ok this might sound wierd...ive played RPGs (Runescape, D&D) but ive never actually role-played...so i was wondering if you could give me any tips on how to get started and what to do? thanks a million

Well, I can;t say I'm an expert, but I'l lay out the ground rules.

1. No power playing. That means you cannot control the other players in any way.

2. Be reliable. Don't leave for a very long time when people are relying on you for an important part of the story. Of you have to be gone a long time, Tell them.

3. Real characters. For a LotR RPG you wouldn't have a character that can sprout wings and make things levitate.

Thats about all I can think off for right now. I'll post more if I remember more. Oh, and have fun!

I''m probably less of an expert than most. I agree with everything Nauriel said (even though I have a powerplaying problem). Just some other tips:

Do something to denote out-of-characters (OOC). I personally separate OOCs from character posts with parentheses.

Try to catch onto slang quickly. These people use it a lot; so f you know the slang, it's easier to understand what people mean.

Apart from that, I think you're set.

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Can you even dare to look or bear to think of me: this loathsome gargoyle, who burns in hell, but secretly yearns for heaven, secretly... secretly.... Fear can turn to love- you'll learn to see, to find the man behind the monster: this repulsive carcasse who seems a beast, but secretly dreams of beauty, secretly... secretly....

thanks...