I have never played a tabletop RPG before.

I am attracted to the immense potential to invoke creativity and turn it into epic, awesome fun of Tabletop RPGS. I am very eager to dive into one to have fun. While I am willing to do research, I have no clue as to where to do it, as I know literally (and I mean literally) next to nothing about Tabletop RPGs (I.e. Rules, different types of dices, roll modifiers, character sheets). I feel like that time when I knew nothing about the 40k universe and had to take a long time to research it on Lexicanum. Is there a way to find out the ins and outs and how to play Tabletop RPGs if I am not a decade long veteran? Thank You.

I am by no means a veteran of tabletop games, but I've found one of the quickest resources for a particular game is the core rulebook. For Pathfinder, most of the rulebook can be found online at <a href="http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/gettingStarted.html" rel="nofollow">http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/gettingStarted.html</a> . I think it does a pretty good job of explaining things to new players, but since you seem so interested, I would recommend jumping straight into writing your first character by following the guidelines on that page. At several points you will be required to make die rolls as directed in the book. If you don't have a set lying around somewhere, you can use this online tool: <a href="http://www.brockjones.com/dieroller/dice.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.brockjones.com/dieroller/dice.htm</a> . You can download a character sheet here: <a href="http://paizo.com/beginnerbox" rel="nofollow">http://paizo.com/beginnerbox</a> and fill it in as you go along. Hopefully that's enough links to get you started! If anything is confusing, feel free to post questions.

Just a note: Many Pathfinder GMs require you to use a point buy for ability scores instead of rolling them. Become familiar with the point buy system as well as rolling for ability scores. 20points is pretty common nowadays. Regarding games. There are many out there to choose from. The Dungeons and Dragons line is currently in its 4th edition (the 5th edition is in playtesting). 4th edition can be found at: <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Feature.aspx?x=new/learntoplay" rel="nofollow">http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Feature.aspx?x=new/learntoplay</a> For people interested in the 3rd edition (3.5 actually) of Dungeons and Dragons there is the game Pathfinder. Pathfinder is based on the 3.5 rules but has some modifications. Most of the game is available for free on the website Saijini linked above. There are other games too, World of Darkness (new or old versions), Star Wars (various editions, I dont know them), Shadowrun etc. Here is a listing of many RPGs. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_role-playing_games_by_genre" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_role-playing_games_by_genre</a> If you are interested in fantasy RPG games there are plenty of games of either 4th edition D&D or Pathfinder around. Familiarize yourself with the rules and then apply to games in the LFG forum. - Gauss

A good Idea to start is Mutants & Masterminds, It's not all that complicated and there's much room for customization

I'm a 30-year tabletop RPG veteran. The best way to learn about tabletop RPGs is to play. Don't worry about the rules - you can learn those as you go. Any good GM will take the time to help you as will good players. We LOVE having someone as enthusiastic as you join!

and always remember...if yew lack confidence to just let go and have fun, its harder for yer players to get into it. treat it like an acting class, dont be afraid to get stupid. if yew make a mistake, dont correct it, use it, if yer player spots it, make it benefit their story so they feel like accomplished something.

Any GM worthwhile can and will help you learn the game. It doesn't matter what the system mechanics are as they can be learned as you play. Just relax, kick your shoes off and let the game flow over you. When you settle in, you might discover yourself grinning so much that your cheeks hurt.

Sometimes the most interesting characters to play with are ones that are there to PLAY and not be a bunch of statistics and rules. The main thing to know is what KIND of character you want to play, most systems either have a base for most archetypes OR have the ability to customize openly so any option is there. Things to remember though are that in level based systems you may not be able to do everything you dreamed of from the start at level one and you have to take that into your character development. Sometimes the path you thought you wanted gets turned on it's head because of how the game plays out and the roles everyone takes in the group and you have to adjust to help balance things. Tabletop games and characters are living things. Even if you have a script in mind be prepared to deviate because things can happen to change what your plans are. Most systems I've played are d20, d10/d100, or d6, These are the dice that do the most in the system because your success or failure is based on this die, the system is labeled by that die. Other dice offer variations for damage scales usually. Like people have said, the best way to learn is to play, and in a level based game, at level 1 you generally don't start with much and then you slowly get more. Read the rules beforehand and think like your character and dream of what you might be able to do and what you want to do. These will change as your character grows and develops, bu that's fine. Tabletop RPGs live, so don't get stuck on the rules, they're just guidelines on the path you want to take, not the definitive of what path you will take (most of the time)

In one 4 hour session I can usually teach Pathfinder and Roll20 to a group of 6 New Players, who at the end of the session will have no trouble blending into any game or system. Pathfinder is an improved version of D&D 3.5 and is clearly the most popular game system being played right now. I run a few of these type of games each month. Look for New Player games by Ajax

I prefer Basic fantasy rpg because it is a free and it is based off the 3.5 srd. It is a retro rewrite of the modern system but it is specifically rewrote to be rules lite. But that is neither here nor there as everyone has their own personal preference so back to the subject at hand which is how to play and where. I think we all pretty much agree that pick a game that is open and just join it then let the experienced members walk you through the ropes while you relax and enjoy the game. Don't stress on what you need to roll for a save or an attack or something else. There will be alot of help offered if you ask, up to and including what to choose for your class, race, equipment, and anything else that might be involved. That's my .02 cents on the matter. Just pick, relax and go with the flow. Help is always available upon asking.

A short list of freebies by difficult level (more or less...). The first ones can be good to learn and have a taste of the rpg game... I'm sure there are even more, even easy. But these are good. Old school Hack, <a href="http://www.oldschoolhack.net" rel="nofollow">www.oldschoolhack.net</a>. Very simple. Basic Fantasy, <a href="http://www.basicfantasy.org" rel="nofollow">www.basicfantasy.org</a>, simple. Talislanta, talislanta.com/, if you want something a little bit more complex. JAGS, <a href="http://www.jagsrpg.org/" rel="nofollow">www.jagsrpg.org/</a>, generical, can be use with lot of genres. Fudge, <a href="http://www.fudgerpg.com/goodies/fudge-files/core/" rel="nofollow">www.fudgerpg.com/goodies/fudge-files/core/</a>, there is a epub version, so if ou have a reader this will do great.

I learnt pathfinder... anyone have games up at 9 or 10am at GMT+0? (Which would be about 4 or 5pm for me at GMT+7)