One of the great things I love about Roleplay is how you can create a story for your character and follow their adventure. That being said I noticed I face a very very big problem when it comes to Roleplay and it’s socializing. I usually just stand there as a statue while watching people around me socialize. This happened twice during the Night elven spring festival and the Felo’alah blood elf festival. And in the rare moment someone does approach my character I start panicking and don’t know what to say.
For this reason I get the feeling I may not belong in a Rp server, or if I do belong then I need to work on my social anxiety fast!
The most successful Roleplay experience I had was when I was a night elf hunter part of the Dirge of Teldrassil guild. I just followed the leader and only talked when necessary and they made me feel like home. Really miss that guild.
Any tips or tricks that might help me?
7 Likes
Well, can you answer this for me:
“What are you worried will happen?”
2 Likes
I think you absolutely do and are clearly not the only one with social anxiety here. I would personally go as far and say that rp has helped me a lot coming over it. Sure it is an entire different step to take on irl then too but it is a start. And yes going towards people, trying to start an interaction and not only wait for them, is part that learning and it will need a lot of time. I think a guild that makes you feel home was far more the reason that you were happy there instead of “just following the leader” because that could still mean awkward interactions.
So yes you do belong here, and are not the only one who find that hard (I am a gm now and still have my moments of anxiety) but keep trying and honestly? Where else to try then here where you have nothing to lose? Worst case you close the game for 10 minutes and try again!^^
2 Likes
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with acknowledging that some things just aren’t for you. I feel much the same way you do at these big social server events, but thankfully there’s so much more to roleplay on Argent Dawn than that. Don’t let the fomo win.
1 Like
Not sure to be honest. Panic just happens.
Good point 
1 Like
We all start somewhere. It does not have to be massive interaction, but try to put yourself into the mind of your character for interactions, try to find a suitable guild/community, and hopefully you will find yourself feeling at home again.
3 Likes
Well, let me clear it for you. Nothing bad will happen by just typing what comes to mind. Large groups can be intimidating but you’d be surprised by how small talk can remove a lot of worries you might have.
There is nothing wrong with just asking about things you may think are ‘common’ knowledge OOCly.
What is important is how you want to approach.
You mentioned night elf festival. Here’s a topic:
Night elves get marks for their faces when they pass a ‘trial’ or ‘achieve something noteworthy’. If you don’t have markings on your characters face, you could talk about how you hope that you can achieve a great achievement so that you may earn your markings for next festival.
Its a bit random, but it is a start if you are unsure.
7 Likes
It helps to remember that you’re playing with people who equally struggle when it comes to social interaction, even in a roleplay environment. I’ve had a few moments where I’ve approached people and been met with one word answers which lead me to assume I was boring them but, they went on to reveal they simply struggle in some social situations.
Usually I find that asking people about their characters is enough to break the ice. Deep down, everyone wants to talk about their character and providing a means for people to do just that will usually help to endear them to you, as well as put them in the spotlight.
Merchant characters can be a good way to get familiar with player interactions. After all, you’re going to have to talk to someone in order to sell them some goods, just don’t take it to heart if people don’t want to buy your goods.
Being a part of community is always a big benefit too, especially a guild wherein you can communicate your own anxieties/worries and play with people who are more than happy to make accommodations for such. It helps to have people you can lean on and get involved with, even if its only in smaller interactions.
5 Likes
You have to remember - you are most likely not the only one who struggles!
I for one have been roleplaying for a very long time, yet I still freeze up or feel uncertain as to what I should say next. Heck, I still somewhat struggle to approach being and initiate roleplay. But I know from experience, the more you do it, the easier it gets. And like those above me quite rightly said; “What’s the worst that could happen?” They dismiss you - alright, then you move on and find someone else. You’ll be fine, keep practicing, write little stories, come up with creative tales for your characters to talk about. Create memories; small talk. It gets easier, stick with it and take little breaks if needed to keep yourself feeling refreshed and not drained. We’ve all been there and some of us still are, but it’s do-able. We’re all here for the same goal; Roleplay.
1 Like
Splitting yourself from your character is very important when it comes to RP.
It’s not you in the game, and that’s definitely something to bear in mind.
So making a character that deviates from your own personality will help. And having an idea of how they interact. I’d take reference and inspiration from your favourite characters (in media) and draw out some personality traits, which can be easier than starting from scratch.
E.g. Perhaps they’re an extroverted, charismatic elf proud of being one aswell. Who despises trolls; regardless of what kind they are, because mayhaps they’ve lost a relative to the trolls in the past. (Really basic example)
There are undoubtedly awkward situations in RP, and social RP definitely needs some stepping stones. My idea would generally be approaching the situation, ICly, on the lines of “I have been out of this city for years now, who are you?” If that is the case for your character.
3 Likes
Hey, I’m going to be at the Felo’alah these next few days if you’d like a friendly face to DM and work into meeting ic. I think it’s just a mental hurdle to get over and remembering the worst that can happen is someone doesn’t rp with you and you move on to find someone else.
3 Likes
Dont think like this, please. See RP as being an actor who performs their role. Think and say what your character would think and say. Else its not RP but second life in wow.
Thats the thing. You create. You have to create. First and foremost for yourself, for your entertainment. By doing statue rp, as you found yourself at, you are not creating anything.
Let your character travel around, have a goal that may require approach others. Dont expect or do “approachable for rp”, you wont get far with it and you wont get much from it.
I hope you will find joy from rp. Give it a chance. But be active.
6 Likes
Yo! Yo! Soot-spewer here!
I would simply say that; don’t worry too much! It’s after all for just enjoyment and immersion!
Although actual advice is to make a “disposable” character that you could “try” things on, so your worry is less with consequences and or reactions!
As yes, trying things - will help you get your footing on what you like to RP and spend time on and as!
And yes, try to make some ooc connections, just so you can have a safety net for your feelings around the RP. Just some good peeps that is by your side and can be there to “involve” you as other characters!
Besides the spewings above, just have fun and be respectful! People will often just respond in kind! And of course, at the end of the day; it’s just RP! Have fun! 
2 Likes
I had that when i started RPing, and i slowly found a way to Aproatch not aproatch. can’t explain it withouth an example.
So your in a inn, and you are sitting alone and there are other people.
i usualy do from time to time emotes of what my character is doing and maybe other people will be intrested to aproatch me.
with that i started to have the courage to aproatch people in RP more often cause i could practise.
for anxiety, take it, knock it off, and say “Im gonna try!”.
i suggest you to try it 
2 Likes
just fyi we’re still around
3 Likes
I find your words relatable and I’ve been facing the same problem, especially within night elf community. Although I can also commend Dirge of Teldrassil and Moonrise Hermitage for being more willing to initiate RP with strangers like myself, and I’ve had fun in those events I’ve been part of, on various chars. It’s been relieving how understanding most of these people have been, even if my chars may sometimes take more passive stance socially.
When RPing alone and approaching people, or trying to maintain a conversation, I do often struggle with finding something engaging to say, rather than boring people. But most of my social anxiety would come to trying to interact at a wrong time, or misinterpreting social situations badly upon approach, and things going downhill from there both IC and OOC. I’ve sometimes tried to ask for help OOC like yourself, after my IC efforts to connect haven’t been successful, and sometimes gotten as unhelpful advices as “develop an attitude” or “put yourself out there” (as if I’m not doing that - wonder if you ever received those comments?).
Oftentimes I’ve found it simplest and best for my own sanity to just let people OOCly know that I have my own anxieties and think “Those who are willing to understand and RP regardless, will do so, and those who will judge are better to be avoided”. Energy flows to the direction of least resistance, so to speak, better use one’s energy on people who make it a collaboration rather than struggle. Doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be IC conflict, but OOC conflict and attitudes are a big nope.
2 Likes
There are great answers around here.
My approach is to ask myself - “What does my character want?”
Having a goal, having a desire or need to work towards is the basis of all interactions that are more significant than a short-lived chit-chat.
Set a goal for your character. Ask yourself what needs to be done to get there. Ask yourself how others can aid your character in achieving that goal.
It’s a lot more complicated to create interactions out of thin air, just like in real life - we always want or need something when interacting with other people; we want to grow closer to them for some reason. We seek their help or advice.
Just like in real life there’s a reason behind every interaction.
Find the reason, the drive, that compels your character to reach out.
1 Like
anxiety is common place around us roleplayers so I’m going to offer you the most unhelpful advice of all time which is to just do it
as insane as this sounds i would also feel overwhelmed at the slightest social interaction in roleplay, only to better myself through sheer willpower alone
i don’t think there’s any tips and tricks that can really help beyond your own mindset
4 Likes
Aye and tbh it does definitely help with confidence I feel outside of WOW
1 Like
Hey! I just saw this post and wanted to answer.
You are not the only one, I have been RPing for years now and my first few months of RP are so hard to look back on. I spent my entire time in cat form, so I didn’t have to talk and could just react to the situations I was in.
Slowly, I started to get better, started realising that that character I RP, is not me. I am not my character and I realised no one is judging me, because I am not there. My character is and as long as you keep it pleasant, no one is going to judge them either.
The thing that really helped me was to get into a guild where I felt comfortable IC and OOC, if that is the Dirge of Teldrassil, go back, find that sweet spot and go from there. Once you find yourself feeling more at home OOC, you will start to feel so much more comfortable IC. Its also so important to know your character, their backstory, for instance for a Kaldorei, how do they feel about the fourth war? Were they there or were they on the ships going to Feralas at the time and arrived back too late? If they are old enough were they in the war of the shifting sands? Really flesh out that backstory.
As so many people have pointed out, my social anxiety was suffocating at first and I think most of us felt as you do right now, but we persevered and most of us find that that helped us in real life too. I know it has me.
But you belong here, anyone who wants to RP belongs here, you just have to find that place of comfort and work from there.
4 Likes