Heroism
This is a heroic fantasy adventure. This means you’re expected to be the heroes. Not all heroes are paragons of morality, but even the morally questionable ones should be likeable.
Fiction First
Your character’s actions should drive the game’s mechanics, not the other way around. For example, you will never say “I roll animal handling,” but rather describe what your character does. The Dungeon Master will respond with what to roll, if anything. The idea is to keep the mental image of the game alive. Much like books, role-playing games are stories told with words, and the action takes place in the mind’s eye. The longer we can keep that image alive, the more immersive the game becomes.
Collaborative Storytelling
Who is your character? How does the adventure change them? What will happen to them? It’s not all about hacking away at goblins and saving the day, but also about learning what will happen in the end. Try to focus on what’s interesting more than what would be optimal. Be creative, make fun decisions, and see what happens! Half the fun is the excitement of not knowing how things will work out.
Keep the Game Moving
It’s always good to ask questions and discuss rules if you’re unsure, but you can help keep the game moving by familiarizing yourself with your character’s abilities and spells, and being ready when your turn comes up in combat.
Have Fun
The goal of the game is for everyone to have as much fun as possible. Help bring your fellow players into the spotlight, try to be ready on your turn, and show interest in the other characters and the story. Let’s all have a great time!
Next: The World
For more player advice, check out the Player Agenda and Things We Try to Think About.