OOC: Mounts in RP

[erwil]

Gonna pop this in the RP section, but I think it'd fit in the Mount category as well though.. o.o


But I wanted to ask, how do you guys view different types of mounts in RP? I'm mainly looking at some of the rarer mounts like, cross faction (Ram, Kodo, ZG Tiger and Raptor) and rare drops (Raven Lord, Horseman's/Huntsman's steed). The reason I'm asking, because I'm a mount collector and I love every single rare I've managed to get my hands on, but I've ran across a few people who tend to frown at certain mounts (Depends on the person and the mount, but with most, it just seems to come down to jealousy in the end).

People like to ask questions, if you happen to be riding an unique looking beast, but do you usually create a background story for the mounts you use? I like to do this myself, to make it as believable and convincing as possible.

[TygerDarkstorm]

Actually, because I'm still unsure how to use mounts and pets properly in RP, it's the big reason my little huntress, Roxíe will be using her chestnut mare all the time because it seems easier to explain RP wise.

I'm curious as to how some people might handle the more rare mounts.

[Saturo]

Well, some mounts, like Invincible or Mimiron's Head are just a plain bad idea to try to RP. Just think of it this way, RP-wise, your character has never killed ANY raidboss or other lorecharacter, it's considered bad RP to say that you have. Riding around on Undead Arthas Childhood Horse would make most RPers want to slap you and then toss you into a volcano. Something like Horseman's Mount could probably work, if you RP it as a demonic horse, but things like Ravenlord, or Invincible...

It's up to you, really. Think "Does this mount make my character special?". You don't want a special character. You want something unique, that stands out, but not special.

[Lupis]

If you can think up some random story that makes it justifiable for your character to have the mount, then it's okay. I think Mimiron's head works, but only if you're, say, an engineer that could perhaps MAKE such a mount.
Anzu... That's harder to explain. If you can think such a thing up... Maybe if your character is a Druid they could have a mount that came from the Emerald Dream, but that's a bit shaky too.

Personally, my RP characters use different mounts for RP and OOC. RP wise my dwarf has a black horse and a hyppogryph, and my worgen druid has a black nightsaber and flight form. OOCwise my dwarf has a camel and a TB drake and my druid has Running Wild and flight form.

[Ana]

Just out of mere curiosity, since i dont rp.. if mounts are accepteable in rp.. why walk on them instead of running ?

[Lupis]

Well, think about people riding horses in real life. You don't make your horse gallop through a city, you have it walk. Same goes for RP. If you gallop, you're liable to hit someone.

Outside of the city, walking or running is your choice. It can be difficult to talk and run, though, so many people choose to walk.

[Vasken]

It genuinely depends on the mount and whether you've a plausible story for the creature. For example: a Zulian Tiger could perhaps be a stolen Night Elf nightsabre (if you're Horde-side) or simply an amored tiger trained for riding! After all, the dawnsabre skin is similar. Same for the Razazazashi Raptor! A stolen troll mount or a trained raptor. There's plenty of other explanations though, these are just brief examples! My Troll Shaman won her Brewfest mounts in a drinking contest during the event!

However, some mounts are a little more difficult. Anzu is pretty unique (disregarding Blaithe) and might cause a few grumbles. Invincible appears to be a no-no... And... Well. Could pass off Miririrmridon's head as an exact replica made by an engineer! Draconic mounts are best avoided at all costs, with the exception of Proto-Drakes.

Even so, it's usually best to stick with a more 'common' mount if possible. Even plain ol' wolves and raptors can have enthralling stories behind them! The mount doesn't need to be rare to be special! Standing out too much is a thing best avoided.

[erwil]

I actually never even had that thought with Mimiron's head. But it's quite interesting idea. I like the story behind the Brewfest ram as well (Ram is actually the mount I'm a bit squeamish about using. I absolutely love the wee creature). As for the draconic mounts and Invincible, I can completely agree with a bit of a no-no. I tend to though, assume that people are OOC if they're riding a little fancier steed (usually also includes pointless bouncing around even if they've forgotten to turn their flag off x) ).

I don't shun anyone for their mount of choice (it can however tell a bit of the character itself already, but this is the case with people with the "speshul"-syndrome Saturo mentioned. But I'm always willing to give people a chance), but I usually like to ask if they've got a story behind it. It shouldn't be the mount that get peoples' attention, but your character and its persona as a whole.

[Nubhorns]

I would avoid Invincible(for lore reasons), Anzu(who is a god) - probably things like Mim's Head and the Engineering 'copters too because, really, if you're going to walk with someone you may as well step out of your machine. That engine can't be easy to talk over.

I'm inclined to be less bothered by people on mounts if they're small - hippogryphs, gryphons and wyverns, horses, worgs, raptors and so on. If you ride your mammoth to the Inn and decide to walk with me over to the bank...what's the point besides showing off? Unless you have a good reason to haul your poor, heavily-furred critter into the middle of Orgrimmar, it's probably best to leave him home or even stabled in Northrend. I'd like to think a dragon in your company would have better things to do than pinpoint your location, land, let you climb on his or her back only to walk you two buildings over. At the same time though, that applies to the smaller mounts too. Not much point in saddling up just to take a ten second walk. Leave them tied to the post and get them when you're ready to leave or we move somewhere farther away.

There can be excellent rp done on mounts. I know there are frequent races being held at least on Moon Guard, and scouting out a potential ambush on the back of your wyvern can save your hide. I used to wander Mulgore with friends on my talbuk all the time, and Veeka winds up taking her hippogryph out for rides pretty frequently to combat Killinger's overabundance of energy and/or ADD. But a lot of the time, going on foot will do just fine.

Sitting in the saddle all day is rarely comfortable, anyways. :P