Storytellers create a world for us to play in – but they certainly don’t expect players to know everything about their world or their game. That’s why they tend to have information on their site to help, like posts at the top of the main page that answer most questions players might have. They offer setting information, story and character information and the main rules of the game.
Storytellers try to cover all the bases, but they also know they can’t. They don’t expect every question you might have has a posted answer… so that means you have get your answers from them.
You have to ask questions.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Storytellers are there to help. They’re there for players and are willing to listen and assist when needed. But too many players don’t ask questions, because they’re afraid – of what, I’m not sure, but I do know many questions never get asked.
If there is a place on the site or a thread in your game forum specifically intended for player questions, then that’s a great place to start. Storytellers watch these locations, see new posts go up and are able to view your questions there. You may even see some other questions from other players that spark your interest or give you the answers you need.
If you’re too shy or feel you can’t ask questions in public or on the boards, then send Storytellers a private message. It’s just between you and them, and they’re more than happy to reply. Most Storytellers will be able to get back to you within 24 hours, too, but if not, they always do their best to get back to you as soon as they can.
Your Fellow Players Are There to Help
Other players are there to have fun with the game just as you are. They often have great advice they could share, they may have been around longer, and some have experiences in gaming you could learn from.
They want to write with you as much as you want to write with them. Having more players participating makes the game interesting, and characters have more people to interact with. More experienced players also want you to know the answers so that the game proceeds more smoothly – not just for them, but for everyone. .
If you don’t ask questions, then you get lost and confused come time to play. For example, how will you know where to place your character if you aren’t sure which threads are available to play in? Other players are willing to help you figure out the best place to start playing. They just need you to ask them for it, so you can bring your character on board and join the fun.
Remember, also, that other players have probably asked the same questions you have and already know the answer, so they’re able to help you out quickly and easily. This comes in handy whenever a Storyteller isn’t available and they are.
And If They Don’t Know, They May Want To
The question you have might be one that another player was wondering about as well. Or, that person might not have thought of asking your question and realizes it’s a good one – he wants the answer too. Even players who’ve been around for a while don’t know everything.
So use that “ask a question” section. Help yourself, and help others out too. If your game board doesn’t have an “ask a question” section, why not contact the Storytellers and ask for one? It’s in their interest to create one, as an “ask a question” section helps them out by letting other players answer questions or informing many players of an answer all at once.
Who knows? Maybe you can answer a question or two that gets posted. Or maybe someone else’s question and the answer gives you a great idea for your character. Maybe you get some helpful advice and become a better player. Maybe you make new friends, even.
Everyone in a game is there to help keep the fun going and make it a better game to play. The other players and the Storytellers are always there to help as long as the game is going. So don’t be afraid to ask. You’re there to play and have fun, and there to participate with other people who want to have just as much fun as you. There is no such thing as a bad, or stupid, or silly question.
Asking questions is how we learn, and it’s great when we learn from each other. So tell me – what question are you going to ask today?
About the Author: When not asking questions of the Storytellers (yes, you can have a cabin; no, we don’t care which one) or writing her character’s reactions, Tracy Bradshaw industriously studies towards her degree in web design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh – and yes, asks plenty of questions.
Great post! I’m going to pass the link on to my players in hopes of getting them to ask (and answer!) more questions. I’m trying to involve my players more in the creative aspect of the game, and encouraging them to ask and answer questions is key to this. Thanks for the tips!
Great post Tracy.
It’s always better to ask than to guess, you know what they say about ‘assume’
Excellent post, and as a Storyteller, I can indeed say that not enough questions are asked, or that some players feel they shouldn’t disturb site owners. Nothing could be farther from the truth – rpg games are there for players to enjoy, first and foremost, and anything that helps make that happen is always welcome.
@anarkeith – Do you feel that your players have a tough time getting involved? Which obstacles do you most often face in your game?
@Marc – What DO they say about ‘assume’? Because all I see in the word is “ME” and there’s nothing wrong with that, eh?
@James They say you shouldn’t ‘assume’ because it makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’
@Marc – You twit, I was teasing you
Well, I can personally say that I make full use of asking questions. To the point that I have annoyed my Storyteller on more than one occasion (Sorry James
).
Not saying that asking questions is always bad, and I think the context of the article limits it well, but at some point things need to be discovered within the game itself. Discovery is part of roleplaying. However, questions about the site, about threads, all that should never be unavailable.
And, because I didn’t say it earlier: Great post, very well written. Congrats Tracy on your first post at CF!
@Nightsong – Dude. You underestimate how many questions *other* people ask. I categorize you in one of the “non-askers”. Though you tend to do short bursts, so maybe you feel you ask a lot?
Anyways, point being, you don’t. So there.
And yes. Many questions should be actually played out in game. Now, I know which ones… question is, which ones do you guys think should be played out and which asked directly?
@Marc Thanks. I don’t have to assume anything, I am now question queen. See what you guys did to me? hehe
@Nathan Thanks to you too. And don’t worry about asking questions. I find many of your interesting. From the ones you post publicly anyway. I’m probably on a scale up there right with you. But as James said, you’d be surprised at all the questions they probably get that aren’t public. Now I want to know the percentages. I’m curious again.
@James. Hmmm I think questions that are in the story should be played out instead of answered. For example: “Will my character get hurt if they take the food away from that dog?”
For one thing, if it isn’t your characters dog, then common sense should tell your character not to take the food away. Unless there is a very good reason for taking the food, then I’d get a really long stick and make some kind of shield if possible.
For another thing. Sometimes your character has to take risks, but where is the fun if your character is just going to play it safe and never do anything?
As for me, I ask anyway because I know I’m not going to get an answer but I have my fingers crossed that something will slip past those lips of yours or who ever I ask. Hehe.
Asking questions like “can you point out to me which thread are currently open for my character to join? or What is the time of day for my character so I will know where to enter then into next? are all good questions.
@anarkeith – Thanks to you to. I hope this post will help your players as well. I have learned to ask questions and if I hadn’t, I would be completely lost in the game.
Great post Tracy!
As a relative newbie to RPG I really do appreciate all the advice you’ve been giving me behind the scenes.
I tend to ask the ST logistical questions that only require short factual answers (cos I know how busy James is and I don’t want to be a pia
) However, I rely on experienced players such as yourself for more detailed advice on stuff going on in a particular scene my character is involved in.
One of the cool things about ER is how approachable everyone is. I have absolutely no hesitation in asking an ST or fellow player questions because I know they’re only too happy to help, and I’m learning a lot
Great post Tracy.
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