So you've decided you want to play one of those confounded Role Playing games you've heard so much/little about eh? Do you know what you're getting yourself into? Do you know what you need to get first in order to get a game going? Do you know where to get polyhedral dice?

1. Other Gamers- This is probably the most important thing when trying to start gaming. Without other gamers you're just playing with yourself. Your first inclination will probably be to search the internet, but as with most things on the world wide web you probably want to keep the safe distance ensured by a monitor and CPU. Your next inclination will probably be to ask your RL friends. The problem here is that many people think of THIS :
   
   EW!
   
   
   instead of THIS:
   
   Ooh!
   ...when it comes to gamers.
   So if they need a little coaxing let them know that plenty of famous people play D&D and that if it's good enough for friggin' Jenny McCarthy Alice Cooper then they can shut up and roll a character.
   
   
2. A Game to Play- There are a LOT of games out there and most likely your first game will be something you hold a torch for years after everyone stops playing it...so choose wisely. Cause no one wants to hear about how upset you are that no one understood the "genius" behind F.A.T.A.L.
   
   There are a few good ways to find a game that suits you.
   . Skim through books- Sure sure don't judge a book by it's cover, but in all honesty when you're about to shell out $30+ dollars for a book you should definitely judge it before you buy it.
   . Download a free start-up from RPGDrivethru.net-Hey what do you know? There is a link on the main page of this website! Click it, enjoy some of their free games, then buy some out of sheer gratitude!
   . Ask Jake- Or Carol or the guy running the gaming store or anyone who has seen plenty of games
   
   
3. A Story/Character idea- If you are running the game you need a story, if you are playing you need a character. Either way please put a little effort into the process. It makes the other gamers feel special. Also it makes others want to game with you more often.
   
   
4. Dice- See the side bar? Great! Click the button that says "Gamer Stop" and buy yourself some dice, you'll be glad you did! Or go to your local gaming store. Polyhedral dice aren't HARD to find, you just have to know where to look. Gamers are occationally a strange brood and most of them don't like sharing dice. You'll understand if you ever lend your dice to someone who rolls better than you ever have with them.
   
   
5. Have Fun- Seriously though, don't forget that the reason people play is to have fun if you can't remember that then you shouldn't be playing. Creating real life feuds out of in-game fights is a fast and stupid way to lose your gaming group. Role Playing Games are great... but they are GAMES.
   

Thanks for Reading!

-Carol