Hi Steve! Welcome to the game. If you want to play IRL, then just go to your local Game Store and look for other groups playing or try to find ads for a group. You can even put up an ad stating that you're looking for a game in which to play. Conversely, if none of that appeals to you or playing at your shop is not feasible, then just look around here for games coming together. Most will advertise how many players they need along with a few guidelines, such as acceptable rulebooks, or if the group is looking for a specific type of character to join, such as a dedicated healer. Use the "Join a Game" option from the Games dropdown menu on Roll20. You can easily find a variety of groups in that manner. Try to find a group that is either just starting or states that "new players are welcome" as a low level game is the best way to get started. Lastly, just read the basic rules online. Look on forums or youtube for character ideas that you might like to play, but try not to get married to any one concept before you have a chance to find an actual group. If you have your heart on playing a fighter, for example, and you find a group with one fighter, one barbarian, a mage, and a rogue, then you're not going to add much to the group and the DM or GM will most likely advise you that the group already has two melee based classes and needs something different. In D&D, there are four pillars that each gaming group should attempt to represent: one fighter, one cleric, one rogue, and one magic user. These days there are a variety of classes that can fill those roles. It is important for each to be present in a group in order to make it possible to deal with whatever challenges arise. That's not to say that a group can't be all fighters or all wizards, but experience helps in those situations. Most of all, have fun. Don't compromise by playing with people that are annoying or detract from the game by arguing too much. It is always better to quit a group and look for another that suits you than to stay in one that sucks. That may mean looking around for a few months, but once you find a good one, hopefully you can stay with them for a long time. Good luck!
