Landroval.  Would someone coming from a rich, involving, and rp-enforced environment (and loved it that way), find this game unsatisfying?

Can anyone comment on the type of roleplay that goes on there - is it immersive?  Are there GMs (I assume there are GMs) that encourage it?  Will my experience be shattered by oocness?

I really want to play this game (it looks stunning and I'm a Tolkien fan), but I fear anything completely linear or restrictive.  I want a place where I can develop a deep character and storyline (that could go on for years)  -but at the same time, still have fun, mechanically, with crafting and fighting.

Whatever game I choose, I want it to be the right choice; I don't like to go back and forth.  It'll be an all-or-nothing sort of thing.  Any help is appreciated!

Originally posted by ArielBianca
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I've heard word of an "unofficial" RP server, Landroval.  Would someone coming from a rich, involving, and rp-enforced environment (and loved it that way), find this game unsatisfying?

...

I really want to play this game (it looks stunning and I'm a Tolkien fan), but I fear anything completely linear or restrictive.  I want a place where I can develop a deep character and storyline (that could go on for years)  -but at the same time, still have fun, mechanically, with crafting and fighting.

...

You will probably be disappointed with LotRO.

First of all there is no official RP server in the US thus you will have many people on the server that do not roleplay. There is no enforcement of RP policies thus be prepared to see many people with crazy names, chatting ooc in whatever channel they like and bunny-jumping all around the place. Things are a little better on the European Laurelin server because this is an official RP server and GMs will enforce naming rules and will make sure that the /say channel is free from random ooc talk.

Secondly, and probably a more major concern, is that LotRO - while being a good, polished and beautiful game - is completely linear: nothing what you do changes the game world in any way, nothing what you do is unique in any way. There's no way around it. Please understand me right, LotRO is a good game, however it is designed for convenience, for fast and easy leveling, for finding a new shiny reward just around the next corner - but it's not designed for immersion and involvement.

That said, it is possible to role-play in LotRO (and I do enjoy my RP in LotRO very much) but you better get your expectations right - but then, you should just download the free trial and see for yourself. ;)

This is insane , and sad in same time.

In europe you have RPserver - Laurelin

I can safely say , as long time mmo,mud,pnp player i never encountered more roleplay in online game.

Hands down the most RP oriented MMO server in existance

Originally posted by Lobotomist

This is insane , and sad in same time.

In europe you have RPserver - Laurelin

 

I can safely say , as long time mmo,mud,pnp player i never encountered more roleplay in online game.

Hands down the most RP oriented MMO server in existance

Yep, for US servers its Landroval and Rp is EVERYWHERE!

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Originally posted by Lobotomist


I can safely say , as long time mmo,mud,pnp player i never encountered more roleplay in online game.
Hands down the most RP oriented MMO server in existance

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Agreed . everyone Rp's in this game. landroval especially.

Originally posted by Bedlem3342

 

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Originally posted by Lobotomist


I can safely say , as long time mmo,mud,pnp player i never encountered more roleplay in online game.
Hands down the most RP oriented MMO server in existance

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Agreed . everyone Rp's in this game. landroval especially.

And as a side-benefit (and the usual reason I go for RP servers although I'm a very light RPer) the OOC chat in Landroval, even in Bree, is very minimal compared to other servers and the maturity level reflected in all the channels is also excellent.

Elendilmir is also a good RP worl for LotRo.  You could check out the Valacirca Alliance or my kinship:

www.gatheringoflaurelin.com.

First and most prominent big difference compared to most other MMOs with RP: Creativity. You COULD say that LotRO is a totally linear world where what you do or not do has no effect on anything game related. That holds true for the mechanics, still LotRO is about the only game with a community (at least on german RP-beleager) that's actually able to deliver a creative roleplaying community.

A community that is totally detached and independend from actual game mechanics and growing on the ground of enforced naming and /say policy. I've been playing numerous roleplaying events, storylines, dungeon runs, I've been invited to marriages, parties, bazars, you name it... Everything way above stupid game mechanics. If you don't have a table at hand, just /emote yourself to a table, like you do at a Pen and Paper session all the time.

This is the unique aspect of LotRO and what makes this - in the field of RP-compatible MMOs - so speical. So the answer is 'yea, go for it if you want to roplay in an MMO, nothing else comes close'

Meridion

Another vote for Landroval.

It's the unofficial RP server for North America, but there is plenty of RP to be had there. 

I would have to agree with one of the posters above, there is easily more RP going on in this game than any other I've played.

i cant run 20m without running into a rp'r on landroval...not my cup of tea...but it makes it pretty amusing when you run by trhem and catch only a small segment of their story..and you do a little double take and say to yourself "what did they just say?"